Home occupations are permitted in residential zones of unincorporated Butte County under Section 24-162, but only as a use clearly incidental and subordinate to the dwelling. The business may not occupy more than 25 percent of the dwelling's gross floor area, employees other than residents are capped (none for Minor, up to two for Major), customer visits are capped (6 per day Minor, 12 per day Major), and outdoor storage of business goods is prohibited.
Butte County Zoning Ordinance Section 24-162 (Article IV - Supplemental Use Regulations, Division 1) sets the standards governing all home occupations in unincorporated areas. Per the Planning Division's published guidance and the PLA-02 application form, employees of a home office and a minor home occupation are limited to persons residing in the dwelling unit; a major home occupation is allowed two additional persons beyond those residing in the dwelling. No clients are permitted to visit a home office; not more than six clients per day may visit a minor home occupation; and not more than twelve clients per day may visit a major home occupation. Operations may not occupy more than twenty-five percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit. Goods and materials associated with a home occupation must be stored within an enclosed structure, and outdoor storage is prohibited. Examples of major home occupations identified by the County include equipment repair, contractor's office, dog grooming, hairdressing, light assembly and shipping, catering, food processing, and home professional offices. The use must remain incidental and subordinate to the primary residential use. Cottage food operations remain governed primarily by California Health & Safety Code Section 113758 (Class A capped at $75,000 gross annual sales; Class B at $150,000), with no separate planning permit needed when sales occur off-site. Adjacent or related supplemental regulations include Section 24-156 (Accessory uses and structures), Section 24-164 (Live/work units), Section 24-172 (Accessory dwelling units), and Section 24-172.1 (Short-term rentals).
Operating a home occupation outside the Section 24-162 standards is a Chapter 24 zoning violation. The Planning Division may revoke the Administrative Permit or Minor Use Permit, require the operator to cease the business, and refer the matter to Code Enforcement (530-552-3700). Continued violations can be abated under the County's general code-enforcement authority and may incur administrative fines.
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