Home Business in Olympia, WA (2026)
4 verified home business rules for Olympia, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
In the City of Olympia, Washington, home occupations are allowed in any district where residential uses are permitted, but the operator must certify compliance before occupancy and before any business license issues. A home occupation can use no more than 25 percent of the dwelling's floor area or 500 square feet, whichever is less.
Olympia WA Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.04.060(L)
The purpose of the home occupation provisions is to allow for the use of a residential structure for a non-residential use which is clearly an accessory use to the residential use and does not change the residential character of the neighborhood. Home occupations meeting the below requirements are allowed in any district in which residential uses are permitted. 1. Review. Prior to both initial ...
Signage Rules
In the City of Olympia, Washington, a residence with a valid City business license for a home occupation is allowed one permanent sign: a wall sign on the facade of the primary structure, no larger than two square feet, flush-mounted and never internally lit. A temporary Open sign can sit in a window during business hours only.
Olympia WA Home Occupation Sign Limits
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.43.130
2. Home Occupations and Short-Term Rentals. On residential properties for which the City has issued a valid City business license for home occupation or short-term rental, one permanent sign is allowed pursuant to the following: a. The sign must be a wall sign placed on the facade of the primary structure; the sign message may be of a commercial or noncommercial nature. b. The maximum sign size...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
In the City of Olympia, Washington, customer and client visits to a home occupation must fall between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. The business must give minimal outward appearance of a business, use only resident family members, and cannot sell or display stock in trade on the premises.
Olympia WA Home Business Customer Hours and Visits
Significant RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.04.060(L)(2)
c. No person(s) other than the family member(s) who resides in the residence may participate in the home occupation. The home occupation permit must list the names of each resident who is employed by the business. Furthermore, the residence may not be used as a place of congregation for work that occurs off the premises. ... f. The occupation must be conducted in such a manner as to give minima...
Home Daycare
In the City of Olympia, Washington, a family child care home is allowed in every district that permits residences. The provider files a Child Care Registration Form with the Department before child care services begin, demonstrates compliance with the requirements listed on that form, and pays no registration fee under Olympia Municipal Code § 18.04.060(L)(3)(a).
Olympia WA Family Child Care Home Rules
Light RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.04.060
g. Except for adult daycare, child daycare, and bed and breakfast businesses, and short-term rental – homestays, the hours of operation, as related to customer or client visitations, must be limited to no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and no later than 9:00 p.m. ... 3. Specific Home Occupation Standards. a. Family Child Care Home. Family child care homes are allowed in all districts permitting residen...
Looking for Thurston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Olympia city rules.
Home Business in Thurston County →