Glendale's Home Business: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles home business a little differently. In Glendale, Arizona, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Glendale splits home occupations into two zoning tiers under Section 35.3.204(H): a Class I occupation is a by-right accessory use in every residential district if it stays entirely indoors, employs only residents, and skips customer traffic; anything that cannot meet those tests needs a Class II conditional use permit from the Planning Commission instead.

Key details: Class I approval: By-right accessory use. Class II approval: Conditional use permit required. Employees allowed, Class I: Residents only. Business license: Valid City sales tax license required. Operating hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m..

Operating a home business beyond Class I limits without a Class II conditional use permit, or violating any listed condition, brings a Development Services code compliance case that can require the business to stop or downsize. Continued violation after notice is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Glendale Code of Ordinances Section 1-7, punishable under state law, with each day a separate offense.

Signage Rules

Glendale bars all exterior signage for a home-based business. Section 35.3.204(H)(1)(f) requires a Home Occupation (Class I) to have "no signs or other exterior evidence of its existence," and the parallel Child Care, Home standard bars signage for advertising or notification of the use anywhere on or off the site.

Key details: Home occupation signage: None allowed, Class I. Child care home signage: None, on or off site. Consequence of posting a sign: Loses Class I eligibility. Alternative path: Class II conditional use permit. Governing section: § 35.3.204(H)(1)(f).

Posting a sign for a home business is grounds for a Code Compliance notice of violation requiring the sign's removal and, if repeated, a review of the occupation's Class I eligibility. Continuing to display prohibited signage after notice is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Glendale Code of Ordinances Section 1-7, with each day a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Glendale actively enforces its signage rules requirements.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Glendale caps client and delivery traffic at a home-based business under Section 35.3.204(H). A Home Occupation (Class I) cannot generate any customer traffic at the residence and is limited to one commercial delivery vehicle a day; a business that needs walk-in customers has to seek a Class II conditional use permit instead.

Key details: Class I customer traffic: None allowed. Class I delivery vehicles: 1 per day maximum. Exceeding the limit: Requires Class II conditional use permit. Operating hours: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.. Governing section: § 35.3.204(H)(1)-(2).

Code Compliance investigates complaints about client traffic or delivery trucks at a home business and can require the operator to shut down the home occupation or apply for a Class II conditional use permit. Operating past the traffic limit without that permit is enforceable as a Class 1 misdemeanor under Glendale Code of Ordinances Section 1-7, with each day of continued operation a separate offense.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Glendale actively enforces its customer traffic restrictions requirements.

Home Daycare

Glendale's zoning code regulates a home daycare as a Child Care, Home use under Section 35.3.204(G). The state must license or certify the operation first, staff and resident vehicles have to park on the driveway or in the garage, and any outdoor play area needs at least 600 square feet behind a screened 6-foot wall or fence.

Key details: State licensing: Required before operating. Staff/resident parking: Onsite, garage or paved driveway. Signage: None, on or off site. Outdoor play area: 600 sq ft minimum, not in front yard. Play area screening: 6-ft masonry wall or wood fence.

A home daycare running without a current state child care license, without onsite parking, with off-site advertising, or with an unscreened play yard can be cited by Code Compliance and ordered to correct the condition or cease operating. Continued operation after notice is a Class 1 misdemeanor under Glendale Code of Ordinances Section 1-7, with each day counted as a separate offense.

The Bottom Line

Glendale is tougher than many cities when it comes to home business. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Glendale, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Glendale's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.