Stockton requires a Home Occupation Permit under SMC Chapter 16.132 before operating a business from a residence. The business must be clearly incidental to residential use and limited to 10 percent of the habitable floor area.
SMC Chapter 16.132 establishes the process for reviewing and approving Home Occupation Permits (HOP). The Planning Director is the review authority. The location must be the principal residence of the person conducting the business. No more than 10 percent of the habitable area may be used for business activity including storage of materials and equipment. On-site retail sales of merchandise are prohibited. No exterior signage is permitted. The business must not generate traffic, noise, odors, vibrations, or visual impacts beyond what is normal for the neighborhood. Prohibited home occupations include auto repair, boat or motorcycle repair, manufacture involving combustion or diesel engines, sales of building materials or home furnishings, and any use requiring explosives, flammable, or toxic materials including guns and ammunition. A business license is also required but Planning will not approve the business license until the HOP is granted. The application fee is $26. Appeals of HOP decisions go through SMC Chapter 16.100.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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