Royal Oak Township, MI Home Business: Customer Traffic Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Customer cap
- Ten customers or clients per 24-hour period
- Added vehicles
- No more than one additional vehicle at a time
- Parking
- Off the street and not in the required front yard
- Permit
- Building official permit before establishing the use
- Who can work there
- Current residents of the dwelling unit only
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor: fine up to $500.00 or 90 days, or both
Summary
In the Charter Township of Royal Oak, Michigan, a home occupation can add no more than one additional vehicle at a time, and no more than ten customers or clients can come to the dwelling unit in any 24-hour period. Parking for the business must be met off the street and outside the required front yard.
(c) A permit shall be required from the building official prior to establishing any home occupation. ... (g) Only the current residents of a dwelling unit may be engaged in the home occupation on the premises. (h) The home occupation may increase vehicular traffic flow and parking by no more than one additional vehicle at a time. No more than ten customers or clients shall come to the dwelling unit for services or products during any 24-hour period. Any need for parking generated by the conduct of such home occupation shall be met off the street and other than in the required front yard.
Full Breakdown
Section 32-622 of the Royal Oak Charter Township Code sets the traffic rules for every home occupation in the township's zoning chapter. Subsection (h) caps vehicle impact at one additional vehicle at a time, and it caps visitors at ten customers or clients who come to the dwelling unit for services or products during any 24-hour period. The count covers people picking up products as well as people receiving services, so a resident who sells goods from the house and a resident who sees clients are held to the same ceiling.
Parking is handled in the same subsection. Any need for parking generated by the home occupation must be met off the street and other than in the required front yard. Customer cars cannot be left at the curb or in the required front yard of the lot.
The traffic cap sits beside other standards in the same section. Subsection (c) requires a permit from the building official before any home occupation is established. Subsection (g) provides that only the current residents of a dwelling unit may be engaged in the home occupation on the premises. Subsection (k) bars a home occupation from creating noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, electrical interference, fire hazard, or any other hazard or nuisance to any greater extent or frequency than would normally be generated in a similarly zoned residential district, and subsection (n) bars operating in a way that becomes a public nuisance.
Subsection (a) lists businesses that are strictly prohibited as home occupations unless otherwise permitted subject to special approval, including antique shops, barbershops and beauty parlors, restaurants, and vehicle and engine repair businesses, because those uses have a pronounced tendency to increase in intensity. Subsection (b) treats the general practice offices of accountants, doctors, insurance agents, lawyers, real estate agents, tax preparers and veterinarians as generally prohibited, with home offices permitted only where the residence is used for consultation, emergency treatment, business matters, or procedures the professional can complete alone.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the zoning chapter is a misdemeanor under § 32-262, punishable by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both, for each offense. Each day a violation occurs or is continued counts as a separate offense, and costs of prosecution and related administrative costs are assessed against the violator. The building official can also pursue court action under § 32-263.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many clients can visit a home business in Royal Oak Township?
Where do customers have to park?
Do I need a permit before starting a home occupation?
Can I hire employees who do not live in the house?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Royal Oak Township
Compare Royal Oak Township to another location·View the Michigan home business overview
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