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San Bruno · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in San Bruno

A home business may use 200 square feet or 10% of the home, whichever is greater; it needs a permit and business license.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: A home business may use 200 square feet or 10% of the home, whichever is greater; it needs a permit and business license.

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

What San Bruno's code says

San Bruno code What San Bruno's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 200 square feet or 10% of the home's floor area, whichever is greater.
    Applies: In the home, an accessory building, or both combined.
    § 12.84.130 · code text
    It shall not involve more than two hundred square feet or ten percent, whichever is greater, of the dwelling floor area whether the home occupation use is conducted within the dwelling or in an accessory building or a combination of both.
Employees
  • Only resident family members may work on the premises.
    Applies: Off-site employees are allowed. The community development director may change this where special conditions exist.
    § 12.84.130 · code text
    The home occupation shall not involve the employment of help other than resident members of the family within the residence.
Permit
  • A permit from the community development director is required.
    § 12.84.130 · code text
    No person shall commence or carry on any home occupation, as set forth above, within the city without first having procured a permit from the community development director.
  • A business license is required.
    Applies: Every home occupation permit holder.
    § 12.84.130 · code text
    Every home occupation permittee shall obtain a business license.
  • Community development director approval is required, after notice to directly abutting owners.
    Applies: Home occupations not in an enclosed building.
    § 12.84.130 · code text
    A home occupation not proposed in an enclosed building shall require approval by the community development director, after noticing is provided as described in Chapter 12.132, except the notice shall only be to property owners that directly abut the subject site.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

Can I run a business from my home in San Bruno?

A home business may use 200 square feet or 10% of the home, whichever is greater; it needs a permit and business license.

General information, not legal advice.

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San Bruno Municipal Code — full text