Gardena allows home occupations in residential zones as a permitted accessory use under Municipal Code Chapter 18.56. In the R-1 single-family zone, Section 18.12.020 permits home occupations, but the business must stay incidental and secondary to residential use and cannot change the neighborhood's residential character.
Gardena regulates home-based businesses under its Zoning Code, Title 18. In the R-1 single-family zone, Section 18.12.020(B) permits home occupations subject to Chapter 18.56, and Section 18.12.020(D) permits family day care homes, with a large family day care home allowed under a home occupation permit. Chapter 18.56 is meant to allow certain occupations within a residential dwelling or accessory building while keeping the activity incidental and secondary to residential use. A home occupation may not change the character of the dwelling or adversely affect uses permitted in the surrounding zone. In effect a home business is an accessory use, not a commercial use, and must meet the mandatory conditions of Section 18.56.040 on traffic, parking, appearance, storage, and signage.
Operating a home business that exceeds accessory-use limits, generates commercial traffic, or is on the prohibited list violates Chapter 18.56 and the zone's use rules. Enforcement is by Community Development, and a permit may be revoked; report at (310) 217-9672.
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