A home occupation is an occupation conducted as an accessory use in or from a residential dwelling or its accessory building by persons whose principal residence is on the premises and which has no more effect on adjacent property than normal residential use.
There are several regulations regarding what type of home occupations are permitted in Arlington County.
Permitted Home Occupations
- Artist, photographer, sculptor
- Author, composer, editor, translator, writer
- Contractor or service business, with addition requirements as mentioned in Section 31 of the Arlington County Zoning Ordinance
- Dressmaker, seamstress and tailor
- Home crafts such as lapidary work, macrame, model making and weaving
- Office of an ordained minister of religion
- Office of an accountant, architect, bookkeeper, broker, clerical service, computer programmer, consultant, dentist, engineer, instructor in the arts and crafts, insurance agent, land surveyor, landscape architect, lawyer, musician, physician, real estate broker or telephone service
- Office of a salesman, sales representative or manufacturers representative
- Repair services, such as musical instruments, watches and clocks, small household appliances, and toys or models
Home Occupations Not Permitted
- Amusement or dance parlor
- Antique shop
- Barber shop or beauty salon
- Funeral home or chapel
- Gift shop
- Kennel or other boarding of animals
- Medical or dental clinic, hospital, nursing home
- Motor vehicle repair or sales
- Nursery school
- Repair or testing of internal combustion engines
- Restaurant or tearoom
- Tourist home, boardinghouse, rooming house
- Veterinary clinic or animal hospital
Permits Required
A home occupation permit is required to have a home occupation in Arlington County. Home occupation permit applications can be submitted online or in person.
Fees
For a home occupation permit, there is no fee as long as Arlington residency is maintained.