Franklin County, KY Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 155.111 of the Franklin County Code, adopted by the Fiscal Court, treats a home occupation as an accessory use incidental to the dwelling. Permits can be granted in any zoning district where residences are permitted. Subsection (B) creates two classes. Minor home occupations can be administratively approved when the applicant meets every criterion, including no person other than a resident employed, no visible exterior evidence of the occupation, and no advertisement carrying the property address. Major home occupations require a conditional use permit from the Board of Zoning Adjustments prior to the issuance of a business license.

Subsection (C) ties the business license to the permit: no license for a major home occupation issues without the conditional use permit, and a minor applicant must show that all listed conditions are met. Under (D) the permit is not transferable, and a new permit is required whenever the occupation, occupant or address changes.

Space limits are strict. Under (G), the occupation shall occupy less than 50% of the floor area of the principal dwelling unit, and an accessory structure's area can be counted toward that floor area. Under (H), operations are limited to the dwelling unit, including the basement and attached garage, and one roofed and fully enclosed accessory structure on the site. Other standards cover retail sales in (E), which allows only handmade items, crafts and sale items in conjunction with services, no alteration of the residential structure under (J), and a bar on equipment that would change the dwelling's fire rating under (L). A major home occupation may display one non-illuminated sign of no more than two square feet that is not free-standing. Subsection (F) prohibits a listed set of uses, covered on the automobile repair page.