5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Clark County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Clark County Code 40.260.100 allows home businesses in residential zones if they stay secondary to living use and preserve neighborhood character. The business must be run by a resident owner or renter, and may use no more than 25% of the dwelling or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less.
CCC 40.260.100(D)(3)
The maximum use of a dwelling devoted to a home business shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross floor area of the dwelling or exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet, whichever is less. Gross floor area includes a basement and attached garage, but does not include an unfinished attic or a detached garage.
Clark County Code 40.260.100 allows one home-business sign of 2 square feet or less in urban areas, or 6 square feet or less in rural areas. A separate sign permit is not required if the sign is included with the home business permit application.
CCC 40.260.100(D)(4)
One (1) sign related to the home business of two (2) square feet or less is allowed in the urban area or six (6) square feet or less in the rural area. A separate sign permit is not needed if included with the home business permit application.
Selling home-baked goods requires a Washington State Department of Agriculture cottage food permit under RCW Chapter 69.22, not a Clark County permit. Only non-hazardous foods (baked goods, candies, jams) sold directly to the consumer are allowed, with gross sales capped at $35,000 per year.
RCW 69.22.010(1)
"Cottage food operation" means a person who produces cottage food products only in the home kitchen of that person's primary domestic residence in Washington and only for sale directly to the consumer.
Family home child care in Washington is licensed by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families under Chapter 110-300 WAC, not Clark County. The department issues family home licenses for up to 12 children, with capacity set by experience, space, and staffing.
WAC 110-300-0355(1)
The department issues initial or nonexpiring family home licenses for up to 12 children. The department will not issue a family license to care for more children than permitted by the rules in this chapter but may issue a license to care for fewer than the maximum allowable enrolled children.
Clark County classifies home businesses as Exempt, Minor, or Major. Exempt businesses need no county review; Minor businesses need a Type I permit and Major businesses a Type II permit, based on employees, customers, vehicles, and accessory-structure use.
CCC 40.260.100(D)(1)
Home businesses shall be owned and operated by a resident owner or renter of the property who occupies the property as their principal residence.
1 cities in Clark County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Clark County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Clark County Ordinance Hub →