Home-based Businesses

Overview

Spotsylvania County permits businesses to be conducted from homes under certain circumstances. The less intensive “home occupation” is permitted in all zoning districts in which residential uses are permitted. The more intensive “home enterprise” is permitted in all zoning districts in which residential uses are permitted except for R-8, R-12, MU-1, and MU-2; a Special Use Permit is required in those districts. Home enterprises are not permitted in the R-MHP district.

Home-based businesses permitted by the County are subject to all applicable licensing requirements, including obtaining a business license from the Spotsylvania County Commissioner of Revenue. They are also subject to the nuisance and miscellaneous offences regulations in Chapters 13 and 14 of the County Code of Ordinances. It should be noted that home daycares with 4 or fewer children as well as group homes/assisted living facilities for 8 or fewer persons with disabilities are not considered home-based businesses for the purpose of zoning regulations; they are separately regulated by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Social Services.

Home Occupations

Article 5, Division 4 of the Zoning Ordinance allows for low-impact home-based occupational activities such as, but not limited to, home offices, artist spaces, home crafts, internet sales, etc. within residential structures that chiefly serve as a place of residence. Such operations must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal residential use permitted on the property. Neither employees nor on-site customer/client contact are permitted. All home occupations must comply with the development standards and use limitations specified by Sec. 23-5.4.2 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Home Enterprises

Article 5, Division 4A of the Zoning Ordinance allows for low-impact home-based businesses including, but not limited to, uses such as art/craft studios, photography studios, custom gunsmithing, schools of special education, beauty parlors or other personal service establishments, etc. Such operations must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal residential use permitted on the property. Home enterprises allow for employees and on-site customer/client access. All home enterprises must comply with the development standards and use limitations specified by Sec. 23-5.4A.2 of the Zoning Ordinance.

Application

The home-based business application packets are available here: Home Occupation or Home Enterprise. Completed applications can be dropped off or mailed to the Permit Center, or submitted electronically to [email protected] If submitting electronically, credit card payments can be made online HERE.