Home Occupation Permits for Home-based Businesses 

The City of Oroville welcomes home-based businesses. Small businesses are a significant part of Oroville's economy and many of Oroville's small businesses are home-based businesses.

A Home Occupation is an accessory, non-residential business activity carried on within a dwelling by its inhabitants, incidental to the residential use of the dwelling, that does not change the character of the surrounding residential area by generating more traffic, noise or storage of material than would normally be expected in a residential zone.

If the activity is one that is consistent with the use of the premises as a dwelling, as outlined in the criteria below, you are eligible to conduct a Home Occupation.

Home Occupations are categorized as either low-impact or moderate-impact. 

Low-Impact Home Occupation

A home occupation that meets the following requirements shall be considered a low-impact home occupation and shall be allowed as of right in any dwelling unit:

• The home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit, not on other parts of the site.
• No more than 3 customer or other business-related visits shall be conducted on the premises each day.
• No vehicles, except for those that would ordinarily be located at a place of residence, shall be based on the premises in conjunction with the home occupation.
• Hazardous materials, except for those that would ordinarily be located at a place of residence, shall not be stored or used on the premises.

Moderate-Impact Home Occupation

Any home occupation that does not qualify as a low-impact home occupation, but that otherwise meets the requirements of this section, shall be considered a moderate-impact home occupation and shall be required to obtain an administrative permit. Renters shall obtain prior written approval of the property owner before applying for the permit.

Any administrative permit for a moderate-impact home occupation shall be granted subject to the following conditions:

• The permit shall be valid only as to the occupation and residence for which it is issued
• The permit shall be revoked if the occupation for which the permit is granted has been discontinued for at least one year, or if the permit holder fails to comply with the requirements of this section.

How to Obtain a Home Occupation Permit

Complete a Home Occupation Application

You will need to visit the Planning Division and complete a Home Occupation application. The Planning Division ensures that Home Occupations comply with the Oroville City Code Section 17.16.040. There are specific requirements that must be met before the Planning Department will issue the permit.

Obtain a Business License

You can get a Business License application form from the Building Division. Fill out the Certificate of Occupancy Business License application packet and submit it with your Home Occupation application. When the Planning Division has approved the Home Occupation permit they will forward a copy of the approved permit to the Building Division and they will release your business license.

All home occupations shall be subject to the following criteria:

• Home occupations shall comply with all federal, State, county and local regulations, statutes and provisions.
• The home occupation, including storage of materials and products, shall be confined principally to 20% of the gross floor area or 300 square feet, whichever is less.
• The home occupation shall not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic that will cause a disturbance in the district in which it is located.
• There shall be no excessive or unsightly storage of materials or supplies, either indoors or outdoors.
• The home occupation shall not involve the use of signs or structures, other than those permitted in the district in which it is located.
• The home occupation shall employ at least one resident of the dwelling unit. It shall not employ more than one person who is not a resident of the dwelling unit.
• A dwelling unit may have any number of low-impact home occupations. However, no more than one moderate-impact home occupation shall be allowed in a dwelling unit.
• No more than one vehicle, beyond those that would ordinarily be located at a place of residence, shall be based at the home in conjunction with any home occupation.
• Any vehicle used in conjunction with the home occupation shall have a capacity no greater than 3/4 ton.
• No home occupation shall involve the elimination of required off-street parking spaces.
• Any merchandise manufactured on the premises shall not require the transporting of materials or finished products by means other than a vehicle with a capacity no greater than 3/4 ton.
• Delivery of materials to the subject residence shall not exceed 2 deliveries per month. This requirement shall not apply to deliveries from package delivery services that are ordinarily found in residential neighborhoods. (Ord. 1749 § 4)