Inyo County, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Inyo County's Zoning Ordinance (Title 18) permits home occupations as an accessory use in the residential (R), rural residential (RR), and open space (OS) districts, subject to the standards in Chapter 18.78 (and the definitions in Chapter 18.06). The intent is to let residents run a small business from home without changing the residential character of the neighborhood. Under Section 18.78.130, no home occupation is permitted that involves or requires: employing more than one full-time-equivalent person who is not a resident family or household member; any alteration in the residential character of the premises; any outdoor storage or display of equipment, appliances, materials, or supplies; maintaining on the premises any stock of goods for sale or rental that are not homemade; generating vehicular traffic exceeding fifteen round trips per day to the home occupation; operating outside the hours of seven a.m. to eight p.m.; or producing objectionable noise, glare, vibration, odor, or electrical disturbance. Because the activity must remain incidental to the residence, the dwelling must still be used primarily as a home. Some uses (such as certain commercial or higher-impact activities) may instead require a conditional use permit or be limited to commercial zones. Confirm your specific business with the Inyo County Planning Department.