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San Leandro · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in San Leandro

A home business may use 500 square feet or 25% of the floor area, whichever is less; only residents may work on site.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: A home business may use 500 square feet or 25% of the floor area, whichever is less; only residents may work on site.

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

What San Leandro's code says

San Leandro code What San Leandro's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 500 square feet or 25% of the floor area, whichever is less.
    Applies: R districts. The business must be entirely inside a building.
    § 2.04.220 · code text
    A home occupation shall be conducted entirely within a building and shall occupy no more than the lesser of 500 square feet or 25 percent of the floor area.
Employees
  • Only residents may be employed or report to work on site, including independent contractors.
    § 2.04.220 · code text
    No one other than a resident of the dwelling shall be employed on site or report to work at the site in the conduct of a home occupation. This prohibition also applies to independent contractors.
Permit
  • A home occupation permit and a business license are required, renewed each year.
    Applies: Home businesses in a residential use. The permit stays in effect while the business license is renewed annually.
    § 2.04.220 · code text
    A home occupation in a residential use shall require a home occupation permit, obtained by filing a completed application form with the Zoning Enforcement Official.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in San Leandro?

A home business may use 500 square feet or 25% of the floor area, whichever is less; only residents may work on site.

General information, not legal advice.

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San Leandro Municipal Code — full text