Sunnyvale permits home occupations as accessory to residential use under SMC 19.70.040. No walk-in customers, no outside employees, and no more than 25 percent of dwelling may be used for the business.
Sunnyvale Municipal Code 19.70.040 allows home occupations that are clearly incidental to residential use. Operators must be the resident of the dwelling. No non-resident employees may work on-site. No signage is allowed. No walk-in customer traffic or retail sales are permitted. No more than 25 percent of the floor area of the residence (or 400 square feet, whichever is less) may be devoted to the home occupation. Activities cannot generate noise, odor, vibration, glare, or traffic beyond typical residential levels. Hazardous materials are prohibited. A Sunnyvale business license tax certificate is required before operating. Home occupations are reviewed for compliance through the Planning Division.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle home occupation permits.
See how Sunnyvale's home occupation permits rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.