Home Business in Baltimore County, MD (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Baltimore County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
The Baltimore County Zoning Regulations (BCZR) permit a home occupation as an accessory use in residence zones. It must keep no stock in trade sold on the premises, employ no one other than resident family members or servants, and use no mechanical equipment beyond ordinary household use.
Home Occupations Are a Permitted Accessory Use in Residence Zones
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Zoning Regulations (BCZR), Home Occupation definition
Home Occupation: An occupation in connection with which there is used no display, (other than signs otherwise herein permitted), that will indicate from the exterior that the building is being utilized in whole or in part for any purpose other than that of a dwelling; in connection with which there is kept no stock in trade or commodity sold upon the premises, no person employed other than serv...
Signage Rules
Baltimore County limits home-occupation signage in residence zones to a total of two square feet in area, not projecting more than one foot beyond the building, and not illuminated. Professional-office nameplates are likewise capped at two square feet.
Home Occupation Signs Limited to Two Square Feet, Not Illuminated
Some RestrictionsBaltimore County Zoning Regulations (BCZR), residence-zone home-occupation sign provision
Home Occupations, provided that no sign or signs shall be displayed on the lot so used exceeding a total of two square feet in area, not projecting more than one foot beyond the building, and not illuminated.
Cottage Food Operations
Cottage food is governed by the State, not Baltimore County. Under COMAR 10.15.03.27, a cottage food business may sell non-potentially hazardous homemade foods made in a private home kitchen without a Maryland Department of Health license, but only within Maryland and directly to consumers or retail stores.
Maryland Cottage Food: No License, Direct In-State Sales Only
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 10.15.03.27A
A cottage food business may offer for sale the homemade foods specified in §B of this regulation when the foods are: (1) Made in a private home kitchen; and (2) Offered or sold only in the State: (a) ... at a retail food store; or (b) Directly to a consumer: (i) At a farmer's market; (ii) At a bake sale; (iii) At a public event; (iv) By personal delivery; or (v) By mail order.
Home Daycare
Maryland fixes home daycare capacity directly through COMAR, and Baltimore County zoning lets the business operate as of right. A registered family child care home may care for up to eight children at once, no more than four under age two, and Baltimore County Zoning Regulations Section 424.3 permits it inside a dwelling in every zoning district without a special exception.
Baltimore County Home Daycare Capacity and Zoning
Some RestrictionsCOMAR 13A.15.04.03(A)-(E)
A. The number of children present in care at any one time may not exceed the child capacity number stated on the certificate of registration. B. Care may not be provided at any one time to more than two children younger than 2 years old unless approved by the office. C. Whenever more than two children younger than 2 years old are present in care, an additional adult shall be present who has met...
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