5 rules for unincorporated Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Chesterfield permits home occupations in residential and agricultural zoning districts, provided the business is clearly incidental to the home. Certain uses, including beauty parlors, kennels, dance studios, auto repair, and bed-and-breakfasts, are prohibited as home occupations.
Chesterfield Zoning Ordinance Sections 19.1-52, 19.1-53, 19.1-570
The Code of Chesterfield County permits home occupations in residential and agricultural zoning districts, subject to restrictions. Prohibited Home Occupations: animal hospitals; barbershops; beauty parlors; convalescent homes; dance studios; kennels; nursing homes; private clubs; motor vehicle body work, detailing, painting, or repair; rest homes; tourist homes (bed and breakfast); trash colle...
Chesterfield's home occupation standards require the home to keep its residential character with no external alterations. Because a business sign would change that appearance, on-site advertising signs for home occupations are effectively not permitted.
Chesterfield Zoning Ordinance Section 19.1-52 (Home Occupation Standards, Appearance)
Home occupations must be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the property for dwelling purposes. External alterations cannot make the premises differ from its residential character.
Chesterfield sets no separate cottage food rule; Virginia's home food exemption governs. Under Virginia Code Section 3.2-5130, low-risk foods such as candies, jams, baked goods, and dried mixes may be sold directly to consumers without a state inspection if properly labeled.
Virginia Code Section 3.2-5130(C)(3)
candies, jams, and jellies not considered to be low-acid or acidified low-acid food products, dried fruits, dry herbs, dry seasonings, dry mixtures, coated and uncoated nuts, vinegars and flavored vinegars, popcorn, popcorn balls, cotton candy, dried pasta, dry baking mixes, roasted coffee, dried tea, cereals, trail mixes, granola, and baked goods
Caring for up to four children (plus your own) is treated as residential use and needs no zoning approval. Caring for five to twelve children requires a conditional use in Chesterfield (about a $300 application) and state licensure.
Virginia Code Section 15.2-2292(A)
Zoning ordinances for all purposes shall consider home-based child care as defined in Section 22.1-289.02, serving one through four children, exclusive of the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home as residential occupancy by a single family.
A home occupation is allowed by right if it meets county standards: no more than two clients on-site at once, only resident family-member employees, use limited to 25% of floor area or 250 sq ft, no group assembly, and no outside storage.
Chesterfield Zoning Ordinance Sections 19.1-52, 19.1-53, 19.1-570
Clients: No more than two clients may be on the premises at any one time. Employees: Only family member employees living on the premises may work on the premises. Home occupations may not exceed 25% of dwelling floor area or 250 square feet, whichever is greater, and must be located inside a dwelling or structure.
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