Home Business in Birmingham, AL (2026)
5 verified home business rules for Birmingham, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning Restrictions
Birmingham permits home occupations as an accessory use in a wide range of districts (D-1 through D-5, UN, the MU and MU-D districts, C-1, C-2, PRD, MXD and AG) provided the business stays accessory and secondary to residential use, occupies no more than 20% of the gross floor area or 400 square feet (whichever is smaller), and involves no direct on-site sales. The Zoning Ordinance (No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F) lists both permitted and prohibited home-occupation uses.
Birmingham Home Occupation Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Zoning Ordinance No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F.1, F.7-F.8 (Home Occupation)
F. Home Occupation. In the following districts: D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, D-5, UN, MU-L, MU-M, MU-H, MU-D, C-1, C-2, PRD, MXD, AND AG, a home occupation shall be permitted provided the following conditions are met: 1. The home occupation must be accessory and secondary to the use of a dwelling for residential purposes, and the home occupation must not change the residential character of the premises ...
Signage Rules
Birmingham generally bans any exterior sign or advertising for a home occupation: the Zoning Ordinance (No. 90-130) prohibits external evidence of the operation, with the only allowance being one magnetic vehicle sign no larger than four square feet. The Sign chapter additionally permits one non-illuminated building wall sign of no more than one square foot identifying an approved home occupation.
Birmingham Home Occupation Signage
Heavy RestrictionsBirmingham Zoning Ordinance No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F.5 & Ch. 8, Sec. K.1 (Home Occupation; Signs for Single Family Dwellings)
5. The home occupation may not display or create any external evidence of the operation of the home occupation, such as, signs or advertising of any kind, except that one magnetic sign will be allowed to be placed on vehicle associated with the home occupation, provided that it is no more than four square feet. ... K. Signs Permitted for Single Family Dwellings 1. Each approved home occupation ...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Birmingham strictly limits client and employee activity at a home occupation: no non-resident employees may work on premises, no more than two patrons or clients may be present at one time, and no more than eight clients or patrons may be present during any 24-hour period (Zoning Ordinance No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F.2-3). The business may also not generate excess traffic and tractor-trailer deliveries are banned.
Birmingham Home Business Customer & Employee Limits
Heavy RestrictionsBirmingham Zoning Ordinance No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F.2-3 (Home Occupation)
2. Non-resident employees are not allowed to work or congregate on premise in conjunction with a home occupation. Except that, Family Care Homes may have one non-resident substitute employee on premise and Family Group Homes may have one non-resident employee and one non-resident substitute employee on premise, provided that they are not on premise at the same time. 3. No more than two patrons ...
Home Daycare
Birmingham allows family day care homes and family group care homes as home occupations under the Zoning Ordinance (No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F), with special allowances: up to six patrons at one time, limited non-resident staff, and outdoor play or seating areas. State child-care licensing through the Alabama Department of Human Resources applies separately under Ala. Code Title 38, Chapter 7.
Birmingham Home Daycare (Family Care Homes)
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Zoning Ordinance No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F.6 & F.14.c (Home Occupation - day care homes)
6. The home occupation and all related activities, including storage, must be conducted completely within the dwelling unit or an accessory structure or garage, except that a family day care home or family group care home may include outdoor play and/or seating areas. ... 14. The following uses are examples of uses permitted as home occupations: ... c. Day care homes pursuant to Article II, Sec...
Home Occupation Permits
Birmingham requires anyone running a business from home to hold a City business license and an approved Home Occupation affidavit before operating, under the Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F). A City business license is mandated by Alabama Code Sec. 11-51-90, and the affidavit must be filed with the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permits as part of the license application.
Birmingham Home Occupation Permits
Some RestrictionsBirmingham Zoning Ordinance No. 90-130, Title 1, Ch. 4, Art. IV, Sec. 1.F.12-13 (Home Occupation)
12. Prior to a receiving a business license as a home occupation, an affidavit for a Home Occupation must be approved by the Department, which is to be included with the business license application. 13. Obtaining a City business license does not eliminate the need for compliance with other applicable licensing or codes, such as, but not limited to, Jefferson County Health Department regulation...
Looking for Jefferson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Birmingham city rules.
Home Business in Jefferson County →