Hillsboro's Home Business: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles home business a little differently. In Hillsboro, Oregon, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Signage Rules

A home business sign in Hillsboro is capped by the residential sign rules: 5 signs total per property, with one up to 6 square feet facing each street frontage, and smaller additional signs.

Key details: Max signs per property: 5, permanent+temporary combined. Largest sign size: 6 sq ft, 6 ft tall. Additional signs: 6 sq ft, 4 ft tall max. Extra street frontage: +1 sign allowed. Governing code: Hillsboro MC § 11.32.080(B)(2).

Posting a home business sign that exceeds the 5-sign count or the 6-square-foot/6-foot size cap, or that isn't placed within HMC § 11.32.080(B)(2)'s placement rules, is a sign code violation subject to removal under HMC 11.32.330.

Home Daycare

Small family child care homes in Hillsboro, licensed for 16 or fewer children, are exempt from the Community Development Code's day care zoning standards entirely; state licensing under ORS 329A governs instead.

Key details: Exemption threshold: 16 or fewer children. Adult day care exemption: 5 or fewer adults. Exemption basis: ORS 329A state licensing. Above threshold: CDC § 12.40.150 standards apply. Governing code: Hillsboro CDC § 12.40.150.

A day care operation that exceeds the 16-child exemption threshold but skips the § 12.40.150 fencing, siting, and traffic-plan standards required of regulated child care facilities is a Community Development Code violation.

Hillsboro is more permissive than most cities when it comes to home daycare. That said, there are still limits.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Hillsboro caps home occupation customer traffic at an average of 10 vehicle trips per day, with no more than 2 customer vehicles on the property at once, under Community Development Code § 12.40.170.D.5.

Key details: Customer trips: Avg 10/day max. Vehicles on-site: 2 max at once. Customer hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. only. Deliveries: 3 per week max. Business space: 25% floor area or 528 sq ft.

Exceeding the trip, delivery, vehicle, or space limits voids home occupation status; Hillsboro's Planning Department can revoke the business license and require the use to cease or relocate to a commercial zone.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Running a home-based business in Hillsboro requires a City business license and compliance with Community Development Code § 12.40.170's caps on floor area, staffing, and commercial vehicles.

Key details: License required: City business license. Floor area cap: 25% or 528 sq ft, less. Worker limit: Residents plus 2 others max. Commercial vehicle limit: 1 vehicle, under 1-ton rating. Governing code: Hillsboro CDC § 12.40.170.

Operating a home business without the required City business license, exceeding the 528-square-foot/25%-floor-area cap, employing more than 2 non-resident helpers, or running a barred use like auto-body repair is a Community Development Code violation.

The Bottom Line

Hillsboro's home business rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Hillsboro is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Hillsboro can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.