Multnomah County, OR Home Business: Customer Traffic Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Type A customers on-site
- Max 2 at once
- Type A customer visits
- Max 8 per day
- Type B customers on-site
- Max 2 at once
- Type B daily vehicle trips
- Max 20 combined
- Type B permit term
- 3 years, renewable
Summary
Unincorporated Multnomah County limits home-business foot traffic: Type A home occupations allow two customers on-site at once and eight customer visits per day, while Type B businesses cap total daily vehicle trips at twenty under a renewable county permit.
No more than one non-resident employee or two customers on the premises at any one time. A maximum of eight customer visits may happen per day.
(3) Modifications to the dwelling to facilitate the use shall be limited to the alteration, replacement or addition of windows or doors or other typically used residential appurtenances.
(4) No deliveries or pick-ups associated with the home occupation between the hours of 7 p.m. - 7 a.m. are permitted. Deliveries and pick-ups shall occur on the premises only. The road serving the premises may not be used for loading or unloading purposes. No more than two pick-ups or deliveries shall occur on any given day.
(5) No outdoor storage or displays shall occur on the premises. Outdoor parking of the business vehicle, motor vehicle owned by the employee or customer is allowed. The use, parking or storing of any vehicle in excess of a gross vehicle weight of 11,000 pounds is prohibited.
(6) No signage shall be allowed, including temporary signage and those exempted under MCC 39.6720 with the exception of property numbers.
(7) The use shall not generate noise, vibration, glare, flashing lights, dust, smoke, fumes, or odors detectable at the property line. This standard does not apply to vehicles entering or exiting the premises, but does apply to idling vehicles. All storage, use and disposal of chemicals and materials shall be in conformance with all other applicable state pollution control regulations.
(S-1 2022)
Full Breakdown
Home occupations in unincorporated Multnomah County split into two tracks. A registered Type A home occupation, filed with the Planning Director, permits no more than two customers on the premises at once and no more than eight customer visits per day, plus a one-employee cap. A Type B home occupation, approved through the Type II land-use review process, also caps customers at two at a time but limits total daily vehicle trips, customers, deliveries and the employee combined, to twenty, runs on a renewable three-year permit, and terminates automatically if the operator stops living on-site full time.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding these caps is a zoning violation under MCC 39.1510, drawing a Notice of Violation and fine from the Code Compliance Specialist; a Type A registration also terminates automatically if violated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply if I live in Portland?
What if more than 2 customers show up at once?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.