Santa Clara permits home occupations in residential zones with a business license and compliance with home occupation standards preserving the residential character of the neighborhood.
Santa Clara City Code allows home occupations as accessory uses in residential zones subject to obtaining a city business license and meeting performance standards. The business must be clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling, operated only by resident occupants plus a limited number of non-resident employees where permitted, and may not generate traffic, noise, dust, odor, or vibration beyond normal residential levels. No outdoor storage of materials or equipment is allowed, and retail sales from the home are generally prohibited except by appointment or online fulfillment. Certain uses such as auto repair, kennels, medical clinics, adult entertainment, and manufacturing are expressly prohibited. The home occupation cannot use more than a defined percentage of the dwelling's floor area, typically 25 percent.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle zoning restrictions.
See how Santa Clara's zoning restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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