5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Polk County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Polk County allows home occupations as an accessory use to an existing dwelling in all residential districts, provided the business stays clearly incidental and secondary to residential use and does not exceed 25 percent of the home's ground-floor area.
Polk County LDC 206.E
Home occupations may be permitted as an accessory use to an existing dwelling unit in all residential districts subject to the applicable district regulations and the requirements listed. Regardless of the location of the home occupation, the principal dwelling unit on the property shall be the bona fide residence of the home occupation practitioner. The home occupation shall be clearly inciden...
A Polk County home occupation may display one non-illuminated business identification sign, mounted flush to the dwelling and no larger than two square feet. No merchandise display or outdoor storage is allowed.
Polk County LDC 206.E.8, .5
One non-illuminated business identification sign mounted flush to the dwelling unit and not more than two square feet in area shall be allowed. No display of merchandise or outside storage of equipment or materials shall be permitted.
Florida law lets you sell homemade non-hazardous foods from your Polk County home without a state license, as long as annual gross sales stay at or below $250,000. Cottage food is governed statewide by FS 500.80.
FS 500.80(1)(a)
A cottage food operation must comply with the applicable requirements of this chapter but is exempt from the permitting requirements of s. 500.12 if the cottage food operation complies with this section and has annual gross sales of cottage food products that do not exceed $250,000.
In-home child care in Florida is regulated by the Department of Children and Families under FS Chapter 402. A family day care home serves children from at least two unrelated families and is capped at a maximum of 10 children, including the caregiver's own preschoolers.
FS 402.302(8)
"Family day care home" means an occupied residence in which child care is regularly provided for children from at least two unrelated families and which receives a payment, fee, or grant for any of the children receiving care, whether or not operated for profit.
A conforming home occupation inside the main dwelling needs no further county approval, but every practitioner must obtain an occupational license (business tax receipt). Home occupations in an accessory structure require a Level 3 Review.
Polk County LDC 206.E.1, .10
Home occupations conforming to this Section and located within the principal dwelling unit shall be allowed without further County approval. Home occupations located other than within the principal dwelling unit (e.g. within an accessory structure or garage) shall be allowed as an accessory use pursuant to a Level 3 Review. All home occupation practitioners shall obtain an occupational license.
2 cities in Polk County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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