Mountain View vs San Jose
How do home occupation permits rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
Mountain View and San Jose have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Home occupations in Mountain View require a zoning clearance and business license, must be secondary to residential use, and cannot generate customer traffic, employees, or outward signs of business activity.
View full Mountain View rules →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose permits home-based businesses through a Home Occupation Permit process under Municipal Code Title 20. Businesses must remain incidental to residential use, employ no more than one non-resident worker, generate no significant client traffic, and display no exterior signage. A Business Tax Certificate is required in addition.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| Where allowed | All residential zones | - |
| Employees on site | Residents only | - |
| Customer visits | Restricted or prohibited | - |
| Signage | Not permitted | - |
| Business license | Required | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can I run an online business from my Mountain View home?
Yes. Online and remote-work businesses with no client visits, no employees, and no outward signs of activity are generally allowed with a business license.
Can clients come to my home office?
Client visits are heavily restricted. Check the zoning ordinance for limits on frequency and hours, and whether your specific use is permitted.
San Jose FAQ
Compare other topics
See how Mountain View and San Jose compare on other ordinance categories.
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