Unincorporated Pierce County allows home occupations as an accessory use in urban and rural zones under Pierce County Code 18A.37.110, capping the activity at 500 square feet or 50 percent of the dwelling's living space, whichever is less, with no outside display or storage.
Pierce County Code Title 18A (Development Regulations - Zoning) governs home businesses in the unincorporated county. Under PCC 18A.37.110, a home occupation may be allowed in urban and rural zones subject to general standards - it must be incidental and secondary to the residence, performed entirely inside the dwelling or an accessory structure, and must not create noticeable glare, noise, odor, vibration, smoke, dust, or heat beyond the property lines. A basic home occupation is limited to 500 square feet or 50 percent of the living space, whichever is less, with no outside display or storage. Larger operations are Cottage Industry Level I or II, needing an Administrative Use or Conditional Use Permit.
Operating a home business beyond PCC 18A.37.110 - exceeding the floor-area cap, adding outside storage or display, or creating off-site nuisances - is a zoning violation. County code enforcement can issue notices of violation and civil penalties.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Backyard residential composting is allowed and encouraged in Pierce County with no permit, but a compost pile that creates odor, attracts vermin, or otherwis...
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Pierce County has no ordinance specifically prohibiting or permitting synthetic/artificial turf on residential lots. Installation must still meet general zon...
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Pierce County encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings and requires native-vegetation retention on many development sites, but homeowners are free to...
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Rooftop rainwater collection is broadly allowed in Washington, and Pierce County has no ordinance prohibiting residential rain barrels or cisterns; larger sy...
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Pierce County government sets no county-wide residential watering schedule; outdoor watering rules are set by your water provider — mainly Tacoma Water and l...
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Every Pierce County landowner has an enforceable duty under RCW 17.10.140 to eradicate class A noxious weeds and control listed class B and C weeds. The Pier...
See how Pierce County's zoning restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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