Growth FAQ - Planning & Zoning

Can I have a business at my residential home?

A business can be located at a residential home if specific conditions are met. Those conditions are found at Sec. 10-412(2), TLDC. Such businesses are called "home occupations". The big picture idea of a home occupation is that some types of commercial activity has such a light footprint that neighbors would simply never know it's there if they take a walk in the evening. Please refer to the linked citation for the full text of the conditions. They are summarized briefly below.

• Only persons living on the premises shall be engaged in a home occupation.
• The home occupation shall not exceed 1/3 of the enclosed living area of the dwelling unit.
• The home occupation shall occur entirely in the principal building that is used as a residence.
• All storage shall be contained entirely within a completely enclosed structure.
• No merchandise of any kind shall be sold, offered for sale, or picked up from the premises.
• No merchandise shall be displayed and no sign shall be visible from outside the dwelling unit.
• No home occupation shall be allowed which creates more trips than allowed by the Code.
• Parking shall be off the street on a paved driveway or in painted on-street parking spaces.
• No activity shall result in a health hazard or create any of the impacts listed in the Code.
• No more than one vehicle used for the home occupation can be on the premises at any time.
• No home occupation license shall authorize the violation of private deed covenants.