Marietta, GA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

04 of the Marietta Code of Ordinances governs home occupations as an accessory use permitted in dwellings across the city's residential zoning districts. 04(C)(1), a home occupation must remain incidental and accessory to the residence, and no more than 750 square feet or 25% of the dwelling's floor space, including attached garages, whichever is less, may be devoted to the business. The code recognizes two zoning tracks: Type A occupations, which involve no employee or customer visits and require only the standard business license, and Type B occupations, which involve visits from clients, employees, consultants or subcontractors and carry heavier zoning scrutiny.

04(E)(1) requires Type B applicants to obtain a Special Land Use Permit from City Council following a public hearing, using the same procedures and fees set out in Division 720, with the Council weighing neighborhood impact, parking, traffic and property values. 04(E)(2)-(3). Any alteration that expands the floor area dedicated to the home occupation voids the existing business license and, for Type B, requires a new public hearing to reestablish the special land use permit. The Department of Development Services must approve and annually recertify every home occupation business license, and all home occupations are subject to periodic inspection to confirm continued compliance with the floor-area cap and the accessory-use standard.