Moreno Valley, CA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Municipal Code § 9.02.130 governs any business run from a dwelling. Subsection A limits home occupations to enterprises "clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit" that don't require frequent customer access. Approval authority rests with the community development director under subsection B, and no public hearing is required for issuance.

Before approving a permit, the director must find under subsection C that the use isn't on the prohibited list in subsection E, that it meets every condition in subsection D, and that it won't be detrimental to public health, safety or general welfare. Subsection D's conditions include: the business may occupy no more than 20% of the gross floor area, excluding the garage; if run from a garage, alternative parking must be provided elsewhere on the lot, and any garage remodel must still shelter at least one vehicle (single-car garage) or two vehicles (double-car or larger); no sale or display of goods on-site (mail order ships off-site); no more than one non-resident employee on the premises at a time; and a minimum two-car garage parking allotment must be maintained.

The permit is tied to the individual holder, the specific address, and stays valid only while the holder's city business license remains current per subsection D(14); it lapses automatically if the license lapses or a condition is broken. The director may inspect the premises for cause, with inspection costs charged to the permit holder under subsection D(13).