Home Business Rules in Pasadena, CA (2026)

In Pasadena, 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 Pasadena Business License (Home Occupation) is required before operating. The Pasadena Planning and Community Development Department — Building Division or Pasadena Planning and Community Development Department — 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 Pasadena.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Pasadena Business License (Home Occupation). Fee: $90. Apply through the Pasadena Planning and Community Development Department — Building Division or online at their permit portal. Phone: (626) 744-4200. 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 Pasadena: 1. Business must be clearly incidental to residential use 2. No customers or clients visiting without appointment and no more than 4 per day 3. No non-resident employees working at the home premises 4. No exterior signage or business identification at the residential address 5. Maximum 25% of floor area devoted to business activity 6. No commercial vehicles over 6,000 lbs on premises 7. No equipment generating detectable noise, fumes, or vibration beyond property line Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •Business must be clearly incidental to residential use
• •No customers or clients visiting without appointment and no more than 4 per day
• •No non-resident employees working at the home premises
• •No exterior signage or business identification at the residential address
• •Maximum 25% of floor area devoted to business activity
• •No commercial vehicles over 6,000 lbs on premises
• •No equipment generating detectable noise, fumes, or vibration beyond property line

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Pasadena: Auto repair or modification; Beauty salon or spa with client visits to home; Medical or dental office with patients; Food production for commercial sale without Pasadena Public Health permit; Any activity incompatible with residential neighborhood character. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the Pasadena Planning and Community Development Department — Planning Division to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair or modification
• ✕Beauty salon or spa with client visits to home
• ✕Medical or dental office with patients
• ✕Food production for commercial sale without Pasadena Public Health permit
• ✕Any activity incompatible with residential neighborhood character

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions