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Running a business from home in San Francisco

A home business may use at most 1/3 of the home's floor area, with at most 2 non-resident workers, not counting domestic workers.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: A home business may use at most 1/3 of the home's floor area, with at most 2 non-resident workers, not counting domestic workers.

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

What San Francisco's code says

San Francisco code What San Francisco's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 1/3 of the home's total floor area.
    Applies: Except for accessory off-street parking and loading or Neighborhood Agriculture.
    § 204.1 · code text
    The use of more than one-third of the total floor area of the dwelling unit, except in the case of accessory off-street parking and loading or Neighborhood Agriculture as defined by Section 102;
Employees
  • No more than 2 people who do not live in the home may be employed.
    Applies: Domestic workers, gardeners and janitors do not count.
    § 204.1 · code text
    The employment of more than two people who do not reside in the dwelling unit, excluding a domestic worker, gardener, or janitor;
Businesses not allowed
  • Keeping a stock in trade, other than Neighborhood Agriculture garden produce or materials and products of a Cottage Food Operation
    § 204.1 · code text
    The maintenance of a stock in trade other than garden produce related to Neighborhood Agriculture as defined by Section 102, or materials and products related to a Cottage Food Operation; or
  • A business office open to the public
    Applies: Except sales of Neighborhood Agriculture garden produce or finished Cottage Food Operation products; a resident professional may keep an office in the dwelling unit if it is reached only from inside the unit
    § 204.1 · code text
    The conduct of a business office open to the public other than for sales related to garden produce of Neighborhood Agriculture as defined by Section 102, or the finished products of a Cottage Food Operation; or
  • Medical Cannabis Dispensary
    § 204.1 · code text
    A Medical Cannabis Dispensary as defined in Section 102; or
  • Massage Establishment, Sole Practitioner, or Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment
    § 204.1 · code text
    A Massage Establishment as defined in Section 102, or either a Sole Practitioner or Sole Practitioner Massage Establishment as defined in Section 29.5 of the Health Code (a Health Service Use).

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

A home business may use at most 1/3 of the home's floor area, with at most 2 non-resident workers, not counting domestic workers.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific San Francisco property

Ask GoCodebook how San Francisco's running a business from home rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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More on building on your lot in San Francisco

All building on your lot rules in San Francisco

Sheds, garages and other accessory structures in San Francisco

San Francisco Planning Code — full text