Shoreline, WA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 20.40.400 opens with an intent statement recognizing residents' desire to run businesses from home while protecting neighbors from adverse impacts, then sets nine lettered standards that apply to every home occupation citywide. The floor-area cap in subsection A limits all home occupation space to 25 percent of the dwelling unit's floor area, though garages and storage buildings are excluded from that calculation and can still be used to store home-occupation goods. Subsection B confines all activity, including storage, to indoors in residential zones, except for growing or storing plants used by the business.

Staffing is capped at two nonresident full-time-equivalent employees on site under subsection C. Subsection D bars specific high-impact uses outright in residential zones: automobile, truck and heavy-equipment repair, auto body work or painting, parking and storage of heavy equipment, and on-site metals and scrap recycling. Retail sales are restricted to mail order, or telephone and electronic sales with off-site delivery, under subsection E, and any in-person services to patrons must be by appointment or provided off site under subsection F. Vehicles used for the business are capped at two, each no heavier than 14,000 pounds, no taller than nine feet and no longer than 22 feet, under subsection G.

One four-square-foot sign is allowed without a permit under subsection I, and every home occupation must hold a City business license under Chapter 5.05 SMC per subsection J. Daycares, residential care facilities, animal keeping and bed and breakfasts are carved out and regulated under their own sections instead.