5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Sedgwick County, Kansas.
Verified from official government sources
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code (UZC) allows certain incidental, accessory home occupations in residential and rural zoning districts, provided they stay compatible with the character of the neighborhood. Standards are set in Section IV-E of the UZC.
Wichita-Sedgwick County UZC Sec. IV-E (Home Occupations)
The home occupation standards are intended to permit the establishment of certain incidental and accessory home occupations in residential and rural areas under conditions that will ensure their compatibility with the character of the subject area.
The Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Zoning Code requires a home occupation to preserve the residential character of the dwelling, which strictly limits on-site signage and any outside display or storage that would advertise the business. Verify sign limits with MAPD before posting.
Kansas is highly permissive: under K.S.A. 65-689, homemade foods that do not require time and temperature control for safety and are sold directly to the end consumer are exempt from food-establishment licensing and inspection, with no state revenue cap.
K.S.A. 65-689
A person who produces food for distribution directly to the end consumer, if such food does not require time and temperature control for safety or specialized processing, as determined by the secretary.
Kansas licenses family day-care homes through KDHE (rules in K.A.R. Article 28-4), covering up to 12 children under age 16. Homes with a pool must meet K.A.R. 28-4-594 fencing and CPR-supervision rules; the home occupation must also comply with UZC zoning.
K.A.R. 28-4-594
Each in-ground swimming pool located outdoors shall be enclosed by a five-foot fence on all four sides to prevent chance access by children and youth. The fence shall have a gate that has a self-closing latch with a locking device.
Under UZC Section IV-E, a home occupation may not occupy more than 50% of the dwelling's gross floor area and may employ no more than one non-resident person. Wichita requires a $35/year home-occupation license; unincorporated permits are handled through MAPD.
Wichita-Sedgwick County UZC Sec. IV-E (Home Occupations)
The home occupation shall not occupy more than 50 percent of the gross floor area contained within the dwelling unit. No more than one person other than persons occupying such dwelling unit as their residence shall be employed in the home occupation.
1 cities in Sedgwick County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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