San Jose vs Santa Clara
How do home occupation permits rules compare between San Jose, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
San Jose and Santa Clara have similar restriction levels.
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 →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Santa Clara requires a home occupation permit and business license for residents operating a business from a dwelling, with limits on signage, employees, customer visits, and external evidence of commercial activity.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Permit | - | Home occupation permit required |
| Business license | - | Required from Finance Dept |
| Employees | - | Residents only |
| Signage | - | Not permitted |
| Contact | - | (408) 615-2000 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
Santa Clara FAQ
Can I hire an employee who does not live with me?
No. Santa Clara home occupations must be operated by residents of the dwelling, with no non-resident employees on-site.
Can customers visit my home business?
Limited customer visits are allowed, but activity must not generate traffic or parking demand beyond normal residential levels.
Compare other topics
See how San Jose and Santa Clara compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool