Home Business Rules in Eugene, OR (2026)

In Eugene, 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 Eugene Planning and Development Department — Building Division or Eugene Planning and 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 Eugene.

Permit Requirements

Permit Required: Home Occupation Permit. Fee: $75. Apply through the Eugene Planning and Development Department — Building Division or online at their permit portal. Phone: (541) 682-5673. 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 Eugene: 1. Business must be clearly incidental to residential use 2. No more than 2 non-resident employees working at home 3. Customer/client visits limited — no more than 8 per day 4. No exterior evidence of business from public right-of-way 5. Maximum 25% of gross floor area for home occupation 6. No mechanical equipment creating detectable noise, vibration, or odors off-site 7. No storage of commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs 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 2 non-resident employees working at home
• •Customer/client visits limited — no more than 8 per day
• •No exterior evidence of business from public right-of-way
• •Maximum 25% of gross floor area for home occupation
• •No mechanical equipment creating detectable noise, vibration, or odors off-site
• •No storage of commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs

Prohibited Business Types

The following business types are specifically prohibited from operating as home businesses in Eugene: Auto repair with vehicles at home; Retail with on-site customer inventory display; Medical, dental, or veterinary office with on-site patients (beyond home consultation); Food production without Oregon Department of Agriculture registration; Adult entertainment business. This list may not be exhaustive — contact the Eugene Planning and Development Department — Planning Division to verify whether your specific business type is allowed under home occupation rules.

• ✕Auto repair with vehicles at home
• ✕Retail with on-site customer inventory display
• ✕Medical, dental, or veterinary office with on-site patients (beyond home consultation)
• ✕Food production without Oregon Department of Agriculture registration
• ✕Adult entertainment business

Cottage Food Law

Frequently Asked Questions