San Jose, CA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Signage for home businesses in unincorporated Santa Clara County is governed by the Home Occupation rules in Zoning Ordinance Section 4.10.180. For a General home occupation, only one non-illuminated sign not exceeding one square foot in area may be placed to identify the business (Section 4.10.180.A.7). For an Expanded home occupation (allowed only on lots of one acre or more), one non-illuminated sign not exceeding four square feet may identify the business, but it may not be intended as an advertising display to attract customers, may not be located within the required front-yard setback or any street right-of-way, and no products may be displayed visibly from outside the property boundaries (Section 4.10.180.C.9). Vehicles used in connection with a home occupation should not carry display advertising. Beyond these limits, the County's general sign rules are in Zoning Ordinance Chapter 4.40 (Signs); freestanding and attached commercial signage and any sign tied to a discretionary land-use approval generally requires architecture and site approval under Chapter 5.40. Because home occupations are an accessory residential use, the small identification sign is the only on-site signage a home business may post without additional approval.