Pocatello, ID Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)

Under Pocatello City Code section 17.06.400, a home occupation is allowed only when the residence stays primarily a home and the commercial activity does not change the neighborhood's residential character. Section 17.06.400.B caps home occupations to no more than one outside employee on site, limits hours to 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and bars storing or displaying inventory, assets or raw materials outdoors, plus bans oversized or commercially plated vehicles from being used or stored on site or on the street for the business. Section 17.06.400.C then sorts uses into permitted (P), conditional (C by hearing-body approval) or nonpermitted (N) categories in the Home Occupation Use Table.

Motor Vehicle Servicing/Repair, along with Motor Vehicle Sales/Rental, Vehicle Fuel Sales, RV Park and Self-Service Storage, is marked N, meaning it cannot operate as a home occupation in any residential zoning district regardless of license application. By contrast, Repair Services generally (non-automotive) is a permitted (P) use requiring a home occupation license from Planning and Development Services. A home occupation application for any permitted category still must go to the Planning and Development Services Department.