Garden Grove Zoning Restrictions Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Garden Grove's zoning code (Title 9) establishes the standards for home occupations, which are defined as any lawful business or professional activity conducted within a residential dwelling by the occupant of that dwelling. Home occupations are permitted as accessory uses in all residential zones, provided they comply with performance standards designed to prevent commercial activities from degrading the residential character of the neighborhood.

The core requirements include that the home occupation must be conducted entirely within the principal dwelling or an approved accessory structure, and must not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area. The business must be clearly secondary to the residential use, and there must be no external evidence of the business — no commercial signage (other than what may be separately permitted), no exterior storage or display of merchandise, no alteration of the building's residential appearance, and no equipment or processes that generate noise, vibration, odor, dust, glare, or electrical interference detectable beyond the property line.

Garden Grove permits one non-resident employee or business partner to work at the home occupation site at any given time. Activities that are expressly prohibited as home occupations include manufacturing and assembly operations, warehousing and distribution, retail sales with customer walk-in traffic, auto repair or body work, medical or dental offices, restaurants, and any business requiring hazardous materials storage. Professionals such as consultants, accountants, designers, tutors, and remote workers typically qualify for home occupation permits. As one of Orange County's largest cities with approximately 173,000 residents, Garden Grove balances supporting small business growth with protecting the quality of residential neighborhoods. The business license must be obtained from the Finance Department before the business begins operating.