Home Business Rules in Bend, OR (2026)

In Bend, OR, 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 Bend Community Development Department — Building Division or Bend Community Development Department — Planning Division 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 Bend.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Home Occupation Permit. Fee: $70. Apply through the Bend Community Development Department — Building Division or online at their permit portal. Phone: (541) 388-5580. 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 Bend: 1. Business must be clearly incidental to residential use 2. No more than 1 non-resident employee at the home 3. Client/customer visits limited to 4 per day, by appointment 4. No exterior evidence of business from the street 5. Maximum 25% of gross floor area for home occupation 6. No commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs at premises 7. No mechanical equipment creating detectable noise, vibration, or odors off-site Violations of home occupation rules can result in complaints from neighbors, code enforcement investigations, permit revocation, and daily fines.

• •Business must be clearly incidental to residential use
• •No more than 1 non-resident employee at the home
• •Client/customer visits limited to 4 per day, by appointment
• •No exterior evidence of business from the street
• •Maximum 25% of gross floor area for home occupation
• •No commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs at premises
• •No mechanical equipment creating detectable noise, vibration, or odors off-site

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Bend: Auto repair or painting with vehicles at home; Retail with on-site inventory display; Medical, dental, or veterinary office with on-site patients; Food production for sale without Deschutes County Environmental Health registration; Adult entertainment. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the Bend Community Development Department — Planning Division to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair or painting with vehicles at home
• ✕Retail with on-site inventory display
• ✕Medical, dental, or veterinary office with on-site patients
• ✕Food production for sale without Deschutes County Environmental Health registration
• ✕Adult entertainment

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions