Home Business in Framingham, MA (2026)
4 verified home business rules for Framingham, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
In the City of Framingham, a home occupation inside a single-family dwelling is allowed by right under City Code § 435-9 but capped at 25% of the dwelling's floor area or 400 square feet, whichever is smaller. No nonresident employees are permitted, and the business cannot use exterior display, storage, or signage beyond one nonilluminated sign of two square feet.
Framingham Home Occupation Zoning Standards
Some RestrictionsFramingham City Code § 435-9
§ 435-9. Home occupations. ... Home occupations as accessory uses within single-family dwellings are subject to the following conditions: A. The home occupation shall be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling as a residence, shall be located within the dwelling unit or a single accessory building, and shall not change the residential character thereof. B. The area utilized ...
Signage Rules
In the City of Framingham, a home occupation or home office run out of a single-family dwelling may display only one identification sign, and that sign is capped at two square feet and must be nonilluminated. Zoning Code § 435-9E treats any larger sign, illuminated sign, or exterior display of goods as incompatible with the residential accessory use it permits.
Framingham Home Occupation Sign Limits
Some RestrictionsFramingham City Code § 435-9E
E. There shall be no exterior display or storage of goods or materials, and no exterior indication of the home office or occupation other than one nonilluminated identification sign not to exceed two square feet in area.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Framingham's home occupation ordinance limits customer traffic sharply: City Code § 435-9D allows no more than three customers, clients, pupils, or patients on-site at any one time, and only between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. No client visits are permitted on Sundays at all.
Framingham Home Business Client Visit Limits
Some RestrictionsFramingham City Code § 435-9D
D. Not more than three customers, clients, pupils, or patients for business or instruction shall be present at any one time. Customers, clients, etc., shall be present only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Home Daycare
In the City of Framingham, a Family Child Care Home caring for up to six children is treated as an accessory use to a dwelling, while a Large Family Child-Care Home caring for more than six needs the same state license but is defined separately in the Zoning Code.
Framingham Home Daycare Zoning Rules
Light RestrictionsFramingham City Code § 435-5 (Family Child Care Home; Large Family Child-Care Home)
FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME An accessory use to a dwelling, allowing not more than six children in care, as defined in MGL c. 15D, § 1A, provided that said dwelling and provider have received a license from the Department of Early Education and Care to provide family day care, as defined by MGL c. 15D. ... LARGE FAMILY CHILD-CARE HOME An accessory use to a dwelling, allowing more than six children i...