Home Business Rules in Denver, CO (2026)

In Denver, 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 / Denver Business License is required before operating. The Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) — Development Services or Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) 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 Denver.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Home Occupation Permit / Denver Business License. Fee: $50. Apply through the Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) — Development Services or online at their permit portal. Phone: (720) 865-2705. 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 Denver: 1. Home occupation must be clearly incidental and subordinate to residential use 2. No more than 2 customers or clients per day may visit the home 3. No employees other than residents may work at the home 4. No external alteration of the dwelling to accommodate business 5. No storage of commercial vehicles at the property 6. No business-related equipment visible from street 7. Business activity limited to 25% of dwelling floor area 8. No noise, odor, vibration, or glare detectable at property line Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •Home occupation must be clearly incidental and subordinate to residential use
• •No more than 2 customers or clients per day may visit the home
• •No employees other than residents may work at the home
• •No external alteration of the dwelling to accommodate business
• •No storage of commercial vehicles at the property
• •No business-related equipment visible from street
• •Business activity limited to 25% of dwelling floor area
• •No noise, odor, vibration, or glare detectable at property line

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Denver: Auto repair, painting, or collision work; Beauty salon or barber shop with regular on-site clients; Medical office with patients (except telehealth); Food preparation for commercial sale (requires separate licensing); Firearms dealer with on-site transactions; Adult entertainment; Any use requiring outdoor storage of equipment or materials. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair, painting, or collision work
• ✕Beauty salon or barber shop with regular on-site clients
• ✕Medical office with patients (except telehealth)
• ✕Food preparation for commercial sale (requires separate licensing)
• ✕Firearms dealer with on-site transactions
• ✕Adult entertainment
• ✕Any use requiring outdoor storage of equipment or materials

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions