Home Business in Kentucky (2026)
21 rules on the books across Kentucky, 5 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Which businesses you can run from home, the home-occupation permit or registration most cities require, and the conditions attached, floor area caps, signage bans, and prohibited uses.
Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Franklin County, Kentucky, home occupations are minor, approved administratively, or major, which…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsCampbell County splits home-based businesses into light, general, and other tiers under § 154.046: light activities…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro allows home occupations in residentially zoned dwellings under LDC § 4.4.5, capping floor area…
Read full rule →Mccracken County
Some RestrictionsMcCracken County's Zoning Code § 150.016 lets residents run a HOME OCCUPATION inside a dwelling if it stays incidental…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, home occupations split into an accessory use allowed by right under strict limits and a…
Read full rule →Signage Rules
Whether you can put up a sign for your home business, including size limits, placement rules, and which types of signs are allowed.
Louisville
Heavy RestrictionsLouisville Metro bars home occupations from any business signage, including signs placed on or near the property, with…
Read full rule →Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Franklin County, Kentucky, a major home occupation gets one non-illuminated sign of no more than two…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsCampbell County does not set a separate sign size for home businesses. Section 154.046(A)(5) instead sends home-based…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Some RestrictionsA home-based business in the City of Owensboro is covered by the zoning code's 'residence sign' category, which…
Read full rule →Customer Traffic Restrictions
Limits on customers and clients visiting a home business, daily visit caps, one-at-a-time rules, employee restrictions, and parking conditions that keep a home occupation from becoming a storefront.
Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Franklin County, Kentucky, a minor home occupation allows no customers, students or clients on site…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsSection 154.046(A)(6) caps home-based business traffic and parking at what a normal residential neighborhood would see…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro caps home occupations at two customers, clients, or pupils on site at a time, with spaced appointments…
Read full rule →Mccracken County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated McCracken County, Kentucky, a home-based business must stay inside the dwelling or accessory…
Read full rule →Owensboro
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Owensboro, only conditionally permitted home occupations, such as barber shops, boutiques or tutors, may…
Read full rule →Cottage Food Operations
Rules for selling homemade food products from your kitchen, including what foods are allowed, labeling requirements, and annual sales limits.
Home Kitchen Operations
Permits for selling meals cooked to order in a home kitchen, which is a separate legal category from shelf-stable cottage food. Covers daily meal and gross revenue caps, health department inspection, and whether the county has to opt in before residents may apply at all.
Home Daycare
Licensing and zoning rules for running a daycare out of your home, including the number of children allowed, outdoor play area requirements, and safety standards.
Kentucky: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsKentucky requires state certification or licensure for any home caring for children from more than one unrelated…
Read full rule →Franklin County
Significant RestrictionsIn unincorporated Franklin County, Kentucky, a home or dwelling unit that regularly cares for four or more children…
Read full rule →Campbell County
Some RestrictionsCampbell County treats a home daycare as a 'general home-based business' under § 154.046(C), which requires a zoning…
Read full rule →Louisville
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro lets you run child care for up to 6 non-related kids at home by right, no zoning permit needed.
Read full rule →Mccracken County
Some RestrictionsMcCracken County's zoning code lists 'Child care' among the permitted HOME OCCUPATIONS under § 150.016, letting county…
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