Unincorporated Travis County has no zoning and therefore no home-business restrictions beyond deed and HOA rules. Austin permits home occupations in all SF zones under Code 25-2-901: max 20 percent of dwelling floor area, resident-operated, no more than 1 non-resident employee, no retail sales on-site, no outdoor storage.
Texas Local Government Code denies counties general zoning authority, so unincorporated Travis County cannot restrict home-based businesses. Compliance depends on deed restrictions and HOA covenants which often prohibit commercial use. Austin Code 25-2-901 through 25-2-903 defines Home Occupation with specific limits: 20 percent max floor area, resident only or 1 non-resident employee, no on-premises retail, no outdoor display, no signage beyond 2 sq ft name plate, no more than 3 client visits per day, no commercial vehicles over 1 ton. Schools (other than music lessons), bed-and-breakfasts, kennels, and auto repair are prohibited as home occupations. Certain cottage food operations are exempt from these limits per state preemption (HSC 437).
Austin: warning, then Class C misdemeanor up to 500 dollar fine per day, Certificate of Occupancy suspension. HOA violations: per deed, typically 250-2,500 dollars plus injunction. Unincorporated non-HOA: no enforcement.
Travis County, TX
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See how Travis County's zoning restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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