Bradenton, FL Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Schedule 5.1.1 of the Land Use Regulations lists working at one's trade or business as an allowed accessory use of a residence in the City of Bradenton, Manatee County, and points to schedule 3.2.1 and section 3.3. The restriction is spelled out: unless a special use permit for a home business has been granted, no signs, displays or merchandise, outside storage, noxious fumes or odors or excessive noise are allowed, and no employees or customers shall utilize the residence or property. No commercial vehicle, as defined in the Land Use Regulations, can be parked in a residential area except for delivery.

The definitions in Chapter 10 draw the line between the two tiers. A home occupation is a business carried out in a residence that has no outward appearance or indication of business activity, including client visitation, signs, deliveries, noise or fumes. A home business is an accessory use of a single-family residential structure that consists of more intense uses, including client visitation, commercial deliveries and intensity of use not typical of residential-only districts. A home business needs the special use permit, and the use tables in schedule 3.2.1.1 list both Home Occupation and Home Business rows.

Two overlay districts carry their own standards. In the Village of the Arts Overlay district (§ 3.4.5), a home occupation or home business tied to an arts theme can be approved administratively by the PCD director. No more than three employees, including the proprietor and family members, can work on the premises at one time, and the proprietor can live on the premises. A home occupation can have one window or hanging façade sign, or a ground sign not exceeding six square feet. A home business can have one hanging façade sign not exceeding six square feet, or a ground sign not exceeding 12 square feet, with ground signs held to a maximum height of 72 inches. Outdoor storage is generally prohibited, and there can be no outdoor storage or display on any lot without a principal structure. Section 3.4.6 sets parallel standards for the Antiques District Overlay.