Form 40-27, the Home Occupation License Application, is the City of Irvine form for a business run from the applicant's home, printed under the Community Development, Building & Safety heading. It is one of the documents behind an Irvine business license: the form says it must be filed with the completed Business License Application. You describe the business and place an "X" in the boxes agreeing to the nine home occupation conditions printed on it. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the city publishes the original PDF at cityofirvine.gov.
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What is 40-27?
Form 40-27, Home Occupation License Application, is the City of Irvine form an applicant completes to ask for approval to run a business from home, by agreeing to nine conditions and certifying that the information is true.
The form is not a stand-alone application. It states that it must be filed with the completed Business License Application. It collects the business name, the applicant name, the home address, a business phone number, and a description of the type of business and the products sold or manufactured or the services provided. The applicant then places an "X" in the boxes agreeing to nine conditions, among them no signs, direct sales or other exterior evidence, no more than one business-related vehicle, and only residents of the dwelling unit or virtual employees working remotely.
The notice printed on the form adds that issuing the license does not entitle you to carry on the business unless you comply with all requirements of the chapter and any other applicable Federal, State or local regulations, including restrictions in private Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) that govern your property. The license may be revoked if the business is found not to comply with city requirements.
A "For Office Use Only" block at the bottom records the Community Development recommendation (approve or deny), the planner, the date and the BL#. The applicant does not complete it.
Who needs to file 40-27?
Anyone applying for a City of Irvine business license for a business that will be run from the applicant's home files Form 40-27 together with the Business License Application. The person named under APPLICANT NAME completes and signs it.
The conditions on the form also decide who can use it. A home occupation does not qualify if:
- it is a sexually oriented business, which the form says cannot be conducted as a home occupation;
- the residence would be the primary point of customer pickup, delivery or services rendered, or the business would cause a significant increase in vehicular traffic or pedestrian activity in the neighborhood;
- it needs employees on the property other than the residents of the dwelling unit (virtual employees working remotely are allowed);
- it needs more than one business-related vehicle;
- it would use garage space required for off-street parking.
Private CC&Rs on your property may add their own restrictions, and the form's notice says you must comply with them. The form has a single applicant signature line and no block for a representative.
When to file 40-27
File Form 40-27 at the same time as the Business License Application, because the form states it must be filed with the completed Business License Application. No separate due date is printed on it.
If the city cannot approve a request for a home-based business, the form says you will be invited to a hearing under City Council Ordinance No. 93-06, Sections II.M-217 and II.M-218, before the business license is denied. If you are not satisfied with the decision made after the hearing, you may file a Notice of Appeal with the City Clerk within thirty (30) days of receiving the written decision to deny the license.
Documents you need
- The completed Business License Application: Form 40-27 must be filed together with it, so the two travel as one package.
How to fill out 40-27
Enter business and applicant names
Write the name of the business in the BUSINESS NAME box and the person applying in the APPLICANT NAME box.
Enter home address and phone
Fill in HOME ADDRESS with the residence where the business will operate and BUSINESS PHONE with the number for the business.
Describe the business
In the line headed "Specify the type of business and description of product(s) sold, manufactured, or service(s) provided", state what the business is and what it sells, makes or provides.
Read the nine conditions
Check conditions 1 to 9 against your plans: size and character of the use, customer traffic, no sexually oriented business, no signs, garage use, employees, equipment, noise and odors, and one business-related vehicle.
Mark the agreement boxes
Place an "X" in the boxes agreeing to all conditions listed. Do not mark them if your business cannot meet a condition.
Read the certification
The statement above the signature says the license may be revoked if your business does not comply with city requirements, and that the information is certified true under penalty of perjury.
Sign and date the application
Sign on the APPLICANT SIGNATURE line and enter the date beside it.
Leave the office block empty
Do not write in "For Office Use Only": the approve or deny recommendation, planner, date and BL# are completed by the city.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that names, address and description are correct and every box is marked. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and file it with the completed Business License Application as described under How to submit.
How to submit 40-27
Form 40-27 is not filed on its own: it goes in with the completed Business License Application, through whatever channel the City of Irvine uses for that application. The form prints no mailing address, portal or appointment rule of its own.
- Development Assistance Center: call 949-724-6308 with questions about the application.
- Economic Development: the city's page at https://cityofirvine.gov/economic-development gives [email protected] for additional questions about starting a business.
- City Clerk: only if your license is denied after a hearing; a Notice of Appeal goes to the City Clerk within thirty (30) days of receiving the written decision.
Sign and date the form before it goes in, and leave the "For Office Use Only" block empty. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the agency's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filing Form 40-27 without the completed Business License Application; the form states it must be filed with it.
- Leaving the condition boxes unmarked; the form asks you to place an "X" in the boxes agreeing to all nine conditions.
- Describing a sexually oriented business as a home occupation; the form does not permit it.
- Planning to employ people who do not live in the dwelling unit; only residents or virtual employees working remotely are allowed.
- Counting on more than one business-related vehicle; the home occupation is limited to one.
- Using garage space that is required for off-street parking; the garage may be used only if that space is left free.
- Leaving the signature or date blank; the certification is made under penalty of perjury.
- Treating the license as permission to operate without checking CC&Rs and other Federal, State or local rules; the form's notice says compliance is required.
- Writing in the "For Office Use Only" block, which records the planner's recommendation, date and BL#.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form 40-27, the Irvine Home Occupation License Application?
Form 40-27 is the City of Irvine application for a home-based business. You describe the business, agree to nine conditions by marking boxes with an "X", and certify under penalty of perjury that the information is true and correct. It is filed with the Business License Application.
Is Form 40-27 the same as an Irvine business license?
No. Form 40-27 is filed with the completed Business License Application and is a separate document. The form's notice says issuing the license does not let you operate unless you comply with all applicable requirements, and the license may be revoked if your business does not comply.
Can I hire employees for a home occupation in Irvine?
Only the residents of the dwelling unit or virtual employees may be employed in the home occupation. Virtual employees are employees working remotely, not on the property, according to condition 6 on the form.
Can I put up a sign or sell directly from my home?
No. Condition 4 says there shall be no signs, direct sales or other exterior evidence relating to the home occupation. Condition 2 adds that your residence cannot be the primary point of customer pickup, delivery or services rendered.
What happens if Irvine cannot approve my home business?
You will be invited to a hearing under City Council Ordinance No. 93-06, Sections II.M-217 and II.M-218, before your business license is denied. After a denial you may file a Notice of Appeal with the City Clerk within thirty (30) days of receiving the written decision.
Where do I file Form 40-27 and who do I call with questions?
File it together with the completed Business License Application; the form prints no separate address. For questions, call the Development Assistance Center at 949-724-6308, or write to [email protected], the contact on the city's Economic Development page.
Can I fill out Form 40-27 online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form with the City of Irvine; you submit it with the Business License Application through the city's channels.
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