Home Business in Arlington, TX

If you live in Arlington or are thinking about moving there, home business are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Arlington has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of home business, and some of them might surprise you.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Arlington allows a home occupation as an accessory use to a residence in every residential zoning district, plus the FBZ-TN and RMU form-based districts, under UDC Sec. 3.3.6.H as revised by Ordinance 26-019. The use must stay accessory to the dwelling and meet the standards written into that subsection; it is also listed as a permitted accessory use in the Form-Based Zoning Traditional Neighborhood, Urban Neighborhood, Core Mixed-Use, and Core sub-districts.

Key details: Governing section: UDC Sec. 3.3.6.H. Allowed districts: All residential, FBZ-TN, RMU. FBZ sub-district status: Permitted (P) in TN/UN/CMU/Core. Max fine per violation: $2,000/day (Ord. 26-019). Pending change: 2025 HB 2464 to supersede part of standard.

Ordinance No. 26-019 makes violation of any Unified Development Code provision it amends, including the Sec. 3.3.6.H home-occupation standard, a misdemeanor: a fine of up to $2,000 per offense, with each day the violation continues charged as a separate offense. The City did not print a separate home-occupation-specific penalty; enforcement runs through this general UDC violation clause.

Cottage Food Operations

Arlington follows the Texas Cottage Food Law under Health and Safety Code Chapter 437, which allows individuals to sell certain non-potentially-hazardous foods made in a home kitchen without a food-establishment license. Annual gross sales are limited, required labeling must be used, and the foods must be sold directly to consumers. A food-handler certificate is required.

Key details: Governing Law: TX H&S Code §437. Annual Sales Cap: $50,000 gross. Food Handler Course: Required. Labeling: Required by statute. City Permit: Not required beyond home occupation.

Selling non-approved foods (meat products, raw dairy, refrigerated items) under the cottage food exemption can trigger enforcement by the Texas Department of State Health Services and Tarrant County Public Health. Failure to label products properly can result in orders to stop sales until compliant labels are used. Exceeding the annual sales cap requires transitioning to a licensed commercial kitchen. Contact Tarrant County Public Health at (817) 321-4700.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Arlington gives residents more flexibility on cottage food operations.

Signage Rules

Arlington prohibits any exterior signage identifying a home occupation at a residential property. No signs, window graphics, illuminated lettering, or yard signs advertising a home business are permitted in residential zoning districts. The business must remain invisible from the street to preserve neighborhood character.

Key details: Exterior Signs: Prohibited. Window Graphics: Prohibited. Yard Signs: Prohibited. Illumination: Not allowed for business. Address Numbers: Always allowed.

Violation of the signage rule can trigger a home occupation cease-and-desist and fines up to $500 per day of continuing violation. The business may be required to remove all signage within a short period or face additional enforcement. Contact Arlington Planning at (817) 459-6100 or Code Compliance at (817) 459-6777.

Home Daycare

Arlington allows registered and licensed child-care homes in residential districts as home occupations under the Unified Development Code. State licensing through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is required under Texas Human Resources Code Chapter 42, and operators must also meet Arlington's home occupation standards including limits on nonresident employees, signage, and client traffic.

Key details: License Requirement: State via HHSC Chapter 42 required. Capacity: Registered homes 6 children, licensed 12 age-dependent. Arlington Standards: Must comply with UDC. Employees: Typically one nonresident max. HOA Restrictions: May impose additional rules.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Arlington code enforcement](https://www.hhs.texas.gov/providers/protective-services-providers/child-care-regulation) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Arlington is more permissive than most cities when it comes to home daycare. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Arlington gives residents more room on home business. 2 of the 4 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Arlington's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.