Running a business from home in Gilroy: the local rules

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

What Gilroy's code says

Gilroy code What Gilroy's code adds
Customer visits	No more than 2 clients, patients or pupils. Applies: On the premises at any one time. § 30.40.20 · code text A home occupation shall be limited to having only two (2) clients, patients, or pupils present on the premises at any time.
Employees	Only 1 employee besides the residents of the home. Applies: No more than 2 residents may take part. The employee must park in the driveway or a paved on-site space. § 30.40.20 · code text Only the residents occupying the dwelling unit and one (1) employee may engage in a home occupation and not more than two (2) such occupants shall be engaged therein.
Permit	A conditional use permit from the planning commission is required. Applies: Home businesses in a residential zone that do not meet the standard criteria. Not available for the prohibited uses. § 30.40.30 · code text With the exception of uses listed in section 30.40.40, any use or occupation that does not meet the criteria set forth in section 30.40.20 may be permitted in a residential zone only in accordance with a conditional use permit which may be issued by the planning commission.
Businesses not allowed	Animal hospitals; harboring, training, raising, grooming, or treatment of animals or birds for commercial purposes § 30.40.40 · code text Animal hospitals, or the harboring, training, raising, grooming, or treatment of animals or birds for commercial purposes. Repair or reconditioning of motor vehicles or equipment, boats, or recreation vehicles for commercial purposes; display for sale of any vehicle § 30.40.40 · code text The repair or reconditioning on the residential site for commercial purposes of motor vehicles or equipment, boats, or recreation vehicles, or display for sale of any vehicle. Beauty parlors and barber shops § 30.40.40 · code text Beauty parlors, barber shops. Medical, dental, or chiropractic clinics or hospitals § 30.40.40 · code text Medical, dental or chiropractic clinics or hospitals. Use, handling, or storage of hazardous materials or chemicals, except consumer products in typical household amounts § 30.40.40 · code text The use, handling, or storage of hazardous materials or chemicals, except those materials in concentration, packaging, and type that are consumer products and kept in typical household amounts. Any generation of hazardous waste material § 30.40.40 · code text Any generation of hazardous waste material. Discharge of nondomestic wastewaters into the sanitary sewer or storm drain at the residence, including commercial food preparation and dish cleaning § 30.40.40 · code text The discharge of nondomestic wastewaters into the sanitary sewer or storm drain at the residence. This includes commercial food preparation and dish cleaning.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in Gilroy?

Gilroy home businesses may have at most 2 clients at a time and 1 nonresident employee; beauty parlors and clinics are not allowed.

Running a business from home in Gilroy

Key points

What Gilroy's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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