An official army family and MWR Site

Home-Based Business-Fort Irwin

We hope you find this webpage to be resourceful as it contains regulations and policies that pertain to Commercial Solicitation, to include Home Based Businesses (HBB) currently operating on Fort Irwin.  We have also included a process map and application for applicants to enhance awareness and minimize confusion.  Our goal is to work with all applicants to ensure compliance, offer resources and remind approved vendors of upcoming permit expiration dates as well as inform them of upcoming Special Events that they may want to participate in.  

 

Home Based Businesses (HBBs) are an important contributor to Army Family quality of life – new changes to procedures makes it easier and quicker gain approval to operate an on-post HBB.

 

HBBs allow Families to work from their Army quarters, developing rewarding careers that follow them through PCS moves. The wide span of HBBs operated by Army Families includes:

  • Car repair/service
  • Hairdressing and hairstyling
  • Pet grooming and pet sitting
  • Massage therapy
  • Retail sales from home
     

HBB owners need to obtain approval from the garrison commander or senior commander. We’ve recently streamlined the process to make it quicker and easier.

 

Not everyone who works from home operates an HBB though. If you work remotely from your home, you probably don’t need approval. Other examples of businesses that don’t need approval are:

  • Bookkeeping and tax preparation
  • Personal training conducted outside the home
  • Photography, graphic design, and advertising services
  • Tutoring and music instruction
  • Entertainment or travel planning
  • Housecleaning and lawn care
  • Selling items from multi-level marketing (MLM) companies

 

Home Based Business approval is quick and easy!

The Army’s new standardized HBB application template streamlines the approval process.  Of course, installations are still required to adhere to local and state laws and regulations regarding home business operations, so check into those, too.

 

Here’s the process:   

Step 1: Obtain the HBB Application. Visit your Family and MWR representative or go online to download your HBB application and any required additional forms.

Step 2:  Complete the Application.  This includes visiting and obtaining approval from installation agencies like the housing office and community housing manager. The application should identify the agencies, but ask your Family and MWR representative if you have questions. If you need any additional documentation (like licensing or certifications), get that, too.

 

Step 3: Turn in the Application: Once you’ve completed your paperwork, submit the application to your Family and MWR representative. Keep a copy of the completed application for your own records.

Within 60 days, you should get notification of approval. Simple!
 

Get approved now!

  • If you operate an HBB on post and aren’t yet approved, now’s the time to get official.
  • We’ve recently streamlined processes, so they’re easier than ever. You can get approved within 60 days.
  • Moving your HBB from another installation? If you were approved there, the process is even easier!
  • New Army guidance directs installations to “find a way to say yes” to HBB owners – so we’re prepared to make this easy for you.
  • Official on-post offerings from AAFES, the Commissary and MWR no longer consider HBBs competition, and you don’t have to gain their approval.
  • Operating an HBB from your quarters without approval can violate policy and get you in trouble.

Don’t delay. Get your Home Based Business registered today by contacting your local DFMWR!

How do I get started?

If you are interested in operating on post, please use the following documents to help get you started: 

HBB Slides

HBB Vendor Application

Approved Home-Based Businesses Operating on Fort Irwin

Approved Commercial Solicitation Vendors (HBBs)

Resources

The forms below govern commercial solicitation:

AR210-7

IMCOM Policy Memo 215-1-14

Food Vendors: Food Safety & Class Certification

Army Directive 2018-29

HBB Vendor Application

Vendor Opportunities

There are quarterly vendor opportunities available at Fort Irwin.

To include but not solely limited to the following:

Month of the Military Child-(Spring)

Island beach Bash-(Summer)

4th of July-(Summer)

Oktoberfest-(Fall)

Holiday Market-(Winter)