Home Business in Washington County, MN (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Washington County requires a Certificate of Compliance for home occupations in the Shoreland Management Overlay District and imposes eight performance standards under Development Code Section 2.6, including no non-resident employees, no outdoor storage, and no traffic beyond what a single-family home would generate.
Washington County Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Ch. 2, Sec. 2.6(3)(A), (B), (G), (H)
(3) Performance Standards. A home occupation must comply with the following standards: (A) Home occupation by any persons other than the residents of the premises is prohibited. (B) A home occupation shall not generate traffic in greater volume than would result from a single family residence. (G) Outdoor display or storage of goods, equipment or materials associated with the home occupation is...
Signage Rules
A home occupation sign in unincorporated Washington County cannot exceed nine square feet, and Development Code Section 1.10(7) only allows one at all if the home occupation fronts a county road and is permitted under Section 2.6 of Chapter Two.
Washington County Home Occupation Sign Capped at 9 Sq Ft
Some RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Ch. 2, Sec. 1.10(7)
(7) Home Occupation. A sign no greater than nine (9) square feet in size is permitted for any home occupation that is along a County road and permitted under Chapter Two, Section 2.6 of the Development Code.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Washington County's Development Code caps traffic generated by a home-based business at the volume a single-family residence would normally produce. The standard applies to home occupations on unincorporated land the county zones directly, and sits alongside rules on employees, signage, hazardous waste, nuisance and on-site parking every home occupation must also satisfy.
Washington County Home Occupation Traffic Cap
Some RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Chapter Two, Section 2.6(3)(A)-(B)
(3) Performance Standards. A home occupation must comply with the following standards: (A) Home occupation by any persons other than the residents of the premises is prohibited. (B) A home occupation shall not generate traffic in greater volume than would result from a single family residence.
All Washington County ordinances
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