HOME OCCUPATION PERMITS

What is a Home Occupation?

Hillsboro Zoning Ordinance No. 1945, Section (3) defines a Home Occupation as a lawful activity, excluding a business in which the primary activity is direct sale on-site of a product(s), manufactured on or off-site, to the general public, conducted on a residential property, where the occupation is secondary to the use of the dwelling for living purposes and the residential character of the property is maintained.

Who needs a Home Occupation Permit?

Any person living in a residential zone in the City of Hillsboro who wishes to operate a business in her/his home must have an approved Home Occupation Permit (HOP) and site plan. This includes businesses such as home based music instruction, personal care services, professional offices, business services, etc. Applications for Home Occupations are reviewed by the Planning Department and there is no fee associated with this process. After receiving approval of your HOP, you must also apply to the City Finance Department for your City Business License, which must be renewed annually. Contact the Finance Department for a Business License application and fees. The HOP does not have to be renewed unless the nature of the business changes, you add a second business, or the residential address changes.

Click on the following link for a Home Occupation Permit Application.

Businesses that do not require a HOP include: garage sales as permitted by the City's Municipal Code; family daycare for up to 16 children or up to 12 adults; residential homes or adult foster homes caring for up to five adults.

Businesses that are not allowed to operate as Home Occupations include:

1. Auto-body repair and painting;
2. On-going mechanical repair conducted outside of an entirely enclosed building;
3. Junk and salvage operations;
4. Storage and/or sale of fireworks; and
5. Any use that is consistent with the definition of Home Occupation, but that does not comply with the standards below.

Approval Criteria:

The approval criteria for a Home Occupation Permit are listed in Section 128(A) of the Zoning Ordinance as follows:

1. There shall be no displays or other evidence that would indicate from public right-of-ways or abutting residences that the dwelling or any accessory structure is used in whole or in part for any purpose other than residential use.
2. There shall be no change in the Uniform Building Code occupancy classification of the dwelling unit or any portion of the dwelling unit or accessory structure.
3. No more than 25% of the floor area of all structures on the lot, or 528 square feet, whichever is less, may be used in connection with a home occupation or for storage purposes associated with the business.
4. There shall be no outside storage of equipment, materials, or supplies associated with the home occupation, nor shall there be any storage or use of explosive, flammable, radioactive, toxic or other hazardous materials that are not normally found in the home nor in amounts not normally associated with a residence. Specific limitations and requirements for the storage of hazardous materials in a residence are found in and regulated by the Uniform Fire Code.
5. No one other than the principal residents of the dwelling and no more than two persons closely related to the principal residents shall be engaged in the home occupation at the dwelling site.
6. No more than one commercially licensed vehicle in excess of one-ton manufacturer's rating shall be utilized or parked at the dwelling unit by any resident of the premises in connection with the home occupation.
7. No more than an average of ten customer vehicle trips per day with no more than two customer vehicles on the premises at any time.
8. No more than three business related deliveries per week are allowed. Such deliveries shall not restrict pedestrian or vehicular circulation on adjoining public streets and sidewalks. Deliveries by the U.S. Postal Service are not considered business related deliveries for purposes of this provision.
9. The generation by the home occupation of any noise, vibrations, odors, heat, glare or visual or audible electrical interference or fluctuations in the line voltage detectable beyond any property line is prohibited.
10. No direct retail sales are permitted, excepting the occasional sale of products associated with the home occupation, with such sales being clearly secondary to the primary business activity.
11. No customers may enter the premises between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

How to Submit/Timing:

You may fill out the HOP application in person at the Planning Department on the 4th Floor of the Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 East Main Street, Hillsboro. The application can be reviewed and approved over the counter. Or, you can request a copy of the HOP application be mailed to you by calling (503) 681-6153. Or, print out a PDF version of the application (linked above) . Then mail your completed form with a site plan to the City of Hillsboro Planning Department at 150 East Main Street , Hillsboro, OR 97123. The approved application will be mailed back to you and a copy will be forwarded to the Finance Department to be included with your Business License.

Property Owner Signature/Approval:

If you are not the property owner of the residence where the home occupation is operated, you must obtain a signature of approval from the property owner. A letter of permission may be attached in lieu of a signature.

If you have any questions, please call the Planning Department at (503) 681-6153.

Planning Department •150 E Main Street • Hillsboro OR 97123 • (503) 681-6153 • Email