Trenton, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)

4L treats home occupations as an accessory use that must stay clearly incidental and secondary to the dwelling's residential purpose, conducted entirely inside the principal structure or a detached accessory structure. Only immediate family members plus one non-resident worker may be present at a time, and office or service businesses with client visits are capped at one client (up to four people) at a time. 5 square feet. The rule bars toxic, explosive, flammable or corrosive materials on-site and any noise, odor, smoke, electrical interference or vibration beyond what is normal for a residence, plus storage of tractor-trailers, semi-trucks or heavy construction equipment.

Item 13 goes further for this trade specifically: 'repair and service of any vehicles, any type of heavy machinery, or any type of engine is prohibited,' carving out only small electronic repair such as computers. Chapter 146's licensing rules track this: § 146-35 lets a home occupation register without a fee only if the use is permitted under Chapter 315 zoning, and legitimate auto repair belongs at a commercial location instead, listed under the $300 'Repair and Maintenance' classification in § 146-20B(12)(a).