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

Section 182-106 defines a home occupation as a use customarily carried on within a dwelling by the inhabitants thereof, which is incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling for living purposes and does not change its character or involve mechanical equipment other than that customarily used for purely domestic or hobby purposes. In the R-1 Low-Density Residential District, § 182-202B(2)(d) lists the home occupation among the only accessory uses permitted, subject to seven special requirements in addition to every other requirement of the chapter for the district.

The first five set the physical limits. The home occupation must be located in the dwelling in which the practitioner resides. No one engaged or employed in it can be a nonresident of the dwelling. The area used cannot exceed 15% of the total floor area of the premises. The occupation must be clearly incidental to the residential use of the dwelling and dwelling unit. No external alterations inconsistent with residential use of the dwelling are permitted.

Requirement 6 bars any display of products, storage of goods or materials, or window or other sign visible from outside the building, except a name or accessory use sign or a professional office sign allowed by the sign regulations. Requirement 7 bars offering goods or services for sale or lease to the general public on the premises, except business conducted primarily by mail or telephone.

The R-1A and R-2 Districts take their permitted uses from the R-1 District, subject to all the provisions and requirements of § 182-202B (§§ 182-203B(1) and 182-204B(1)). A professional office in a dwelling is a separate use by special exception before the Zoning Hearing Board, with its own limit of 25% of the total floor area. A zoning permit is required before the use or change in use or occupancy of a building or land (§ 182-902A), and the Zoning Officer administers the chapter under § 182-901.