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

Putnam County Code § 45-110(7)(a) defines a home occupation, also called a home-based business, as a business conducted entirely within a residential building or an accessory structure that is clearly accessory, incidental and secondary to the dwelling's residential use and does not change the building's residential character or appearance. Subsection (b)(1) allows a home occupation by right on residential or agricultural property when it meets every listed criterion together: employees who work at the dwelling must also reside there, except that up to two outside employees or independent contractors may work on site while additional employees work remotely elsewhere; parking cannot exceed what a similar residence without a business would generate; residentially zoned property cannot store any heavy vehicle, while agricultural property is capped at one; heavy equipment cannot be stored or used on residential property; exterior modifications must keep the home's residential look and no retail transactions may occur anywhere but the dwelling; and the business cannot create off-lot noise, vibration, smoke, glare, odors or electrical interference.

Subsection (b)(2) requires a special use permit, except for bona fide agricultural uses in agricultural districts, once a home occupation employs three or more outside persons, or needs an outside heavy vehicle on residential land, or two or more on agricultural land, or requires outside heavy equipment on residential land.