Harford County, MD Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

The Harford County zoning code lets a resident run a home occupation or professional office out of a dwelling under § 267-27D(4), subject to criteria that can only be modified through Board of Appeals approval. Subsection (a) requires the use to be clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use and caps it at 25% of the gross floor space of the principal building. Subsection (b) confines the business to the dwelling unit or an accessory structure and bars any outdoor display or storage of materials, goods, supplies or equipment tied to the occupation.

Subsection (c) requires that the residential character of the dwelling not be altered to accommodate the business, so no commercial signage, exterior remodeling or storefront look is permitted. Subsection (f) bars retail sales on the premises except for goods actually produced there. Subsection (i) rules out entire categories outright: home occupations cannot include automobile repair, selling bait, crabs or fish, construction businesses, dancing or karate schools, funeral homes, kennels, medical clinics, petroleum storage or delivery businesses, printing businesses, private clubs, radio stations, restaurants, or variety or gift stores.

Because all accessory uses, including home occupations, require a zoning certificate under § 267-27B, a resident must apply to the Department of Planning and Zoning before starting the business, and the Board of Appeals is the only body that can grant a modification of the 25% floor-area cap or any of the other listed criteria.