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El Cerrito · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in El Cerrito

El Cerrito limits a home business to 300 square feet or 40% of the home's floor area, whichever is less. El Cerrito allows up to 5 round trips a day, and 1 non-resident employee with extra parking or within 1/4 mile of BART.

Key points

  • Business size: El Cerrito limits a home business to 300 square feet or 40% of the home's floor area, whichever is less.
  • Trips and staff: El Cerrito allows up to 5 round trips a day, and 1 non-resident employee with extra parking or within 1/4 mile of BART.

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

What El Cerrito's code says

El Cerrito code What El Cerrito's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 300 square feet or 40% of the home's floor area, whichever is less.
    § 19.20.100 · code text
    A home occupation shall not exceed 300 square feet or 40 percent of the residential unit floor area, whichever is less.
Customer visits
  • Up to 5 round trips per day by employees, deliveries or visitors.
    § 19.20.100 · code text
    Up to five roundtrips per day by employees, deliveries, or visitors to the home occupation are permitted.
Employees
  • 1 full-time employee who does not live in the home.
    Applies: Only if 1 extra off-street parking space is provided on the site beyond the spaces required for the home.
    § 19.20.100 · code text
    One non-resident full-time employee is permitted if an additional off-street parking space is provided on the subject site beyond the number of spaces required for the residential use,
  • 1 full-time employee who does not live in the home.
    Applies: For a home within 1/4 mile of a BART station, no extra parking space is required for the employee.
    § 19.20.100 · code text
    One non-resident full-time employee is permitted if an additional off-street parking space is provided on the subject site beyond the number of spaces required for the residential use, except that if the home occupation is conducted in a unit that is within ¼ mile of a BART station, no parking is required for the employee.
Permit
  • An administrative use permit is required.
    Applies: Only for exceptions to the home occupation standards.
    § 19.20.100 · code text
    Exceptions to this section shall require an administrative use permit.
  • An annual business license tax must be paid.
    Applies: Applies to every person doing business as a home occupation.
    § 4.32.245 · code text
    Every person engaged in business in a home occupation as defined in this chapter shall pay the annual license tax set in the master fee schedule.
Businesses not allowed
  • adult businesses as defined in Section 19.20.023; personal instruction services for more than two students at one time; accommodation of paying guests except as otherwise permitted by Section 19.20.050; beauty parlors with more than one hair stylist; boarding and treatment of animals
    § 19.20.100 · code text
    The following uses are not permitted as a home occupation: adult businesses as defined in Section 19.20.023, personal instruction services for more than two students at one time, accommodation of paying guests except as otherwise permitted by Section 19.20.050, beauty parlors with more than one hair stylist, and the boarding and treatment of animals.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in El Cerrito?

El Cerrito limits a home business to 300 square feet or 40% of the home's floor area, whichever is less. El Cerrito allows up to 5 round trips a day, and 1 non-resident employee with extra parking or within 1/4 mile of BART.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific El Cerrito property

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