Running a business from home in Santa Paula: the local rules

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

What Santa Paula's code says

Santa Paula code What Santa Paula's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the home's existing floor area, up to 500 square feet. § 16.230.060 · code text Not more than 25% of the existing square footage of a dwelling unit up to a maximum of 500 square feet may be used for the home occupation business.
Customer visits	Up to 4 customers or visitors per day. Applies: Between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., with no more vehicle traffic than is normal for the neighborhood. § 16.230.060 · code text Up to four customers or visitors related to the home occupation are allowed daily, during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., provided that the home occupation does not generate vehicle traffic beyond that considered characteristic of the surrounding residential district.
Employees	1 nonresident employee or independent contractor. Applies: Only 1 such person may be on the property between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. § 16.230.060 · code text In addition, one nonresident employee or independent contractor, whether paid or not for their services, may be involved in the home occupation use on the property provided that there is only one such person on the premises between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Only resident employees. Applies: Home occupations run in an accessory structure on the site. § 16.230.060 · code text Home occupations conducted within an accessory structure on the site are limited to resident employees only.
Permit	A home occupation permit is required. § 16.230.060 · code text The home occupation permit applicant and other persons who use the dwelling as their primary residence may be involved in the home occupation use.
Businesses not allowed	Adult businesses including escort services, massage parlors and the making of adult movies; animal boarding, breeding or grooming facilities; automotive and other vehicle repair (body or mechanical) upholstery, painting or storage; barber or beauty shop; carpentry or cabinet making; firearms/weapons dealerships; retail sales; welding or machine operation; and any other use determined by the Director not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities § 16.230.040 · code text The following uses, either by operation or nature, are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and shall not be permitted as home occupations:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Santa Paula?

A home business may use 25% of the home up to 500 square feet, with up to 4 customers daily and 1 nonresident worker.

Running a business from home in Santa Paula

Key points

What Santa Paula's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Santa Paula property

More on building on your lot in Santa Paula