Home Business Rules in San Antonio, TX (2026)

In San Antonio, TX, home-based businesses are permitted subject to specific rules designed to preserve residential character while allowing residents to run legitimate businesses from their homes. A Home Occupation Permit / Certificate of Occupancy is required before operating. The City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD) or City of San Antonio Planning Department handles home occupation applications and enforcement. Regulations generally prohibit on-site employees, customer visits, and any external evidence of business activity. Below you will find the current permit requirements, restrictions, prohibited business types, and cottage food law provisions for San Antonio.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Home Occupation Permit / Certificate of Occupancy. Fee: 50–150. Apply through the City of San Antonio Development Services Department (DSD) or online at their permit portal. Phone: (210) 207-1111. Permits typically must be renewed annually. Operating without a required home occupation permit can result in fines and a requirement to cease business activity immediately.

Operating Restrictions

Home Business Restrictions in San Antonio: 1. Business must be incidental and subordinate to residential use 2. No customers or clients visiting the premises in residential zones 3. No exterior signage indicating business operations 4. No employees who are not residents of the dwelling 5. No commercial vehicles stored on-site 6. No mechanical equipment generating noise, fumes, or vibration beyond property line 7. Business activity limited to 20% of total dwelling floor area Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •Business must be incidental and subordinate to residential use
• •No customers or clients visiting the premises in residential zones
• •No exterior signage indicating business operations
• •No employees who are not residents of the dwelling
• •No commercial vehicles stored on-site
• •No mechanical equipment generating noise, fumes, or vibration beyond property line
• •Business activity limited to 20% of total dwelling floor area

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in San Antonio: Auto repair with on-site customers; Beauty salon or barbershop with clients visiting; Firearms dealer or ammunition sales; Retail requiring customer traffic; Child care for more than 4 non-resident children without a state license. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the City of San Antonio Planning Department to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair with on-site customers
• ✕Beauty salon or barbershop with clients visiting
• ✕Firearms dealer or ammunition sales
• ✕Retail requiring customer traffic
• ✕Child care for more than 4 non-resident children without a state license

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions