Gaston County, NC Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 14 sets the operating standards for a private home occupation in any principal dwelling. The use must remain clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use and cannot change the exterior residential character of the dwelling, and no accessory structures or outdoor storage of materials or equipment tied to the business are allowed. Sec. 14(D) caps the floor area devoted to the home occupation at 10 percent of the gross heated floor area of the principal structure, or 300 square feet, whichever is less, and Sec.

14(F) separately caps goods storage space at 10 percent of the gross heated floor area or 100 square feet, whichever is less. The operator must reside on the same lot where the business operates, and staffing is capped at the residents of the dwelling plus a maximum of one nonresident worker under Sec. 14(E). under Sec. 14(K), and instruction-based home businesses such as music or dance lessons are limited to two students at a time, counting anyone waiting on the property, under Sec. 14(L). No external alterations that break the dwelling's residential look are permitted, and on-premise sales are limited to goods made or reconditioned on-site or necessary to the service provided. These standards apply only in unincorporated Gaston County; the seven incorporated municipalities in the county administer their own home-occupation zoning separately.