7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Santa Cruz County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Santa Cruz County Code Section 13.10.613 allows home occupations as a secondary use in residential zones. The activity must be carried on entirely within the dwelling or an allowed accessory structure and not affect the residential character of the property or neighborhood; outdoor activities require a Level V conditional home occupation use permit.
Santa Cruz County Code 13.10.700-H (Definitions: Home Occupation; Cottage Industry)
A home occupation is an accessory use, secondary to a residential use, for income-producing activities involving the manufacture, provision or sale of goods and/or services, performed by a full-time inhabitant of the unit, that does not affect the residential character of the property or neighborhood. Cottage industry means a type of home occupation involving construction and sales of primarily...
Under Santa Cruz County Code 13.10.613(B)(2), a home occupation may have no visible or external evidence other than one unlighted sign not exceeding one square foot in area, affixed to the dwelling or building where the occupation is conducted. Larger or illuminated signs require a Level V conditional home occupation use permit.
Santa Cruz County Code 13.10.613 and 13.10.321-326 (Home Occupation Signage in Residential and Agricultural Districts)
One unlighted sign not larger than one square foot may be attached to the house or the building. For properties with structures set back over 40 feet, attachment to the mailbox is permitted. One nonilluminated sign, not larger than one square foot in area, pertaining to a home occupation is among the signs allowed in R-1, RB, RR, RA, RM, A, AP, and CA Districts. Larger signage or any illuminate...
Home occupations in unincorporated Santa Cruz County must not generate traffic, parking demand or deliveries beyond what is normal for a residence; significant customer visits can disqualify the use.
Cottage food operations in unincorporated Santa Cruz County are registered or permitted by County Environmental Health under California's Cottage Food law (Health & Safety Code Chapter 11.5). Class A (direct sales) registers; Class B (direct and indirect sales) is permitted and inspected annually. Zoning is handled as a home occupation under SCCC 13.10.613.
Both small and large family day care homes are a permitted residential use in all residences in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, consistent with California state law. Under Health & Safety Code 1597.40 and 1597.46 (as amended by SB 234), local zoning cannot require a use permit or prohibit family day care homes on residentially zoned lots.
Many home occupations in unincorporated Santa Cruz County operate without a discretionary permit when they meet all by-right standards of SCCC 13.10.613. A Level V conditional home occupation use permit is required to exceed those limits, such as more than two non-resident employees, over 35% floor-area use, or outdoor activity.
1 cities in Santa Cruz County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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