Council Eases Rules for Home Businesses
People who run businesses out of their homes are about to receive a little more room to work.
By a 4-0 vote, the Simi Valley City Council on Monday loosened regulations on home-based businesses to bring them in line with those of other cities. Councilwoman Barbara Williamson abstained from the vote because she missed an earlier vote for preliminary approval.
The changes have been hailed as a boon to home-based computer consultants, interior designers, brokers, freelance writers, handymen and crafts makers.
Currently, Simi Valley laws confine home businesses to one room of a house that accounts for no more than 10% of the home’s floor space. It also outlaws the storage of business-related items in the garage.
Under the new rules, home businesses could occupy up to 20% of a home’s space, in as many rooms as the owner sees fit. The changes would also allow people who hold a $25 permit to store crafts, documents and other business necessities in their personal garage if enough room is left for parking cars.
The changes will take effect in a month.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
