Home Business Rules in Long Beach, CA (2026)

In Long Beach, 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 Long Beach Business License (Home Occupation) is required before operating. The Long Beach Development Services — Building and Safety Bureau or Long Beach Development Services — Planning Bureau 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 Long Beach.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Long Beach Business License (Home Occupation). Fee: $75. Apply through the Long Beach Development Services — Building and Safety Bureau or online at their permit portal. Phone: (562) 570-5416. 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 Long Beach: 1. Business must be clearly secondary to residential use of the dwelling 2. No clients or customers regularly visiting the home address 3. No employees other than household residents working on premises 4. No exterior signage identifying business operation 5. Business use cannot exceed 25% of total floor area 6. No storage of business vehicles over 6,500 lbs GVW on premises 7. No noise, vibration, smoke, or odors detectable beyond property boundary 8. No retail sales from the residential property Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •Business must be clearly secondary to residential use of the dwelling
• •No clients or customers regularly visiting the home address
• •No employees other than household residents working on premises
• •No exterior signage identifying business operation
• •Business use cannot exceed 25% of total floor area
• •No storage of business vehicles over 6,500 lbs GVW on premises
• •No noise, vibration, smoke, or odors detectable beyond property boundary
• •No retail sales from the residential property

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Long Beach: Auto repair or vehicle modification with customers on premises; Hair salon or spa with client visits; Tattoo or piercing studio; Medical or dental office with patient visits; Food production for commercial sale without Cottage Food registration; Any business generating regular customer foot traffic. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the Long Beach Development Services — Planning Bureau to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair or vehicle modification with customers on premises
• ✕Hair salon or spa with client visits
• ✕Tattoo or piercing studio
• ✕Medical or dental office with patient visits
• ✕Food production for commercial sale without Cottage Food registration
• ✕Any business generating regular customer foot traffic

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions