Santa Clara County home occupations must generate no more traffic, parking, or deliveries than normal residential use. Appointment-only visits and residential-scale deliveries only.
Santa Clara County home occupation performance standards require that a home business generate no more traffic or parking demand than would normally be associated with the residential use of the property. Client or customer visits are generally limited to an appointment-only basis, typically no more than one client or small group at a time, and the total daily visits should not disrupt the neighborhood. Deliveries must be limited to those typical of a residence (UPS, USPS, FedEx) and cannot include commercial freight, box trucks, or semi-trailer deliveries. Uses that rely on steady walk-in traffic, retail sales from the home, or frequent group gatherings (fitness classes, retreats, tasting events) generally do not qualify as home occupations and require commercial zoning. Tutoring, counseling, small music lessons, and similar low-intensity uses are typical examples of allowed home occupations.
Complaints about excessive traffic, on-street parking, or commercial deliveries are common triggers for code enforcement. Violations may result in administrative citations, orders to cease the use, and escalating fines.
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, the County Noise Ordinance (Title B, Division B11, Chapter VIII of the County Ordinance Code) sets exterior noise limit...
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, fence height is regulated by the County Zoning Ordinance administered by the Department of Planning and Development. Fe...
Santa Clara County, CA
ALL fireworks - including state-approved 'Safe and Sane' fireworks - are illegal in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The County has banned the sale, posses...
Santa Clara County, CA
Residential pools and spas in unincorporated Santa Clara County are governed by California Health and Safety Code Sections 115920 through 115929 (the Pool Sa...
Santa Clara County, CA
Unincorporated Santa Clara County allows movable tiny homes as a substitute for one Accessory Dwelling Unit under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.10.015(E), adopt...
Santa Clara County, CA
In unincorporated Santa Clara County, sheds are regulated as accessory buildings under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.20.020. A shed whose combined length plus w...
See how Santa Clara County's customer traffic restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.