Kingsport, TN Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

The Kingsport zoning chapter defines a home occupation in section 114-1 as professional offices, studios or customary incidental home occupations conducted within the principal building, but only by a person resident in the dwelling. Three conditions apply. First, not more than one person who is not a resident of the premises can be employed. Second, not more than 25 percent of the total floor area in any dwelling unit can be devoted to the use. Third, the use cannot adversely affect the uses permitted in the immediate neighborhood by excessive traffic generation, parking, noise or other disturbing characteristics.

The district sections repeat the numbers. Section 114-181(b)(1) lists home occupations within the principal building by a resident using no more than 25 percent of total floor space, and no more than one nonresident employee, as an accessory use in the A-1 Agricultural District. Section 114-182(b)(3) allows home occupations in the R-1A Residential District as for A-1 districts, and the R-1B, R-1C and R-2 districts adopt the R-1A accessory uses by reference. Every one of those sections keeps the activity inside the house: the definition says the principal building, so a detached garage or outbuilding does not qualify.

The sections read here print no separate home occupation permit, fee or registration step. Enforcement runs through the zoning administrator, who under section 114-35 administers and enforces the zoning chapter, investigates complaints, gives written notice of a violation and can order discontinuance of the illegal use of land, buildings or structures. Section 114-38 adds injunction, mandamus or other action to prevent occupancy or use in violation of the chapter, and an adjacent or neighboring property owner who would be damaged can bring that action. Anyone who disagrees with a zoning administrator's order can appeal to the board of zoning appeals under section 114-67(a)(1), and the board also hears special exceptions and variances.