Paterson's Home Business: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles home business a little differently. In Paterson, 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.
Home Daycare
Family day care homes serving up to five children are a permitted accessory use in every Paterson residential zone, as long as the dwelling meets the same standards required of a one-family home there.
Key details: Children served: 3 to 5 children (state definition). Zoning status: Permitted accessory use, all residential zones. Approval needed: NJ Division of Youth & Family Services. Source date: Certified as of Feb. 9, 2016.
A day care that doesn't meet the same lot, yard, and other standards required of a one-family dwelling in that zone isn't a permitted accessory use and can be cited as a zoning violation.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Paterson gives residents more flexibility on home daycare.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Paterson zoning limits home-based businesses to no more than two client, patient, or visitor stops per hour, keeping home occupations subordinate to the residential use under the 2016-codified zoning ordinance.
Key details: Client visit limit: 2 visitors/clients per hour. Non-resident employees: 1 maximum. Floor area cap: 35% or 500 sq ft. Source date: 2016 codification (Article V).
Zoning Officer enforcement under the 2016-codified ordinance; violations were then punishable by up to $500 and 10 days in the Passaic County Jail per offense: confirm current penalties with the City Clerk.
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Paterson allows a home business inside any dwelling in any zoning district as long as it stays on one floor, skips accessory buildings, sells nothing on-site, and draws no more than two visitors an hour.
Key details: Where allowed: Any dwelling, no zone limit. Floor limit: Single floor only (1-2 family). On-site sales: Not permitted. Visitor cap: 2 visits per hour.
Running a home business from an accessory building, selling goods on-site, or exceeding two visitors an hour takes the use outside the permitted conditional-use conditions and can be cited.
Signage Rules
A Paterson home business may display just one sign, an address sign, capped at 18 by 24 inches, larger than the standard 8-by-12-inch limit, and it may name the business.
Key details: Signs allowed: One sign only. Max size: 18 in. by 24 in.. Content allowed: May show business name. Other exterior changes: None permitted.
Posting more than one sign, exceeding the 18-by-24-inch cap, or adding other visible exterior evidence of the business (awnings, window displays) violates §500-5.34.D and can draw a zoning citation.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Paterson gives residents more flexibility on signage rules.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, Paterson gives residents more room on home business. 2 of the 4 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.
All of the above reflects Paterson'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.