5 rules for unincorporated Elkhart County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Elkhart County, a home occupation is an accessory use allowed in residential and agricultural districts under the county Zoning Ordinance, administered by the Planning and Development Department in Goshen. Inside Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, and Middlebury, each city's own zoning ordinance governs instead.
Home occupations in unincorporated Elkhart County may display only a small, non-illuminated sign under the county Zoning Ordinance's home-occupation standards; storefront-style commercial signage is not allowed. Within Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, and Middlebury, each city's sign code sets the limit instead.
The Elkhart County Zoning Ordinance expects a home occupation not to generate traffic, parking, or activity beyond a normal residential level. Seasonal roadside stands are a recognized feature in agricultural areas. Elkhart, Goshen, and Nappanee apply their own home-occupation traffic limits.
Indiana's Home Based Vendor law lets you sell non-potentially-hazardous homemade foods, like baked goods and jams, direct to consumers with no permit or health inspection. Eggs and whole uncut produce sold at a roadside stand or farmers market are exempt too.
IC 16-42-5.3-11
An individual vendor of a farmers' market or roadside stand is exempt from the requirements of this title that apply to a food establishment relating to the sale of eggs or whole uncut produce.
A home daycare for pay in Elkhart County must be licensed by Indiana's FSSA Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning. State licensing controls whether the daycare may operate; the county's role is limited to zoning and building compliance.
IC 12-17.2-5-1
A person may not operate a child care home without a license issued under this article.
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