Champaign, IL Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Sec. 37-167 of Champaign's zoning code makes a home occupation "a permitted accessory use in each district in which a residential dwelling unit is permitted," subject to a list of limitations. " No employees who do not reside at the residence may work on-site, and the structure's appearance cannot be altered so that the premises differ from its residential character. Storage of merchandise for off-premises sales is allowed, but no goods, equipment, or storage connected with the occupation may be kept outdoors, and nothing may be visible or displayed from outside the building.

The operation must also stay within all applicable building, fire, health, safety, and housing codes and comply with business and occupational licensing requirements, and it may generate no noise, vibration, glare, smoke, dust, electromagnetic interference, or odor detectable beyond the property line, including through party walls. If more than one home occupation operates from a single dwelling, the combined impact of all of them together still cannot exceed these standards. Retail sales to walk-in customers are allowed only if clearly incidental to the underlying home occupation, not as its primary function.