Home Occupations

The Zoning Code permits residents to use their home as a place of livelihood through a Home Occupation Permit. There are two types of Home Occupation permits available.

  • Type 1 Home Occupation - These do not have any discernible impact on the residential character of the neighborhood. These are reviewed and approved through the standard business license application available HERE.
  • Type 2 Home Occupation - These have the potential for minor or adverse impacts to the neighborhood as defined by Section 25.2.E of the Zoning Code.
  • Prohibited home occupations - Any home-based business that keeps, cares, and/or sells animals from the property. Home-based businesses for automobile, motorcycle, boat or any vehicle repair, part sales, upholstery, detailing, washing or painting on the property are not eligible for a home occupation license. 

The Town of Oro Valley acknowledges that private covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) agreements exist between private property owners in many homeowners’ associations. Nothing in Section 25.2.E. of the Zoning Code shall be interpreted to void the provisions of those agreements.

The following process and requirements are only applicable to Type 2 Home Occupations, which require consideration and approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The application must be submitted online for staff review, prior to scheduling the public hearing.

Fees

As specified in the Oro Valley Zoning Code, all fees must be paid in full prior to approval of an application.

The fee for a Type 2 Home Occupation is $390.00.

 

Step 1: Formal submittal for staff review

  • All applicable departments will review your submittal for code compliance within 10 business days. Additional revised submittals addressing staff comments may be required until all code requirements have been satisfied. 
  • You can submit your formal application online through the customer portal under "Planning and Zoning" - "Home Occupation-Type II."

  • The information in the drop-down below must be submitted online in PDF format. Incomplete submittals will be returned for additional information. 

Submittal requirements

All items must be submitted in PDF format. Please name PDF files in a self-explanatory manner such as “Document Type – Date.”

  1. A narrative explaining the proposed Type II Home Occupation
  2. A site plan of the entire property. The site plan shall include:
    • All lot lines
    • Identify and label the street(s)
    • Location of the main house
    • Location of accessory structures
    • Label accessory structures associated with the business
    • Show the driveway with dimensions
    • Identify where on-site parking is provided for potential customers
    • Identify areas of the home and property used for the home business
  3. Include any supporting documents relevant to the proposed business

Step 2: Public hearing process

  • Type 2 Home Occupations require consideration and approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
  • Both staff and the applicant are required to present to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
  • Members of the public are invited and may speak at the public hearings. 

Presentations

Staff Presentation 

  • Staff will provide a brief presentation to give an overview of the proposal and applicable code requirements.
  • Staff presentations typically include the following:
    • Quick overview of the request 
    • Location of the project
    • Key zoning requirements (e.g., Type 2 Home Occupation requirements)
    • Summary and recommendation

Applicant Presentation 

  • The applicant and/or property owner will be expected to provide a PowerPoint presentation about their proposal and answer questions or comments during the public hearing.
  • Ultimately, it is the applicant’s responsibility to promote their proposal and show how it meets Town standards. At a minimum, presentations should include the following:
    • Details about the request
    • How the proposal complies with the Type 2 Home Occupation standards.
  • All presentations must be provided in “Widescreen” format in PPT and PDF.

Step 3: Decision and next steps

  • After the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) public hearing, staff will send a letter documenting their action.
  • The PZC has the authority to grant or deny requests and their decisions are final (not passed on to Town Council).

  • If approved, the applicant will need to obtain a standard business license and pay the annual business license fees available HERE. 

 

Contact Us

Phone

520-229-4800

Email

planning@orovalleyaz.gov

Location

Economic Development and Public Works Building
11000 N La Cañada Drive
85737
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