Is the css upgrade required if you are hosting your own blog?

What exactly are you trying to accomplish?

Are you not able to edit your CSS file from the admin panel?

I was wondering about editing the actual style.css file. I know you can't do it if wordpress is hosting it (you have to pay for the css upgrade), but was wondering if you need the upgrade if you have your own hosting.

It's your server, your hosting, you can do whatever you wish (within the bounds of decency and legality of course)