Home Business in Cary, NC (2026)
3 verified home business rules for Cary, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
The Town of Cary's Land Development Ordinance permits home occupations as an accessory use in residential zoning districts, but only if the operator lives on site and the business stays subordinate to the dwelling.
Home Occupation Zoning Standards in Cary, NC
Some RestrictionsCary Land Development Ordinance § 5.3.4(C)
A home occupation shall be permitted as accessory to a principal dwelling unit in accordance with the following: ... (a) Employees and Residency (i) The principal person or persons providing the business or service resides in the dwelling on the premises. (ii) The home occupation employs no more than one (1) person who does not reside on the premises.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Cary's LDO bars Type I home occupations, those providing services off-site, from letting any customers or clients visit the home; only a Type II occupation may serve clients on-site, and it needs a permit.
Cary Home Business Client Visit Limits
Significant RestrictionsCary Land Development Ordinance § 5.3.4(C)(2)(a)
(2) Size and Area (a) Type I Home Occupation A Type I home occupation involves administrative support for the rendering of a service off-site in exchange for monetary fees or other remuneration, and complies with all of the following: (i) no customers or clients visit the home; (ii) no employees living outside the home are physically employed at the residence...
Home Daycare
Cary allows a small day care home for up to 6 children as an accessory use by right, with state licensing, parking, and residency conditions.
Cary Home Daycare Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsCary Land Development Ordinance § 5.3.4(M)
A small day care home is intended for the care of up to six (6) children not related to the care provider by birth, marriage, or adoption at any given time... Small day care home uses shall be permitted as an accessory use in a residential dwelling unit provided that all the following provisions are met: (a) Appropriate licensing by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Di...
Looking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cary city rules.
Home Business in Wake County →