Pima County issues home occupation permits through Development Services for businesses operating from residential properties. Type I (no customer visits) is by right with no permit fee. Type II (limited customer visits) requires a specific use permit application, fee, and neighbor notification.
Pima County Development Services administers home occupation permits under the County Zoning Code Chapter 18.09. Type I home occupations are permitted by right and require no application or fee. These cover businesses with no external impact: no customer visits, no employees, no deliveries beyond standard residential volumes, and no exterior evidence of business activity. Type II home occupations require a formal application to Development Services, a review fee (typically $200-$400), site plan showing parking and access, and notification of adjacent property owners. The Board of Adjustment or Hearing Officer reviews contested Type II applications. Conditions of approval may include limits on hours of customer visits, maximum number of daily client appointments, required on-site parking spaces, and restrictions on delivery vehicle size. Permits run with the operator, not the property, and must be renewed if the business type changes. Operating without a required Type II permit is a zoning violation enforceable through code compliance. Violations may result in a cease-and-desist order and daily fines until compliance is achieved.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Pima County's home occupation permits rules stack up against other locations.
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