Home-Based LA business legal or not?

May 25, 2017 6:01 AM

We just bought a home in Los Angeles. Yay! It has a separate suite that is perfect for me to have my bodywork practice in (something like massage). But before we close escrow, how can I figure out if I can legally get a business license/insurance for it? I heard a rumor that California doesn't let you have a home-based business if you receive clients. I receive 20-40 a week, one at a time, very quietly. I tried to google it but couldn't find information specific to my area (zip code 90041). Before we close on the perfect home, can you put my fears of joblessness to rest? Thank you!
posted by andreapandrea to Law & Government (6 answers total)

You should know what the lot is zoned, if not, ask your real estate agent. Then you can call your city or county and ask them what is allowed in that kind of zoning. Or google it, the zoning rules are probably posted online.

I don't know if the rules have changed but it used to be ok as long as you didn't have any advertising or signage, the house was still primarily a home, not a business, and you could see a maximum of like one person per hour for commercial reasons or something like that.
posted by magnetsphere at 6:42 AM on May 25, 2017

Try this: CalGold, for permit assistance.
posted by cooker girl at 7:04 AM on May 25, 2017

Go down to your city planning department and ask. This is city-by-city, and may depend upon the number of clients you expect to see. In my case there was a < $500 permit fee, and then annual business taxes (< $50/year). I didn't see any clients at my home, but the permit form asked about that, about material stored outside, and a bunch of other things.

Anyway, this is a question for city planning, they should be happy to answer your questions without getting your address (ie: you aren't exposing yourself by asking), and they'll be happy to help you.
posted by straw at 7:23 AM on May 25, 2017 [6 favorites]

In addition to what the others have said, if there's an HOA in the neighborhood, they may have rules about this.
posted by primethyme at 7:35 AM on May 25, 2017 [2 favorites]

straw has it. This isn't a state or zip code thing, it's a city (or county if your location was unincorporated) and zoning thing. If you dont already have a business license, you may have to get one, and they'll check then if your zoning allows a) a residential business and b) your type of business, but you'll want to know your situation well before that.
posted by LionIndex at 8:21 AM on May 25, 2017 [1 favorite]

seconding primethyme on HOA and rules. Many neighborhoods do not want the in/out car traffic of such home based businesses.
posted by k5.user at 8:47 AM on May 25, 2017