Meridian, ID Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed zones
- R-2, R-4, R-8, R-15, R-40 (accessory)
- Permit required
- Accessory use permit before operating
- Floor area cap
- 10 percent of dwelling, garage included
- Client hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. only
- Employees
- One nonresident employee maximum
Summary
Meridian allows home-based businesses as an accessory use in every residential zoning district, but operators must get a city accessory use permit and follow strict use, size, and hour limits.
The home occupation accessory use shall only be allowed as an incidental, secondary use to an allowed residential use. The operator of the home occupation accessory use shall be responsible for obtaining an accessory use permit, as well as any and all other applicable licenses, permits, or inspections, prior to operating the home occupation accessory use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14).
Full Breakdown
Meridian's Unified Development Code lists home occupation as an allowed accessory use in the R-2, R-4, R-8, R-15, and R-40 residential districts (UDC table 11-2A-2), but every operator must first obtain an accessory use permit under section 11-4-3-21. The business must stay inside the dwelling, use no more than 10 percent of its floor area, employ no more than one nonresident worker, and cap client visits to 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Vehicle repair, equipment rental, and most retail sales are prohibited, and no more than two carrier pickups are allowed per day.
Violations & Fines
Operating without an accessory use permit, exceeding the 10 percent floor-area cap, or running a prohibited use like vehicle repair violates UDC section 11-4-3-21 and can trigger code enforcement and permit revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a home business from my Meridian house?
Can clients visit my home business anytime?
Can I run a business out of my detached garage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Meridian
How Meridian compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Meridian to another location·View the Idaho home business overview
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Zoning & Home Occupation Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle zoning & home occupation permits.