Macon-Bibb County, GA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

06[A] of the Comprehensive Land Development Resolution classifies home occupations as a limited accessory use in residential and agricultural districts, meant to stay 'clearly secondary or incidental' to the home's residential use. To qualify, the business must be conducted so the average neighbor would not notice it, run solely by the residence's occupants, and use no more than 25 percent of the gross floor area, with no alteration to the residence or accessory buildings. The applicant must own the property, or have the owner's written approval if a tenant.

No stock in trade may be displayed or sold except goods produced on site, no outside storage is allowed, and the use cannot generate noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, electrical interference or fire hazard beyond what an ordinary residence produces. The section lists allowed examples, including telephone and office use, artists and authors, dressmakers, home crafts, clergy offices, sales representatives, tutors, professional offices, and barber or beauty shops, and separately lists uses never allowed as home occupations, among them funeral homes, antique and gift shops, day care centers, restaurants, kennels, auto repair and printing establishments.

06[B], letting a home occupation hire one outside employee on a lot of at least five acres with a 50-foot side and rear setback. 06[C], the use permit expires automatically once the permit holder stops occupying the premises or stops operating the business for six consecutive months, and no new occupant may resume the business without a new application and permit.