Type 1 home occupations may have no clients or non-resident workers at all. Type 2 home occupations may have up to 2 nonresident employees and may admit customers only by appointment between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., one appointment per hour, with no more than 2 clients on site at a time.
Allentown distinguishes two types of home occupations in Section 660-48. For Type 1 (no-impact) home occupations, 'No clients, customers, patients, or students are allowed' and only residents of the dwelling may be engaged - 'No nonresident owners, employees or contractors may be present on the property' (660-48.G(2)-(3)). A maximum of one commercial vehicle may be parked on or adjacent to the lot (660-48.G(5)). Type 2 home occupations are more permissive but tightly conditioned: at least one operator must reside in the dwelling as their primary residence; 'A maximum of 2 nonresident employees are allowed'; and 'Customers or clients may visit the site only from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and by appointment only, with appointments limited to no more than one per hour. No more than 2 clients or customers may be present at any one time, except that up to 3 students may be present at one time in a teaching-related home occupation (e.g., tutor or music/dance instructor)' (660-48.H(2)-(4)). Limitations on patient visits do not apply to offices of a medical, dental, chiropractic, or similar doctor unless imposed at special-exception approval. Face-to-face or walk-in retail sales are prohibited as a principal Type 2 activity, though online retail sales are permitted (660-48.H(5)). No more than one Type 2 home occupation is allowed per property (660-48.H(13)).
Exceeding the employee cap, admitting clients outside permitted hours, or running an unpermitted Type 2 use is a zoning violation enforceable under Section 660-123: the zoning officer may order discontinuance, and civil enforcement can yield a judgment up to $500.00 plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees, each day a separate offense.
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