Santa Cruz County, CA Home Business: Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Home-based businesses in the unincorporated County are governed by Santa Cruz County Code (SCCC) Section 13.10.613. A home occupation may be conducted by right (without a discretionary use permit) when it meets all the standards in subsection (B): it is carried on entirely within the dwelling or an allowed accessory structure; uses no more than 35 percent of the dwelling's floor area; has no more than one or two non-inhabitant employees; involves no more than two persons at a time for personal services or training (such as fitness training, music or swimming lessons, yoga, cooking, or art classes); sells only goods produced or assembled on the premises or by mail order; uses no more than one vehicle no larger than a three-quarter-ton pickup truck; and creates no outdoor storage, operations, or unacceptable noise. A Level V conditional home occupation use permit is required to exceed these limits, for example to add up to five additional regular employees, use more than 35 percent of the floor area, conduct outdoor unenclosed activities, serve more than two clients or students at a time, sell goods not produced on-site, use a vehicle larger than a three-quarter-ton pickup, or handle hazardous materials as defined by SCCC 7.100.020. Home occupations must comply with the County's noise standards in SCCC Chapter 8.30 and Chapter 13.15 and the General Plan Noise Element.