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South El Monte · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in South El Monte

South El Monte allows home businesses only inside the home, with resident family members only and a home occupation permit.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: South El Monte allows home businesses only inside the home, with resident family members only and a home occupation permit.

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

What South El Monte's code says

South El Monte code What South El Monte's code adds
Customer visits
  • No car or foot traffic beyond what is normal for homes.
    § 17.03.080 · code text
    The use shall not generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic not normally associated with residential uses;
Employees
  • Only members of the resident family can work in the business.
    § 17.03.080 · code text
    There shall be no employment of help other than members of the resident family;
Permit
  • A home occupation permit is required.
    § 17.03.080 · code text
    Any individual desiring to conduct a home occupation shall submit a request for home occupation permit to the director of community development on forms prescribed by the planning commission.
Businesses not allowed
  • sale or exchange of merchandise on the premises
    § 17.03.080 · code text
    No sale or exchange of merchandise shall take place on the premises;
  • vehicle maintenance services other than washing, waxing, checking and adding (but not changing) oil, cleaning windows and windshields, or replacing damaged tires
    Applies: limousines or vans used in connection with transporting persons for hire, parked or kept in a residential zone
    § 17.03.080 · code text
    No person may perform maintenance services on such a vehicle located in the residential zone other than washing, waxing, checking and adding (but not changing) oil, cleaning windows and windshields, or replacing damaged tires
Space used
  • Only inside the home; no use of accessory buildings or yard space.
    § 17.03.080 · code text
    No accessory building or yard space use or activity outside of the dwelling unit shall be permitted in connection with the home occupation;

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in South El Monte?

South El Monte allows home businesses only inside the home, with resident family members only and a home occupation permit.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific South El Monte property

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

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South El Monte Municipal Code — full text