Home Occupation Permits: Columbus vs Westerville
How do home occupation permits rules compare between Columbus, OH and Westerville, OH?
Columbus and Westerville have similar restriction levels.
Columbus, OH
Franklin County
Columbus allows many professional and service businesses to operate from a residence under a home occupation permit issued by Building and Zoning Services. The business must be clearly secondary to the home's residential use, employ no non-resident workers on-site, and avoid disruptive traffic, signage, or outdoor storage.
View full Columbus rules →Westerville, OH
Franklin County
Westerville requires home occupations to be registered with the Planning and Development Department and comply with Codified Ordinances Section 1149.05. No external evidence of the business is allowed, non-resident employees are prohibited, and customer visits are strictly limited.
View full Westerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Columbus | Westerville |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Code | - | Codified Ordinances 1149.05 |
| Floor Area | - | 25% max of dwelling |
| Employees | - | Residents only |
| Signage | - | 2 sq ft nameplate max |
| Cottage Food | - | ORC 3715.024 applies |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Columbus FAQ
Westerville FAQ
Can I have clients come to my Westerville home office?
Yes, but customer visits must be by appointment only and cannot create a volume of traffic or parking demand that exceeds typical residential activity.
Do I need a sign permit for my home business?
A single non-illuminated nameplate up to 2 square feet is allowed without a sign permit. Anything larger or illuminated is prohibited for home occupations.
Compare other topics
See how Columbus and Westerville compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool