Spokane Valley, WA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SVMC § 19.65.180(A)
- Permit required
- For any for-profit home enterprise
- Owner residency
- Business owner must be primary resident
- Non-resident employees
- Capped at two
- Hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- First violation penalty
- $500 (SVMC § 17.100.250)
Summary
Spokane Valley requires anyone running a for-profit enterprise out of a home to obtain a home business permit under SVMC § 19.65.180(A)(1), and the business can only operate in a residence that is itself legally permitted. SVMC § 19.65.180(A)(2) then keeps the use accessory: the owner must be the primary resident and the property must keep a residential look.
A. Home Businesses. The following supplemental regulations apply to all home businesses. 1. Applicability. Any person, group, or entity conducting a "for profit" enterprise from a location whose primary use is a residence shall obtain a home business permit. A home business may only be established in a residence that has been legally permitted. ... 2. Home businesses are permitted as accessory uses, except as indicated by SVMC § 19.65.180 (A)(3), incidental to the property's primary use as a residence, subject to the following requirements: a. Business owner shall be primary resident; b. Property shall retain a residential appearance and character;
Full Breakdown
65's 'Uncategorized uses' supplemental regulations. Subsection (A)(1) sets the permit trigger: any person, group, or entity running a 'for profit' enterprise from a location whose primary use is a residence needs a home business permit, and the underlying residence has to already be legally permitted. The City allows a fee exemption from the master fee schedule, but only if the business makes no exterior alterations that change the residential character, doesn't have goods delivered to the premises, doesn't have customers visiting, has no signage or window displays, and employs only people who live in the residence; meeting all five conditions exempts the operator from the permit fee, not from the permit itself.
m. Subsection (A)(3) then bars a list of specific uses from ever qualifying as home businesses, including auto repair and auto body repair, cabinet making, kennels or stables, small engine repair, welding or metal plating, and wholesale or retail sales, regardless of whether the operator could otherwise meet the accessory-use conditions.
Violations & Fines
Running a for-profit home enterprise without a home business permit, or operating a use barred by SVMC § 19.65.180(A)(3) such as auto repair or a kennel, violates the supplemental use regulations. The City treats this as a Title 19 zoning violation under Chapter 17.100 SVMC, assessing a $500 civil penalty for a first violation and $1,000 for a repeat within three years under SVMC § 17.100.250.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every home-based business in Spokane Valley need a permit?
Can someone else run the business out of my house if I'm not involved?
What businesses are banned from operating as home businesses in Spokane Valley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane Valley
How Spokane Valley compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Spokane Valley to another location·View the Washington home business overview
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