Arapahoe County, CO Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

LDC § 3-3.12.A governs home occupations. The intent clause explains the standard is to allow use of a residence "for an occupation which does not change the character of the neighborhood in which it is located." Subsection A.2 sets the compliance criteria that make a home occupation an eligible accessory use: it must be conducted entirely within the principal dwelling structure, with no more than 20 percent of the garage used for storage of materials tied to the business; it can only be run by residents of the dwelling, not outside employees; there can be no visible advertising on the property and no outdoor storage of goods or materials; the operation can't produce excessive or offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat, glare or light, or dump materials; deliveries are limited to U.S. mail, parcel post, general delivery or private passenger vehicle, excluding truck or trailer deliveries; and the business can't change the appearance or character of the dwelling or neighborhood.

Because home occupations are an accessory use rather than a separately licensed use, there is no standalone home-occupation permit application in the Code, compliance with § 3-3.12.A.2 is what makes the use legal, and it is reviewed if the county investigates a complaint or a related building permit application.