Running a business from home in Windsor: the local rules

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

What Windsor's code says

Windsor code What Windsor's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the main home's floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is greater. Applies: General operating standard. § 17.40.120 · code text The use shall be confined to not more than twenty-five (25) percent of the floor area of the main dwelling nor more than four hundred (400) square feet of floor area, whichever is greater. No more than 1,000 square feet and no more than 40% of the main home's floor area. Applies: With Minor Use Permit approval. Includes storage areas and accessory structures. § 17.40.120 · code text In no case shall the home occupation, including storage areas and accessory structures, exceed either one thousand (1,000) square feet or forty (40) percent of the floor area of the main dwelling.
Customer visits	No more than 8 customers each day. Applies: General operating standard. § 17.40.120 · code text The home occupation shall be limited to eight (8) customers and two (2) deliveries each day. Up to 2 customer visits at a time. Applies: Only with Minor Use Permit approval. § 17.40.120 · code text Uses generating up to two (2) customer visits at a time or more than two (2) deliveries each day. No more than 10 customer or delivery trips each day. Applies: With Minor Use Permit approval. § 17.40.120 · code text In no case shall customer or delivery traffic exceed more than ten (10) trips each day.
Employees	Only people who live on the property may be employed. § 17.40.120 · code text Only persons residing on the property may be employed within the home occupation. No more than 1 employee who lives off-site. Applies: Business located in the home, with Minor Use Permit approval. § 17.40.120 · code text A use employing no more than one (1) person living off-site and working at the home occupation located in the dwelling.
Permit	A Zoning Clearance is required. § 17.40.120 · code text A Zoning Clearance shall be obtained in compliance with Chapter 17.54 (Zoning Clearance) to establish a home occupation. A Home Occupation Permit is required. Applies: Residential accessory structures used to house a home business. § 17.40.120 · code text Residential accessory structures may be used to house a home occupation, provided the home occupation obtains a Home Occupation Permit and complies with the standards established by this section. A Home Occupation Permit is required. Applies: Cottage food operations allowed by Sonoma County Environmental Health. § 17.40.120 · code text Cottage food operations allowed by Sonoma County Environmental Health require a Home Occupation Permit and shall comply with the requirements of this section. A Minor Use Permit is required. Applies: Activities that may not meet the standard operating rules. § 17.40.120 · code text The following are activities that may not comply with the operating standards in Subsection B. above, but may be allowed with Minor Use Permit approval, in compliance with Chapter 17.58 (Conditional Use permit and Minor Use Permit).

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Windsor?

Windsor home businesses may use 25% of the main dwelling or 400 square feet, whichever is greater, and have at most 8 customers daily.

Running a business from home in Windsor

Key points

What Windsor's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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