Madison County, IL Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max floor area
- 1/4 of first story or 300 sq ft accessory
- Type A permit
- Not required
- Type B permit
- Special use permit required
- Type A deliveries
- Once daily, 8am-6pm
- Sign allowed
- Up to 6 square feet
Summary
Home businesses in unincorporated Madison County must stay incidental to the dwelling, fit within a quarter of the first floor or a 300-square-foot accessory building, and fall into one of two tiers: Type A needs no permit, Type B needs a special use permit.
(A) General requirements. All home occupations shall be subject to the following requirements unless otherwise noted: (1) This use shall be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes and shall not change the residential character thereof. (2) The home occupation shall be no larger than one-fourth of the gross floor area of dwelling’s first story, or within an accessory building with an area not more than 300 square feet. ... (B) Type “A” home occupation. A Type “A” home occupation is an operation in which the residents use their home as a place of work, but no customers or non-resident employees come to the site. A Type “A” home occupation must meet all of the general rules for home occupations, but does not require a special use permit. ... (C) Type “B” home occupation. A Type “B” home occupation is an operation in which the residents use their home as a place of work that involves employees and customers who visit the property. This type of home occupation shall require a special use permit, and shall be subject to the following requirements:
Full Breakdown
083 sets the general rules for every home occupation in the unincorporated county. The business must remain clearly incidental and secondary to the home's residential use and cannot change the dwelling's residential character. Its footprint is capped at one-fourth of the gross floor area of the dwelling's first story, or 300 square feet if run out of an accessory building. There can be no retail sales or displayed merchandise on-site, no exterior storage of equipment, and no offensive noise, vibration, lighting, smoke, dust, odor, heat, or glare noticeable at or beyond the property line.
Any needed off-street parking must be added on the same lot, the occupation is nontransferable to a new owner or lessee, and a sign up to 6 square feet is allowed, placed within 15 feet of the home on lots under two acres or at least 30 feet from the front line on larger tracts. The code splits home occupations into two types. m. Type B occupations, which involve employees or customers visiting the property, require a special use permit before they can operate.
Violations & Fines
Operating a home occupation that exceeds the general requirements of § 93.083, or a Type B occupation without the required special use permit, is enforced as a zoning violation under § 93.999, carrying a fine of not less than $10 nor more than $500 with each day of continued violation after notice counted separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a home business in unincorporated Madison County?
How much of my house can I use for a home business?
Can customers visit my home-based business?
Can I put up a sign for my home business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison County
How Madison County compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Madison County to another location·View the Illinois home business overview
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