5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Sarasota County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Florida law (FS 559.955) lets home-based businesses operate in any residentially zoned property in unincorporated Sarasota County, and the county cannot treat them differently from other businesses, subject to limited neighborhood-impact conditions.
FS 559.955(2)
A home-based business that operates from a residential property may operate in an area zoned for residential use and may not be prohibited, restricted, regulated, or licensed in a manner that is different from other businesses... except as otherwise provided in this section.
Under FS 559.955, a home-based business must keep the property looking like a normal residence as viewed from the street - which effectively bars business signage that would advertise the business on the home.
FS 559.955(3)(c)
As viewed from the street, the use of the residential property is consistent with the uses of the residential areas that surround the property... The home-based business may not conduct retail transactions at a structure other than the residential dwelling.
Florida's cottage food law (FS 500.80) lets residents make and sell certain non-hazardous foods from their home kitchen without a permit or inspection, as long as annual gross sales stay at or below $250,000.
FS 500.80(1)
A cottage food operation... is exempt from the permitting requirements... if the cottage food operation complies with this section and has annual gross sales of cottage food products that do not exceed $250,000.
Under FS 402.313, a family day care home must be licensed if the county requires it by ordinance or resolution; otherwise it must register annually with the Florida Department of Children and Families.
FS 402.313(1)
Family day care homes shall be licensed under this act if they are presently being licensed under an existing county licensing ordinance or if the board of county commissioners passes a resolution that family day care homes be licensed.
Florida preempts special home-occupation permits: FS 559.955 lets a compliant home-based business operate without a use-specific license, though a local business tax receipt under Chapter 205 is still required.
FS 559.955(3)(a)
The employees of the business who work at the residential dwelling must also reside in the residential dwelling, except that up to a total of two employees or independent contractors who do not reside at the residential dwelling may work at the business.
3 cities in Sarasota County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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