5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Ada County, Idaho.
Verified from official government sources
On unincorporated Ada County land, a home occupation is a permitted accessory use under Title 8 (Zoning) that must stay incidental and subordinate to the residence. It cannot change the residential character of the property. Inside a city, that city's zoning applies.
A home occupation in unincorporated Ada County is allowed one home sign, which must comply with the county sign standards in Chapter 4, Article I. Any off-premises or off-site signage must be separately approved under those same standards.
Ada County Code 8-5-3-54 (Home Occupation, signage)
One (1) home sign shall be allowed for a home occupation and shall comply with chapter 4, article I of this title. Off premises or off site signage shall be separately approved in accordance with chapter 4, article I of this title.
Idaho requires no cottage-food license, permit, or registration. You may make non-potentially-hazardous foods in your home kitchen and sell them directly to consumers without a Health and Welfare or Central District Health inspection, provided products are properly labeled.
Idaho cottage food guidance (Idaho DHW / Central District Health)
Cottage food operations do not require a license or permit from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and are not inspected.
Idaho defines a family daycare home as caring for six or fewer children, a group daycare facility for 7-12, and a daycare center for 13 or more. Providers for four or more children face state background-check requirements; local city/county licensing may also apply, plus Ada County home-occupation zoning.
Idaho Code 39-1102
"Family daycare home" means a home, place or facility providing daycare for six (6) or fewer children. "Group daycare facility" means a home, place or facility providing daycare for seven (7) to twelve (12) children. "Daycare center" means a place or facility providing daycare for compensation for thirteen (13) or more children.
Home occupations in unincorporated Ada County operate under a zoning certificate or accessory-use permit from Development Services and remain subject to zoning inspection. Standards cap non-resident employees, limit client hours and parking, and restrict daily trips.
Ada County Code 8-5-3-54 (Home Occupation)
One (1) paved, off street parking space shall be provided for the nonresident employee, plus up to three (3) parking spaces for clients, if applicable... All visits by the nonresident employee, clients and customers, and deliveries, shall occur between the hours of seven o'clock (7:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M., Monday through Friday...
1 cities in Ada County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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