Erie, PA Home Business: Home Occupation Permits (2026)

The City of Erie Zoning Ordinance lists 'Home Occupation' as a permitted accessory use in residential and mixed districts and regulates it through the definition/performance standard in Article 6 rather than a stand-alone home-occupation license. Administration and enforcement fall under Article 4: Section 401 makes the Zoning Officer, appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council, responsible to administer and enforce the Ordinance and to issue Zoning Certificates. Section 402.10 provides that a Zoning Certificate shall be obtained at the request of the property owner, at the creation or change of a nonconforming use, and when changing a nonconforming use to a conforming use; under 402.20 the application must include a plot plan showing the location, dimensions and use of structures plus a filing fee. Because a compliant Home Occupation generates no outside appearance of a commercial use, it ordinarily proceeds as a by-right accessory use; however, any sign requires a building permit under Section 303, and any structural work or change of use triggers the certificate/permit process. Erie also has no separate state-issued home-business license: Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. Sec. 10603(j)) directs that no-impact home-based businesses be permitted by right in residential zones, leaving the City's zoning standards as the operative rule.