5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Polk County, Iowa.
Verified from official government sources
The Polk County Zoning Ordinance permits a "Customary Home Occupation, Class I" — a use conducted entirely within a dwelling, incidental and secondary to residence, using no more than 25 percent of floor space and no more than one non-resident assistant. Class II allows uses inside a qualifying accessory building.
Polk County Zoning Ordinance, Definitions – Customary Home Occupation, Class I
Customary home occupation, Class I. Any use conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the occupants thereof, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residence purposes and does not change the character thereof...
Polk County's Customary Home Occupation Class I definition allows "no display" in connection with the home occupation, and the Class II standards state "Outdoor displays are not permitted." A home business in unincorporated Polk County therefore cannot advertise with outdoor signage or displays.
Polk County Zoning Ordinance, Customary Home Occupation Class I & Class II
...in connection with which there is no display and no person, not a resident on the premises, is employed specifically in connection with the customary home occupation... Outdoor displays are not permitted.
Under Iowa Code 137F.20, cottage food is exempt from all state licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging and labeling laws if sold and delivered by the producer directly to the consumer. Products must still carry name/address, common name, ingredients, and a residential-property disclaimer label.
Iowa Code §137F.20(1)
Cottage food is exempt from all licensing, permitting, inspection, packaging, and labeling laws of the state if the food is sold and delivered by the producer directly to the consumer, or delivered by mail or an agent of the producer such as an employee.
Iowa allows an unregistered "child care home" to care for five or fewer children (or six or fewer if one is school-aged). A "child development home" providing care to seven or more children must register with Iowa HHS under 441 IAC 110. Polk County zoning treats it as a Day
Iowa Admin. Code r. 441—110.1(237A) (Definitions)
"Child care home" means a person or program... not registered... 1. Five or fewer children. 2. Six or fewer children, if at least one of the children is school-aged. "Child development home" means a person or program registered under this chapter that may provide child care to seven or more children at any one time.
Customary Home Occupation Class I is a permitted use in essentially every Polk County zoning district, and Class II is permitted in the qualifying rural/residential districts. Confirm your parcel and use with Polk County Planning & Development before starting a home business in the unincorporated county.
Polk County Zoning Ordinance, Customary Home Occupation (permitted use; parking reference)
Reference Section 4.6, 4.7, 4.9 and 4.10 for Parking Requirement.
1 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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