Plumas County, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

The Plumas County zoning code regulates home-based work as a 'home business' and 'limited home business' rather than 'home occupation.' Under the definitions (Sec. 9-2.246), a 'home business' means a nonresidential use otherwise permitted in a commercial zone, conducted by a resident of the dwelling on the parcel, involving no more than two additional employees, occupying no more than 600 square feet, with no business visibility from off the premises except a permitted sign, and producing no off-premises noise or odor and no storage of toxic, explosive, or flammable materials. A 'limited home business' (Sec. 9-2.247) is the same but with no additional employees and no exterior evidence of business activity. In the Single-Family Residential Zones (2-R, 3-R, 7-R), Sec. 9-2.1302(a) permits 'limited home businesses' by right, while a full 'home business' is listed among the uses requiring a special use permit under Sec. 9-2.1302(b). The Multiple-Family Residential and Rural zones contain comparable provisions. Because the standards are tied to employee count, floor area, and off-site impacts, applicants planning customer traffic, signage, or any employees should verify whether their activity qualifies as 'limited' or needs the special use permit. The Planning Department administers these determinations.