Lakeville, MN Home Business: Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Home businesses in Lakeville require a Home Occupation Administrative Permit issued by the Community Development Department under Chapter 32 of the Zoning Ordinance. The application fee is $100.00. Applicants complete a questionnaire covering the nature of the business, employees, location within the home, customer visits, parking, equipment, signage and required licenses. Key conditions include: no person other than those who customarily reside on the premises may be employed by the home occupation (no nonresident employees); the business must be conducted entirely within the living quarters of the principal dwelling, not in a garage or accessory building; there must be no exterior storage; and parking demand may not exceed what the existing driveway or guest parking area can accommodate, with no vehicle obstructing a public street, sidewalk, trail or driveway. No internal or external alterations or non-residential construction features are allowed except where required by fire and police recommendations, and the use must meet all fire and building codes. Operating hours are limited to 7:00 A.M. through 10:00 P.M. A permit may be issued for one year, after which it may be reissued for periods of up to three years each; renewal applications require no fee but are treated as new applications without a vested right to renewal. Permits do not run with the land and are not transferable. A permit lapses if the use is not initiated within one year. The city reserves the right to inspect the premises. The ordinance does not apply to home occupations accessory to farming or to home offices as defined by the Zoning Ordinance.