How McKinney Handles Home Business: A Practical Guide
McKinney maintains 65 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with home business. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where McKinney falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Home Daycare
McKinney allows registered and licensed home child-care operations as a home occupation, subject to Texas HHSC licensing and zoning limits on children, staff, and outdoor play area setbacks.
Key details: State License: HHSC registered or licensed. Children: Up to 6 registered / 12 licensed. Employees: 1 non-resident max. Signs: Not allowed. Fenced Yard: Required for outdoor play.
Operating without HHSC registration: state enforcement plus city zoning citation up to $500 per day. Zoning violations handled by Code Services.
McKinney is more permissive than most cities when it comes to home daycare. That said, there are still limits.
Cottage Food Operations
McKinney home-based cottage food operations protected under Texas Cottage Food Law (Health and Safety Code Chapter 437 Subchapter B). Direct sales of non-hazardous foods allowed from home, online, farmers markets. Annual gross sales capped at 50,000 dollars.
Key details: State Law: TX H&S Code 437. Sales Cap: 50,000 dollars per year. Training: Food handler course. Label: Home-kitchen disclaimer.
McKinney is more permissive than most cities when it comes to cottage food operations. That said, there are still limits.
Signage Rules
No business signage allowed on residential properties for home occupations in McKinney. Zoning Chapter 146 home occupation standards prohibit any display or sign visible from the street.
Key details: Business Signs: Prohibited. Vehicle Signs: Limited OK. Window Signs: Prohibited. Fine: Up to 500 dollars.
Sign violation: citation up to 500 dollars per day. Illegal signs removed by Code Services.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, McKinney gives residents more room on home business. 2 of the 3 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.
These rules come from McKinney's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.