Home Business in Auburn, WA (2026)
5 verified home business rules for Auburn, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Auburn allows home occupations in any residential zone under a business license, but ACC 18.60.020 imposes 11 numbered requirements on floor area, employees, hours, parking, and vehicle trips before a special permit becomes necessary.
Auburn Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsACC 18.60.020
Home occupations are required to have a business license as issued by the city, comply with all city codes and ordinances, and shall be consistent with the following provisions. A home occupation shall meet all 11 of the requirements below. Home occupations not able to meet all 11 but not less than nine of the requirements below shall require a special home occupation permit per ACC 18.60.040.....
Signage Rules
Auburn limits a home occupation to a single nonilluminated sign no larger than 18 by 24 inches under ACC 18.60.020(G), unless the home occupation sits in a commercial or industrial zone, where regular zoning sign rules apply instead.
Auburn Home Business Sign Limits
Some RestrictionsACC 18.60.020(G)
G. Signage. Only one sign is permitted, not to exceed 18 inches by 24 inches in area, nonilluminated, and attached to a building, except that home occupations in commercial or industrial zones may have signs consistent with the applicable zoning district;
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Auburn caps home occupation traffic at eight two-way client or delivery trips per day for appointment-only businesses without overlapping visits, and five two-way trips per day for every other home occupation, under ACC 18.60.020(J).
Auburn Home Business Client Trip Limits
Some RestrictionsACC 18.60.020(J)
J. Vehicle Trips. Traffic generated by the home occupation shall be limited to a maximum of eight (two-way) client/delivery-related trips per day for those home occupations that operate by appointment only and do not have overlapping client visits. All other home occupations shall be limited to five (two-way) client/delivery trips per day;
Cottage Food Operations
Auburn follows WA Cottage Food Law RCW 69.22. Home food producers may sell up to $25,000/year of approved low-risk foods direct to consumers after WSDA permit. Auburn Business License is also required.
Auburn Cottage Food Rules
Some RestrictionsWSDA Cottage Food Program (Ch. 69.22 RCW; Ch. 16-149 WAC)
What is a Cottage Food Permit? A Cottage Food Permit allows a resident of Washington state to make food that is not potentially hazardous such as baked goods, candies, jams, jellies, preserves, fruit butters, dry spice blends, or dry tea blends in their primary residential kitchen. Click here to get an overview of the Cottage Foods Permit Cottage Food Facts The application fee is $355 and is no...
Home Daycare
Auburn permits home-based (family) daycare as a right in every residential zone under ACC 18.07.020, provided the operator holds a state license and an approved city business license. ACC 18.31.010 caps daycare, preschool and nursery hours in RC, R-1 and R-2 zones to between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
Auburn Home-Based Daycare Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsACC 18.31.010; ACC 18.04.290(B)
A. The following performance standards shall apply to all child daycares but shall not apply to adult daycare: 1. If applicable, must be properly licensed with the state of Washington; 2. Daycare, preschool and nursery school services shall not be conducted before 5:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m. in the following zones: RC, R-1, R-2. B. The provisions of subsection A of this section are not intende...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Auburn city rules.
Home Business in King County →