Topeka, KS Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Floor area cap
- 25% of dwelling, garage excluded
- Employee limit
- 1 non-resident worker at a time
- Public hours
- 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. only
- On-site sales
- Prohibited
Summary
Topeka caps home-based businesses at 25 percent of a dwelling's floor area, one non-resident employee, and public hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
(b) Standards. ... (2) Not more than one employee not a resident of the dwelling is permitted at any one time. ... (4) The sale of any commodity, goods or products on the premises is prohibited. ... (7) The home occupation shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the total floor area (including a basement) of the dwelling, excluding any attached garage. (8) The home occupation shall not be available or open to the public except during the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20671, passed July 14, 2026).
Full Breakdown
TMC 18.210.035(b) sets the zoning standards every non-exempt home occupation must meet: it must be run by a resident of the dwelling, can employ no more than one non-resident worker at a time, may not alter the home's exterior or add signage, may not sell goods on-site, cannot occupy more than 25 percent of the dwelling's floor area (including a basement, excluding an attached garage), and can only be open to the public between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. All equipment and work areas must stay inside the principal dwelling, not spill into a garage or accessory building.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 25-percent floor-area cap, employing more than one outside worker, or opening to the public outside 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. can trigger permit revocation by the Planning Director.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell products from my home in Topeka?
How much of my house can a home business use in Topeka?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Topeka
How Topeka compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Topeka to another location·View the Kansas home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.