A home occupation inside your dwelling that meets the county conditions is a permitted accessory use needing no special permit. But a home business run from an attached garage or accessory building requires a conditional use permit as a Limited Family Business.
Waukesha County treats home occupations conducted entirely within the principal residence as permitted accessory uses if they meet the conditions (in-home, under 20 percent floor area, one non-resident employee, three-square-foot nameplate, off-street parking, no on-site retail or nuisance machinery). No stand-alone home-occupation permit is required for those. However, Section (6)(G) requires a conditional use permit when the use is conducted in an attached garage or accessory building. That conditional use, the Limited Family Business under Section 3.08(7)(KK), limits employees to family plus one full-time equivalent, restricts machinery, and expires on sale or transfer to a non-occupant. Cities and villages issue their own home-occupation permits.
Running a home business in an outbuilding without the conditional use permit, or violating its conditions, is a zoning violation that can trigger orders, forfeitures, or permit termination.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Waukesha County, WI
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