San Jose, CA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Home businesses in unincorporated Santa Clara County are regulated as 'Home Occupations' under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.10.180, which distinguishes General and Expanded categories. A General home occupation must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use and must not change the character of the property. It must be conducted within the dwelling by resident occupants and may include only one nonresident employee. It cannot create pedestrian, automobile, or truck traffic above the normal amount for the area, and client or customer visits are normally limited to no more than three per day and 10 per week. No activity may create offensive noise, dust, smoke, odor, vibration, glare, or radio or TV interference noticeable beyond the property lines, and no hazardous materials beyond those commonly found in a residence may be used or stored. Not more than one truck or van, with capacity not exceeding one ton, may be used with the business. Certain uses are barred outright as home occupations, including on-site automotive repair, commercial food preparation (other than a cottage food operation), medical or veterinary services, massage, painting of vehicles or boats, and pest control. Expanded home occupations are allowed only on lots of one acre or larger and permit a 1,200-square-foot accessory work area, one full-time outside employee, and up to 600 square feet of screened outdoor storage. A property owner may ask the zoning administrator for a written interpretation confirming a use qualifies.