Roseville, MN Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Home occupations are allowed in Roseville's residential districts, but every one has to meet the standards in § 1011.12(b)(3). The registration form comes from the Community Development Department, and the City Council sets the fee. The annual registration applies to all new home occupations as of January 1, 2011. Section 1001.07 defines a home occupation as an office or studio, service business, or limited production of goods within a dwelling unit by a resident of the dwelling.

The use has to stay clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use of the property. Exterior alterations or modifications that change the residential character or appearance of any structure or the property itself are not allowed. A home occupation cannot take more than 30 percent of the dwelling's floor area, to a maximum of 600 square feet, and it must be conducted entirely within the dwelling. An accessory building cannot be used in the operation, so a detached garage or shed workshop does not qualify.

Staffing is limited to persons residing on the premises plus no more than one nonresident employee at any given time. Outside storage of products, materials or equipment is prohibited. The required off-street parking for the home cannot be reduced or made unusable, and the business cannot generate excessive traffic or parking demand detrimental to the character of the neighborhood. Shipments and deliveries must arrive by single rear axle straight trucks or similar delivery vehicles normally used to serve residential neighborhoods.

No offensive noise, odors, smoke, heat, glare, vibration or electrical interference can be detectable at or beyond the boundaries of the residential lot. The business must meet all applicable fire and building codes and any other city, state or federal regulations, and its signage is governed by chapter 1010.

Five activities are prohibited as home occupations: wholesale or retail business unless conducted entirely by mail or internet (the sale of products incidental to the delivery of a service is allowed), manufacturing, welding, machine shop or similar use, motor vehicle repair, the sale, lease, trade, or transfer of firearms or ammunition, and headquarters or dispatch centers where persons come to the site and are dispatched to other locations.