San Diego County, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Home occupations in unincorporated San Diego County are governed by Section 6156.m of the County Zoning Ordinance, which lists them among permitted accessory uses for residential and agricultural use types. A home occupation is 'an occupation customarily conducted as an accessory use to a residential use entirely within a building containing a residential use or an attached garage.' Key conditions: there must be no exterior evidence of the conduct of the home occupation; it must be conducted entirely within a dwelling or attached garage; electrical or mechanical equipment that causes radio/TV interference or line-voltage fluctuation outside the unit is prohibited; the establishment and conduct of the home occupation must not change the principal character or use of the dwelling unit or property; required residential off-street parking must be maintained; and it may not create vehicular or pedestrian traffic in excess of what is normal for the zone. Indoor storage of goods or supplies is limited to 125 cubic feet maximum, within no more than one room of the dwelling and/or the attached garage. A Cottage Food Operation must be conducted only within the dwelling that contains the kitchen (not in a garage or accessory building). Because the use is permitted by right when these conditions are met, no discretionary home-occupation permit is required, distinguishing the unincorporated County from many incorporated cities.