El Cajon, CA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

El Cajon Municipal Code Sec. 050 defines a home occupation as one lawfully conducted within a dwelling by its inhabitant, and requires that it meet every requirement in subsections A through J to operate. No customer may come to the dwelling to receive goods or services (A), and no one but dwelling inhabitants may work there (B). No merchandise, equipment or materials may be stored at or outside the dwelling beyond what an office needs (D), and the required garage, carport or parking space cannot be converted away from parking use (E).

The residential character of the property may not be altered (F), and all customer or client contact must happen off-site or only by mail, phone or electronic media (G). Any equipment needed for the work must fit in a pickup truck or van of one-ton maximum capacity, or a towable trailer (H), and the operation cannot create a nuisance through noise, dust, odor, vibration, fumes, smoke or electrical interference (I). A valid business license must be obtained and renewed annually under Title 5 (J). The code carves out three exceptions: operations run by a disabled person or for therapy, supported by a doctor's written statement (K); cottage food operations that also hold a County Department of Environmental Health permit (L); and indoor special training or tutoring limited to a single student or family per session (M). 30 (O). The current version was adopted by Ord. 5131 Sec. 31 in 2022.