Charles County, MD Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Charles County allows home occupations only after a home occupation (HO) permit is issued, under § 297-29B(18). All business activity must be conducted entirely within the portions of the principal dwelling approved for the use, per § 297-29B(18)(a); accessory structures don't qualify for this permit path (see cottage industries for that). The size cap is 200 square feet within the dwelling in most zones, expanding to 500 square feet in the AC, RC, and WCD zones, under § 297-29B(18)(c). All materials, equipment, supplies, and inventory must stay stored inside the dwelling per § 297-29B(18)(d), and the operation cannot produce or improperly dispose of hazardous, toxic, or carcinogenic materials under § 297-29B(18)(e).

Employees are limited to immediate family members residing in the home, per § 297-29B(18)(g), and deliveries may come only from the postal service, a private carrier like UPS, or the occupant, per § 297-29B(18)(h). , and no business activity on Sundays or federal holidays, under § 297-29B(18)(i). The code lists suitable examples, including tailoring, catalog sales, typing services, bookkeeping, and licensed personal services, in § 297-29B(18)(j), and unsuitable uses in § 297-29B(18)(k).