A basic home occupation in unincorporated Pierce County is allowed as an accessory use under PCC 18A.37.110 if only the resident performs it and one vehicle up to 18,000 pounds is used; larger cottage industries need an Administrative Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit.
Under Pierce County Code 18A.37.110, a standard home occupation in urban and rural zones is an allowed accessory use without a separate discretionary land-use permit, provided only the resident performs the activity, it stays within 500 square feet or 50 percent of the living space, and no more than one vehicle up to 18,000 pounds gross vehicle weight is used. Operations that add non-resident employees, more square footage, or larger vehicles rise to Cottage Industry Level I (Administrative Use Permit, two non-resident employees) or Level II in rural zones (Conditional Use Permit, four non-resident employees). A Washington state business license still applies. Note: PCC 18A.37.110 was amended by Ordinance 2026-520s.
Running a home occupation that exceeds these limits without the required Administrative Use or Conditional Use Permit is a zoning violation under Title 18A. County code enforcement can issue a notice of violation and impose civil penalties.
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