5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Plymouth County, Massachusetts.
Verified from official government sources
Plymouth County has no zoning power. A home business in Brockton, Plymouth, or any South Shore town answers to that town's zoning bylaw, adopted under state law MGL c.40A. Most towns allow home occupations by right within limits on floor area, employees, and outward appearance.
No Plymouth County sign rule exists. Each town's zoning bylaw caps home-business signs, and the common limit for a home occupation is a single non-illuminated sign of about one to two square feet mounted flat on the house.
The county sets no traffic limit. Town zoning bylaws keep a home occupation incidental to the home, and many Plymouth County towns cap client visits, bar nonresident employees, or require off-street parking so the business does not alter the neighborhood.
Selling home-baked goods across Plymouth County runs through the local Board of Health under state food code 105 CMR 590. A Residential Kitchen registration and inspection are required; potentially hazardous foods stay off the approved list.
State law protects home child care across Plymouth County. A family child care home is an allowable use no town may prohibit or zone out, but the provider must hold an Early Education and Care license covering up to 10 children.
MGL c.40A, §3
Family child care home and large family child care home as defined in section 1A of chapter 15D shall be an allowable use and no city or town shall prohibit or regulate such use in its zoning ordinances or by-laws.
1 cities in Plymouth County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Plymouth County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Plymouth County Ordinance Hub →