Lakewood's Home Business: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles home business a little differently. In Lakewood, New Jersey, 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.

Signage Rules

A home-based business in a Lakewood Township residential district is limited to a nameplate sign no larger than one and one-half square feet and no taller than four feet, and only one sign total may go on the lot.

Key details: Max nameplate size: 1.5 square feet. Max nameplate height: 4 feet. Sign types allowed: ground, projecting, or wall. Signs per lot: only 1 of the listed types. Home occupation floor limit: 25% of dwelling area.

A nameplate sign that exceeds 1.5 square feet or four feet in height, or a residential lot displaying more than the one permitted sign type, violates UDO § 18-812 and is enforced through § 18-1109, Remedies and Penalties: a fine of up to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both, per violation, with each 30-day period of continued noncompliance after written notice counted as a separate offense.

Home Daycare

Lakewood Township, in Ocean County, treats licensed family day care homes as a permitted home occupation in every residential zoning district. A family day care home must meet the same standards as any single-family dwelling in its district, and the Township cannot impose stricter rules on it than it applies to other home occupations.

Key details: Zoning status: Permitted use in all residential districts. Governing standard: Same as single-family dwelling in district. State reference: N.J.S.A. 40:55D-66.5 licensing. Classification: Treated as a home occupation. Max fine: $1,000 per offense, § 18-1109.

Operating a family day care home in a manner inconsistent with its zoning classification, or without the required state license or registration, exposes the operator to the same UDO enforcement track as any other zoning violation: under § 18-1109, the Township can pursue a fine up to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both, per offense, once written notice and a 10-day cure period have lapsed.

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

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Lakewood Township allows home occupations as an accessory use in its residential zoning districts, but caps them tightly: no more than two non-household employees, no more than 25% of the dwelling's floor area, no outdoor storage, and an extra parking space if a non-resident is employed there.

Key details: Employee cap: Two non-household workers at a time. Floor area cap: 25% of dwelling floor area. Client limit: One client at a time. Extra parking: 1 space if employee is non-resident. Governing section: UDO § 18-902, home occupation standard.

A home occupation that exceeds the floor-area cap, employs more workers than allowed, stores materials outdoors, or otherwise departs from § 18-902's standards is a UDO violation under § 18-1109: the Township can pursue a fine up to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both, per offense, with continued operation after a 10-day cure notice treated as a new violation every 30 days.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Lakewood Township limits how much foot traffic a home-based business can bring to a residential property: the Unified Development Ordinance's home occupation standard requires the use to be run so it does not bring more than one client at a time to the premises.

Key details: Client limit: One client at a time. Governing section: UDO § 18-902B3e2. Applies to: All residential zoning districts. Related limit: No outdoor storage or display. Max fine: $1,000 per offense, § 18-1109.

A home occupation that regularly brings more than one client at a time to the property exceeds the § 18-902 standard and is enforceable as a UDO violation under § 18-1109: a fine up to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both, per offense, with each continuing 30-day period after a 10-day cure notice counted as a separate violation.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood'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 Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Lakewood'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.