Portsmouth, VA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Sec. 2-215 defines HOME OCCUPATION as a business conducted within a dwelling unit that is "incidental and secondary to the residential use of the lot" and does not perceptibly affect the neighborhood's character; it lists examples such as offices, electronic and offsite retail, physical therapy, beauty parlors, pet grooming, and art studios. 2-216 permits home occupations by right in nearly every zoning district in the city, including all base residential districts, mixed-use districts, several Downtown D1 sub-districts, and the Historic districts. The use-specific standards at Sec.

2-217(I)(3)(g) set the operating rules: the business must be conducted inside the principal dwelling or an accessory structure, a residence may host no more than two home occupations at once, and the operation cannot exceed 25 percent of the principal structure's gross floor area, or must be fully contained in the accessory structure. The resident who provides the service must actually live in the home, and only residents of the dwelling can work on-site, though remote employees elsewhere are allowed. The home occupation cannot change the dwelling's exterior appearance, and no more than two vehicles connected to the business can be kept on the premises.

Signs are limited to what Sec. 2-307 allows, no goods or equipment may be stored or displayed outdoors, and all wholesale or retail sales of goods must happen electronically or off-site rather than in person at the home. Personal-service home occupations can serve only one customer at a time and must keep all required licenses and permits current.