Cupertino requires a business license tax certificate to establish a home occupation under Municipal Code 19.120.020. No separate discretionary permit is normally needed, but unusually intense uses may require a conditional use permit, and listed occupations are excluded entirely.
Under CMC 19.120.020, authorization to establish a home occupation is evidenced by payment of the business tax and issuance of a City of Cupertino business license tax certificate; home occupations are subject to all code provisions on business licenses. No separate discretionary permit is normally required. However, per CMC 19.120.040, the Director of Community Development may find a proposed use unusually intense and require a conditional use permit under Chapter 19.156 before operating. Excluded occupations under CMC 19.120.050 include auto repair, barber and beauty shops, boarding for more than two guests, clinics and hospitals including veterinary, kennels beyond pet limits, medical offices, private schools with organized classes, and upholstery, small engine repair, or welding shops.
Operating without a business license certificate, or running an excluded occupation, can result in citations, cease-operation orders, and denial of the home occupation.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Under California's SB 1383, Cupertino residents and businesses must keep food scraps and yard trimmings out of the trash and use Recology South Bay's organic...
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Artificial turf is not counted as drought-tolerant landscaping in California, and under SB 676 (Government Code 53087.7) cities like Cupertino may regulate s...
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Cupertino's Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 14.15) implements California's MWELO and caps turf at 25% of landscape area, favoring...
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Cupertino places no ban on residential rainwater harvesting and actively encourages on-site rainwater and graywater capture in its Water-Efficient Landscape ...
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Cupertino has permanent water-waste prohibitions under Municipal Code Chapter 15.32, banning runoff, hosing pavement, and un-nozzled hoses. Water is supplied...
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Cupertino declares overgrown weeds and dry brush a fire nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 9.08, enforced through a Santa Clara County weed abatement prog...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle home occupation permits.
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