Home Business in Pierce County, WA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Unincorporated Pierce County allows home occupations as an accessory use in urban and rural zones under Pierce County Code 18A.37.110, capping the activity at 500 square feet or 50 percent of the dwelling's living space, whichever is less, with no outside display or storage.
Pierce County Home Occupation Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsPierce County Code 18A.37.110(A)(2)(a)
The home occupation shall be limited to an area not more than 500 square feet or a size equivalent to 50 percent of total floor area of the living space within the dwelling unit, whichever is less.
Signage Rules
A Pierce County home occupation's signage isn't covered by a home-business-specific rule: PCC 18A.37.110(A)(1)(g) sends every home occupation and cottage industry straight to Title 18B PCC, the county's general sign code. In practice a small, unlit sign of 2 square feet or less needs no permit at all, but anything larger requires a sign permit from Planning and Public Works before it goes up.
Pierce County Home Business Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsPCC 18A.37.110(A)(1)(g); PCC 18B.10.030
g. Signage is regulated by Title 18B PCC, Development Regulations – Signs; ... 18B.10.030 Permits and Permit Exemptions. A. Permits Required. 1. No sign shall be installed, constructed or altered, except as provided by Title 18B PCC, without a sign permit first being issued by the Planning and Public Works Department (PPW). ... 3. Sign permit applications shall be approved only when intended to...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Pierce County caps when a home-based business can see customers: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. only, under PCC 18A.37.110's general standards for every home occupation and cottage industry in the unincorporated county. Sales made on top of that window are limited to goods handcrafted on site or items that go with a service, so a home hair salon can sell its own product line but not general retail stock.
Pierce County Home Business Customer Hours
Some RestrictionsPCC 18A.37.110(A)(1)(f)
A. Home Occupation and Cottage Industry may be allowed provided the following standards are met: 1. General Standards. These general standards apply to all home occupation and cottage industries: ... f. Customers and clients are allowed between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. and sales in connection with the home occupation are limited to merchandise handcrafted on site or items accessory to a s...
Cottage Food Operations
Selling homemade non-hazardous foods from a Pierce County home requires a Washington Cottage Food Operation permit from the state Department of Agriculture (WSDA) under RCW 69.22 and Chapter 16-149 WAC, with a $35,000 annual gross sales cap.
Pierce County Cottage Food Rules (Washington)
Some RestrictionsWAC 16-149-040(1)
If gross sales during a calendar year exceed the maximum annual gross sales allowance of $35,000, the cottage food operator must cease operations for the remainder of that permit period or meet all the requirements and obtain a food processing plant license or cease operations for that calendar year.
Home Daycare
A home-based day care in unincorporated Pierce County may operate from a residence under PCC 18A.37.100, serving up to 12 individuals with a DCYF-approved fence around the outdoor play area, and must hold a Washington family home child care license from DCYF.
Pierce County Home Daycare Rules
Some RestrictionsPierce County Code 18A.37.100(A)(3)
The maximum number of individuals receiving day care services at the facility shall not exceed 12 individuals.
Home Business by City in Pierce County
2 cities in Pierce County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Pierce County ordinances
See every category we cover for Pierce County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Pierce County Ordinance Hub →