Home Business Rules in Colorado Springs, CO (2026)
Home business rules, permit requirements, and cottage food laws for Colorado Springs, CO. Source-cited from official municipal code.
Yes, home-based businesses are allowed in Colorado Springs, CO.
In Colorado Springs, CO, home-based businesses are permitted subject to specific rules designed to preserve residential character while allowing residents to run legitimate businesses from their homes. A Home Occupation Permit is required before operating. The local building department or local planning department handles home occupation applications and enforcement. Regulations generally prohibit on-site employees, customer visits, and any external evidence of business activity. Below you will find the current permit requirements, restrictions, prohibited business types, and cottage food law provisions for Colorado Springs.
Permit Requirements
Permit Required: Home Occupation Permit. Fee: varies. Apply through the local building department. Phone: (719) 385-5905. Permits typically must be renewed annually. Operating without a required home occupation permit can result in fines and a requirement to cease business activity immediately.
Operating Restrictions
Home Business Restrictions in Colorado Springs: 1. The home occupation shall be secondary to the residential use of the dwelling. 2. The home occupation shall be conducted only within an enclosed accessory structure, attached or detached garage, or dwelling, excluding porches, and only as indicated on the home occupation permit, except that plants may be grown anywhere on the premises. 3. The residents of the dwelling unit shall be the only people engaged in the activity. 4. No storage or display of materials, goods, supplies, or equipment related to the operation of a home occupation or tangible personal property manufactured, or plants grown as a result of the home occupation and removed from the soil, shall be allowed on porches or outside of the enclosed location designated on the home occupation application. 5. The total area used for a home occupation shall not exceed an area equivalent to fifty (50) percent of the total first-floor area of the user's dwelling, excluding porches. 6. The home occupation shall not create noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, electrical interference, fire hazard, congestion to traffic flow, parking problems, or any other nuisance or hazard that disturbs the peace and quiet of a residential area. Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.
- The home occupation shall be secondary to the residential use of the dwelling. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
- The home occupation shall be conducted only within an enclosed accessory structure, attached or detached garage, or dwelling, excluding porches, and only as indicated on the home occupation permit, except that plants may be grown anywhere on the premises. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
- The residents of the dwelling unit shall be the only people engaged in the activity. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
- No customer visits to premises
- No storage or display of materials, goods, supplies, or equipment related to the operation of a home occupation or tangible personal property manufactured, or plants grown as a result of the home occupation and removed from the soil, shall be allowed on porches or outside of the enclosed location designated on the home occupation application. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
- The total area used for a home occupation shall not exceed an area equivalent to fifty (50) percent of the total first-floor area of the user's dwelling, excluding porches. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
- The home occupation shall not create noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, electrical interference, fire hazard, congestion to traffic flow, parking problems, or any other nuisance or hazard that disturbs the peace and quiet of a residential area. · Verified July 14, 2026 · Source
Cottage Food Law
Cottage Food Law in Colorado Springs: Home-based food production is permitted in Colorado Springs under applicable cottage food regulations. Colorado Springs does not cap cottage food annual revenue. Colorado Springs requires the following permit: Home Occupation Permit. State cottage food law applies in Colorado Springs. Contact the local planning department at (719) 385-5905 for Colorado Springs-specific product restrictions, labeling rules, and whether your food business qualifies under the applicable state cottage food framework. The local building department ((719) 385-5905) can confirm whether any additional local approvals are required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a business from home in Colorado Springs?
Yes, Colorado Springs allows home-based businesses with a Home Occupation Permit.
What are the restrictions on home businesses in Colorado Springs?
Key restrictions include: The home occupation shall be secondary to the residential use of the dwelling.. The home occupation shall be conducted only within an enclosed accessory structure, attached or detached garage, or dwelling, excluding porches, and only as indicated on the home occupation permit, except that plants may be grown anywhere on the premises.. The residents of the dwelling unit shall be the only people engaged in the activity..
Can I sell food from my home in Colorado Springs?
Yes, under cottage food laws you can sell certain homemade foods.
Source: Colorado Springs City Code Chapter 7 — Home Occupation Standards. Last verified April 6, 2026. View source