Ontario vs San Bernardino
How do home occupation permits rules compare between Ontario, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Ontario and San Bernardino have similar restriction levels.
Ontario, CA
San Bernardino County
Ontario requires a home occupation permit for any business run from a residence. The use must stay incidental to living there, with no customer traffic, signage, or exterior evidence of commercial activity.
View full Ontario rules →San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino requires a Home Occupation Permit and business license for any business run from a residence. Activity must stay clearly incidental to the home with no outside employees or customer traffic.
View full San Bernardino rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ontario | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Permit type | Home occupation permit | - |
| Non-resident employees | Generally not allowed | - |
| Signage | Prohibited | - |
| Customer visits | Highly restricted | - |
| Business license | Also required | - |
| Permit | - | Home Occupation Permit required |
| Floor Area Cap | - | 25 percent of dwelling |
| Employees | - | Residents only |
| Business License | - | Required annually |
| Planning Contact | - | (909) 384-5122 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Ontario FAQ
Can clients come to my Ontario home for appointments?
Client visits are typically prohibited or tightly limited to avoid generating extra traffic. Check with Planning for your specific business type.
Can I put a sign for my home business in the yard?
No. Home occupations may not display any exterior signage or advertising visible from the street or neighboring properties.
San Bernardino FAQ
Can I see clients at my San Bernardino home office?
Only in limited numbers that do not generate traffic beyond normal residential levels. Frequent client visits or multiple simultaneous appointments are not allowed under a Home Occupation Permit and may require a full commercial zoning application.
Do I need a business license for an online-only home business?
Yes. San Bernardino requires a business license for any business operated from an address in the city, including e-commerce and remote consulting. A Home Occupation Permit is typically required alongside the license.
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