Austin City Code Chapter 25-2 allows Home Occupations in all residential zones subject to limits: no employees beyond residents, no customer visits except professionals (1 per 30 minutes, 5 per day), no outdoor storage, no signage, and activity confined to 25 percent of the dwelling.
Austin's Home Occupation rules under Chapter 25-2 Section 25-2-901 permit a resident to conduct a business from home provided: (1) only household members participate (no non-resident employees on site), (2) no more than 25 percent of the floor area is used, (3) no exterior evidence (signs, stock, customer parking), (4) customer visits for professional services (accountants, therapists, attorneys, music teachers) limited to 1 every 30 minutes and 5 per day during business hours, (5) no retail sales on-premises except incidental to services, (6) no generation of noise, vibration, odor, dust, smoke, or traffic beyond typical residential, and (7) no commercial vehicles over 1 ton parked overnight. Prohibited home occupations include auto repair, welding, catering (except cottage food), kennels, and funeral services. Short-term rentals are regulated separately under Subchapter E. Home offices for remote tech workers have no limits under this ordinance since no customers visit. Austin collects General Business License where applicable and sales tax permit is handled by Texas Comptroller. Violations trigger Code citations.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Austin code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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