Accessory Home Occupations

What is a Home Occupation? 

A Home Occupation is business that is accessory to a principal dwelling and takes place in a  small part of a person's home, like in their house, garage, or a separate building. This includes things like office work, making art or crafts, doing trades, offering personal or professional services, and similar activities. It can also include selling products made at home or things that are small and connected to the business. However, some businesses aren't allowed as home occupations, like car repairs or marijuana sales.

Land Use Code
Pre-application Meeting Information
Registration Certificate
Contact Planning

Home Occupation Classifications

The table below outlines the two different home occupation classifications, limited and large:

Limited Home OccupationsLarge Home Occupations

Indoor Space:
Up to 50% of the home [1]; not to exceed 800 square feet total

Max Outdoor Storage: 
1 Vehicle [4]

Max Vehicle Trips/Day:
10 [2]

Permit Required:
Registration Certificate [6]

Indoor Space: 
Between 800 and  1,200 square feet

Max Outdoor Storage:
800 square feet [5]

Max Vehicle Trips/Day:
10 [2]

Permit Required:
Admin Special Review & Registration Certificate [6]

Notes:
[1] Total GFA includes basement and attached garage.  Home occupation may be located in the attached garage. 
[2] Associated with the home occupation.  Retail sales events are not included. A vehicle trip is defined as a one-way vehicle movement from origin to destination; therefore, both the entrance and the exit of a vehicle from the site would be counted for a total of two trips. 
[3] Located inside dwelling, attached garage, and detached accessory building. 
[4] Licensed as a passenger vehicle or light duty truck. 
[5] Outdoor storage of materials, parts, vehicles, equipment, and finished product; shall be screened from surrounding properties and public roads. 
[6] Failure to comply with the standards in 3.4.7.B and all representations made in the Home Occupation Registration Certificate may result in revocation of the use. 

FAQs

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  1. What types of businesses are not permitted as Home Occupations?

    The following uses are specifically prohibited as home occupations:

    • lodging facilities
    • adult uses
    • vehicle repair including auto body or paint shops
    • assembly uses
    • light or heavy manufacturing uses
    • hazardous material storage and/or processing
    • flea markets
    • general retail
    • rentals of any kind
    • junkyards
    • shooting ranges
    • solid waste disposal or transfer centers
    • uses prohibited by state or federal law
    • value-added agriculture
    • uses classified as hazardous waste generators under state or federal legislation
    • outdoor storage of recreational vehicles, boats and other large items
    • retail marijuana establishments
  2. Where are Home Occupations allowed?

    Home occupations are allowed on properties zoned FO, A, RR-1, RR-2, O, IR, UR-1, UR-2, UR-3, MR, MHP, and MU-N either: 

    1. By right after completing and signing a Home Occupation Registration Certificate; or by
    2. Approval of an administrative special review, including a completed and signed Home Occupation Registration Certificate, as identified in Table 3-17. 
  3. What should I do with the Registration Certificate?

    After verifying that your home occupation can meet the requirements for a limited home occupation you should fill out and sign the Registration Certificate. Then email the form to planning@larimer.org or drop it off in person to our office at 200 W Oak Street in Fort Collins (3rd Floor)

  4. I rent my home, can I still do a Home Occupation?

    Yes, Larimer County regulations allow renters to conduct home occupations. For limited home occupations, the property owner will be required to sign the registration certificate. For large home occupations, the property owner will be required to sign the application form and registration certificate. It is always a good idea to talk to your landlord/the property owner prior to requesting a pre-application meeting. 

  5. What are the standards for Home Occupations?

    All home occupations shall meet the following criteria from §3.4.7.B of the Land Use Code:   

    1. The operator of the home occupation shall occupy the residential dwelling on the property as their primary dwelling unit.
    2. The home occupation shall be conducted in a legally constructed dwelling and/or detached accessory building.
    3. Multiple home occupations are allowed on any lot provided that for all home occupations totaled together, the requirements for a single home occupation are not exceeded.
    4. The home occupation may only be conducted by members of the occupants who reside on the premises plus up to one full time equivalent person who works at the site of the home occupation and does not reside on the premises.
    5. All parking required to accommodate the home occupation shall be provided on the site of the home occupation and located outside of required building setbacks.
    6. The home occupation shall not change the residential character of the lot or the exterior appearance of the dwelling.
    7. Retail sales of merchandise not produced on-site shall only occur as part of a service provided by the home occupation. For example, a hair cutting service can sell hair care products associated with the service, but only at the time of service.
    8. On-site retail sales of products produced on-site shall only occur at an allowed onsite sales event.
    9. On-site sales events shall be limited to 30 events in a calendar year and shall only include products produced on-site.
    10. Customers frequenting the home occupation by a method other than a motor vehicle shall be considered the same as a vehicle trip and count against the max allowed number of vehicle trips per day.
    11. Noise, fumes, dust, odors, or light generated as a result of the home occupation shall not exceed the County’s established standards when measured at the property line.