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Orinda · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in Orinda

Home businesses: 1 room, or 20 percent of floor area if 1 room is larger; no employees or independent contractors.

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Key points

  • Home business size: Home businesses: 1 room, or 20 percent of floor area if 1 room is larger; no employees or independent contractors.

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

What Orinda's code says

Orinda code What Orinda's code adds
Space used
  • 1 room, or 20% of the home's floor area if 1 room would be more than that.
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    such as one room, or twenty (20) percent of the dwelling's floor area in case where the use of one room would exceed twenty (20) percent of the dwelling's floor area.
Employees
  • No employees or independent contractors are allowed.
    Applies: Only the permanent residents of the home may take part in the business.
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    There shall be no employees or independent contractors.
Businesses not allowed
  • Beauty parlors, barber shops and haircut salons
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    Beauty parlors, barber shops and haircut salons;
  • Retail and wholesale sales where goods would be retrieved by the buyer at location of the home occupation
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    Retail and wholesale sales where goods would be retrieved by the buyer at location of the home occupation;
  • Restaurants and food preparation site for the purpose of retail sales from a vehicle
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    Restaurants and food preparation site for the purpose of retail sales from a vehicle;
  • Cabinet making and similar manufacturing activities
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    Cabinet making and similar manufacturing activities;
  • Stables, kennels, veterinary clinics, animal breeding and grooming
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    Stables, kennels, veterinary clinics, animal breeding and grooming;
  • Appliance, automotive, engine, motorcycle repair on-site
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    Appliance, automotive, engine, motorcycle repair on-site;
  • Medical and dental offices and clinics
    § 17.3.7 · code text
    Medical and dental offices and clinics.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Orinda?

Home businesses: 1 room, or 20 percent of floor area if 1 room is larger; no employees or independent contractors.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Orinda property

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Orinda Municipal Code — full text