Coeur d'Alene, ID Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Article VIII of Chapter 17.06 of the Coeur d'Alene Municipal Code governs home occupations. Section 17.06.710 applies the rules to all residential dwelling units or residential accessory structures, irrespective of zoning district. A residential use in a commercial zoning district that fails the qualifying conditions is treated as a full commercial business and must comply with every regulation covering commercial establishments.

The certificate application under Section 17.06.715 asks for a legal description of the property, the type of use proposed, the zoning district, the building area involved, the number and residence of people involved, proposed alterations to the building, proposed use of utilities and community facilities, proposed material and equipment, storage requirements, signage, anticipated traffic generation, use of outdoor space, a site plan showing property lines, all structures, setbacks and off-street parking, a floor plan of all buildings used, and the on-street and off-street parking available. Childcare applicants must show outdoor play areas on the site plan.

The substantive tests sit in the next two sections. Section 17.06.720 applies in every zoning district: the work happens inside the residence or a completely enclosed accessory structure, the business uses no more than thirty percent (30%) of the dwelling unit's floor area, only signs permitted in the district are allowed, and noise, smell and glare must meet the standards in Sections 17.07.120B, 17.07.125B and 17.07.130B. The number of home occupations in one facility is not limited, but their combined effect cannot exceed the performance standards. Section 17.06.725 adds residential-district conditions: no employees other than resident family members, no chemicals beyond normal household or hobby quantities, and no outside storage or outdoor work space. Childcare gets one nonresident employee under Chapter 5.68, and any other employee requires a special use permit under Chapter 17.09.