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Guides · Home businesses

Home-based business rules by city

What each city’s code says about running a business from your home: the home occupation limits on employees, customers, signs and storage, the business license or tax registration, and what the code leaves to the city. Each guide is summarized from the city’s code on Corpus and links to the sections behind it.

Alabama

  • Huntsville

    Huntsville's code treats home occupations as accessory uses: one resident, the main building only, a two-square-foot sign, and a city business license.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Arizona

  • Chandler

    Chandler's code permits home occupations with no signs or exterior storage, visits only 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and a city Business Registration.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Gilbert

    Gilbert's code requires a town business license and a transaction privilege tax license; its zoning rules for working from home are not on Corpus.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Glendale

    Glendale's code allows Class I home occupations in residential districts: residents only, no customer traffic, no signs, hours 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Mesa

    Mesa's code allows home occupations with no outdoor storage, no non-resident employees in most districts, one 3 sq ft sign and a city license unless exempt.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Tucson

    Tucson's code permits home occupations with city approval, ten clients a day, one small sign and no on-site sales, plus a city business license.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Arkansas

  • Little Rock

    Little Rock's code lists permitted home occupations, caps them at 500 sq ft with no outside storage, and requires an annual city business license.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

California

  • Anaheim

    Anaheim lets only resident family work in a home occupation, requires a business tax certificate and Planning registration, and sets traffic limits.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Fresno

    Fresno requires a Zoning Clearance for a home occupation, limits it to 25 percent of the floor area, and bars retail sales from the site.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Irvine

    Irvine requires a business license and a Home Occupation Permit, bars signs and direct sales, and limits staff to residents and remote workers.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Long Beach

    Long Beach allows home occupations run by up to two residents, with no visible sign, 128 cubic feet of storage, set visitor caps and a business license tax.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Los Angeles

    Los Angeles allows home occupations with no signs, one non-resident employee at most and one client visit an hour, plus a tax registration certificate.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Oakland

    Oakland's Planning Code requires the City Planning Director to certify a home occupation, and allows one nonresident employee and a one-square-foot sign.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Riverside

    Riverside permits only listed home occupations, allows one nonresident employee, bans signs and on-site sales, and requires a business tax certificate.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Sacramento

    Sacramento's code permits home occupations with an administrative permit, one non-resident worker, eight clients a day and no signs at the home.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • San Diego

    San Diego allows home occupations as a limited use: no signs, one customer at a time by appointment, one employee, plus a city business tax certificate.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • San Francisco

    San Francisco's code limits a home business to one-third of your dwelling and two non-resident employees, and requires a business registration certificate.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • San José

    San José's code allows home occupations that meet set limits: two clients at a time, only household members as staff, and a business tax certificate.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Santa Ana

    Santa Ana requires a home occupation permit and a business license, bars signs and non-mail sales, and limits you to two people and 400 square feet.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Santa Clara

    Santa Clara allows home occupations by right in residential zones once the city issues a Zoning Clearance: two clients at a time, 25 percent of floor area.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Colorado

  • Colorado Springs

    Colorado Springs limits home occupations to residents-only work, half the first floor and one small sign. Its permit sections differ. Sales Tax rules covered.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Denver

    Denver's code taxes every business with a city situs: register for the occupational privilege tax, and get a retail sales license if you sell at retail.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Delaware

  • Wilmington

    Wilmington limits home occupations to one per dwelling and two clients an hour, and requires a city business license before you start any business.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Florida

  • Cape Coral

    Cape Coral limits a home-based business to two non-resident workers, bars heavy equipment, and requires a local business tax receipt before you open.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Fort Lauderdale

    Fort Lauderdale's code allows a home occupation only if residents run it, nothing is sold there and no sign shows, plus a business tax receipt.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Hialeah

    Hialeah's code allows a home office in R-1 to R-4 districts, up to 200 square feet, with no client visits or outside staff, and a business tax receipt.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Jacksonville

    Jacksonville's code allows resident-run home occupations: no visiting customers, 250 sq ft or 10% of floor area, and a Tax Collector license.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Miami

    Miami's City Code requires a home office accessory use certificate ($94 a year) and a local business tax receipt renewed by September 30.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Orlando

    Orlando allows home occupations up to 25% of one floor and 500 sq ft, with a business tax receipt and certificate of use before you start.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • St. Petersburg

    St. Petersburg allows home occupations with a business tax receipt: two non-resident workers, customers by appointment, one small wall sign.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Tampa

    Tampa's code lets a home based business use up to 25 percent of the dwelling's floor area, with a small nameplate and normal neighborhood traffic.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Georgia

  • Atlanta

    Atlanta allows approved home occupations: two people at most, 25% of floor area or 500 sq ft, no sales on site, plus an occupation tax certificate.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Hawaii

  • Honolulu

    Honolulu's Land Use Ordinance allows home occupations with one non-household employee, no onsite signs, no outdoor storage and a list of prohibited uses.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

