Home Business in Murfreesboro, TN

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

Zoning & Home Occupation Permits

Murfreesboro requires a Board of Zoning Appeals special use permit for any home occupation, capping it at 25% of dwelling area and barring non-resident employees.

Key details: Permit required: Board of Zoning Appeals special use permit. Floor area cap: 25% of dwelling unit devoted. Accessory structure cap: 500 square feet maximum. Signage: One sign, under 3 sq ft, BZA-only. Banned uses: Auto repair, kennels, taxi, gun dealers.

Violating the permit's conditions is itself a violation of the zoning ordinance, and the Board of Zoning Appeals can revoke the special use permit outright per Section 9(B).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Murfreesboro actively enforces its zoning & home occupation permits requirements.

Signage Rules

In residential zoning districts, Murfreesboro limits home occupation signs to one attached sign per lot, no larger than 3 square feet, with no illumination allowed, under Code § 25.2-26(C)(1)(b).

Key details: Max size: 3 square feet. Max number: One per lot. Illumination: Not permitted. Zones covered: RS, RD, RM, R-MO, RZ, PRD.

Exceeding the 3-square-foot cap, illuminating a home occupation sign, or displaying more than one such sign per lot violates Code § 25.2-4 and is enforced by the Chief Building Official, with penalties under Code § 1-8.

Customer Traffic Restrictions

Murfreesboro requires home occupations to provide adequate off-street parking for any traffic they generate, cap group instruction at two students without extra BZA approval, and bars non-resident employees entirely.

Key details: Traffic rule: Adequate provision plus BZA parking. Group instruction limit: Over 2 students needs approval. Staffing rule: No non-resident employees allowed. Source: Appendix A – Zoning § 9(D)(2)(rr).

Generating client or delivery traffic without the parking the BZA requires under § 9(D)(2)(rr)[7], running unapproved group instruction for more than two students, or employing a non-resident violates the home occupation standards.

Home Daycare

Running a family or group day care home in a Murfreesboro residential zone requires a Board of Zoning Appeals special use permit, on-site drop-off parking, and state licensing from Tennessee's Department of Human Services.

Key details: Family day care: 5-7 unrelated children. Group day care: 8-12 unrelated children. Permit needed: BZA special use permit. Parking rule: Off-street parking required on-site. State check: TN DHS licensing statement required.

Operating a family or group day care home without the required BZA special use permit, without state licensing documentation, or without on-site off-street parking violates § 9(D)(2)(bb) and can draw zoning enforcement.

Compared to other cities, Murfreesboro takes a harder line on home daycare. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Murfreesboro 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 Murfreesboro, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Murfreesboro 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.