Skip to content

Pismo Beach · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Pismo Beach

Home occupations need a permit and zoning clearance, with 1 client at a time and no employees on site other than residents.

Ask about running a business from home in Pismo Beach See coverage

Key points

  • Home businesses: Home occupations need a permit and zoning clearance, with 1 client at a time and no employees on site other than residents.

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

What Pismo Beach's code says

Pismo Beach code What Pismo Beach's code adds
Customer visits
  • Only 1 client at a time.
    Applies: For counseling, music lessons, tutoring or other purposes.
    § 17.38.070 · code text
    No more than one client shall be allowed on the premises at any time for counseling, music lessons, tutoring, or other purposes.
Employees
  • No employees on site other than residents of the home.
    Applies: Business employees only. Housekeeping, gardening, child care or cooking staff not linked to the business are not covered.
    § 17.38.070 · code text
    The home occupation shall have no employees on the site other than the residents of the housing unit.
Permit
  • A zoning clearance is required.
    § 17.38.070 · code text
    Zoning clearance (Section 17.42.020) is required for home occupations, which are permitted as accessory uses in all residential zoning districts.
  • A home occupation permit is required.
    Applies: All permitted home occupations.
    § 17.121.090 · code text
    Home occupation permits are required for all permitted residential occupations pursuant to the requirements established in Chapter 17.115.
Businesses not allowed
  • Adult businesses; barber and beauty shops; commercial photo/film processing labs; dance or night clubs; gun and/or ammunition sales; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories (excluding counselors/psychotherapists and licensed massage therapists); mini storage; storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories for the construction and service trades; vehicle repair, upholstery, automobile detailing and painting; welding and machining; and any other use determined by the director not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities
    § 17.38.070 · code text
    The following are examples of business activities that are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities, and are, therefore, prohibited as home occupations:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Home occupations need a permit and zoning clearance, with 1 client at a time and no employees on site other than residents.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Pismo Beach property

Ask GoCodebook how Pismo Beach's running a business from home rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

Ask your question

More on building on your lot in Pismo Beach

All building on your lot rules in Pismo Beach

Fences and walls in Pismo Beach

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in Pismo Beach

Lot splits under SB 9 in Pismo Beach

Tree removal in Pismo Beach

Building on a hillside in Pismo Beach

Park and impact fees for new homes in Pismo Beach

Noise and construction hours in Pismo Beach

Affordable units in new housing (inclusionary) in Pismo Beach

Parking spaces required for homes in Pismo Beach

Signs on homes in Pismo Beach

Trash and recycling carts in Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach Municipal Code — full text