Running a business from home in Pasadena: the local rules

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

What Pasadena's code says

Pasadena code What Pasadena's code adds
Space used	No more than 500 square feet of floor area. Applies: All business activity inside a building, including on-site storage and any space in an accessory structure. § 17.50.110 · code text A home occupation use shall be conducted entirely within a structure and shall occupy no more than 500 square feet of floor area. The 500-square-foot limit may be exceeded if storage is off-site. Applies: Goods made off-site and sold by mail order or the internet. § 17.50.110 · code text This floor area maximum can be exceeded if the storage area is located off-site.
Customer visits	Clients only by appointment, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. § 17.50.110 · code text A home occupation use shall not allow any clients or customers without prior appointments. Client/customer appointments are limited to the hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Employees	Only a resident of the home may work in the business. § 17.50.110 · code text Only a resident of the dwelling unit shall be employed in the operation of a home occupation use. No volunteers, interns or independent contractors. § 17.50.110 · code text No volunteers, interns or independent contractors shall be part of a home occupation permit.
Permit	A Home Occupation Permit and a business license are required. § 17.50.110 · code text A Home Occupation Permit shall be required before the establishment of a home occupation use.
Businesses not allowed	Sale of guns and ammunition, except by a licensed gunsmith or firearms collector § 17.50.110 · code text Guns and ammunition shall not be sold as part of a Home Occupation Permit except that a home occupation for a gunsmith or firearms collector licensed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms as a gunsmith or firearm collector is allowed.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Pasadena?

Home occupations: at most 500 square feet, by appointment only, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday; only a resident may work.

Running a business from home in Pasadena

Key points

What Pasadena's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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