Franklin Township, PA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Franklin Township's Board of Supervisors permits home occupations as an accessory use in agricultural and residential zoning districts under Zoning Code § 27-1709, but only under conditions meant to keep the neighborhood's peace and traffic intact. A no-impact home-based business, drawing no more than one client a week, making no on-site retail sales, showing no sign, and taking deliveries no more than once a week, is exempt from the section entirely. Every other home occupation must be owned and operated by at least one resident of the dwelling, may employ no more than two nonresidents, and cannot occupy more than 25% of the dwelling unit's total floor area.

The business must stay wholly inside the residence or a single accessory building, cannot alter the residential appearance of the property beyond one permitted sign, and cannot use heavy equipment such as tractor trailers or construction machinery. To operate, a resident applies to the Zoning Officer for a use and occupancy permit under §§ 27-2306 and 27-2308, submitting a schematic floor plan, lot dimensions, and the location of customer parking, along with the prevailing filing fee. The Township notifies all property owners within 500 feet of the application and holds it for 30 days, and the Zoning Officer must approve or deny it within 35 days of the notice period and fee payment.

An approved permit is good for one year and must be renewed annually, with the renewal request and fee filed a month before expiration. The Zoning Officer may inspect the premises at permit application, renewal, or any other reasonable time. A denial, revocation, or non-renewal can be appealed to the Zoning Hearing Board within 10 calendar days of the decision.