Idaho

  • Boise

    Boise's code allows a home occupation without a Zoning Compliance Review if it meets limits on space, staff and storage. Special plan areas differ.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

Illinois

  • Chicago

    Chicago requires a regulated business license for home occupations: one non-resident employee, two clients at a time, no signs, and a 300 sq ft or 25% cap.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Indiana

  • Indianapolis

    Indianapolis zoning allows home occupations up to 600 sq ft or 30% of the home, four visitors at a time, two nonresident assistants and a 2 sq ft sign.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Kansas

  • Wichita

    Wichita requires a home occupation license from the city treasurer, thirty-five dollars a year. Its zoning limits for home businesses are not on Corpus.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Kentucky

  • Lexington

    Lexington allows home offices and home occupations with no signs or client visits. A home-based business needs Board of Adjustment approval and a license.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Louisville

    Louisville Metro taxes home businesses on net profit and wages, requires an account number before you start, and licenses door-to-door sellers.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Louisiana

  • New Orleans

    New Orleans' City Code sets a home occupation fee and requires an occupational license before any business starts; its zoning rules are not on Corpus.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Maine

  • Portland

    Portland's Land Use Code allows home occupations with up to two nonresident employees, one 2-square-foot sign, and client visits only 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Maryland

  • Baltimore

    Baltimore's code allows a home occupation in R-1A to R-10 districts: one non-family employee, 3 client visits a day and 10 a week, and no outside storage.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Michigan

  • Grand Rapids

    Grand Rapids sorts home businesses into Classes A, B and C: no walk-in retail, a 300 sq ft cap, no outdoor storage, and a City Clerk license for Class B.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Minnesota

  • Minneapolis

    Minneapolis allows home occupations with one nonresident employee, public hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., a 1 sq ft wall sign and no outdoor storage.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • St. Paul

    St. Paul's code allows home occupations in the main building only, with a two-person limit, a 2 sq ft sign, and no exterior storage.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

Mississippi

  • Batesville

    Batesville's zoning code allows home occupations with no goods displayed, no retail sales and at most one outside worker; annual privilege licenses apply.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Biloxi

    Biloxi collects a privilege tax and makes going without the license a misdemeanor. Its home business zoning rules are not in the code Corpus carries.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Brandon

    Brandon's code allows a home occupation in 11 districts: residents plus one employee, up to 25 percent of the floor area and one 2 sq ft sign.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Gulfport

    Gulfport's Appendix A allows family-only home occupations with a certificate of zoning compliance, one 2 sq ft sign and client-visit approval. T-zones differ.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Hattiesburg

    Hattiesburg issues a one-year privilege license through the city tax collector. Its zoning rules sit in a land development code that is not on Corpus.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Jackson

    Jackson's zoning ordinance requires a yearly Home Occupation Permit, no goods sold on site, family-only employees and no exterior display.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Meridian

    Meridian requires a home occupation permit from the Zoning Administrator: no non-resident employees, by-appointment only, and 500 square feet at most.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Olive Branch

    Olive Branch's zoning code allows home occupations run by resident family, using 25% of the home, with one 1 sq ft sign and retail only by mail or web.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Oxford

    Oxford allows home occupations by special use or special exception: family-only employees, a 25% or 500 sq ft cap, appointments only, zoning compliance.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Southaven

    Southaven requires a home-based business permit, bars signs and workers who do not live there, and allows retail only online or by mail.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Tupelo

    Tupelo requires a home occupation permit: no employees, no signs, one client at a time, and 20 percent of floor area or 500 sq ft, whichever is less.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

Missouri

  • Kansas City

    Kansas City allows home occupations in R districts with resident-only employees, two clients by appointment, an 80 sq in sign and a city business license.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • St. Louis

    St. Louis allows home occupations meeting 12 standards, with no sign and no regular customers, and a $25 home occupation registration in lieu of tax.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

Montana

  • Billings

    Billings home occupations: only residents work there, 500 square feet at most, no signs; the annual business tax is $20.00 for a home occupation.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Nebraska

  • Omaha

    Omaha's code allows home occupations run only by residents, with no on-site sales, no commercial-vehicle deliveries and a monthly business occupation tax.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Nevada

  • Henderson

    Henderson's code points home occupation permits to title 19 of its development code, which Corpus lacks. What it says on business licenses.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Las Vegas

    Las Vegas's code requires a city business license for any business, with a default fee based on gross sales; its home zoning rules are not on Corpus.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • North Las Vegas

    North Las Vegas requires a home occupation permit and business license: one non-resident employee, no on-site sales or signs, and a banned-business list.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Reno

    Reno's code allows home occupations in up to 25% of the home or 500 sq ft, one non-resident employee, no customer pickups and a city business license.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

