Business in the Home

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Zoning and building ordinance considerations

In general, a home-office zoning ordinance contains at least some of the following provisions.

Only family members residing on the premises may be engaged in the business. (Some jurisdictions allow only one or two non-family members to be employed.)

Using the house for a home occupation should be clearly incidental and subordinate to its residential purposes.

There can be no change in the outside appearance other than a small sign--no larger than one square foot--non-illuminated and mounted flat against the wall of the principal building.

Home offices cannot generate more traffic than normally expected in a residential neighborhood. Many ordinances also prohibit the use and parking of a commercial vehicle on the premises.

Any equipment or process that creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, or electrical interference detectable to the normal senses off the lot is not allowed.

Except for articles produced on the premises, no business inventory may be warehoused on the site.

There shall be no use of utilities or community facilities beyond what is normal for residential purposes.

Source: Home Journal

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Not only are policy forms, clauses, rules and court decisions constantly changing, but forms vary from company to company and state to state. This material is intended as a general guideline and might not apply to a specific situation. The authors, LunchTimeCE, Inc., CEfreedom, and Insurance Skills Center, and any organization for whom this course is administered will have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of information contained in this course.