Hudson, NH Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Hudson's home occupation standard, § 334-24, amended 3-13-2007 and 3-10-2009, defines a home occupation as any activity carried out for gain by a resident in their dwelling unit that is a secondary use to the residence, and requires any home occupation involving sales or service work on wholesale goods to go through the Zoning Board of Adjustment as a special exception. The Board must find the application meets a full list of conditions before it approves one. The business must remain secondary to the home as a residence and be run only by residents who live there, with no employees or hired staff unless they too live on the premises; an owner or renter must sign an affidavit confirming who is running the business and accepting responsibility for violations, and the approval expires if ownership or the rental agreement changes.

Outdoor activity is barred except for day-care businesses, on-site retail sales are expressly prohibited, and no more than 50% of the home's finished living space may go toward the occupation. The exterior of the property must show no sign of the business beyond a permitted sign under Article XII, and any exterior storage needs its own special exception and must be screened by a solid fence or evergreens. Parking is capped too: customer parking is limited to two vehicles at a time, off-street and outside required setbacks, and only one commercial vehicle may be kept at the property, rising to specific weight limits in the B, I and G Zones. The Community Development Director/Zoning Administrator can revoke the special exception if any condition lapses.