Home Businesses and Occupations

This is a summary only. Click here toreview the full text of Malibu Municipal Code Section 17.40.040 (Residential development standards) - Sub-Section 19 (Home Occupations) for further information.

1. The Home Occupation use must:

• be ancillary to the residential use
• be conducted by a resident of the structure
• not cause an impact substantially different from residential use

2. Uses allowed without a permit:

• Educational use: including, but not limited to, music lessons, tutoring, religious instruction, swimming lessons and equestrian riding lessons. There may be no more than six non-residents, whether students or employees, present at any one time.
• Office/Studio: including, but not limited to, business, consultation, computer/internet business, recording studio, artist studio. There may be no more than six non-residents, whether clients or employees, present at any one time.

3. Uses other than those specified in Item 2 above may be allowed by the Planning Director, pursuant to permit, upon application.

4. All home occupations must comply with the following:

• No flammable, hazardous or toxic materials may be stored onsite, other than those materials normally found, and in the quantity normally found, in a dwelling
• The hours of operation may be no earlier than 8:00 a.m. and no later than 9:00 p.m. daily. Outdoor activity must cease at sunset.
• Newspaper, magazine and similar advertising will be allowed. Flyers and signs may not be posted, except as allowed in the sign ordinance portion of the Zoning Ordinance.
• The home occupation shall not create objectionable noise, dust, vibration, odor, smoke, glare, electrical interference, fire hazard, radiation or other hazard or nuisance in excess of what is normally found in the neighborhood.
• All noise shall comply with the noise ordinance contained in the Municipal Code.
• Except for the uses listed under Permitted Uses (Item 2 above), no one other than residents of the dwelling shall be onsite employees.
• No vehicle with signage identifying the existence of the home occupation shall be parked on the property or in the right of way in such a way as to advertise the home occupation.
• Required enclosed parking shall be maintained.
• Materials and goods shall not be stored in such a manner as to prevent the use of a required enclosed parking area. Supplies and equipment may not be stored outside the dwelling, except items necessary for allowed outdoor instruction.
• Pedestrian and vehicular traffic shall not exceed the normal amount for the zone in which the home occupation is located.
• Delivery and pick-up of materials, goods or products shall occur only on weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. There are limitations regarding the size of vehicles making deliveries.
• Motor vehicle repair businesses and day care facilities are prohibited.¹
• The home occupation shall not occupy more than 20% of the total floor area of all structures on the property, or 2000 square feet, whichever is less.

5. One parking space shall be provided for each employee and each client.

¹ Day Care facilities may be permitted through a Conditional Use Permit.