Home Business in Dothan, AL (2026)
4 verified home business rules for Dothan, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Dothan's zoning code sorts home-based businesses into qualifying home occupations, approved administratively once the owner signs an affidavit of compliance, and non-qualifying home occupations, which trigger neighbor notice and can become a Board of Zoning Adjustment special exception if anyone objects.
Dothan Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsDothan City Code § 114-101
A home occupation is intended to be a use conducted in a residential property, with operations occurring entirely within a dwelling and carried out solely by the inhabitant thereof and which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the building and/or structure for dwelling purposes. ... (a)Qualifying home occupations are home based businesses that have no outward appearance of busines...
Signage Rules
Home-based businesses in Dothan cannot post any sign or advertisement on the property, including on the mailbox. The ban applies to both qualifying home occupations, per § 114-101(a)(13), and non-qualifying home occupations, per § 114-101(b)(17).
Dothan Bans Signs at Home Businesses
Heavy RestrictionsDothan City Code § 114-101(a)(13), (b)(17)
(a)Qualifying home occupations are home based businesses that have no outward appearance of business activity, including business identification signage. ... (13)There are no signs or advertisements on the property, including on the mailbox; ... (b)Non-qualifying home occupations are home based businesses that exhibit any outward (visible) signs of business activity, including (but not limited ...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Neither type of home occupation Dothan recognizes may receive customers at the house. A qualifying home occupation's affidavit of compliance states "there are no customers at the home," and a non-qualifying home occupation's conditions of approval say the same.
Dothan Home Businesses Can't Host Customers
Heavy RestrictionsDothan City Code § 114-101(a)(7), (b)(8)
(a)Qualifying home occupations are home based businesses that have no outward appearance of business activity, including business identification signage. ... (7)There are no customers at the home; ... (b)Non-qualifying home occupations are home based businesses that exhibit any outward (visible) signs of business activity, including (but not limited to) the following: lawn care business, contra...
Home Daycare
Running a child day care in the City of Dothan, including from a home, requires a city business license under Sec. 18-22's fee schedule, tiered at $25.00 for 2 to 5 children and $75.00 for more than 6, plus state certification and a Health Department permit or inspection.
Dothan Home Day Care License Rules
Some RestrictionsDothan City Code § 18-22
CODE NAICS TITLES/BUSINESS LICENSE CODES FEE ... 624411 Day Care Facility - Child (1) More than 2 but less than 6 children $ 25.00 (2) More than 6 children $ 75.00 Proof of State Certification when required by state law. Health Department Permit or Inspection required.