Dearborn allows home occupations as an accessory use in residential zones with limits on signage, employees, customer traffic, and floor area, administered by the Planning and Zoning Division.
Under the Dearborn Zoning Ordinance, a home occupation is permitted as an accessory use in residential districts if it remains clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling. Typical standards require that the business occupy no more than 25 percent of the floor area of the dwelling, employ only residents of the household plus limited non-resident assistants if allowed, generate no traffic or parking demand beyond a normal residence, produce no exterior evidence (no outdoor storage, no window displays), and emit no noise, odor, vibration, smoke, or electrical interference detectable at the property line. On-premise signs are generally prohibited or limited to a small nameplate. Certain uses (auto repair, medical or dental clinics, kennels, commercial food production, retail sales from the home) are prohibited as home occupations. Applicants should contact Dearborn Planning at (313) 943-2140 to confirm use classification before operating.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Wayne County handle home occupation permits.
See how Dearborn's home occupation permits rules stack up against other locations.
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