Can I Run a Business From My Garage Legally?

The home occupation's rules

The 25% (the floor's — the max; the 500 sq ft's), the employees (the 0-1's — the nonresident's; the prohibited's — the often), the customers (the 1-2's — the daily's; the by-appointment's), the signage (the none — the residential's; the 2 sq ft's — the sometimes), the parking (the 1-2's — the added; the driveway's), and the noise (the 55 dB's — the daytime's; the none's — the industrial).

The prohibited's list

The auto (the repair's — the prohibited; the painting's), the food (the commercial's — the health's; the cottage's — the separate), the hazardous (the chemicals' — the stored; the prohibited), the retail (the walk-in's — the prohibited; the online's — the allowed), and the manufacturing (the 25%'s — the light's; the sometimes).

Permits and HOA

The business (the license's — the city's; the $50-200's), the zoning (the home occupation's — the permit's; the $100-500's), the HOA (the prohibited — the often; the CC&R's), the tax (the deduction's — the 25%'s; the simplified's), and the insurance (the rider's — the business's; the $300's). The home's — the occupation's permit; the HOA's — the veto.

The bottom line

Garage businesses need home-occupation zoning approval (≤25% of floor area, 0-1 nonresident employees, minimal customer traffic, no signage) plus a business license — HOAs often prohibit; auto repair, commercial food, and hazmat are typically banned.

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