Fresno, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Under Fresno Municipal Code (Citywide Development Code) Section 15-2735(B), home occupation regulations apply to all residential units and properties in the city regardless of their zoning designation; they do not apply to family day care homes, which are regulated separately under Section 15-2725. The residential appearance of the unit must be maintained, and no exterior indication of a home occupation is permitted (FMC 15-2735.E). All home occupation activities must be conducted entirely within the residential unit, or within a garage reserved for the unit; when conducted in a garage, the doors must be closed and the area used may not preclude the use of required parking spaces (FMC 15-2735.E.1). No structural alterations may be made to create features not customary in dwellings (E.2). The space exclusively devoted to the home occupation, including any associated storage, may not exceed 25 percent of the residential unit floor area (E.3). One employee or independent contractor other than residents of the dwelling may work at the location, and all employee work must be conducted completely within the home (not including the garage) (E.4). Equipment is limited to that customarily incidental to domestic use plus business equipment such as fax machines, copiers, and computers, and small power tools not exceeding two horsepower; commercial kitchens are prohibited (E.13). The use must not change the fire safety or occupancy classification of the premises (E.15), and no offensive noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, or other nuisance may be perceptible at or beyond the lot line (E.16).