Home Business Rules in Fresno, CA (2026)

In Fresno, CA, home-based businesses are permitted subject to specific rules designed to preserve residential character while allowing residents to run legitimate businesses from their homes. A Fresno Home Occupation Permit is required before operating. The Fresno Development and Resource Management Department (DARM) — Building Division or Fresno Development and Resource Management Department (DARM) — Planning Division handles home occupation applications and enforcement. Regulations generally prohibit on-site employees, customer visits, and any external evidence of business activity. Below you will find the current permit requirements, restrictions, prohibited business types, and cottage food law provisions for Fresno.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Fresno Home Occupation Permit. Fee: $65. Apply through the Fresno Development and Resource Management Department (DARM) — Building Division or online at their permit portal. Phone: (559) 621-8000. Permits typically must be renewed annually. Operating without a required home occupation permit can result in fines and a requirement to cease business activity immediately.

Operating Restrictions

Home Business Restrictions in Fresno: 1. Business must be incidental to the residential use of the dwelling 2. No customers or clients visiting the home unless appointment-based and no more than 3 per day 3. No employees other than household residents on premises 4. No external signage identifying the business at the residential address 5. Maximum 25% of total floor area used for business activity 6. No commercial vehicles over 6,000 lbs stored at premises 7. No equipment generating noise, fumes, or vibration detectable beyond property line 8. No retail sales requiring inventory storage or customer visits Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •Business must be incidental to the residential use of the dwelling
• •No customers or clients visiting the home unless appointment-based and no more than 3 per day
• •No employees other than household residents on premises
• •No external signage identifying the business at the residential address
• •Maximum 25% of total floor area used for business activity
• •No commercial vehicles over 6,000 lbs stored at premises
• •No equipment generating noise, fumes, or vibration detectable beyond property line
• •No retail sales requiring inventory storage or customer visits

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Fresno: Auto repair or detailing; Beauty salon or barber with clients on premises; Food production for sale without Fresno County Health Department registration; Medical or veterinary office with on-site patients; Any business with regular commercial vehicle traffic or delivery trucks. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the Fresno Development and Resource Management Department (DARM) — Planning Division to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair or detailing
• ✕Beauty salon or barber with clients on premises
• ✕Food production for sale without Fresno County Health Department registration
• ✕Medical or veterinary office with on-site patients
• ✕Any business with regular commercial vehicle traffic or delivery trucks

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions