Home Business in Saint Paul, MN (2026)
5 verified home business rules for Saint Paul, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Saint Paul requires a Home Occupation Affidavit filed with DSI to certify zoning compliance. No fee if standard conditions are met. Applications go through the PAULIE platform.
Saint Paul Home Occupation Permit and Affidavit Process
Few RestrictionsSaint Paul Zoning Code Sec. 65.141 (Home Occupation)
Sec. 65.141. - Home occupation. An occupation carried on in a dwelling unit by a resident thereof, provided that the use is limited in extent, incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes and does not change the character thereof. (a) A home occupation may include small offices, service establishments or homecrafts which are typically considered accessory to...
Signage Rules
Saint Paul allows home occupations one identification sign no larger than two square feet. It may not be in a required yard setback. Illuminated or electronic signs are prohibited.
Saint Paul Home Occupation Signage Limits
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Zoning Code - Home Occupation Regulations, Standard and Condition (i) (Identification Sign)
Home Occupation Regulations An occupation carried on in a dwelling unit by a resident thereof, provided that the use is limited in extent, incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes and does not change the character thereof. Standards and Conditions: [...] (i) A home occupation may have an identification sign no larger than two square feet in area, which s...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Saint Paul limits home occupation customers to appointment-only visits for fine arts, crafts, and personal services. Walk-in retail and wholesale traffic are prohibited.
Saint Paul Home Business Customer Traffic Restrictions
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Zoning Code - Home Occupation Regulations, Standards and Conditions (f), (g), (h)
Home Occupation Regulations An occupation carried on in a dwelling unit by a resident thereof, provided that the use is limited in extent, incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes and does not change the character thereof. Standards and Conditions: [...] (f) Service and teaching occupations shall serve no more than one party per employee at a time and sh...
Cottage Food Operations
Minnesota Stat. 28A allows Saint Paul residents to sell homemade non-hazardous foods directly to consumers, capped at 78,000 dollars annually. MDA registration required.
Saint Paul Cottage Food Production Rules
Some RestrictionsMinnesota Department of Agriculture - Cottage Food Law Guidance (Sales Locations and Inspection)
Can I sell my cottage food from my own store or a friend's store? No, cottage foods cannot be sold from a retail location or store, even if you are present or have set up a separate table (e.g., a "pop up"). The only exception is if a farmers' market or community event is taking place at the retail location. The event must meet the definition of farmers' market or community event. How can I sel...
Home Daycare
Saint Paul lets a county-licensed family day care operate in an ordinary home without a conditional use permit. City Zoning Code Sec. 65.222 caps family day care at ten children and group family day care at fourteen, distinguishing home-based care from stand-alone child care centers, which face separate siting restrictions in RL-H1 residential districts and must occupy a former church, school or community building instead.
Saint Paul Home Daycare Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsSaint Paul Legislative Code Sec. 65.222 (Day Care)
(1)Family day care. A day care program providing care for not more than ten (10) children at one (1) time, and which is licensed by the county as a family day care home. The licensed capacity must include all children of any caregiver when the children are present in the residence.(2)Group family day care. A day care program providing care for no more than fourteen (14) children at any one (1) ...
Looking for Ramsey County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Saint Paul city rules.
Home Business in Ramsey County →