Home Occupations

Overview

The term “home occupation” refers to a business operated from a residence. These are the only types of businesses permitted in most residential zones. To protect neighborhood character, home occupations must meet specific guidelines that minimize impact on surrounding properties.

The City has adopted a new ordinance to streamline the approval process. Key points include:

  1. All permitted home occupations must follow 15 general rules (listed below).
  2. There are 14 prohibited uses that are never allowed as home occupations.
  3. Residents may have a “home office” without registration if no products are sold on-site and there are no clients or customers visiting. These must still follow the 15 rules.
  4. All other home occupations must be registered with the City using this affidavit form. There is no fee.

Note: If your proposed business cannot comply with all 15 rules but is not on the prohibited list, you may be eligible for an Interim Use Permit. Contact the Zoning Administrator at 651-554-3217 for details.

General Rules for Home Occupations

All home occupations shall comply with these fifteen (15) general rules:

  1. Must be incidental and secondary to residential use, maintaining the character of the dwelling.
  2. Must operate entirely within the principal dwelling; no use of garages or accessory buildings.
  3. No separate entrances; access must be through the home.
  4. No exterior evidence of the business except permitted signage (per Section 118-339).
  5. Only household members may work on-site.
  6. No exterior alterations that differ from typical residential features.
  7. Must comply with all applicable building and fire codes.
  8. Teaching, coaching, or training limited to 3 students at a time.
  9. Personal services (e.g., massage, barber) limited to 1 client at a time and 1 waiting.
  10. Retail/wholesale operations by delivery or appointment only, with 1 customer at a time.
  11. Only standard residential delivery vehicles allowed.
  12. No operations between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM, unless no clients visit the site.
  13. Cannot require more than 3 additional parking spaces beyond residential needs.
  14. No additional driveways permitted.
  15. Recording studios and similar services require an Interim Use Permit if serving clients onsite.

Prohibited Home Occupations

The following uses are NEVER allowed as home occupations in South St. Paul:

  1. Flea markets
  2. Retail or wholesale with walk-in customers
  3. Restaurants or commercial food services
  4. Manufacturing or machine shops
  5. Motor vehicle services or painting
  6. Junkyards or recycling processing centers
  7. Firearms or ammunition sales or transfers
  8. Dispatch centers with on-site personnel
  9. Sexually oriented businesses
  10. Commercial kennels
  11. Body art establishments
  12. Uses with exterior storage (excluding personal vehicles)
  13. Uses involving hazardous materials
  14. Uses causing objectionable noise, glare, odor, or vibration

Do I Need a License?

Yes, if your home occupation involves a business type that requires licensing (e.g., massage therapy), you must obtain the appropriate license before starting operations.

Questions?

If you have questions about home occupations, contact the Zoning Administrator at mhealy@southstpaul.org or call 651-554-3217.