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South San Francisco · Building on your lot

Running a business from home in South San Francisco

South San Francisco limits home businesses to 450 square feet and residents only; only instruction may bring students, at most 2 at a time.

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Key points

  • Home businesses: South San Francisco limits home businesses to 450 square feet and residents only; only instruction may bring students, at most 2 at a time.

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

What South San Francisco's code says

South San Francisco code What South San Francisco's code adds
Space used
  • No more than 450 square feet.
    § 20.350.023 · code text
    The home occupation may not occupy more than 450 square feet.
Customer visits
  • No customer or client visits, except lessons for no more than 2 students at a time.
    § 20.350.023 · code text
    No customer or client visits are permitted except for instructional services for not more than two students at a time.
Employees
  • No one who does not live there may work on site, paid or unpaid.
    § 20.350.023 · code text
    No person not residing on the premises may be employed, either for pay or as an independent contractor or a volunteer, at the site of the home occupation.
Businesses not allowed
  • Adult-oriented business; ambulance service; automotive repair, painting, body/fender work, upholstering, detailing, washing; beautician or barber services on-site for more than one client at a time; commercial food preparation, food handling, processing or packing, other than specialized cooking or baking; firearms manufacture, sales, or repair; furniture refinishing or upholstery; gymnastic facilities; repair, reconditioning, servicing or manufacture of any internal combustion or diesel engine or of any motor vehicle; repair, fix-it or plumbing shops; medical services except as a secondary office without patient visits; restaurant; retail sales; spa retreat center; tattoo studio; tow truck service; veterinary services and other uses involving domestic animals, except as allowed; welding or machine shop; yoga or exercise studio for more than two clients at a time
    § 20.350.023 · code text
    The following uses are not permitted as a home occupation:

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

South San Francisco limits home businesses to 450 square feet and residents only; only instruction may bring students, at most 2 at a time.

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific South San Francisco property

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South San Francisco Municipal Code — full text