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Home Occupations

Running a Business from Home

Many Sierra Madre residents run small businesses from home, such as consulting, online services, or creative work. The City allows home-based businesses as long as they remain small in scale and do not change the residential character of the neighborhood.

Do I Need a Home Occupation Permit?

You need to get a one-time Home Occupation Permit and maintain an annual Business License if you are operating a business from a home in Sierra Madre, even if customers do not visit your home. This includes businesses such as:

  • Online or home office–based services (consulting, design, accounting, etc.)
  • Home crafts and creative services (art, writing, digital content, etc.)
  • Other small, low-impact businesses that you run from your residence

If you are not sure whether your activity counts as a business, please contact Planning and Community Preservation at (626) 355-7135 or CityPlanner@sierramadreca.gov. 

Basic Rules for Home-Based Businesses

Home occupations must follow City zoning rules designed to protect nearby residents.

In general, home occupations:

  • Must be clearly secondary to the residential use of the property
  • Cannot create noise, traffic, odors, or other impacts that disturb neighbors
  • Cannot change the residential appearance of the home (for example, no commercial-style signs or displays)
  • Must comply with all other applicable City codes and regulations

For full requirements, please refer to the Sierra Madre Municipal Code and any applicable zoning regulations.

 SMMC Chapter 17.85 Home Occupations

How to Apply

All home occupations in Sierra Madre require:

  1. Home Occupation Permit – issued by the Planning & Community Preservation Department
  2. City Business License – issued after your permit is approved

You can apply for both using the Accela Citizen Portal.

Accela Citizen Portal

  • Complete a Home Occupation Permit Application
  • Apply online through the Accela Citizen Portal:
    • Go to the Planning menu and Create an Application for Entitlement
    • Upload your completed Home Occupation Permit Application with your Entitlement
  • If you need help with the online portal, you may also contact Planning staff at (626) 355-7135 or CityPlanner@sierramadreca.gov.​

Information you may be asked to provide includes:

  • Property address and whether you are the owner or a renter
  • Type of home (single-family, condo, apartment, etc.)
  • Type of business and a brief description of what you will be doing at home
  • Whether anyone else will work for the business at your home

Once your Home Occupation Permit is approved, you must obtain a City of Sierra Madre business license before starting your business.

  • Apply online through the Accela Citizen Portal:
    • Go to the Licenses menu and Create an Application for Home Occupation
    • Upload your notice of approved Home Occupation Permit from Step 1
  • Follow the instructions there to complete the Business License application
  • Renew your business license each year if your business stays active

Need Help?

If you have questions about whether your business qualifies as a home occupation, how to apply, or how the rules work:

  • Call Planning and Community Preservation: (626) 355-7135
  • Email: CityPlanner@sierramadreca.gov 
  • Or start at the City website home page and use the search or online assistant to find “Home Occupation Permit.”

Contact Us

232 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.
Sierra Madre, CA 91024

(626) 355-7135

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