Home Business in Arapahoe County, CO (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Arapahoe County, Colorado.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Arapahoe County allows home occupations as an accessory use on unincorporated residential land without a separate license, but only if the business stays entirely inside the house, is run only by residents, and doesn't advertise or store goods outdoors.
Arapahoe County Home Occupation Standards
Some RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.12.A
A. GENERAL HOME OCCUPATION 1. Intent To allow for the use of a residence for an occupation which does not change the character of the neighborhood in which it is located. 2. Requirements and Restrictions... The home occupation must be conducted entirely within the principal dwelling structure. Not more than 20 percent of the garage area shall be used for storage of permitted materials and goods...
Signage Rules
Home occupations in unincorporated Arapahoe County get no signage at all. LDC § 3-3.12.A.2 flatly requires that there 'shall be no visible advertising of the home occupation on the premises upon which it is located,' on top of a ban on any outdoor storage tied to the business.
Arapahoe County Home Business Sign Ban
Heavy RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.12.A.2
The home occupation shall be conducted only by the residents of the principal dwelling. There shall be no visible advertising of the home occupation on the premises upon which it is located. There shall be no outdoor storage of goods or materials associated with the home occupation.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
A home occupation in unincorporated Arapahoe County can't generate traffic that changes the neighborhood's residential character or draw crowds. LDC § 3-3.12.A.2 restricts deliveries to mail, parcel post, or private passenger vehicle, bars truck or trailer drop-offs, and limits sales to phone or direct mail with only incidental pick-up allowed.
Arapahoe County Home Business Traffic Limits
Some RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.12.A.2
2. Requirements and Restrictions In order for a home occupation to be considered compatible with the neighborhood which it is located, the following criteria must be met: ... The receipt or delivery of merchandise, goods or supplies for use in a home occupation shall be limited to the United States mail, parcel post or general delivery service or private passenger vehicle but shall exclude truc...
Cottage Food Operations
Colorado Cottage Foods Act CRS 25-4-1614 allows producers in unincorporated Arapahoe County to sell up to $10,000 per product annually of non-potentially hazardous foods directly to consumers. No health inspection required, but producer must complete a food-safety training course.
home-business/cottage-food
Few RestrictionsCDPHE Colorado Cottage Foods Act — Eligible Foods and Sales Rules
In 2012, the Colorado legislature enacted the Colorado Cottage Foods Act, allowing limited types of food products that are non-potentially hazardous (do not require refrigeration for safety) to be sold directly to consumers without licensing or inspections. What type of foods are eligible? Foods that are non-potentially hazardous, or in other words, do not require refrigeration for safety. This...
Home Daycare
A licensed 'day care home' is a permitted home occupation in unincorporated Arapahoe County under LDC § 3-3.12.B.1, capped at six children at once if the provider has no school-age children of their own, dropping to zero as the provider's own kids under school age increase.
Arapahoe County Home Day Care Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsArapahoe County Land Development Code § 3-3.12.B.1
1. Day Care Home A "day care home" (see definitions) shall be permitted subject to the following provisions: ... Such "day care home" shall obtain proper licensing as may be required by Colorado Department of Human Services, and/or any other agency as may be required by Colorado laws. A "day care home" is exempt from the provisions of subsections 3-3.12.A.2.a and 3-3.12.A.2.d through 3-3.12.A.2...
Home Business by City in Arapahoe County
2 cities in Arapahoe County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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