Philadelphia, PA Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

Section 14-604(10)(b) provides that three categories of home occupations are recognized in 14-604(10)(b)(.1) through (.3), each permitted in accordance with Table 14-604-1, and that where a home occupation does not meet one of those categories it is prohibited by the Zoning Code in all zoning districts. The first category, 'Home office' (Section 14-604(10)(b)(.1)), is a home occupation conducted solely by residents without employing others, with all sales, services, or work requiring a partner, employee, or customer taking place off the premises - it is permitted as of right in RSD, RSA, RTA, RM, and RMX residential districts. 'Home business, professional' (limited to listed professions such as physicians, dentists, lawyers, architects, and psychologists, with one regularly employed assistant) generally requires special-exception approval outside the most restrictive single-family districts, and 'Home business, general' (where up to three nonresidents, including one employee, may be present) is even more restricted. Permitted home-occupation uses are limited by Section 14-604(10)(c) to business/professional offices, sole medical/dental/health practitioners, business support services, financial services, limited personal services (music and tutoring instruction), and artist studios/artisan industrial. All home occupations must comply with the standards in Section 14-604(10)(d), including being conducted within a completely enclosed building and limiting truck deliveries to 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. by parcel and small freight carriers. Regulated uses under Section 14-603(13) (such as adult uses) are expressly prohibited as home occupations.