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Marin County · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Marin County

County rule: home businesses need a business license and may have no more than 1 client appointment at a time.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: County rule: home businesses need a business license and may have no more than 1 client appointment at a time.

Each rule below links to the section of the Marin County Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Marin County's code says

Marin County code What Marin County's code adds
Customer visits
  • No more than 1 client appointment at a time.
    § 20.32.100 · code text
    Any use which generates more than one client appointment at a time;
Employees
  • At most 1 non-resident employee.
    Applies: In the coastal zone, and only with a Use Permit.
    § 20.32.100 · code text
    A home occupation may be authorized to have a maximum of one non-resident employee with a Use Permit, in compliance with Chapter 22.48 (Conditional Use Permits).
  • At most 1 non-resident employee.
    Applies: More than 1 needs a Conditional Use Permit.
    § 22.32.100 · code text
    A home occupation may have a maximum of one nonresident employee, and may only exceed this number with a Conditional Use Permit, in compliance with Chapter 22.48.
Permit
  • A county business license is required.
    § 20.32.100 · code text
    A business license shall be obtained/posted in compliance with Chapter 5.54 (Business Licenses) of the County Code for home occupations, which are allowed as accessory uses in all residential zoning districts.
Businesses not allowed
  • adult businesses; dance or night clubs; mini storage; storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories for the construction and service trades; vehicle repair (body or mechanical), upholstery, automobile detailing and painting; welding and machining
    § 20.32.100 · code text
    1. Adult businesses; 2. Dance or night clubs; 3. Mini storage; 4. Storage of equipment, materials, and other accessories for the construction and service trades; 5. Vehicle repair (body or mechanical), upholstery, automobile detailing and painting; 6. Welding and machining;

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Marin County?

County rule: home businesses need a business license and may have no more than 1 client appointment at a time.

General information, not legal advice.

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Marin County Municipal Code — full text