Home Business in San Mateo County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in San Mateo County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of San Mateo County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Unincorporated San Mateo County allows home occupations by right in residential zones like R-1 and R-E, but caps them at a quarter of the ground floor with no retail sales or outside employees.

San Mateo County Home Occupation Rules

Some Restrictions

San Mateo County Zoning Code § 8.04.030(54); § 8.16.020(d)

Customary, incidental home occupations conducted within a dwelling, provided that no retail business of any sort is involved; no stock in trade is kept, or commodity sold, except for the sale of commodities made on the premises; no person not a resident of the premises is employed; and an area not larger than one-fourth (1/4) of the floor area of the ground floor of the dwelling is devoted to s...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Daycare

By California state law (Health & Safety Code 1597.40-1597.46, as amended by SB 234), small and large family day care homes are a residential use by right in unincorporated San Mateo County. No conditional use permit is required, and the County cannot impose a business license, fee, or tax to operate one. The home must be licensed by the State.

San Mateo County Family Day Care Home Rules

Significant Restrictions

California Health and Safety Code § 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 ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Home Business by City in San Mateo County

3 cities in San Mateo County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

San MateoPop. 105,661

1 verified rule • Home Daycare

Daly CityPop. 104,901

5 verified rules • Cottage Food Operations, Customer Traffic Restrictions

Redwood CityPop. 84,518

3 verified rules • Home Daycare, Signage Rules

All San Mateo County ordinances

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