Livonia, MI Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 6.28 permits home occupations as of right, without a separate permit application, in Livonia's residential districts so long as the business meets eleven conditions. The activity must run entirely inside a completely enclosed dwelling unit, using no more than 20 percent of the unit's usable floor area, and cannot use any garage, attached or detached, or any other accessory building or structure. It cannot generate noise, vibration, smoke, dust, heat, glare, or radio and television interference beyond what an ordinary residential dwelling produces, and it cannot involve outdoor display or storage of materials, goods, supplies, or equipment.

The ordinance also limits the business's visible footprint and scale. No advertising, display, or other exterior indication of the business is allowed except as permitted under the sign standards of Section 11.08. Employment is capped at one person outside the resident family. Large-scale manufacturing, assembly, warehousing, distribution, and the sale or rental of anything other than what the home occupation itself produces are all barred. No internal or external alteration, construction feature, equipment, or machinery unusual for a residential area is permitted, and deliveries from commercial suppliers are limited to 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, using vehicles no larger than FHWA Class 5. If the business will use chemical or toxic materials, the owner must register with the Building Official, the Fire Department, and the Livonia Emergency Planning Committee before operating, so first responders know what is on site.