Gulf Shores Considers Expanding Home Business Rules
By J. Thomas Wade
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
September 23, 2026
GULF SHORES, Ala. Commissioners will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to Section 11-5 of the city’s Zoning Ordinance to update home business regulations to reflect modern employment trends.
U.S. Census Bureau estimates indicate that local work-from-home rates in Gulf Shores increased from 3.4% in the 2006–2010 American Community Survey to 19.8% in recent 5-year estimates.
Proposed updates to the ordinance would allow residents to operate more than one home business out of a single residential dwelling unit and accept standard signed authorization letters from property owners rather than requiring notarized consent. Existing operational restrictions—including limiting total business floor area to 20% of the main building (up to 500 square feet), restricting business employment exclusively to residing family members, and prohibiting direct on-site retail sales—will remain fully in effect.
Proposed updates to the home occupation ordinance include:
Allowing residents to operate more than one home business out of a single residential dwelling unit.
Removing the requirement for non-owner applicants to submit a notarized permission letter from property owners and accepting a standard signed letter instead.
Capping total home business floor area at 20% of the main building, up to 500 square feet.
Restricting business employment exclusively to family members who reside in the dwelling.
Prohibiting direct on-site retail sales, excluding remote sales by phone, mail, or internet, and items permitted under the Alabama Cottage Food Law.
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