How Westland Handles Home Business: A Practical Guide
Westland maintains 112 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 Westland falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Home Daycare
Group day care homes in Westland need a Planning Department site plan, a fenced 500-square-foot play area, and must cap operating hours at 16 hours a day under the city's zoning ordinance.
Key details: Governing section: § 8.12, Zoning Ordinance. Play area: 500 sq ft, fenced 4-6 ft. Max hours: 16 hours per 24-hour period. Parking: 1 space per non-family employee. Adopted: October 21, 2024.
Operating a group day care home without an approved site plan, without the required fenced play area, or beyond the 16-hour daily limit is a zoning violation subject to enforcement action.
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Westland caps home occupations at 25 percent of a dwelling's floor area, bars use of accessory buildings, and requires zero visible evidence of the business from outside the home under the city's 2024 zoning ordinance.
Key details: Floor area limit: 25% of dwelling's gross floor area. Accessory buildings: Not permitted for home occupation use. Exterior appearance: No visible evidence of business allowed. Governing section: Zoning Ordinance § 8.1.1(a)-(d).
Violating any zoning ordinance provision, including these home-occupation standards, is punishable under Sec. 19.1 by a fine up to $500 or 90 days in jail, with each day counted as a separate offense.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Westland caps any home-based business at ten business-related vehicle trips a day and no more than two visitors on-site at once, with all resulting parking handled off-street under the zoning ordinance's home-occupation rules.
Key details: Daily vehicle trips: Max 10 business-related trips per day. Visitors on-site: No more than 2 at a time. Parking: Must be provided off-street. Governing section: Zoning Ordinance § 8.1.1(e).
Exceeding the ten-trip or two-visitor limits is a zoning violation under Sec. 19.1, punishable by up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail, with each day the excess traffic continues counted as a separate offense.
The Bottom Line
Westland'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 Westland is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Westland's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.