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El Dorado County · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in El Dorado County

In unincorporated El Dorado County, home occupations that meet county standards are allowed by right; others need an administrative or conditional use permit.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: In unincorporated El Dorado County, home occupations that meet county standards are allowed by right; others need an administrative or conditional use permit.

Each rule below links to the section of the El Dorado County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What El Dorado County's code says

El Dorado County code What El Dorado County's code adds
Customer visits
  • No more than 6 students per group lesson at a time, once per day.
    Applies: Group lessons by appointment only, on parcels under 1 acre, if there is adequate parking.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    Group lessons shall be limited to a maximum of six students per group lesson at any one time, once per day, on parcels less than one acre, or twice per day on parcels one acre or greater, provided adequate parking is available.
  • No more than 6 students per group lesson at a time, twice per day.
    Applies: Group lessons by appointment only, on parcels of 1 acre or more, if there is adequate parking.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    Group lessons shall be limited to a maximum of six students per group lesson at any one time, once per day, on parcels less than one acre, or twice per day on parcels one acre or greater, provided adequate parking is available.
Employees
  • Up to 1 employee.
    Applies: Lots under 1 acre, in all listed zones.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    < 1 acres | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
  • Up to 1 employee.
    Applies: Lots of 1 to 5 acres in the RM and R1 zones.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    1—5 acres | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
  • Up to 2 employees.
    Applies: Lots of 1 to 5 acres in the R20K, R1A/R2A, R3A, RE, Rural Lands, Agricultural and Resource zones.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    1—5 acres | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
  • Up to 1 employee.
    Applies: Lots over 5 and under 10 acres in the RM and R1 zones.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    > 5 but less than 10 acres | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
  • Up to 2 employees.
    Applies: Lots over 5 and under 10 acres in the R20K, R1A/R2A, R3A, RE, Rural Lands, Agricultural and Resource zones.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    > 5 but less than 10 acres | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
  • Up to 1 employee.
    Applies: Lots over 10 acres in the RM and R1 zones.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    > 10 acres | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
  • Up to 2 employees.
    Applies: Lots over 10 acres in the R20K, R1A/R2A, R3A, RE, Rural Lands, Agricultural and Resource zones.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    > 10 acres | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Permit
  • Allowed by right in the zone.
    Applies: Home occupations, including student instruction, that meet the basic home occupation standards, in any listed zone.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    Home Occupations (including Student Instruction) in compliance with standards in 130.40.160.C. | P | P | P | P | P | P | P |
  • An administrative permit is required.
    Applies: Student instruction that goes beyond the basic standards but meets the further standards for larger instruction, in any listed zone.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    Student Instruction exceeding standards in 130.40.160.C. but in compliance with stan- dards of 130.40.160D. | A | A | A | A | A | A | A |
  • A conditional use permit is required.
    Applies: Home occupations or student instruction that do not meet either set of standards, in any listed zone.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    Home Occupations or Student Instructions not in compliance with standards in 130.40.160.C. or D. | CUP | CUP | CUP | CUP | CUP | CUP | CUP |
  • A business license is required.
    Applies: Home occupations generally.
    § 130.40.160 · code text
    A home occupation shall be allowed in compliance with the following standards and Title 5 (Business Taxes, Licenses and Regulations) in the County Code of Ordinances:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in El Dorado County?

In unincorporated El Dorado County, home occupations that meet county standards are allowed by right; others need an administrative or conditional use permit.

General information, not legal advice.

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El Dorado County Municipal Code — full text