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

220(A) permits a home occupation in any residential zone as long as it fits the underlying zone's requirements and the section's own list. The workspace cannot exceed 25 percent of the dwelling's total floor area or 600 square feet, whichever is smaller, and access to that space must run through the dwelling itself, not a separate outside entrance, unless the occupation sits in an accessory structure, in which case outside access is allowed but the size cap is still measured against the principal dwelling's floor area alone.

The occupation must be carried on entirely within the residence or an accessory building by the occupant, not a hired manager, and it cannot emit noise, dust, smoke, light, glare or odor beyond what a normal residential use produces. Subsection (A)(5) requires the operation to give no outward appearance of a business and manifest no business characteristics from the street. No one other than a resident of the dwelling may be employed on the premises, and if classes or instruction are offered, no more than five students per session and no more than 20 total class hours per week are allowed.

Subsection (B) requires anyone running a home occupation to register as a business with the city treasurer's office and pay the city business and occupations tax; subsection (C) carves garage sales out of the definition entirely, so a resident holding one does not need to register or comply with the size and appearance limits.