Palm Beach County, FL Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval
- Permitted by Right in residential zones
- Non-resident employees
- up to two on-site
- Retail sales
- not allowed on-site
- Signage
- no exterior ads or address
- Commercial vehicles
- one or two, zone-dependent
Summary
Unincorporated Palm Beach County allows home-based businesses by right in any residential zoning district, but the use must stay incidental to the home, skip retail storefronts, and cap on-site non-resident staff at two.
Home-based Businesses on residential properties are Permitted by Right unless otherwise regulated by this Article. Home-based Businesses within certain zoning districts may be approved subject to additional standards and approval processes for Home-based Businesses with Limited Pet Boarding, limited Landscape Service, or limited Contractor Storage Yard pursuant to this Article. [Ord. 2018-018] [Ord. 2024-004] c. Location The Home-based Business may not conduct retail transactions at a structure other than the residential dwelling; however, incidental business uses and activities may be conducted at the residential property. Instructional services, which by their nature must be conducted outside of the residential dwelling, such as swimming lessons, shall be located in a rear or side yard. [Ord. 2024004] d. Incidental Nature The activities of the Home-based Business shall be secondary to the property's use as a residential dwelling and shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use of the property.
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Palm Beach County, a home-based business is Permitted by Right on any residential property under ULDC Art. 4.B.1.E.11: no conditional-use approval needed unless the business is a limited pet boarding operation, landscape service, or contractor storage yard. The use must stay clearly incidental and subordinate to the property's residential character: no retail transactions on-site beyond incidental sales or instructional services, no exterior sign or advertised street address, and non-resident employees are capped at two working on the premises, with commercial vehicles limited to one or two units depending on the zoning district.
Violations & Fines
Running a public storefront, advertising the business address, employing more than two non-resident workers on-site, or exceeding the commercial-vehicle limits ends the by-right status and exposes the property to a Palm Beach County Code Enforcement case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a home business in unincorporated Palm Beach County?
How many employees can work at my home business?
Can I put up a sign for my home-based business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
How Palm Beach County compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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