Grand Rapids, MI Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

All home occupations shall obtain a business license from the City Clerk. Home occupations shall be licensed pursuant to Chapter 116 Home Occupation of the City Code. Chapter 116 describes three occupational classes: Class A, which shall have minimal to no impact on the surrounding neighborhood; Class B and Class C, which have the potential for adverse effects to the neighborhood or community.2.All license applications shall include an interior floor plan provided clearly indicated the planned location for the conduct of the home occupation, total living area square footage by the floor, and living area square footage by floor devoted to the home occupation.3.Table 5.9.13.B summarizes the Classes and requirements for home occupations and the required approval processes. Table 5.9.14.B Home Occupation Classes Characteristic Requirement Class A Class B Class C Approval Process Director Review Director Review Special Land Use Examples (non-inclusive) Internet-sales, home office, bookkeeping Music, fine arts instructor; one-room rental Bed and breakfast See 5.9.08. Rooming house See 5.9.30. Residential Type Single-family, two-family, multiple-family Single-family, two-family Bed and breakfast See 5.9.08. Rooming house See 5.9.30. Property Ownership Owner or renter Owner or renter with owner consent Owner Walk-in Retail Trade Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted