5 rules for unincorporated Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Verified from official government sources
Delaware County does not zone. Home businesses are governed by your borough, township, or city zoning ordinance under the PA Municipalities Planning Code. State law requires municipalities to allow a 'no-impact home-based business' as a permitted use in all residential zones.
53 P.S. § 10107 (MPC § 107)
"No-impact home-based business." A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling and which involves no customer, client or patient traffic, whether vehicular or pedestrian, pickup, delivery or removal functions to or from the premises, in excess of those normally associated with residential use.
Delaware County sets no sign rule for home businesses. Signage is governed by your municipality's zoning ordinance under the MPC. State law's 'no-impact home-based business' allows no outside appearance of a business, including signs or lights.
53 P.S. § 10107 (MPC § 107)
There shall be no outside appearance of a business use, including, but not limited to, parking, signs or lights.
Pennsylvania has no cottage food exemption. To sell home-baked goods you register your home kitchen as a 'limited food establishment' with the PA Department of Agriculture, get inspected, and pay a small fee. There is no sales cap. This is a state program, not county.
PA Dept of Agriculture, Limited Food Establishment program
The Department's Limited Food Establishment program registers home-based and noncommercial food production sites that meet specific guidelines.
A home daycare in Delaware County is certified by the PA Department of Human Services, not the county. Caring for four to six unrelated children requires a DHS family child care home certificate of compliance under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3290, plus compliance with municipal zoning.
55 Pa. Code § 3290.11(c)
An applicant shall obtain a valid certificate of compliance to operate a family child care home to care for four, five or six unrelated children at a specific location.
Delaware County issues no home-occupation permit. You apply to your borough, township, or city under its zoning ordinance and the PA Municipalities Planning Code. A true no-impact home business is a permitted use needing no zoning approval in residential districts.
53 P.S. § 10107 (MPC § 107)
"No-impact home-based business." A business or commercial activity administered or conducted as an accessory use which is clearly secondary to the use as a residential dwelling...
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