Home Business in Mountain View, CA (2026)
4 verified home business rules for Mountain View, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Mountain View allows home occupations as an accessory use in every residential zoning district, but City Code Section 36.28.80 requires a business license, and Section 36.28.85 imposes operating standards keeping the business clearly secondary to the residence.
Mountain View Home Occupation Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code §§ 36.28.80, 36.28.85 (Home Occupations)
Purpose. The following provisions allow for home occupations that are secondary to and compatible with surrounding residential uses. Application. Business licenses are required for home occupations, which are permitted as accessory uses in all residential zoning districts. A statement of compliance with the following operating standards shall be signed prior to issuance of the business license....
Signage Rules
Mountain View bars any signage for a home-based business. City Code Section 36.28.85(c) states there is "no window display, advertising sign or other identification of the home occupation on the premises," a flat ban that applies to every licensed home occupation citywide.
Mountain View Home Business Sign Ban
Heavy RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code § 36.28.85(b)-(c) (General Operating Standards for Home Occupations)
All home occupations shall comply with all of the following operating standards, unless expressly exempt as stated in this Section: ... b.The use does not require a modification not customarily found in a dwelling, nor shall the use be visible from the street or from neighboring properties;c.There is no window display, advertising sign or other identification of the home occupation on the premi...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Mountain View caps the traffic a home occupation can add: City Code Section 36.28.85(f) limits most home businesses to five extra vehicle or pedestrian trips per day beyond what the residence would normally generate, plus no more than two deliveries a day.
Mountain View Home Business Trip Limits
Some RestrictionsMountain View, CA, City Code § 36.28.85(f) (General Operating Standards for Home Occupations)
f.Excluding microenterprise home kitchen operations, the home occupation shall not generate more than five (5) additional pedestrian or vehicular trips in excess of that customarily associated with the residential use in the zoning district in which it is located, and no more than two (2) deliveries per day.g.Operators of a home occupation must have and maintain a valid business license with th...
Home Daycare
Small family daycare homes (up to 8 children) and large family daycare homes (up to 14 children) are permitted by right in Mountain View residential zones under California H&S Code 1597.45.
Mountain View Family Daycare Home Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Health and Safety Code Section 1597.40
1597.40. (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that family daycare homes for children should be situated in normal residential surroundings so as to give children the home environment that is conducive to healthy and safe development. It is the public policy of this state to provide children in a family daycare home the same home environment as provided in a traditional home setting. (b) The ...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Mountain View city rules.
Home Business in Santa Clara County →