Running a business from home in Davis: the local rules

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

What Davis's code says

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Space used	No more than 25% of the area of one floor of the home. Applies: All home businesses except a cottage food operation. § 40.26.150 · code text No more than twenty-five percent of the area of one floor of the residence shall be used for such purposes. No more than 100 square feet. Applies: Hair cutting by appointment only, done by no more than 1 resident of the home. § 40.26.150 · code text provided, that not more than one hundred square feet is devoted to such use);
Employees	No more than 1 full-time-equivalent helper. Applies: Workers who are not members of the resident family or household. § 40.26.150 · code text No employment of help other than the members of the resident family or household and no more than one assisting full time equivalent employee. No more than 1 part-time employee at any one time. Applies: Employees from outside the household. § 40.26.150 · code text No more than one part-time employee from outside the household shall be working at any one time.
Permit	Home business approval is required: apply to the community development and sustainability department with the filing fee. Applies: Approval is valid for 2 years from the approval date. § 40.26.150 · code text Application for a home occupation shall be made to the community development and sustainability department on a form provided by the community development and sustainability department, and shall be accompanied by the appropriate filing fee.
Businesses not allowed	Schools of any size or type; boarding or lodging houses; antique shops; barber shops and beauty parlors, except hair cutting by appointment only by not more than one occupant and limited to not more than one hundred square feet; funeral chapels or homes and mortuaries; gift shops; medical or dental clinics or hospitals, animal hospitals or grooming facilities; day care centers or nursery schools; private clubs; restaurants; auto, motorcycle, boat, trailer, or similar repair shops; kennels; offices of health care providers requiring special mechanical equipment § 40.26.150 · code text The following uses are examples of those uses which are specifically prohibited:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Davis?

Home businesses are limited to 25% of the area of one floor, except cottage food operations.

Running a business from home in Davis

Key points

What Davis's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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