Charlotte vs Huntersville

Home occupations in Charlotte are permitted by right in residential districts under UDO §15.11, subject to conditions limiting non-resident employees, customer visits, signage, and external evidence of business activity. A zoning use permit is required but no public hearing. Most desk-based and online businesses qualify without issue.

Huntersville requires a Zoning Permit for home occupations operating out of a residence. Permitted home occupations must be clearly incidental to the residential use, occupy no more than 25 percent of dwelling floor area, employ no non-resident workers (with limited exceptions), generate no customer traffic beyond typical residential levels, and produce no external evidence of the business. Home offices with no client visits generally do not require separate permits but business activity must still comply with zoning standards.