Article 4 — Chapter 17.64
Tuolumne County Zoning Code · 2026-07 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Tuolumne County
HOME OCCUPATION
Sections:
17.64.010 Purpose. 17.64.020 Applicability. 17.64.030 Permit Required. 17.64.040 Development and Operational Standards.
17.64.010 Purpose . The purpose of this Chapter is to establish standards for the location, site planning, development, and operations of certain land uses that are allowed by Article 2, Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses, within individual or multiple districts, and for activities that require special standards to minimize the impacts of these uses and activities on surrounding properties and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their occupants and of the general public. The regulations set forth in this Chapter shall modify or supplement the zoning district regulations appearing elsewhere in this title relating to home occupations.
17.64.020 Applicability . Home occupations ¶
are permitted in all districts except when the occupation or any part of it is otherwise regulated in this code. Remote workers that do not have customers or employees come to their home are not regulated under this chapter.
17.64.030 Permit Required. All home occupation uses shall be subject to approval of the specified permit as detailed in the use tables in Article 2.
17.64.040 Development and Operational Standards. ¶
A. General Standards. All home occupations shall be located and operated consistent with the following standards:
- Residential Appearance. The residential appearance of the unit within which the home occupation is conducted shall
2.
3.
4.
5.
be maintained, and no exterior indication of a home occupation is permitted except signs in conformance with Chapter 17.34, Signs. Location. All home occupation activities shall be conducted entirely within the residential unit, within a garage that is attached to the residential unit, or an enclosed accessory building. When conducted within a garage, the doors thereof shall be closed, and the area occupied shall not preclude the use of required parking spaces for parking. Employees. A maximum of one independent contractor other than residents of the dwelling shall be permitted to work at the location of a home occupation except as otherwise allowed for cottage food operations.
Direct Sales Prohibition. Home occupations involving the display or sale of products or merchandise are not permitted from the site except by mail, telephone, internet, or other mode of electronic communication or except as otherwise allowed for cottage food operations.
Hazardous Materials. Activities conducted and equipment or materials used shall not change the fire
17-238
safety or occupancy classifications of the premises, nor use utilities different from those normally provided for residential use. There shall be no storage or use of toxic or hazardous materials other than the types and quantities customarily found in connection with a dwelling unit. 6. Nuisances. A home occupation shall be conducted such that no offensive or objectionable noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, heat, humidity, glare, refuse, radiation, electrical disturbance, interference with the transmission of communications, interference with radio or television reception, or other hazard or nuisance is perceptible at or beyond any lot line of the unit or structure within which the home occupation is conducted, or outside the dwelling unit if conducted in other than a single-unit detached residence. 7. Traffic and Parking Generation. Home occupations shall not generate a volume of pedestrian, automobile, or truck traffic that is inconsistent with the normal level of traffic in the vicinity or on the street on which the dwelling is located or which creates the need for additional parking spaces or involve deliveries to or from the premises in excess of that which is customary for a dwelling unit. 8. Commercial Vehicles. No vehicle larger than a threequarter ton truck may be used
in connection with a home occupation.
B. Prohibited Home Occupations. The following specific businesses are not permitted as home occupations.
Vehicle sales and services; 2. Animal care, sales, and services;
Eating and drinking establishments;
Hotels and motels; 5. Hospitals and clinics; 6. Personal services; and 7. Retail sales.
17-239