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Running a business from home in Berkeley

Berkeley home businesses may use 400 square feet or 20% of floor area, whichever is greater; Class I allows 5 daily visits, II 10.

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Key points

  • Home business: Berkeley home businesses may use 400 square feet or 20% of floor area, whichever is greater; Class I allows 5 daily visits, II 10.

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

What Berkeley's code says

Berkeley code What Berkeley's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 400 square feet or 20% of the gross floor area, whichever is greater.
    Applies: All home businesses.
    § 23.302.040 · code text
    A Home Occupation may occupy no more than the greater of: 400 square feet or 20 percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit, accessory dwelling units, accessory building, or group living accommodation room from which it operates.
Customer visits
  • No more than 5 customer visits per day.
    Applies: Class I home businesses.
    § 23.502.020 · code text
    Class I Home Occupation--Involves no more than five customer visits per day, with no more than four persons receiving services at a time.
  • No more than 10 customer visits per day.
    Applies: Class II home businesses.
    § 23.502.020 · code text
    Class II Home Occupation--Involves no more than ten customer visits per day, with no more than four persons receiving services at a time and no more than one non-resident engaging in business-related activities on-site.
  • More than 10 customer visits per day.
    Applies: Class III home businesses: only in Commercial districts and the MU-R district with a Use Permit. Not allowed elsewhere or in the Hillside Overlay.
    § 23.502.020 · code text
    Class III Home Occupation--Involves more than ten customer visits per day, with no more than four persons receiving services at a time and no more than one non-resident engaging in business-related activities on-site and/or involves shipping of goods directly from the subject residence.
  • Customer visits are not allowed.
    Applies: ES-R district.
    § 23.302.040 · code text
    Customer visits are not allowed in the ES-R district.
Employees
  • No more than 1 non-resident doing business activities on site.
    Applies: Class II and Class III home businesses. Only full-time residents may operate the business.
    § 23.502.020 · code text
    Class II Home Occupation--Involves no more than ten customer visits per day, with no more than four persons receiving services at a time and no more than one non-resident engaging in business-related activities on-site.
Permit
  • A Zoning Certificate (ZC) is required.
    Applies: Class I home businesses.
    § 23.302.040 · code text
    Class I ZC
  • An Administrative Use Permit (AUP) is required.
    Applies: Class II home businesses. Not allowed in the Hillside Overlay or the ES-R district.
    § 23.302.040 · code text
    Class II AUP
  • A Use Permit with a public hearing (UP(PH)) is required.
    Applies: Class III home businesses in all Commercial districts and the MU-R district.
    § 23.302.040 · code text
    All Commercial Districts and MU-R District UP (PH)
  • Not allowed.
    Applies: Class III home businesses in all other districts and in the Hillside Overlay.
    § 23.302.040 · code text
    All other Districts, and in the Hillside Overlay Not Permitted
Businesses not allowed
  • firearm/munitions business
    § 23.302.040 · code text
    No firearm/munitions business may operate as a home occupation.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Berkeley?

Berkeley home businesses may use 400 square feet or 20% of floor area, whichever is greater; Class I allows 5 daily visits, II 10.

General information, not legal advice.

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