Home Business in Chicopee, MA (2026)
4 verified home business rules for Chicopee, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, a home occupation needs a special license from the City Council. The process requires abutter notification, legal advertisement, a public hearing, a fee and yearly renewal. Every license expires on April 30, and the home occupation cannot use more than one half of the living unit's floor area.
Chicopee Home Occupation Special License Process
Significant RestrictionsChicopee Code § 188-22
A. A special license from the City Council is required for a home occupation. Special license requests require immediate abutter notification, legal advertisement, a public hearing, a fee as set by the City Council and yearly renewal. Applications may be obtained and filed in the City Clerk's office. B. The procedure for obtaining a home occupation special license is as follows: ... (5) Once th...
Signage Rules
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, a home occupation gets one nameplate only. It cannot exceed two square feet, must be nonilluminated, and must be attached flat to the main structure, visible through a window, or posted in front of the building at a maximum height of four feet. The one-sign limit applies to corner lots too.
Chicopee Home Occupation Nameplate Sign Limits
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code § 188-22
D. Performance standards. A special license for home occupation may be granted only if all of the following performance standards are met: ... (3) Only one nameplate shall be allowed. It may display the name of the occupant and/or the name of the home occupation. It shall not exceed two square feet in area, shall be nonilluminated and attached flat to the main structure, visible through a windo...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, a home occupation license is granted only if traffic stays no greater than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood and the activity does not take on a commercial or public character. The home occupation must also provide adequate off-street parking.
Chicopee Home Business Traffic and Parking Standards
Some RestrictionsChicopee Code § 188-22
D. Performance standards. A special license for home occupation may be granted only if all of the following performance standards are met: ... (4) No traffic shall be generated in greater volume than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood. The activity involved shall not assume a commercial or public character or constitute a health or safety hazard to the neighborhood. ... (8...
Home Daycare
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, the zoning ordinance treats a family day-care home and a large family day-care home as an allowable use unless a zoning district prohibits or specifically regulates it. Section 275-35 also bars zoning from restricting child-care facilities beyond bulk, height, yard, lot area, setback, open space, parking and coverage rules.
Chicopee Family Day Care Home Zoning Rules
Few RestrictionsChicopee Code § 275-35(H), (J)
H. CHILD CARE; DAY CARE: No zoning ordinance shall regulate or restrict the use of land or structures, or the expansion of existing structures, for the primary, accessory or incidental purpose of operating a child-care facility; provided, however, that such land or structures may be subject to reasonable regulations concerning the bulk and height of structures and determining yard sizes, lot ar...