DC allows home occupations in residential zones under 11 DCMR (Zoning Regulations of 2016) with a Home Occupation Permit (HOP) from the DOB's Zoning Administrator. The business must be in the practitioner's principal residence and compatible with residential character.
DC's zoning regulations (11 DCMR, 2016 Zoning Regulations) permit home occupations in residential zones subject to a Home Occupation Permit from DOB's Zoning Administrator. A home occupation is defined as a business, profession, or economic activity conducted in a dwelling unit that is the practitioner's principal residence. Permitted uses include home offices, physician/dentist offices (with restrictions), professional practices, fine arts studios (max 60% of floor area), telephone sales, and tutoring (max 5 students at a time). General restrictions include no external signage beyond what zoning allows, limited employees, limited customer visits, no nuisance impacts, and compatibility with residential neighborhood character. The Zoning Administrator may consider the cumulative impact of multiple home occupations at one address.
Operating without a required HOP may result in cease-and-desist orders, fines, and enforcement action by DOB. Repeated violations may involve zoning board hearings.
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