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Running a business from home in Newport Beach

City rule: home businesses need a business license and prior appointments for visits; vehicle repair and hazardous storage are not allowed.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: City rule: home businesses need a business license and prior appointments for visits; vehicle repair and hazardous storage are not allowed.

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

What Newport Beach's code says

Newport Beach code What Newport Beach's code adds
Customer visits
  • Visitors only by prior appointment.
    § 20.48.110 · code text
    Home occupations shall not be open to visitors without prior appointments.
Employees
  • Employees are limited to permanent residents of the home.
    Applies: Independent contractors who visit now and then are not counted.
    § 20.48.110 · code text
    Employees of a home occupation shall be limited to permanent residents of the dwelling unit.
Permit
  • A business license is required, as the city's business license rules require.
    § 20.48.110 · code text
    Applicable business licenses shall be obtained as required by Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations).
  • A film permit is required.
    Applies: Commercial filming.
    § 20.48.110 · code text
    Commercial filming activities may be allowed subject to approval of a film permit in compliance with Chapter 5.46 (Regulation of Commercial Film Production).
Businesses not allowed
  • Vehicle repair or storage associated with the home occupation; storage of hazardous materials
    § 20.48.110 · code text
    Vehicle repair or storage associated with the home occupation shall not be allowed. Storage of hazardous materials shall not be allowed.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Newport Beach?

City rule: home businesses need a business license and prior appointments for visits; vehicle repair and hazardous storage are not allowed.

General information, not legal advice.

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Newport Beach Municipal Code — full text