New Jersey

  • Jersey City

    Jersey City's code lets residents run a home occupation: one non-resident employee, one visitor at a time, no sign, no retail sales, and a 900 sq ft cap.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

New Mexico

  • Albuquerque

    Albuquerque caps a home occupation at 25% of your home, with only family working on site and no more than 2 visitors at once. A city license is required.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

New York

  • New York City

    NYC zoning lets a home occupation use up to 49% of a home, capped at 1,000 sq ft, with one nonresident employee for professions. City tax rules too.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

North Carolina

  • Charlotte

    Charlotte requires a business privilege license, taxed at $0.60 per $1,000 of gross receipts. Its zoning rules for home businesses aren't on Corpus.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Raleigh

    Raleigh requires a business privilege license tax before you start a business; its home-occupation zoning rules are not in the code Corpus carries.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

North Dakota

  • Fargo

    Fargo's code lets you run a minor home occupation in up to 25 percent of your home with four customers a day; bigger ones need a conditional use permit.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Ohio

  • Cleveland

    Cleveland's code allows a customary home occupation in a Residence District: no nonresident help, no trading in merchandise, and sign limits.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Columbus

    Columbus zoning allows home occupations on up to 20% of livable area, with resident workers only, one 4 sq ft sign and no retail sales in the home.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Toledo

    Toledo's code allows home businesses that meet its standards: a 2-year permit for General home occupations, set customer hours, and no outdoor storage.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

Oklahoma

  • Oklahoma City

    Oklahoma City's zoning code permits home occupations run by a resident with only immediate family as employees, no signs, and no shop or store use.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Tulsa

    Tulsa allows home businesses by performance standards: Type 1 has no visitors, Type 2 needs a special exception and allows three clients at a time.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Oregon

  • Salem

    Salem's code allows home occupations as a special use: services only, no on-site sales, one nonresident worker and no outside storage or display.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Pennsylvania

  • Philadelphia

    Philadelphia sorts home businesses into home office, professional and general by zoning district; each business needs a no-fee commercial activity license.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

South Carolina

  • Charleston

    Charleston allows home occupations in any district with a signed application and one nonresident employee; an annual city business license also applies.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

South Dakota

  • Sioux Falls

    Sioux Falls allows home occupations only inside the dwelling, with family-only workers, no on-site sales and no more than four client visits a day.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Tennessee

  • Knoxville

    Knoxville allows home occupations with up to three non-household workers, a 25% floor area cap and no outdoor storage; city privilege taxes also apply.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Memphis

    What Memphis's code on Corpus says about a home business: a business tax on businesses in the city and day care registration. Zoning rules are not here.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Nashville

    Nashville requires a home occupation permit if customers visit or outside staff work there: one outside employee, 12 customers a day, by appointment.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Texas

  • Austin

    Austin's code allows home occupations kept inside the home: three customer vehicle trips a day, no commercial vehicles, and a list of banned uses.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Dallas

    Dallas allows home occupations with no signs, no on-site sales, one outside employee and 25 percent or 400 sq ft of floor; an occupation tax may apply.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • El Paso

    El Paso's code requires a home occupation license and caps the business at 25 percent of the floor area, two non-resident workers and a 1 sq ft sign.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Fort Worth

    Fort Worth's zoning code allows home occupations run inside the home, with no advertising signs, no street-visible goods, no auto repair or heavy traffic.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Laredo

    Laredo's code allows two kinds of home occupation: services with one outside employee, or small food retail up to 500 sq ft. Some zones ban them.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • San Antonio

    San Antonio permits home occupations on residential property: no outdoor display, a one-square-foot nameplate at most, and no certificate of occupancy.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Utah

  • Salt Lake City

    Salt Lake City allows home occupations with one outside employee, two clients an hour and no retail sales, under a city business license.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

Virginia

  • Chesapeake

    Chesapeake allows Level I home occupations by right and Level II with a council permit. Businesses need a license: $50 if receipts are under $200,000.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Norfolk

    Norfolk requires a business license for home businesses and treats your home as the business location; receipts of $100,000 or less are tax exempt.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

  • Virginia Beach

    Virginia Beach separates a small accessory business at home from a home occupation, which needs a council-approved permit. A license also applies.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

Washington

  • Seattle

    Seattle permits home occupations outright in all zones, with limits on storage, vehicles and signs, and requires a business license and tax certificate.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

West Virginia

  • Charleston

    Charleston's code on Corpus requires a general business license, a business and occupation tax and a weekly service fee. Home zoning rules are not here.

    Last checked 2026-11-07

Wisconsin

  • Madison

    Madison's code allows home occupations inside the dwelling, with a 25% floor-area cap, family-only employees and a 2 sq ft nameplate sign.

    Last checked 2026-11-01

  • Milwaukee

    Milwaukee sets home occupation limits by zoning type: a 25% floor area cap, no signs in residential zones, and a certificate when a city license applies.

    Last checked 2026-11-07