Home Business in Wauwatosa, WI (2026)
3 verified home business rules for Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Wauwatosa allows home occupations as an accessory use to a residential dwelling under Wauwatosa Municipal Code § 24.10.020, but the business must stay subordinate to the home's residential character. The owner must live in the dwelling, all work and storage must happen inside a fully enclosed building, and no exterior alterations, signage, or window displays that look commercial are allowed.
Wauwatosa Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code § 24.10.020
The home occupation must be accessory and secondary to the use of a dwelling unit for residential purposes, and the home occupation may not change the residential character of the residential building or adversely affect the character of the surrounding neighborhood. ... The home occupation and all related activities, including storage (other than the lawful parking or storage of vehicles), mus...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Wauwatosa caps every home occupation at three people on site at once, including the resident owner. Under Wauwatosa Municipal Code § 24.10.020, up to two nonresident employees, associates or customers may be present at any time, and that cap applies to the whole property regardless of how many home businesses are being run there.
Wauwatosa Home Business Visitor Limits
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code § 24.10.020
In addition to the resident property owner, up to 2 nonresident persons, including employees, associates and customers may be present on the property at any time. This 3-person maximum limit per property applies regardless of the number of home occupations being conducted on the property. ... Truck deliveries or pick-ups of supplies or products, associated with the home occupation, are allowed ...
Home Daycare
Wauwatosa allows a home-based day care serving up to 8 children or adults as a permitted, by-right accessory use in every residential zoning district, no conditional use permit needed. Care for more than 8 requires conditional use approval under Section 24.16.040, and the use is exempt from the city's separate home occupation rules.
Wauwatosa Home Day Care Zoning Limits
Some RestrictionsWauwatosa Municipal Code § 24.08.030
Day Care. Uses providing care, protection and supervision for children or adults on a regular basis away from their primary residence for less than 24 hours per day. Home based day cares are operated as an accessory use in the caregiver's residence.
Looking for Milwaukee County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Wauwatosa city rules.
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