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

Chapter Two, Section 2.6 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. Section 2.6(1) requires a Certificate of Compliance in the Shoreland Management Overlay District, provided the underlying zoning district allows home occupations, and Section 2.6(2) requires any state or county license to be obtained, or documented as applied for, before that Certificate issues.

Section 2.6(3) lists eight performance standards: (A) no employees other than residents of the premises; (B) traffic cannot exceed what a single-family residence would generate; (C) signage must comply with Section 1.10; (D) hazardous waste generation is barred unless an off-site disposal plan is approved; (E) a home occupation on an on-site septic system may only generate normal domestic household waste absent an approved off-site disposal plan; (F) the use cannot constitute or increase a nuisance under Section 1.3(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.