Opening a Home Based Business in Fort Collins

The City of Fort Collins encourages home based business through a straight forward and easy to use permitting process. In addition to the home occupation permit, you will also need to complete a sales and use tax license.

Home occupations

Home occupations include (but is not limited to) the following:

• art/craft making
• seamstress services
• professional offices (real estate/insurance/medical)
• multi-level marketing
• vending services
• service businesses (contracting/janitorial)
• instruction (music)
• consulting
• wholesale/catalogue sales
• personal service (beauty/barber) shops
• the renting of rooms for residential purposes.

Any portion of a residential property, including a home phone, computer, mailing address, etc., used in deriving income or sales, will require the resident to obtain a Home Occupation license. For more information visit the Building departments page on the home occupation permit.

Child care and other day care providers are exempt from home occupation licensing and requirements except for signage restrictions.

Not Included Under Home Occupation License

The following cannot be considered home occupation businesses.

• Group homes
• health care facilities (nursing homes)
• restaurants
• tourist homes (bed and breakfast facilities)
• animal hospitals

These uses are restricted to particular zoning districts.

Application Forms

• Home Occupation License Applications can be downloaded, obtained at the Building Inspections/Zoning office at 281 North College Avenue or at the Sales Tax office at 215 North Mason, Fort Collins, CO. Or contact them at (970) 221-6760. The license fee is $25 and is renewable every two years. Code requirements regulating home occupation businesses are located in Article 3, Section 3.8.3 of the Land Use Code of Fort Collins.
• Sales and use tax license application (PDF 48KB)

Note:

In addition to Zoning requirements, prohibition of or limitations to home occupation businesses may be regulated by subdivision, condominium, or similar covenants. Please check what COVENANTS might exist in your neighborhood by contacting your homeowner's association or the Larimer County Clerk and Recording office at (970) 498-7860.