Cheektowaga, NY Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 260-28D requires a temporary permit for any home-based business in the R District, valid for a maximum of two years and issued by the Board of Appeals only after a public hearing advertised under Town Law § 267-a, Subdivision 7, and the procedures of § 260-78. Section 260-28E defines a home-based business as using part of a dwelling for a business that is "not clerical in nature" and involves "assembling or treatment of articles or merchandise for exchange off the premises," distinguishing it from a purely clerical home office, which is separately allowed as of right under § 260-88's home-office definition without a special permit.

The home-based business must stay clearly incidental and subordinate to residential use, capped at 15% of the ground floor area of the principal structure, may be located within the principal or an accessory structure, and can employ only one person who is not a resident occupant. m. Clients and animals cannot be received at the residence, all activity and storage must occur inside a fully enclosed building, and deliveries must arrive via the applicant's own personal vehicle since commercial deliveries to the residence are barred. The Board of Appeals may impose additional reasonable conditions to safeguard public health, welfare, safety, comfort and convenience under § 260-28E(6).