diff --git a/ops/manifests/manifest-za.yaml b/ops/manifests/manifest-za.yaml
index 23b6179ec..774ed57ec 100644
--- a/ops/manifests/manifest-za.yaml
+++ b/ops/manifests/manifest-za.yaml
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ applications:
     DJANGO_LOG_LEVEL: INFO
     # default public site location
     GETGOV_PUBLIC_SITE_URL: https://beta.get.gov
+    # NOTE: This needs to go in manifest-staging
+    # This is here for PR purposes only!
+    IS_PRODUCTION: True
   routes:
     - route: getgov-za.app.cloud.gov
   services:
diff --git a/src/registrar/config/settings.py b/src/registrar/config/settings.py
index 3e5734dcc..99c0add33 100644
--- a/src/registrar/config/settings.py
+++ b/src/registrar/config/settings.py
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ path = Path(__file__)
 
 env_db_url = env.dj_db_url("DATABASE_URL")
 env_debug = env.bool("DJANGO_DEBUG", default=False)
+env_is_production = env.bool("IS_PRODUCTION", default=False) 
 env_log_level = env.str("DJANGO_LOG_LEVEL", "DEBUG")
 env_base_url = env.str("DJANGO_BASE_URL")
 env_getgov_public_site_url = env.str("GETGOV_PUBLIC_SITE_URL", "")
@@ -72,6 +73,8 @@ BASE_DIR = path.resolve().parent.parent.parent
 # SECURITY WARNING: don't run with debug turned on in production!
 DEBUG = env_debug
 
+# Controls production specific feature toggles
+IS_PRODUCTION = env_is_production
 
 # Applications are modular pieces of code.
 # They are provided by Django, by third-parties, or by yourself.
diff --git a/src/registrar/templates/home.html b/src/registrar/templates/home.html
index 730430ffd..ff487dc06 100644
--- a/src/registrar/templates/home.html
+++ b/src/registrar/templates/home.html
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
   <h1>Manage your domains</h2>
 
   <p class="margin-top-4">
+    {% if is_production %}
     <a href="{% url 'application:' %}" 
     class="usa-button usa-tooltip disabled-link"
     data-position="right"
@@ -20,6 +21,11 @@
     >
       Start a new domain request
     </a>
+    {% else %}
+    <a href="{% url 'application:' %}" class="usa-button">
+      Start a new domain request
+    </a>
+    {% endif %}
   </p>
 
   <section class="section--outlined tablet:grid-col-11 desktop:grid-col-10">
@@ -134,7 +140,7 @@
     {% endif %}
   </section>
 
-  {# Note: Reimplement this after MVP.. #}
+  {# Note: Reimplement this after MVP #}
   <!--
   <section class="section--outlined tablet:grid-col-11 desktop:grid-col-10">
     <h2>Archived domains</h2>
diff --git a/src/registrar/views/index.py b/src/registrar/views/index.py
index b203694ff..7d351b417 100644
--- a/src/registrar/views/index.py
+++ b/src/registrar/views/index.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ from django.db.models import F
 from django.shortcuts import render
 
 from registrar.models import DomainApplication
-
+from django.conf import settings
 
 def index(request):
     """This page is available to anyone without logging in."""
@@ -22,4 +22,5 @@ def index(request):
             state=F("domain__state"),
         )
         context["domains"] = domains
+        context["is_production"] = settings.IS_PRODUCTION
     return render(request, "home.html", context)