Find your city's home occupation rules — permits, employee limits, signage, zoning restrictions, and prohibited business types.
Search or browse to your city's page for local home occupation rules.
See employee limits, floor area caps, signage rules, and prohibited business types.
Follow the links to your city's official application forms and apply.
It depends on your city. Many cities distinguish between "minor" home occupations (like freelancing with no clients visiting) that need no permit, and "major" ones that do. Some cities require a permit for any home business regardless of type.
A home occupation permit grants zoning permission to use your residence for business. A business license is a separate general requirement to operate commercially in the city. You may need both.
Most states have "cottage food" laws that allow home-based food sales with limitations (usually non-hazardous foods, annual revenue caps, and labeling requirements). Check your state's cottage food law in addition to local zoning rules.
Enforcement varies widely. Penalties can range from a warning letter to fines ($50-$500 per day in some cities). In most cases, complaints from neighbors trigger enforcement action. Operating legitimately protects you.