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Title 17 — Unified Development Code

Chapter 4.11 — COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS

Indio Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Indio

§ 4.11.01. Purpose and Applicability.

[9-21-2022 by Ord. 1782]

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish standards for cottage food operations in residential dwellings within the City. It is the intent of the City in adopting this Chapter that cottage food operation uses shall not alter or disturb the residential nature of the premises or its surroundings.

§ 4.11.02. Permitted Accessory Use.

[9-21-2022 by Ord. 1782]

Subject to the limitations, standards and requirements of this Chapter, cottage food operations are permitted as an accessory use in all lawfully constructed and occupied dwelling units in accordance with Article 2 (Zone Regulations).

§ 4.11.03. Standards.

[9-21-2022 by Ord. 1782]

Cottage food operations shall be subject to the following standards and requirements:

  • A. A cottage food operation shall comply with all development standards of the zone where the dwelling unit is located.

  • B. A cottage food operation shall comply with all permitting or licensing requirements and otherwise applicable Riverside County standards.

  • C. The site of the cottage food operation must be a principal residence of a person engaged in and the owner of the cottage food operation.

  • D. No more than one full-time equivalent cottage food employee may engage in cottage food operation activities on the site of the cottage food operation at any one time.

  • E. A cottage food operation shall be incidental and accessory to the principal residential use of a dwelling unit.

  • F. There shall be no outside storage related to the cottage food operation on the site.

  • G. The cottage food operation activities shall be conducted entirely within a primary dwelling unit.

  • H. There shall be no outside activities or uses which indicate the presence of a cottage food operation, nor shall the cottage food operation alter or disturb the area in which the dwelling unit is located.

  • I. The residential character of the exterior of the dwelling unit shall not be changed.

  • J. No signs other than one non-illuminated building-mounted sign, not more than two square feet in area, shall be erected on the premises in which the dwelling unit is located and is consistent with applicable standards in Chapter 3.05 (Sign Regulations).

  • K. Direct retail sales of any other products at the site of the cottage food operation are prohibited, except for cottage food products that have been prepared for sale in the kitchen of a cottage food operation.

  • L. A maximum of one customer vehicle may be parked at the site of a cottage food operation at any given time. A maximum of two customers may visit the site of a cottage food operation at any given time.

  • M. A maximum of one vehicle not larger than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, used in conjunction with a cottage food operation, may be parked at the cottage food operation site.

  • N. A cottage food operation shall not be conducted so it creates or results in noise, glare, smoke, dust, vibration, fumes, odor, electrical interference, radio interference, television interference, fire hazard, significant vehicular or pedestrian traffic or any other hazard or nuisance disruptive to reasonable use of surrounding properties.

  • O. The use or storage of any flammable, combustible, or toxic material in conjunction with a cottage food operation shall be limited to materials and quantities allowed for a residential use pursuant to applicable law.

§ 4.11.04. Exceptions.

[9-21-2022 by Ord. 1782]

Cottage food operations shall not be permitted in any second unit, guest quarter, accessory building, ADU, or JADU.

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Contents — Indio Zoning Code
Indio Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — Unified Development Code
    Overview
    1. Chapter 1.01 — PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY
    2. Chapter 1.02 — ZONES AND ZONING MAP
    3. Chapter 1.03 — HOW TO USE THIS CODE
    4. Chapter 2.01 — PURPOSE AND USE CLASSIFICATIONS
    5. Chapter 2.02 — RESIDENTIAL ZONES
    6. Chapter 2.03 — MIXED-USE ZONES
    7. Chapter 2.04 — NON-RESIDENTIAL ZONES
    8. Chapter 2.05 — PUBLIC/INSTITUTIONAL ZONES
    9. Chapter 2.06 — SPECIFIC PLAN AND PROJECT MASTER PLAN ZONES
    10. Chapter 2.07 — OVERLAY ZONES
    11. Chapter 3.01 — RULES OF MEASUREMENT
    12. Chapter 3.02 — GENERAL SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ALL ZONES
    13. Chapter 3.03 — PARKING AND LOADING
    14. Chapter 3.04 — PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    15. Chapter 3.05 — SIGN REGULATIONS
    16. Chapter 3.06 — ART IN PUBLIC PLACES
    17. Chapter 4.02 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
    18. Chapter 4.03 — ADULT-ORIENTED BUSINESSES
    19. Chapter 4.04 — ANIMAL KEEPING
    20. Chapter 4.05 — AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE AND REPAIR/FUELING STATIONS
    21. Chapter 4.06 — BAIL BONDS
    22. Chapter 4.07 — CANNABIS ACTIVITY
    23. Chapter 4.08 — CHECK CASHING BUSINESSES
    24. Chapter 4.09 — CHILD DAY CARE IN A HOME (SMALL AND LARGE) AND …
    25. Chapter 4.10 — CONVENIENCE MARKETS
    26. Chapter 4.11 — COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS
    27. Chapter 4.12 — COTTAGE INDUSTRY
    28. Chapter 4.13 — DRIVE-THROUGH USES
    29. Chapter 4.15 — HOME OCCUPATIONS
    30. Chapter 4.16 — LIVE/WORK
    31. Chapter 4.17 — MANUFACTURED/MOBILE HOME PARK
    32. Chapter 4.18 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT (ACCESSORY)
    33. Chapter 4.19 — (RESERVED)
    34. Chapter 4.20 — OUTDOOR STORAGE
    35. Chapter 4.21 — PAWNSHOPS
    36. Chapter 4.22 — RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV) PARKS
    37. Chapter 4.23 — RESALE/CONSIGNMENT/THRIFT SHOPS
    38. Chapter 4.24 — SMOKE SHOPS
    39. Chapter 4.25 — TATTOO/BODY ART/PIERCING ESTABLISHMENTS
    40. Chapter 4.26 — TELECOMMUNICATIONS/WIRELESS FACILITIES
    41. Chapter 4.27 — TEMPORARY USES
    42. Chapter 6.01 — PURPOSE
    43. Chapter 6.02 — REVIEW AND DECISION-MAKING BODIES
    44. Chapter 6.03 — COMMON PROCEDURES
    45. Chapter 6.04 — PERMITS AND APPROVALS
    46. Chapter 6.05 — OTHER TYPES OF PLANS
    47. Chapter 6.06 — GENERAL PLAN AND ZONING AMENDMENTS
    48. Chapter 6.07 — NON-CONFORMING PROVISIONS
    49. Chapter 6.08 — ENFORCEMENT AND ABATEMENT
    50. Chapter 7.01 — DEFINITIONS OF TERMS AND LAND USE TYPES
    51. Chapter 7.02 — SIGN TERMS AND TYPES

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