Each Oakland County municipality sets its own home occupation permit requirements. Some (Bloomfield Township) allow home occupations as-of-right if rigorous standards are met; others require a registration, zoning review, or special land use permit. Common conditions: no nonresident employees, no exterior alteration, no outside storage, limited customer traffic, no signage.
Bloomfield Township Sec. 42-4.43 — typical Oakland County approach: home occupation is a permitted use in residential districts only if (1) no employees other than residents work at the premises, (2) no signage or advertising device implying a home business is on site, (3) no outside storage related to the home occupation, (4) the use does not create a nuisance (noise, vibration, fumes, odor, dust, litter, electrical interference), and (5) traffic and deliveries are no greater than normal residential. Some Oakland communities (Independence Township, Oxford Township, Commerce Township) require a Home Occupation Permit issued by the township building or planning department before commencement, often with a modest fee ($50-$200) and a sign-off from neighbors. Royal Oak (Sec. 770-25) lists home occupations as a permitted accessory use subject to compliance with standards. Some uses are flatly prohibited as home occupations: automotive repair, kennels, medical/dental clinics, restaurants, retail with walk-in trade, and adult-use businesses.
Failure to obtain a required home occupation permit or violation of home occupation standards is a zoning violation. Most Oakland municipalities classify it as a municipal civil infraction, with fines that escalate per day of continued violation. Repeat offenders may face injunctive action requiring cessation of the business activity.
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