Nevada County, CA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code section
- NC Code 12.03.110 (Home Businesses)
- Allowed districts
- Residential and rural
- Max floor area in dwelling
- 25% or 400 sq ft, whichever greater
- Accessory building limit
- One building, max 1,000 sq ft
- Vehicle trips
- Max 6 round-trips/day, 8am-5pm Mon-Sat
Summary
Section 12.03.110 of the Nevada County Zoning Regulations allows limited commercial activity from a residence as an accessory use in residential and rural districts. The home business must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the single-family residence, occupy a limited floor area, and not impact surrounding properties.
A. Purpose. To provide for limited commercial activity in the residential and rural districts on properties developed with a residence as the primary use, provided that the home business activity does not impact surrounding residential properties. [...] 4. The use of the property for any home business shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to its use as a single-family residence and shall be contained entirely within any one building located on the property, and further provided that not more than 25% of the floor area of the dwelling unit nor more than 400 square feet of the floor area, whichever is greater, shall be used in conducting any such home business, nor shall any home business be conducted in more than one accessory building, the use thereof which shall not exceed 1,000 square feet. [...] 6. No article shall be sold or delivered, or offered for sale and delivery, on-site except articles produced on site. [Definition:] HOME BUSINESS - A commercial activity conducted by the occupants of a particular dwelling on property zoned for residential use, in a manner incidental to residential occupancy.
Full Breakdown
110 (Home Businesses) provides for limited commercial activity in the residential and rural districts on properties developed with a residence as the primary use, provided the activity does not impact surrounding residential properties. Per the County's Home Business Permit packet, the business must be incidental to the primary residential use and is allowed as an accessory use. 110(B): the home business must be owned and operated by a resident of the property; it must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the single-family residence use; and it must be contained entirely within one building.
No more than 25% of the floor area of the dwelling unit, or 400 square feet (whichever is greater), may be used for the home business, and no home business may be conducted in more than one accessory building, the use of which may not exceed 1,000 square feet. The business may not alter the appearance of the premises (including lighting, signage, and outdoor activity). No articles may be sold or delivered on-site except articles produced on site. , Monday through Saturday (with limited tutoring exceptions). All business parking must be provided on-site. These standards apply in the unincorporated County only.
Violations & Fines
A home business that exceeds the floor-area limits, generates excessive traffic, alters the appearance of the property, or sells goods not produced on-site violates Section 12.03.110 and can be subject to code enforcement and abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a business from my home in unincorporated Nevada County?
How much of my home can the business use?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nevada County
How Nevada County compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·California rules heatmap·Compare Nevada County to another location·View the California home business overview
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