Minneapolis, MN Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max nonresident employees
- 1 per unit
- Public hours allowed
- 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Max daily customers/clients
- 5 per unit
- Signage limit
- 1 sq ft, non-illuminated
- Governing section
- Code § 545.810
Summary
Minneapolis allows home-based businesses by right as an accessory use, capping outside help at one nonresident employee, restricting public-facing hours to 8 a.m.-8 p.m., and limiting customer traffic and signage under Chapter 545.
Home occupations shall be subject to the following standards... (2)Only the residents of the dwelling unit or rooming unit, and not more than one (1) nonresident employee, shall be employed by or engaged in the conduct of the home occupation on the premises... (11)The hours open to the public shall be limited to between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Under Zoning Code Chapter 545, Article V, a home occupation is permitted accessory to a dwelling or rooming unit if it meets fifteen standards in § 545.810: no exterior alteration signaling business use, work confined to an enclosed area, one non-illuminated sign up to one square foot, no outdoor storage, public hours limited to 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., no more than five customers or clients per day per unit, and no audible noise beyond the lot line. Family day care is exempt from several of these standards. Section 545.820 outright bans certain types as home occupations, including vehicle repair, firearms sales, cannabis businesses, sexually oriented uses, and dispatch/headquarters operations.
Violations & Fines
A home occupation that exceeds these standards or falls into a prohibited category under § 545.820 is a zoning code violation, enforceable by the city's zoning administrator through cease-and-desist action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire employees for a home business in Minneapolis?
What businesses are banned as home occupations in Minneapolis?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
How Minneapolis compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Minneapolis to another location·View the Minnesota home business overview
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