Auburn, WA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

ACC 18.60.020 sets the baseline rulebook for running a business out of an Auburn home. A home occupation needs a city business license and must satisfy all 11 lettered requirements to operate outright; falling short of all 11 but meeting at least nine triggers a mandatory special home occupation permit under ACC 18.60.040 rather than an automatic denial. The requirements cover: (A) staffing, limited to household family members plus no more than two nonresident employees, with on-site parking required for any nonresident employee; (B) mechanical equipment restricted to what is customary for domestic or household use; (C) occupied floor area capped at 500 square feet of the primary residence or accessory structure (bed and breakfasts excepted); (D) no structural alterations that add construction features uncommon to a dwelling, though accessory-structure renovations are allowed subject to plan review; (E) a ban on personal commercial vehicles for distributing materials, with commercial delivery pickups/drop-offs allowed up to twice a day; (F) a bar on any additional off-street parking beyond what already serves the dwelling; (G) signage capped at one 18-by-24-inch nonilluminated sign; (H) animal limits matching whatever the zone otherwise allows; (I) operating hours restricted to 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekends for employees, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for customers; (J) a daily cap of five or eight two-way client/delivery trips depending on appointment structure; and (K) a total ban on outdoor storage of materials, goods, or equipment.

Uses such as building/construction contracting, personal service shops, music and dance studios, craft classes, and animal grooming always require the special permit under ACC 18.60.040(A) even if all 11 requirements are otherwise met, because the planning director must first find the use will not be materially detrimental to the vicinity.