Residential

Home-Based Business

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A home-based business, or home occupation, is a business that a person operates out of their home in accordance with City regulations. A business license is required to operate a home-based business within the City.

Examples of home-based businesses, include:

  • sales and consulting business
  • preparation and sale of home-made food to consumers (referred to as Cottage Food Operator)
  • preparation of food and on-site food service to consumers (referred to a Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operator)
  • architect or designer
  • writer or copywriter
  • real estate agent or land use consultant
Apply for License Zoning Standards Requirements

Cost

The City collects an annual Business License Tax, in addition to the Business License Application Fee. See Sample Business License Tax calculation. 

Timeline

Time to Process: 10 business days

Process

1. Submit a complete Business License Application and any required supplemental form by email at BusinessLicense@mountainview.gov.
2. Once received, City staff will contact you with the fee amount owed and provide instructions for online fee payment. 
3. Following payment, City staff will review your business license application and assign a business license number. A business license certificate is mailed out 10 business days after a complete application.

Zoning Standards

Per City Code Section 36.28.85, home-based businesses must comply with the following operational requirements:

  1. The business must be secondary to the full-time use of the residence.
  2. The business does not require a modification not customarily found in a residence, nor be visible from the street or from neighboring properties.
  3. No window display, advertising sign or other identification of the business is allowed on-site.
  4. The business must be confined completely to one (1) room, garage or accessory structure. Cottage Food Operators are limited to the registered and permitted area by the Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health. 
  5. The business can't eliminate any required parking. Only one (1) vehicle with a capacity no more than 3/4 ton may be used directly or indirectly in connection with the business.
  6. Activities conducted and equipment used by the business can't change the fire safety or occupancy of the residence. The business shall not store flammable, explosive or hazardous materials, unless specifically approved by the Fire Department.
  7. No business shall create noise, dust, light, vibration, odor, gas, fumes, toxic/hazardous materials, smoke, glare, electrical interference or other hazards or nuisances. Cottage Food Operators shall not create noise beyond the property line and may only create odors, fumes, smoke, or secondary effects consistent with the permitted operation.
  8. The business shall not generate more than 5 additional pedestrian or vehicle trips and no more than 2 delivers per day.

For questions regarding allowable home-based businesses, please contact the Planning Division by phone at 650-903-6306 or by email at planning.division@mountainview.gov.

Requirements

All home-based businesses must complete a Business License Application.

Home-based businesses can be located in any residential dwelling unit within the City. Any property located within a Homeowner's Association should verify any restrictions on home-based businesses within their CC&Rs. 

Depending on the type of home-based business, you will also need the following: