Chapter 17.110 — PERMITS FOR HOME-BASED BUSINESSES

The purpose and intent of the home-based business permit is to establish a lawful home-based business within an existing residential dwelling, and to establish a review procedure so that certain home-based businesses may be established in residential neighborhoods under conditions that will ensure their compatibility with the surrounding neighborhood. They are intended to protect the rights of the residents to engage in certain home-based business that are harmonious with a residential environment. Cottage industries shall be allowed subject to the standards in this chapter. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

• A. Home-Based Business Permit Required. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the operation of a home-based business in the primary residential dwelling. A home-based business permit is intended to allow for registered, independent enterprises conducted within homes, which are clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit, and are compatible with surrounding residential uses.

• B. Permit Required. A home-based business shall not commence operation prior to being approved and receiving a concurrent valid business registration permit pursuant to Chapter 5.68 (Business Registration and Licensing Program) of the Wildomar Municipal Code.

• C. Prohibited Home-Based Businesses. Certain uses are not compatible with residential activities and shall be prohibited. Prohibited home-based businesses shall include those that do not meet the criteria of Section 17.110.060 .

• (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

A home-based business, including in-home offices, shall be allowed within a primary dwelling unit on property used for residential purposes, subject to the following conditions:

• A. The use of the dwelling for a home-based business shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to its primary use as a residence by its inhabitants. The establishment and conduct of a homebased business shall not change the principal character or use of the dwelling unit or property involved and be subject to the following.

  1. There shall be no exterior evidence of the conduct of a home-based business, including outdoor display of equipment, materials, or supplies related directly or indirectly to the home-based business activity. A home-based business shall be conducted entirely within the residence or an attached garage, with the exception of tutoring in sports.

  2. Only the residents of the dwelling unit may work for the home-based business.

  3. There shall be no signs, banners or flags identifying or advertising the home-based business.

  4. The home-based business shall not create vehicular or pedestrian traffic in excess of that which is normal for the residential neighborhood in which it is located.

  5. The required residential off-street parking shall be maintained per Chapter 17.155 (Parking and Loading) of Title 17 .

  6. There shall be no separate entrance or exit way specifically provided in the dwelling or on the premises for the conduct of the home-based business, unless required by local or state law;

  7. There shall be no storage, process, procedure, substance, or chemical used which is hazardous to public convenience, health, safety, or general welfare or that changes the fire safety or occupancy classifications of the residence.

  8. Electrical or mechanical equipment which creates visible or audible interference in radio or television receivers or causes fluctuations in line voltage outside the dwelling unit shall be prohibited. Home-based business activities shall not produce dust, glare, noxious matter, or vibrations beyond the subject property lines.

  9. Except as provided in paragraph 10, home-based businesses may have a maximum of one customer or vendor on the premises at any one time, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Home-based businesses shall not host customers or vendors on the premises more frequently than one customer or vendor within a two-hour time period.

  10. Home-based businesses involving tutoring of students in music, academics, dance, swimming, or tennis at a residence may have a maximum of six nonresident students at any one time, and no more than 12 nonresident students during any one day. Sports related tutoring may be conducted between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

  11. The home-based business use shall not have utility services modifications, other than those required for normal residential use that would be classed as commercial or industrial in load or design.

12. The home-based business shall comply with all noise, lighting, nuisance, health/safety, and other applicable City and state regulations.

• (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

• A. Automotive sales or repair (body or mechanical), upholstery and painting.

• B. Medical offices, clinics and laboratories.

• C. Cannabis dispensaries and sales.

• D. Household appliance repairing.

• E. Welding.

• F. Industrial uses of any kind.

• G. Outdoor storage uses of any kind.

• H. Similar uses as determined by the Community Development Director. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

• A. Cottage foods operations are required to obtain a home-based business permit and City Business Registration and shall be permitted as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 113758 , conducted only within a dwelling that contains the dwelling's kitchen and shall not be allowed in a garage or other accessory building.

  1. There shall be no on-premises sale of goods except as allowed for a Cottage Food Operation by Health and Safety Code Section 114365 and with a valid County of Riverside Cottage Food permit from the Department of Environmental Health. Occasional transport of goods from the premises for off-site sale may occur. Internet sales are not considered onpremises sale of goods.

• B. Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations are required to obtain a home-based business permit and City Business Registration and shall be permitted as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 114367 conducted only within a dwelling that contains the dwelling's kitchen and shall not be allowed in a garage or other accessory building.

1. There shall be no on-premises sale of goods except as allowed for a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations by Health and Safety Code Section 114367 and with a valid County of Riverside Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations food permit from Department of Environmental Health. Occasional transport of goods from the premises for off-site sale may occur. Internet sales are not considered on-premises sale of goods.

(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

• A. Application Filing and Processing. Applications for home-based business permits shall be filed and processed in accordance with this chapter and Chapter 5.68 of the Wildomar Municipal Code.

• B. Application Fees. All fees shall be provided by the applicant before the application is submitted and accepted for processing.

• C. Business Registration Required. All home-based businesses shall be required to obtain approval of a City business registration in accordance with Chapter 5.68 of the Wildomar Municipal Code.

• D. Owner Consent. For home-operated businesses conducted on rental property, the property owner's written authorization for the proposed use shall be obtained prior to submittal of an application for a home-based business permit and business registration.

• (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

The Community Development Director, or authorized representative(s), is authorized to administratively approve a home-based business permit. A public hearing shall not be required for issuance of a home-based business permit, unless subject to an appeal. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

• A. Home-Based Business Permit. Prior to approving an application for a home-based business permit, the approving authority shall make all the following findings:

  1. The proposed home-based business is consistent with the adopted General Plan and any applicable specific plan, as applicable.

  2. The proposed home-based business meets all applicable development and operational standards for development and other provisions of this Title.

  3. The establishment, maintenance, or operation of the home-based business will not, under the circumstances of the particular case (location, size, design, and operating characteristics), be detrimental to the health, safety, or general welfare of persons residing or working in the neighborhood of such use or to the general welfare of the City.

• (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

A home-based business shall become effective immediately on the date an approval is issued by the approving authority. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

An approved home-based business permit shall run concurrently with a valid Business Registration and shall be renewed annually on the anniversary date the permit and registration were issued. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

No extensions of time are necessary as an approved home-based business permit does not expire. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

Any modification to an approved home-based business permit shall be processed as a new application.

(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

Home-based business permits are not transferrable to another property or business operator without approval of a new application and approval of a new business registration. (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)