Home Business in Houston, TX (2026)
5 verified home business rules for Houston, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning Restrictions
Houston is the only major US city without zoning. Home businesses are governed by deed restrictions, HOA rules, and general nuisance ordinances. Chapter 10, Article XV authorizes the city to enforce deed restriction violations by injunction.
Houston Home Business Regulations (No Zoning)
Few RestrictionsSignage Rules
Houston's Chapter 46 Sign Code regulates all signage within city limits. Home-based businesses generally cannot display commercial signage without a Certificate of Occupancy. Each business is limited to five signs total under the Sign Code.
Houston Home Business Signage (Chapter 46 Sign Code)
Some RestrictionsTexas Transportation Code Sec. 394.001(1), 394.0201(c) (On-Premise Sign - No State License Required)
Sec. 394.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "On-premise sign" means a freestanding sign identifying or advertising a business, person, or activity, and installed and maintained on the same premises as the business, person, or activity. ... Sec. 394.0201. ERECTING OFF-PREMISE SIGN WITHOUT LICENSE; OFFENSE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person wilfully erects or maintains an of...
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Houston has no zoning restrictions on customer traffic to home businesses. Deed restrictions are the primary control and typically prohibit regular customer visits that create parking issues or commercial activity patterns in residential neighborhoods.
Houston Home Business Customer Traffic Rules
Few RestrictionsCottage Food Operations
Texas Cottage Food Law (Health & Safety Code Ch. 437) allows Houston residents to produce and sell certain foods from home without permits, inspections, or licenses. No municipal zoning ordinance can ban cottage food operations. Annual revenue is capped at $50,000 (increasing to $150,000 effective September 1, 2025).
Houston Cottage Food Production Regulations
Few RestrictionsHome Daycare
Home daycares in Houston are regulated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS) under Human Resources Code Chapter 42, not by city ordinance. Three permit tiers exist: Listed Family Home (up to 3 unrelated children), Registered Home (up to 6), and Licensed Home (7-12).
Houston Home Daycare Regulations
Some RestrictionsTexas Human Resources Code Sec. 42.041(a), (b)(10) (Required License - Family Home Exemption)
Sec. 42.041. REQUIRED LICENSE. (a) No person may operate a child-care facility or child-placing agency without a license issued by the department. (b) This section does not apply to: ... (10) a family home, whether registered or listed; ... Sec. 42.002. ... (9) "Family home" means a home that provides regular care in the caretaker's own residence ...
Looking for Harris County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Houston city rules.
Home Business in Harris County →