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Seal Beach · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Seal Beach

Without a minor use permit, a home business may use 1 room, at most 20% of the home, and host 6 clients at once.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: Without a minor use permit, a home business may use 1 room, at most 20% of the home, and host 6 clients at once.

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

What Seal Beach's code says

Seal Beach code What Seal Beach's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 1 room and no more than 20% of the home's gross floor area.
    Applies: For home businesses approved by the director as a permitted use.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    A home occupation shall not be allowed which requires more than one room and may not exceed 20% of the gross floor area of the residence;
  • A minor use permit is required.
    Applies: For a business using more than 1 room or 20% of the home's gross floor area.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Use requiring more than one room or 20% of the gross floor area of the residence;
Customer visits
  • Up to 6 clients, patients or pupils at any one time.
    Applies: Except child day-care facilities. More visitors need a minor use permit.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    The home occupation may allow up to 6 clients, patients, or pupils to be present at any one time (except for child day-care facilities); provided that there are no more than 2 groups of visitors per week.
  • No more than 2 groups of visitors per week.
    Applies: Except child day-care facilities.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    The home occupation may allow up to 6 clients, patients, or pupils to be present at any one time (except for child day-care facilities); provided that there are no more than 2 groups of visitors per week.
Employees
  • Only family members or people living full-time on the property may work in the business.
    Applies: A non-resident employee on site needs a minor use permit.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Only family members or persons living full-time on the property shall be permitted to work at a home-based business;
Permit
  • Allowed as a permitted use or with a minor use permit.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Home occupations shall be allowed as a permitted use or through a minor use permit, as set forth in this section below and pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 11.5.20: Development Permits.
  • A business license is required.
    Applies: To start and run a home business.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    A business license is required for the establishment and operation of a home occupation.
  • A minor use permit is required.
    Applies: To have an employee on site who does not live there.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Having an employee on-site who is not a resident;
  • A minor use permit is required.
    Applies: For more than 6 clients, patients or pupils at one time, or more than 2 groups of visitors per week.
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    Having on-site visitors in excess of that allowed under paragraph B.17 of this section.
Businesses not allowed
  • Adult businesses; animal hospitals or the boarding, caring, harboring, raising, training, or treatment of animals or birds for profit; beauty shops and barber shops; catering; dance or night clubs; maintenance and storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories for the construction and service trades; massage therapy; medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories (not including chiropractors and counselors/psychotherapists); mini self-storage; retail sales, except for artist's originals or products individually made-to-order on the premises; vehicle repair or storage, upholstery, automobile detailing and painting, and the display and sale of vehicles; welding and machining
    § 11.4.05.060 · code text
    The following is a nonexclusive list of examples of nonresidential uses 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 Seal Beach?

Without a minor use permit, a home business may use 1 room, at most 20% of the home, and host 6 clients at once.

General information, not legal advice.

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