Running a business from home in El Monte: the local rules

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

What El Monte's code says

El Monte code What El Monte's code adds
Space used	No more than 500 square feet of floor area. Applies: Counts all floor area the business uses, including on-site storage and any part in an accessory building. § 17.110.050 · code text A home occupation business shall be conducted entirely within a residential dwelling structure and shall occupy no more than five hundred (500) square feet of floor area. The 500 square foot limit may be exceeded if storage is off-site. Applies: Businesses selling items made off-site by mail order or the internet, with the storage area off-site. § 17.110.050 · code text This floor area maximum can be exceeded if the storage area is located off-site.
Customer visits	No clients or customers without an appointment made in advance. § 17.110.050 · code text A home occupation business shall not allow any clients or customers without prior appointments. 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Applies: Applies to client and customer appointments. § 17.110.050 · code text Client/customer appointments are limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Permit	The property owner's written approval must be submitted with the home business application. Applies: Applies to rental property. § 17.110.050 · code text For rental property, the property owner's written authorization for the proposed use shall be obtained and submitted with the application for a home occupation business.
Businesses not allowed	Adult entertainment establishments; commercial cannabis activities, except as permitted in Chapter 8.78 of Title 8; firearms sales; fireworks sales; manufacturing; munitions sales; vehicle repairs; and activities or uses determined by the Community Development Director to be noncompatible with residential uses or potentially affecting residents' health or safety § 17.110.050 · code text Adult entertainment establishments, commercial cannabis activities (except as permitted in Chapter 8.78 (Personal Cannabis Cultivation) of Title 8 (Health and Safety) of the EMMC), firearms sales, fireworks sales, manufacturing, munitions sales and vehicle repairs.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in El Monte?

El Monte limits a home business to 500 square feet, including storage, with clients by appointment only from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday–Saturday.

Running a business from home in El Monte

Key points

What El Monte's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific El Monte property

More on building on your lot in El Monte