Home Occupation Application

Home occupations allow a variety of employment and business opportunities within the city. To ensure that these businesses do not change the character of residential neighborhoods, certain rules regarding time, type, and location of business activities have been adopted. Before you apply, consider this rule of thumb: “If someone looks at my house with a  home occupation, will it appear any different than before I had the home occupation?”

The first two sheets of this form provide the procedures and rules for a home occupation approval and the last two pages are the application. Please answer the questions as completely as possible. The application also tells what other information you may need to submit for review.

Home occupations are allowed by the city’s zoning regulations in all residential and commercial zones. 

1.    The resident operator shall obtain a business license, which shall be renewed annually. This home occupation form must accompany a business license application. The operator of the business must reside in the house.

2.    The home occupation shall employ no more than one (1) person in addition to those who are residents of the dwelling. The application form asks for the number of employees. Only one, non-resident employee is allowed, whether full or part-time.

3.    The home occupation shall be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes, and the appearance of the structure shall not be altered or the occupation within the residence be conducted in a manner that would cause the premises to differ from its residential character either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting, signs or the emission of sounds, exhausts, or vibrations that carry beyond the premises. The form asks you to describe the size and nature of the business and any work that may be done to accommodate the business in the residence.

4.    The home occupation shall have no advertising, display or other indications of a home occupation on the premises. The form asks what type of advertising you will use.

5.        No storage or display of goods shall be visible from the outside of the structure. The required site plan must include any outside storage areas.

6.    No highly explosive or combustible material shall be used or stored on the premises. No activity shall be allowed that would interfere with radio or television transmission in the area, nor shall there be any offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat, or glare noticeable at or beyond the property line.

7.    A home occupation shall not create greater vehicle or pedestrian traffic than normal for the district in which it is located. Uses such as on-site retail or medical offices are not allowed.

8.    Merchandise shall not be offered for direct sale within the residence, accessory structure, or on-site.

9.    No commercially licensed vehicles over 10,000 pounds shall be utilized in the business. No more than one type of commercially licensed vehicle under 10,000 pounds gross weight capacity shall be utilized in the business on the premises. Uses which require the delivery or pickup of large equipment or materials are not allowed.

If you have questions concerning this information, or need assistance with the application, please contact city staff at 253-863-8300. You can also visit City Hall at 1104 Maple Street, Sumner WA 98390. Make sure you check current hours of operation, which may vary.

Please provide as much information as possible. The completeness of the application can expedite the approval. Attach additional sheets if you need more space than is provided on these forms.