Unincorporated Contra Costa County requires a Home Occupation Permit (ministerial, issued over the counter) or a Land Use Permit before any business activity may be conducted from a residential dwelling. A one-time $150 fee applies for the ministerial permit, and a separate business license from the Tax Collector is also required.
Under Contra Costa County Ordinance Code Chapter 82-40 (Title 8 Zoning, Division 82 General Regulations), a 'Home Occupation' is defined as 'a business activity that is conducted at a residential dwelling by a person residing in the dwelling and is a secondary and incidental use of the dwelling as a residence.' Section 82-40.012 governs the ministerial Home Occupation Permit, which is typically issued over the counter when the application meets the standards in § 82-40.010 (Standards applicable to all Home Occupations) and § 82-40.012 (location, employees, clients, vehicles). Applications are filed online at https://epermits.cccounty.us, must be signed by the property owner (a recorded deed may be required if Assessor records are out of date), and carry a one-time $150.00 fee due at submittal. Activities that exceed ministerial thresholds — for example, having a non-resident employee or onsite clients beyond the limited home-instruction exception — must instead go through a Land Use Permit process (call 925-655-2700). A business license from the County Tax Collector is also required separately. Other agency approvals may apply depending on the nature of the occupation.
Operating a home occupation without the required Home Occupation Permit or Land Use Permit is a violation of Title 8 (Zoning). The County may issue a notice of violation, withhold or revoke the permit, and pursue code enforcement remedies including administrative fines and abatement under the Ordinance Code. Continued operation may also expose the operator to business-license penalties from the Tax Collector.
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