Redwood City, CA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Home occupation means a business enterprise that is conducted within a dwelling unit by the residents of the dwelling unit and is incidental to the residential use of the dwelling unit. Examples include cottage food operations, handicrafts, consulting, and home offices for off-site business-activity such as landscaping and instruction. A family childcare home is not considered a home occupation and is regulated separately in Article 39 (Child Care).

B. Requirements. Home occupations are permitted by right in a legal dwelling unit in any zoning district with the following requirements:

1. All business activity occurring at the residence is conducted entirely within a dwelling and is carried on exclusively by the inhabitants.

2. The use does not change the character of the dwelling or adversely affect the uses permitted in the residential district.

3. The use creates no significant additional traffic and requires no additional parking spaces.

4. For all business activity occurring at the residence, no persons are employed other than that necessary for domestic purposes. Employees for off-site business activities shall not assemble at the dwelling.

5. All storage and display of goods, equipment, or material that serves the home occupation is enclosed within a building.

6. The entrance to the space devoted to such use is from within the building, and no internal or external alterations or construction features not customarily used in dwellings is involved.

C.