6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Hillsborough County allows home occupations in residential zones under Land Development Code Part 6.11.00 with registration and strict limits on employees, customer visits, and external impact. The business must be incidental to residential use, with no more than 25 percent of the home devoted to the activity.
Home occupations in residential districts of unincorporated Hillsborough County may not display exterior signs or advertising. No on-site commercial signage, lighting, or window displays are permitted. Agricultural farm operations may display limited farm identification signs under the Land Development Code.
Home occupations in Hillsborough County are limited in client visits to protect residential character. Typical limits are no more than one client vehicle at a time and no more than six client visits per day, with no visits before 8 AM or after 8 PM. Deliveries must use standard residential vehicles.
Cottage food operations in Hillsborough County are protected by FL 500.80, which preempts local regulation and allows sales of non-hazardous homemade foods up to 250,000 dollars per year without a food license. Direct and online sales to Florida consumers are allowed. Local home occupation signage and traffic rules still apply.
Hillsborough County allows family daycare homes in residential zones subject to state licensing. FL DCF licenses required for 5+ unrelated children. Local zoning clearance needed through Development Services.
Fla. Stat. § 402.313
(e) Any other information relating to competent child care that the department or local licensing agency, if preparing a separate brochure, deems would be helpful to parents and other caretakers in their selection of a family day care home. (10) On an annual basis, the department shall evaluate the registration and licensure system for family day care homes. Such evaluation shall, at a minimum,...
Hillsborough County requires a Business Tax Receipt (BTR) and home occupation zoning clearance for businesses operated from residences. No external signage, no on-site customers beyond limits, operation must be incidental to residential use.
3 cities in Hillsborough County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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