Starting a Home Business
Home Businesses are an important part of the city’s economy, however, they are subject to regulation to ensure a Home Business:
1) does not negatively impact the character of the surrounding residential area;
2) is secondary and incidental to the residential use of the home and;
3) does not negatively impact the health, safety and welfare of other persons residing in the area.
A Home Business may only be carried out by a resident of the home and must not cause nuisance to its neighbors. The ideal test for a Home Business is whether neighbors would be aware of its existence.
A Home Business must comply with the standards outlined in the Zoning Ordinance. Click here for the Home Business Zoning Ordinance.
Types of Allowed Home Businesses
There are two types of Home Businesses in Bloomington.
Type 1 Home Businesses are types the City Council has historically found to not adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of other persons residing in the area.
Type 2 Home Businesses are types the City Council has historically found to have the potential to adversely affect the health, safety and welfare of other people residing in the area. Type 2 Home Businesses require a Conditional Use Permit to operate and are also not allowed in accessory dwelling units, two-family dwellings, townhomes or in multi-family dwellings.
Type 2 Home Businesses can include: Animal grooming of more than four animals at one time, chiropractic services, music, dance, or fitness schools, photography studios and other similar uses.
If you are not sure what type your Home Business would be considered, you can contact the Planning Division at planning@BloomingtonMN.gov or 952-563-8920.
Prohibited Home Businesses
The following Home Businesses are not allowed in the City:
- Motor vehicle or boat repair, service or painting
- Small engine and major household appliance repair
- The sale, lease, or trade of firearm(s) or ammunition, where firearms are stored or inventoried at the home
- Manufacturing
- Taxidermy shops
- Unlicensed massage
- Escort businesses
- Body art establishments
- Animal kenneling
- Food establishments (as defined in Minnesota Rules 4626.0020 subpart 35)
- On-site sales of vehicles not registered to the property owner or resident
Type 1 Home Businesses are types that the City Council has historically found to not adversely affect the health, safety or welfare of other persons residing in the area.
Examples: professional home offices or studios, home beauty shops, tutoring for no more than two students at once, licensed therapeutic massage, watch repair, tailoring, animal grooming for no more than four animals at one time, and cottage food operations.
Application Procedure: Type 1 Home Businesses are allowed without a zoning permit, but are still required to meet the standards in the Home Business Zoning Ordinance.
Business License: A Type 1 Home Business may still require a business license before operating. Click here to see if you need a business license before you operate your Home Business. For more information on business licenses, contact the City Clerk’s office at CityClerk@BloomingtonMN.gov or 952-563-8728.
Customer Visits: A Type 1 Home Business cannot serve more than six customers per day and cannot serve more than two clients at any one time.
Employees: No more than one person not living at the residence, may work on the premises at any time.
Location on Property: A Type 1 Home Business must operate in the residential dwelling unit and cannot occupy more than 25 percent of the total gross floor area of the principal residential dwelling unit. Type 1 Home Businesses are not allowed in accessory buildings or garages. The Home Business cannot have its own separate entrance and cannot have exterior visibility from the residential dwelling unit.
Type 2 Home Businesses are types the City Council has historically found to have a potential to adversely affect the health, safety and welfare of other persons residing in the area.
Examples: Animal grooming of more than four animals at one time, chiropractic services, music, dance, or fitness schools, photography studios and other similar uses.
Application Procedure: Type 2 Home Businesses are only allowed with a Conditional Use Permit approved by the Planning Commission.
Required materials for the Conditional Use Permit application include:
- A completed development application form
- Payment of required application fee
- A floor plan and/or site plan laying out the location of the business in relation with the home and the property lot lines
- A typewritten letter providing details of the proposed Home Business
Please contact the Planning Division at planning@BloomingtonMN.gov or (952) 563-8920 if you want to submit a Conditional Use Permit application. Planning staff must first create a case file in our online permit portal before you can upload the required application materials.
It takes 6-8 weeks to bring a Conditional Use Permit through the Development Review Committee and the Planning Commission. It is not a guarantee that your application will be approved.
Business License: A Type 2 Home Business may also require a business license before operating. Click here to see if you need a business license before you operate your Home Business. For more information on business licenses, contact the City Clerk’s office at CityClerk@BloomingtonMN.gov or 952-563-8728.
Customer Visits: The Planning Commission may determine the number and intensity of client visits through its Conditional Use Permit approval.
Employees: No more than two people not living at the residence may work on the premises at any time.
Location on Property: A Type 2 Home Business is only allowed on a single-family home property and must operate within the residential dwelling unit. It cannot occupy more than 25 percent of the total gross floor area of the principal residential dwelling unit. Type 2 Home Businesses, however, could operate in an accessory building or garage if approved by the Planning Commission with the Conditional Use Permit. The Home Business cannot have its own separate entrance unless operating in an approved accessory building or garage.