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East Palo Alto · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in East Palo Alto

East Palo Alto limits home businesses to 25% of one floor or one room, whichever is less, and 2 clients at a time.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: East Palo Alto limits home businesses to 25% of one floor or one room, whichever is less, and 2 clients at a time.

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

What East Palo Alto's code says

East Palo Alto code What East Palo Alto's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 25% of one floor's gross area or 1 room, whichever is less.
    § 18.48.110 · code text
    No more than 25 percent of the gross floor area of one floor of the residence or one room, whichever is less, shall be used for the purpose of home business.
  • Inside the home only; not in the garage, an accessory structure, or outdoor areas of the property.
    § 18.48.110 · code text
    The home business shall be restricted to the interior of the dwelling unit and shall not take place on external areas of the subject property, the dwelling's garage, or in any accessory structure;
Customer visits
  • Only 2 clients are allowed.
    Applies: In the home at any one time.
    § 18.48.110 · code text
    Only two clients shall be allowed in the dwelling at any one time.
  • No more than 12 visits in any 24-hour day by customers arriving by vehicle.
    § 18.48.110 · code text
    The home business shall be limited to no more than 12 visits in any one 24-hour day by those customers arriving by vehicle;
  • Customers are allowed only between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
    § 18.48.110 · code text
    Customers of the home business are allowed at the residence only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.;
Employees
  • Only residents of the home or domestic help can work or report to work there.
    § 18.48.110 · code text
    No persons other than residents of the dwelling or domestic help shall work or report to work on the premises;
Permit
  • A Home Occupation Permit and a business license are required.
    Applies: Before starting the home business.
    § 18.48.110 · code text
    Before the establishment of a home business, the operator of the home business shall first file an application for a Home Occupation Permit and receive approval and shall also obtain a business license issued in compliance with Municipal Code Chapter 5.04.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in East Palo Alto?

East Palo Alto limits home businesses to 25% of one floor or one room, whichever is less, and 2 clients at a time.

General information, not legal advice.

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East Palo Alto Municipal Code — full text