Osceola County, FL Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Osceola County allows a Home Occupation in the zoning districts where the Use Tables permit it, but only after the County Manager approves an owner's or operator's affidavit on the County's approved form. The affidavit is the operator's statement that the business complies with every provision of Land Development Code Section 3.6.1(E).

The dwelling has to stay primarily a home. No more than 25 percent of the air-conditioned floor area can go to the business, and no more than 25 square feet of merchandise can be stored. Outside display and outside storage are not allowed. Lots in the Agricultural Development and Conservation (AC) zoning district that meet the minimum lot area and lot width get relief: they can store merchandise, equipment, vehicles and supplies inside a totally enclosed building that has a building permit. That building has no size limit, must meet the AC setbacks for a single family dwelling, sits at least 5 feet behind the front entry of the principal dwelling, and is never closer to a roadway than the house. Repair or maintenance of the stored items is not authorized on the property. An AC property of 40 acres or more can add an outdoor storage area, buffered at the "High" level inside the Urban Growth Boundary and the "Medium" level outside it, with a site plan showing the area and buffer dimensions.

Other limits apply. Only members of the immediate family who reside on the premises can work in the business. The only exterior change allowed is an unlighted sign or nameplate of no more than 2 square feet, attached to the building and not projecting from it. Equipment must be the household kind, with no noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or radio and television interference detectable outside the dwelling. Only products made on site can be sold on site, although taking orders for off-site sales or services is allowed. Traffic is capped at ten vehicle trips per day as defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, deliveries at twice per day not counting U.S. Postal Service, and parking at four spaces on site. Multiple home occupations at one address share the cumulative impact of a single occupation.

Excluded uses include auto repair and tune-up, general offices, clinics, physician and dentist offices, welding shops, animal hospitals, kennels, and catering or other food preparation. Contractor offices are the exception. Private tutoring is limited to three pupils at any one time.

Approval lasts up to one year and is renewed annually by a new application and affidavit to the County Manager. A tenant must file a notarized letter of authorization from the property owner. A transfer to a new owner or lessee requires a new application and identical conditions.