San Jacinto, CA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Chapter 17.615 of the San Jacinto Municipal Code treats a home occupation as a legal commercial enterprise conducted by the occupants of the dwelling, and it allows the use only where it is incidental to and compatible with surrounding residential neighborhoods. Under § 17.615.030 every business must register for a business license under Title 5, so the home occupation is approved through the license rather than through a separate zoning hearing. If a household runs more than one home-based business at the same site, § 17.615.040(C) adds them together and the combined total must meet the chapter's standards.

Section 17.615.040(D) lists the activities that qualify. They include work by artists, sculptors, authors and composers, dressmakers and tailors, barber or beauty services with no more than one customer receiving services at any given time, instruction with no more than one pupil at a time, small electronics repair limited to a maximum weight of 40 pounds per item, family day care under § 17.430.150, and home catering subject to approval of the Riverside County Health Department. The Director can add other similar uses.

The standards in § 17.615.060 set the physical limits. The site must be the principal residence of the person running the business, and no more than one nonresident employee or assistant can be on site at any given time. Not more than one room, or the equivalent of 20% of the floor area of the entire dwelling unit, whichever is greater, can be used. The garage counts, but the garage doors must stay closed at all times.

The Director decides each license application under § 17.615.070, approving with or without conditions, and § 17.615.100 requires a new business license when the activity changes from one allowed activity to another.