Home Based Business
The City welcomes entrepreneurs and business owners to Benicia! Individuals wishing to run a commercial enterprise from their home (“home occupation”) will need the following:
HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT (CLICK HERE TO APPLY)- A Home Occupation Permit is required in addition to a business license. The Planning Division is responsible for authorizing home-based businesses.
- Regulated under Section 17.70.070 of the Benicia Municipal Code.
- General Conditions of Approval
- The home business occupation must be secondary to the principal residential use of the site.
- Only the occupant of a residence can conduct business inside a residence.
- Permissible business operations are limited to specific uses, depending on specific zoning and Plan Area regulations.
- Within the Downtown Mixed Use Master Plan Area, permitted home businesses include: agent, architect, artist, broker, consultant, draftsman, dressmaker, engineer, interior decorator, lawyer, notary public, teacher, and other similar occupations, as determined by the Community Development Director.
- In all Other Zoning Districts, the following home businesses are not permissible: motor vehicle repair, beauty shop, barbershop, or sales rooms open to visitors without appointments.
- Stock in trade, meaning the resale of goods which were previously purchased elsewhere, is not an allowed home occupation.
- Cottage Food Operations are subject to additional requirements, including Benicia Municipal Code Section 17.70.370, California Health and Safety Code Section 113758(b)(1), and registering with the Solano County Environmental Health Division.
- The City of Benicia does not verify compliance with private agreements, such as lease agreements or Homeowners Association rules.
- Payment of a one-time fee, as listed in the Master Fee Schedule, is due when applying for a Home Occupancy Permit.
BUSINESS LICENSE
- An annual tax paid by any person who conducts business within City limits. The tax rate is defined in Section 5.06.050 of the Benicia Municipal Code.
- Any business that operates within the City, whether they are based in Benicia or not, must have a Business License.
- Payment of the business license does not certify compliance with other applicable regulations, such as zoning regulations, that may affect the ability to operate in Benicia.
- Regulated under Section 5.04.030 of the Benicia Municipal Code.
- Apply for your business license at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/businesslicenses .
DOCUMENTS Business License Application
Home Occupation Permit & Cottage Food Operation Application
For further information, please visit the City’s Economic Development and Business websites:
https://benicia.hdlgov.com/https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/ed
http://beniciabusiness.com/
https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/businesslicenses