Lansing allows home occupations in residential zones as an accessory use when clearly incidental to the dwelling. The activity must be conducted by a resident, occupy no more than 25% of the dwelling, have no nonresident employees, generate no significant customer traffic, and produce no external evidence beyond a small sign. A home-occupation registration with the Planning Office is required.
Lansing's Zoning Ordinance addresses home occupations as a permitted accessory use in residential districts. A home occupation must be operated by a person residing in the dwelling, be clearly incidental to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes, and not occupy more than 25% of the gross floor area of the dwelling. No persons other than residents of the dwelling may be employed onsite. No exterior storage, display, or alteration giving evidence of business use is permitted. One non-illuminated, wall-mounted identification sign no larger than 1 square foot is allowed. The activity must not generate traffic, noise, odor, vibration, glare, fumes, or electrical interference detectable beyond the property line. Customer or client visits are limited (commonly 4 per day) and must occur within reasonable daytime hours. Vehicles used in the home occupation must be passenger-class. Certain uses — auto repair, salons with more than one chair, kennels, restaurants, and adult uses — are not permitted as home occupations. A home occupation registration is filed with the Planning Office, and a City of Lansing business license is required.
Operating an unpermitted or non-conforming home occupation triggers a zoning violation notice with 30 days to cure. Failure to comply leads to municipal civil infractions of $100–$500 per occurrence and possible cease-and-desist orders enforceable through 54-A District Court.
Lansing, MI
Lansing permits construction during standard daytime hours. Construction is generally allowed from 7 AM to 9 PM Monday through Saturday. Sunday construction ...
Lansing, MI
Lansing addresses barking dogs under Chapter 654 (Noise) and Chapter 610 (Animals). Owning or harboring any animal that frequently makes sounds creating a no...
Lansing, MI
Lansing prohibits unreasonably loud or disturbing noise under Chapter 662 of the Code of Ordinances. Quiet hours run from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM in residential ...
Lansing, MI
Lansing restricts the storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers in residential areas. Street parking of these vehicles is limited and storage mus...
Lansing, MI
Lansing restricts parking of large commercial vehicles in residential areas. Heavy trucks and semi-trailers may not be stored in residential zones.
Lansing, MI
Lansing regulates on-street parking through Chapter 1042 and the Parking Services Division. No vehicle may park in one location on a public street for more t...
See how Lansing's zoning restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.