Home Business in Rutherford County, TN (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Rutherford County, Tennessee.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Section 1101 N of the Zoning Ordinance lets a home-based business operate inside a residential dwelling or its accessory building in unincorporated Rutherford County, but bars any change to the home's outward appearance, visible stock displays, and noise, dust, glare or odor discernible at the property line. Minor businesses are allowed by right; major ones need a Special Exception.
Home-Based Business Zoning Rules, Rutherford Co.
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1101 N.1
1. Any home-based business shall meet the following general requirements: a. Home-based businesses must be conducted within a residential dwelling unit which is the bona fide residence of the principal practitioner or within an approved accessory building thereto which is normally associated with a residential use. b. No home-based business shall be permitted that changes the outside appearance...
Signage Rules
In unincorporated Rutherford County, a major home-based business approved by special exception may post only one sign, capped at five square feet, and it must be attached to the principal or accessory structure where the business operates.
Home Business Sign Limits in Rutherford County, TN
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 1101 D.2.h
h. Signage for home-based businesses shall be limited to five (5) square feet and shall be attached to the principal or accessory structure where the business is located. Only one (1) sign per residential lot is permitted.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Rutherford County caps client traffic at a minor home-based business under Section 1101 N.2.e: no more than 5 customer or client visits in any single day, and no more than 2 customers on the premises at once. The same section limits parking to one business vehicle, which can't sit in the front yard.
Home Business Customer Visit Limits, Rutherford Co.
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance §§ 1101 N.2.c, N.2.e
e. Minor home-based businesses shall not create more than five (5) customer/client visits in any one day and no more than two (2) customers/clients can be present at any one time. ... c. Minor home-based businesses shall be limited to the parking/storage of one (1) business vehicle on the premises. Vehicles shall not be stored/parked in the front yard. For the purposes of this section, front ya...
Home Daycare
In unincorporated Rutherford County, a private home may care for up to four children without a state license as a by-right accessory use under Zoning Ordinance Section 403 A.2.i. Anything larger, up to twelve children, is a Family/Group Child Care Home and needs a Board of Zoning Appeals special exception.
Home Daycare Rules in Rutherford County, TN
Some RestrictionsRutherford County Zoning Ordinance § 403 A.2.h-j
h. A parents' day out or child care for pre-teenage children for not more than twelve (12) hours in any one week and which does not require licensure by the State of Tennessee shall be permitted on any property approved as a Community Assembly use. i. Private residential homes that provide childcare for four (4) or less children and requires no licensure from the State of Tennessee. j. Child Ca...
Home Business by City in Rutherford County
1 cities in Rutherford County have their own home business rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Rutherford County ordinances
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