Mansfield, TX Home Business: Home Occupation Permits (2026)

The Mansfield Zoning Ordinance allows home occupations as an accessory use in residential districts provided the business is clearly incidental to residential use of the dwelling. Core restrictions are: the operator must reside in the home, no more than one non-resident employee may be on site, the use must not occupy more than a limited percentage of the floor area (typically 25 percent), no outside storage of materials or equipment, no mechanical or electrical equipment that creates noise or interference beyond the dwelling, no customer traffic that alters the residential character of the street, and no signage other than a small non-illuminated nameplate. Home occupations may not include auto repair, kennels, restaurants, medical clinics, or manufacturing. Applicants must submit a home occupation permit application to the Planning and Zoning Division, pay the applicable fee, and receive approval before commencing operations. A Mansfield business registration and a Texas sales and use tax permit may also be required depending on the activity. Code Compliance investigates complaints and may issue citations for unpermitted use. Home occupation approval does not exempt the operator from HOA covenants, which often impose stricter standards in master-planned communities such as South Pointe and Walnut Creek.