Running a business from home in San Bernardino County

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

What San Bernardino County's code says

San Bernardino County code What San Bernardino County's code adds
Space used	Up to 25% of floor area or 250 square feet, whichever is greater, for storage. Applies: Class II home occupations: storage of business materials and supplies. § 84.12.090 · code text Up to 25 percent or 250 square feet, whichever is greater, of the total floor area of the dwelling unit and related accessory structures, may be used for storage of materials and supplies related to the home occupation. Up to 35% of the home and accessory structures' floor area or 500 square feet, whichever is greater. Applies: Class III home occupations: storage of business materials, supplies and equipment. § 84.12.100 · code text Up to 35 percent of the total floor area of the dwelling unit and related accessory structures or 500 square feet, whichever is greater, may be used for storage of materials, supplies, and equipment related to the use.
Customer visits	Only a limited number of customers or clients. Applies: Class II home occupations. By appointment only, one appointment at a time. § 84.12.090 · code text only a limited number of customers or clientele shall visit the residence. Each visit shall be only by appointment. This is restricted to a single appointment at a time. No more than 12 trips per day, as a monthly average. Applies: Class II home occupations. Counts personal and business trips. § 84.12.090 · code text The monthly average of the total trip count for personal and business activities shall not exceed 12 trips per day. Only a limited number of customers or clients. Applies: Class III home occupations. By appointment only, one appointment at a time. § 84.12.100 · code text Only a limited number of customers or clientele shall visit the residence and then only by appointment. This is restricted to a single appointment at a time. No more than 20 trips per day, as a monthly average. Applies: Class III home occupations. Counts personal and business trips. § 84.12.100 · code text The monthly average of the total trip count for personal and business activities shall not exceed 20 trips per day.
Employees	No more than 1 nonresident employee. Applies: Class II home occupations. All others must be resident family members. § 84.12.090 · code text All employees, partners, or operators of the home occupation, except one, shall be members of the resident family and shall reside on the premises provided all the required standards are met. Up to 2 nonresident employees. Applies: Class II home occupations in the Mountain and Desert Regions, if the Director authorizes it. § 84.12.090 · code text In the Mountain Region and Desert Region, the Director may authorize a second nonresident employee, provided all required standards can be met. Up to 5 non-resident employees. Applies: Class III home occupations on a property of at least 5 acres. § 84.12.100 · code text If the subject property is at least five acres in area, a total of five non-resident employees shall be allowed.
Businesses not allowed	Animal hospitals; motor vehicle and other vehicle repair, upholstery, painting or storage; carpentry and cabinet making (small wood products and single pieces of furniture are not included); kennels or catteries; massage parlors; medical and dental offices, clinics, and medical laboratories; repair shops or service establishments (repair of small electrical appliances, cameras or similar items is not included); riding stables; large scale upholstering service; welding and machining; vermicomposting; any other use the Director finds not incidental to or compatible with residential activities Applies: Except home occupations allowed in the Desert Region under § 84.12.060 § 84.12.050 · code text the following uses are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and shall not be allowed as home occupations:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in San Bernardino County?

A Class II home business may have 1 nonresident employee and at most 12 trips per day on average; Class III, 20 trips.

Running a business from home in San Bernardino County

Key points

What San Bernardino County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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