While in many areas of the United States, local counties are strictly enforcing zoning regulations that restricts the operation of a business from home. But not in Fort Collins, Colorado. They are making the moves to encourage home businesses, and are planning to relax their zoning restrictions to achieve this.

TheColoradoan.com reports that

Larimer County officials looking into ways to encourage economic development in rural areas say changes to the county land code would open the door for more home- and farm-based businesses to be established and thrive.

The county plans to allow “food processing in homes and the manufacturing of wine, beer and other products on farms where the majority of the materials used in the items are grown.” The county, however, will still decide whether to allow retail sales and plan out how to execute the changes.

Allowing home businesses to operate and thrive without fear of zoning reprisals is a welcome move, and can definitely help spur economic development in rural areas. But I think this development will be confined to rural areas, and chances are very slim that urban planners will adopt this move.