Washington County, MN Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Certificate of Compliance (Shoreland Overlay)
- Employees allowed
- Residents of the premises only
- Outdoor storage
- Prohibited
- Parking
- Must be accommodated on-site
- Governing provision
- Development Code Ch. 2, Sec. 2.6
Summary
Washington County requires a Certificate of Compliance for home occupations in the Shoreland Management Overlay District and imposes eight performance standards under Development Code Section 2.6, including no non-resident employees, no outdoor storage, and no traffic beyond what a single-family home would generate.
(3) Performance Standards. A home occupation must comply with the following standards:
(A) Home occupation by any persons other than the residents of the premises is prohibited.
(B) A home occupation shall not generate traffic in greater volume than would result from a single family residence.
(G) Outdoor display or storage of goods, equipment or materials associated with the home occupation is prohibited.
(H) Parking needs generated by the home occupation shall be provided for on-site.
Full Breakdown
6 of the Development Code governs home occupations, defined as gainful employment on a residential or agricultural property that is clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential or agricultural use, carried on solely within the main dwelling or accessory buildings without altering the exterior character of the property, and operated by the occupant of the dwelling. 6(2) requires any state or county license to be obtained, or documented as applied for, before that Certificate issues. 3(3) and (4); (G) outdoor display or storage of goods, equipment or materials tied to the occupation is prohibited; and (H) parking generated by the occupation must be accommodated on-site. These standards apply only in the unincorporated county and townships; cities such as Stillwater and Woodbury regulate home occupations under their own zoning codes.
Violations & Fines
A home occupation that hires non-resident workers, generates more traffic than a typical single-family home, stores equipment or materials outdoors, fails to contain domestic waste on an on-site septic system, or creates a nuisance under Section 1.3(3)-(4) is out of compliance with Section 2.6(3), and the Zoning Administrator can decline to renew or can revoke the Certificate of Compliance required under Section 2.6(1).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire outside employees for my home business in Washington County?
Can I store business equipment or supplies outside at my home occupation?
What permit does a home business need in unincorporated Washington County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washington County
How Washington County compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Washington County to another location·View the Minnesota home business overview
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