Running a business from home in Paso Robles: the local rules

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

What Paso Robles's code says

Paso Robles code What Paso Robles's code adds
Space used	No more than half of the main building's ground floor area. § 21.21.010 · code text Not more than one-half of the floor area of the ground floor of the principal building is used for the occupation.
Customer visits	No more than 1 client on the premises at a time. Applies: For cottage food operations. § 21.21.010 · code text except for "cottage food operations" as defined by Section 113758 of the California Health and Safety Code for which no more than one client is allowed within the premises at a time. No more than 1 student at a time. Applies: For tutoring or teaching, including music or dance lessons. § 21.21.010 · code text tutoring/teaching, including musical or dance instruction, provided that no more than one student is served at a time;
Employees	No more than 1 full-time-equivalent employee who is not related. Applies: Only 1 such employee may work at the premises at any one time. § 21.21.010 · code text and no more than one non-related full-time equivalent employee, with only one such employee working at the premises at any one time,
Permit	A home occupation permit, reviewed by the zoning administrator. § 21.21.010 · code text Applications for home occupations shall be reviewed by the zoning administrator. A cottage food operation permit from the county health department, issued first. Applies: For cottage food operations. § 21.21.010 · code text "cottage food operations" as defined by Section 113758 of the California Health and Safety Code and subject to prior issuance of a permit for a cottage food operation from the county health department as required by Health and Safety Code Section 114365; A use permit, reviewed every year. Applies: For a hardship exception. § 21.21.010 · code text All such applications shall be granted by a use permit and shall be subject to annual review.
Businesses not allowed	animal hospital; automotive repair; small engine repair; barber or beauty shop; restaurant; tavern; wine-tasting; or similar uses § 21.21.010 · code text The following types of businesses are not permitted as home occupations: animal hospital; automotive repair; small engine repair; barber or beauty shop; restaurant; tavern; wine-tasting; or similar uses.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Paso Robles?

Home occupations: at most 1/2 of the main building's ground floor area; home occupation permit reviewed by the zoning administrator.

Running a business from home in Paso Robles

Key points

What Paso Robles's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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