Bonner County, ID Home Business: Customer Traffic Restrictions (2026)

Section 12-489 of the Bonner County Revised Code sets three tiers of home occupation, and each tier has its own vehicle trip ceiling. Home Occupation I is permitted by right and its traffic cannot significantly exceed what a normal dwelling unit generates, defined in the text as no more than 10 vehicle trips per day on average. It also bars commercial on premises sales, so customer traffic is not part of the tier. Any parking need must be met off the street and other than in a required front or side yard.

Home Occupation II, which needs a permit from the planning director, lets customers or clients come to the site, but only if three criteria are met. Where access is by road, the road must meet the minimum private road standards in appendix A of Title 12. Sales are limited to merchandise handcrafted on site or items accessory to a service, such as hair care products for a beauty salon. And customers or clients are prohibited on the premises before six o'clock (6:00) A.M. and after eight o'clock (8:00) P.M. Traffic cannot exceed fourteen (14) vehicle trips per day on average, and parking must again be off the street and outside a required front or side yard. The list of prohibited activities includes any activity involving more than five (5) customer or business visits per day. Extra parking is required: one space for a nonresident employee, if applicable, and one for patrons if services are rendered on site.

Home Occupation III, approved by conditional use permit under the same performance standards as II with exceptions, raises the traffic ceiling to eighteen (18) vehicle trips per day on average. The permit application for tier II asks the applicant to state the number of expected customer visits per day and at any one time, so the visit estimate is reviewed before approval. Any equipment or process that creates objectionable noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical interference is barred at every tier.