Home businesses are permitted in single family residences with a business license issued by the Community Development Department. Some home businesses are permitted in multi-family dwellings when the business utilizes a Shawnee post office box and obtains approval from the Planning Department. 

Home businesses may include the following:

• Professional office of an accountant, architect, author, contractor, engineer, computer consultant or other similar professional person
• Custom dressmaking, millinery, tailoring, sewing of fabrics for custom apparel and custom home furnishings
• Fabrication and/or assembly of handicraft articles, not involving heating, refining, chemical or similar processes
• Laundering or pressing
• Rooming and/or boarding of not more than one (1) person.
• Teaching or tutoring, including music, dancing, speech or arts, with instruction limited to five pupils at a time.
• Day care is limited to six (6) children including the owner's own children, under the age of 16. There are additional regulations that apply to home day care businesses.
• One chair beauty or barber shops may be allowed upon approval of a Special Use Permit. The applicant will be required to enter into an agreement with Johnson County Wastewater regarding compliance with applicable commercial service requirement.
• Photography Studio

 

Additional Regulations

•  Home businesses must be conducted solely by persons living in the home.
• Home businesses may employee up to the equivalent of one (1) full-time employee (up to 40 hours per week combined if more than one (1) employee).
• Employee hours are limited to 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• To preserve the integrity of residential neighborhoods, sales to customers at home businesses are prohibited.
• Home businesses should not occupy more than 25% of the total floor area of the home, not including the garage or unimproved basement. These limitations do not apply to foster family care.
• No internal or external alterations or construction features or mechanical equipment not customary in homes may be utilized.
• The entrance to the home businesses should be from within the home.
• Power sources are limited to electric motors with a total limitation of three (3) horsepower per dwelling unit.
• Vehicles used by the business owner and the employees are not allowed to be parked in the street during business hours. One (1) commercial vehicle, no more than one (1) ton, is allowed to be parked in the driveway.

The completed application and agreement must be submitted by mail or in person to the Community Development Department, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203.

Licensing A Home Business Brochure
Home Business License Application (pdf)

The fee for a Home Business License is based on the type of business. Contact the Licensing Specialist at (913) 742-6247 for more information on the fees. Fees are prorated throughout the year, but no refunds are available.