Home Occupation Rules

Rules for Running A Business Out of Your Home

The City of Creve Coeur does not allow residents to conduct simple businesses (occupations) in their homes without special review as long as all of the following requirements are being met. Approved examples of these businesses are:

  • Architects, engineers, lawyers, realtors, insurance agents, brokers and members of similar professions
  • Artists and sculptors
  • Authors and composers
  • Babysitting no more than four children
  • Dressmakers, seamstresses and tailors
  • Data entry and similar computer work
  • Home crafts such as model making, rug weaving, lapidary work, cabinet making etc., provided that no machinery or equipment be used other than that which would customarily be found in the home shop, in connection with a hobby or a vocation not conducted for gain or profit
  • Music Teachers, provided that instructions shall be limited to one pupil at a time, except for occasional groups
  • Office facility of a minister, rabbi, priest or other similar person associated with a religious organization
  • Office facility of salesman, sales representative or manufacturer’s representative, only when no retail or wholesale sales are made or transacted on the premises for goods, products or materials, displayed, warehoused or stored on premises. Catalog sales for goods, products or materials not inventoried, warehoused or stored on the premises are permissible.
  • Similar uses which do not involve retail or wholesale sales transactions on the premises, employment of persons other than occupants of the dwelling, any greater assembly, processing or fabrication operations.
In addition to being one of the preceding uses, all home occupations must be able to meet the following limitations: 
  • The business may not employ persons other than members of the family residing on the premises
  • No more than 25% of the total combined enclosed floor area of a dwelling unit or any otherwise permissible accessory building, including finished or unfinished basement or attic spaces, may be used for such business
  • The use of the dwelling unit for the home occupation will be clearly incidental and subordinate to its use for residential charter thereof
  • No alterations to the exterior appearance of the principal residential building or premises are permitted that change the nature of the building's appearance as a residence
  • No mechanical equipment interference detectable to the normal senses outside the residence housing the home occupation
  • No exterior displays or signs other than a name plate as exempted in Section 405.930(E) of Article IV, the Sign Code
  • No goods, materials, or commodities may be sold retail or wholesale, or displayed for sale at wholesale or retail from inventory on the premises
  • Exterior storage of equipment or material used in connection with the home occupation is not permitted
  • No traffic may be generated by the home occupation in greater volumes than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood, and any need for parking generated by the conduct of the home occupation will be met off the street
  • A home occupation is subject to all applicable City occupational licenses and permits
If you wish to conduct a permitted home occupation, please contact the City Planner at (314) 442-2087.