How Huntington Handles Home Business: A Practical Guide
Huntington maintains 128 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with home business. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Huntington falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
A Huntington homeowner may run a home occupation, such as a home office for an accountant, architect or dressmaker, without a Town permit, but the Zoning Code caps the use at fifty percent of the main floor area, limits outside employees to two, and excludes animal clinics, restaurants and most beauty or barber services.
Key details: Floor-area cap: 50% of main floor area. Outside employees: No more than 2. Excluded uses: Restaurants, animal clinics, veterinary offices. Beauty parlor exception: Needs Zoning Board special permit. Citation: Huntington Code § 198-2, "Home Occupation".
Running a home occupation that exceeds the fifty-percent floor-area cap, employs more than two outside workers, or operates as a prohibited use such as a restaurant or veterinary office is a zoning violation. The Building Inspector enforces the standard under § 198-123, and conviction under § 198-125(A) carries a fine of $1,000 to $5,000 for a first offense, escalating for repeat violations within five years.
Signage Rules
Huntington allows a single home occupation sign in any zoning district without a sign permit, but the Zoning Code caps it at two square feet and bars illumination, except for a physician's office sign. It can be combined with one nonilluminated nameplate of the same size, though both are still inspected.
Key details: Size cap: 2 square feet. Illumination: Not allowed except physician's office sign. Permit: No sign permit required, inspection applies. Combined allowance: 1 nameplate plus 1 home occupation sign. Citation: Huntington Code § 198-92B(3).
A home occupation sign larger than two square feet, illuminated without qualifying for the physician's-office exception, or posted in addition to a separate nameplate beyond the one-each allowance is an unpermitted sign. The Director of Public Safety can order it removed under the sign article's inspection and removal authority, and the property owner is strictly liable for sign-code violations under § 198-99.
The Bottom Line
Huntington's home business rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Huntington is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Huntington can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.