Home Business in Jefferson County, MO (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Jefferson County, Missouri.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Jefferson County lets residents run a home occupation under UDO Section 400.2890, but caps it at 33% of the dwelling's floor area, one non-resident employee, and no outside appearance change or storage. The Planning Director approves each application, and a denial can be appealed to the Planning and Zoning Commission within 14 days.
Jefferson County Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, MO UDO § 400.2890
Home occupations shall be permitted as an accessory use in residential dwellings and accessory structures conforming to this UDO in any district, subject to the following provisions... The home occupation must be clearly incidental and secondary to the primary residential use of the dwelling... No persons other than self or family members residing on the premises, plus one (1) additional person...
Signage Rules
Jefferson County exempts a home occupation sign from its usual sign-permit process under UDO Section 400.4250(A)(7), as long as it is non-illuminated and no larger than 12 square feet. Exceed that size or light it up, and the sign needs a permit under Section 400.4230 like any other commercial sign.
Jefferson County Home Business Sign Limit
Light RestrictionsJefferson County, MO UDO § 400.4250(A)(7)
The following signs do not require the issuance of a permit from the County... Signs for home occupations provided that they are non-illuminated and do not exceed twelve (12) square feet in area.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Jefferson County requires a home occupation to keep traffic, parking, sewage and water use within what's normal for a residential neighborhood under UDO Section 400.2890. Deliveries are limited to parcel-post-style vehicles, and the lot can host no more than two commercial single-axle vehicles of one-ton capacity or less.
Jefferson County Home Business Traffic Limit
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, MO UDO § 400.2890(A)(2)(a)(4)
Ensure that public and private services, such as streets, sewers, water or utility systems, are not burdened by home occupations to the extent that usage significantly exceeds that which is normally associated with a residence... The home occupation must not generate traffic, parking, sewage or water use in excess of what is normal or customary in a residential neighborhood.
Home Daycare
In unincorporated Jefferson County, a residence where someone cares for up to four people at a time is a permitted accessory use under UDO Section 400.2850, no conditional use permit required. Caring for five to ten people, whether children or elderly clients, needs a conditional use permit reviewed under Article IX before it can operate legally.
Jefferson County Home Day Care Zoning Rule
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, MO UDO § 400.2850
A day care/elder care home is a permitted accessory use in a residential structure occupied by a person who cares for not more than four (4) persons for any part of a twenty-four (24) hour period. Care for more than four (4), but not more than ten (10) persons, shall require a conditional use permit as specified in Article IX.
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