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San Rafael · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in San Rafael

A home business may use at most 25% of the home, 1 client at a time; non-residents may work only in cottage food operations.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: A home business may use at most 25% of the home, 1 client at a time; non-residents may work only in cottage food operations.

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

What San Rafael's code says

San Rafael code What San Rafael's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 25% of the home's gross area.
    § 14.16.220 · code text
    No more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross area of said residence shall be used for such purpose.
  • A garage, recreational vehicle or accessory structure may not be used for a home business.
    § 14.16.220 · code text
    Use of a recreational vehicle or garage for a home occupation is prohibited.
Customer visits
  • No more than 1 client on site at a time.
    § 14.16.220 · code text
    The home occupation(s) shall be operated to allow no more than one (1) client at a time on-site.
Employees
  • No more than 1 full-time equivalent employee.
    Applies: Cottage food operations. Household members do not count.
    § 14.16.220 · code text
    except that a cottage food operation (as defined in the State of California, Health and Safety Code (HSC) 113758) shall be permitted to have no more than one (1) full-time equivalent employee, not including members of the household.
  • Only residents may do the work. No non-resident employees.
    Applies: Home businesses other than cottage food operations.
    § 14.16.220 · code text
    Such occupation(s) shall be conducted solely by resident occupants in their residence
Permit
  • Business licenses and other city permits, such as building permits, are required.
    § 14.16.220 · code text
    All home occupations shall be subject to all conditions which are applied in this Title 14 generally, such as off-street parking; and to all other permits required under the city code, such as building permits and business licenses.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

A home business may use at most 25% of the home, 1 client at a time; non-residents may work only in cottage food operations.

General information, not legal advice.

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San Rafael Municipal Code — full text