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Is Your Home Zoned for Business?

Where to Find Answers, How to Address Problems, and Issues to Consider

Verifying what zoning laws exist and how they affect your home-based business idea is a critical first step to assist your company in getting off to a good start. Don't simply assume that the presence of other businesses in your neighborhood is an indication that all businesses are allowed and/or welcomed.

Your local town hall is often the first place to contact in your search for information. Begin your investigation by verifying what level of government handles such issues. Again, don't make any assumptions that it's your town or village officials, as the county might actually have the final say in any zoning matters. You might even discover that a local planning or zoning board exists.

Regardless of what you uncover, it's a good idea to attend at least one of the regularly scheduled town board and/or zoning board meetings to inform the public of your business plans. By doing so, it's likely that you'll receive even more input about the governing laws that apply to your specific ideas. Better to find out now and potentially avoid any future problems.

It's also a good idea to approach any neighbors that might be impacted by your business operations. This can be an important step to address any concerns and alleviate any fears. While you might feel like you're opening a potential "Pandora's box" of problems, such issues eventually rise to the surface and need to be dealt with anyways. It's simply better to act now instead of being forced to react later.

If all goes well, you'll clear any zoning hurdles with ease. However, as zoning is an ongoing process that can have crucial direct effects on your business, both good and bad, make it a point to keep current on any future zoning issues or discussions that arise pertaining to possible revisions of old laws or the passage of new regulations. If possible, request to be notified directly of any potential changes in the laws.

If you encounter initial resistance to your business idea and/or discover laws that will not allow you to carry out your plans, don't immediately give up on your dream of being a home-based business entrepreneur. There are legal routes that you can pursue to request variances for your business and/or changes in the law. While the process might be difficult, it simply cannot be avoided. In the end, you might be required to modify your initial plans.

Zoning Laws and the Home-based Business

Issues to keep in mind when looking into zoning laws include, but aren't limited to, the following:

• Am I allowed to have employees?
• Are customers allowed to visit my home business space?
• Are there additional permits that my business will require?
• Are there any environmental impact type laws (e.g., chemical storage, garbage disposal) that apply to my company?
• Are there hours-of-operation guidelines that I must abide by?
• Are there parking restrictions for employees, customers, vendors, etc?
• Are there restrictions on the products and/or services that my business can provide?
• Are there restrictions on using only certain parts and/or a specific amount of space of my home to conduct my business?
• Can I have a sign on my property advertising my business?
• Do these laws apply to my specific type of business?
• Will my business be required to undergo certain inspections?

Obeying zoning laws, while admittedly not the most interesting part of owning a home business, is nonetheless critical to its overall success. Foresight is extremely important, as ignorance about such laws doesn't exempt you from complying with them. An obvious statement we know, but one that deserves mentioning. Ask questions now and it's likely that fewer questions will be asked of you and your home business in the future.

Good luck finding the perfect home business opportunity!

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