A Home Occupations is defined in Ordinance No. 2195-C-S / § 9-5.901 HOME OCCUPATION USE PERMITS. as:
“… a commercial or other activity conducted in a home by the resident thereof which activity is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the home as a residence and which exhibits no external evidence of the activity and will not change the residential character of the dwelling.”

There are many types of businesses that are considered Home Occupations, but some types are not allowed, either categorically or because of the way they would impact a residential neighborhood — please carefully review Section C of this page.
As part of the application process, applicants must “verify they have complied with all applicable federal, state and local regulations pertaining to the home occupation”, which means the applicant has already obtained the necessary licensure and authorization that applies for their type of business.  Below are helpful links for some common types of businesses (these are just examples and not a complete list; it is the applicant’s responsibility to research and obtain all other applicable permits, licenses, and authorizations):

• Food Preparation – requires Contra Costa County Health Permit (https://cchealth.org/eh/food/)
• Mobile Food (food trucks, food carts, etc.) – please review Mobile Food Facilities
• Surface Cleaning (windows, detailing, etc.) – Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) Surface Cleaning Program

All home-based business license applications require property owner authorization / signature.
Applicants and Property Owners (if business owner is not also homeowner / property owner) will sign and submit an affidavit of their understanding and agreement to a specific list of REQUIREMENTS and PROHIBITED USES, and verify they have complied with all applicable federal, state and local regulations pertaining to the home occupation. This affidavit is listed as page 2 of HOME-BASED BUSINESS LICENSE APPLICATION PDF form.

Application process

1. Complete a Home-Based Business License application in one of the two (2) following ways:
   1. Online system(no form required if also property owner)
   2. Fillable PDF form (returned to the address listed on the form)
2. Be notified by email that your invoice is available for payment
3. Once payment is completed, your Business License will be issued

Requirements. Home occupations are permitted within residential units, subject to the following restrictions:

1. Incidental Use. The home occupation shall be incidental and subordinate to the use as a residence.
2. Exterior Modifications Prohibited. The appearance of the structure in no way shall be altered, nor shall the home occupation be conducted in a manner which would cause the residence to differ from its original residential character, either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting, or signs. There shall be no outside display or storage of goods or materials.
3. Interior Modifications Prohibited. There shall be no significant interior physical alteration associated with the use of the dwelling for a home occupation.
4. Off-Street Parking. The use of a garage for the purpose of a home occupation shall not decrease the amount of enclosed off-street parking required for the residence.
5. No Impacts. The occupation shall not create any noise, vibration, fumes, odors, dust, or electrical interference which is detectable to the normal senses:
   1. Off the lot if the occupation is conducted in a single-family dwelling unit; or
   2. Outside the dwelling unit if the occupation is conducted in other than a single-family dwelling unit.
6. Utility Impacts. There shall be no excessive use of, or unusual discharge into, any one or more of the following utilities: water, sewers, electrical, garbage, or storm drains.
7. On-Site Employees. Employees working or meeting at the site shall be limited to persons who reside in the unit and one nonresident, inclusive of all home occupation use permits issued for the premises.
8. Delivery vehicles shall be limited to those types of vehicles which typically make deliveries to single-family neighborhoods, such as the United States Postal Service, United Parcel Service, pickup trucks, and light vans.
9. Commercial Vehicles. Not more than one commercial vehicle, which shall be owned by the occupant of the home, shall be permitted, inclusive of all home occupations for the premises, the maximum payload size thereof not exceeding one-ton classification. No food trucks, utility trailers, cargo trailers, food trailers, or food carts shall be permitted.
10. No customers or clients shall be permitted to visit the home at any time in conjunction with the home occupation, however, in-home music lessons, academic tutoring, or similar uses, shall be allowed for no more than six students total in any 24 hour period.
11. Landlord Authorization. The operator of a home occupation shall have received permission from the property owner, if applicable, for use of the property prior to initiation of the home occupation.
12. Interior Activities. All actions associated with the home occupation shall occur within a building located on the site.
13. Regulatory Compliance. The operator of a home occupation shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to the home occupation, including local health regulations

Prohibited uses. Inappropriate home occupations shall include, but not be limited to, the following and similar types of uses:

1. Beauty parlors, barber shops and haircut salons.
2. Retail sales.
4. Funeral chapels, funeral homes, and taxidermists.
5. Stables, kennels, animal boarding, and animal breeding, except dog fanciers, those holding multiple pet permits, and those holding kennel permits, as authorized by the Antioch Municipal Code.
6. Veterinary clinics.
7. Mechanical and automobile repair and servicing.
8. Cabinet shop, furniture manufacture, upholstery repair or similar uses requiring the use of electric saws, joiners, air compressors and similar tools.
9. Industrial manufacturing of any kind.
10. Repair of large appliances, internal combustion engines, automobiles or motorcycles at the home.
11. The use of yard space or any activity outside the main or accessory building which is not normally associated with a residential use.
12. Any use involving storage of hazardous chemicals or supplies not normally found at a private residence.
13. Bicycle, lawn mower or small engine repair or maintenance.
14. Welding, use of paint sprayers, compressors, etc.