Richardson, TX Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning status
- Permitted accessory use in residential districts
- Floor area cap
- 20% of the home's total floor area
- Location
- Must be entirely inside the enclosed dwelling
- Employees
- One non-resident employee maximum
- Exterior
- No building modifications changing residential look
Summary
Richardson allows a home occupation as an accessory use in a residential dwelling only if it stays incidental to living there: no more than 20 percent of the home's floor area, conducted entirely indoors, no exterior building changes, and no more than one non-resident employee.
(a)Home occupation: A home occupation that is not a home-based business (no impact) shall be subject to and operate in compliance with the following:(1)The home occupation shall be (i) incidental and secondary to the primary use of the premises as a residence, and (ii) customarily conducted in a residential dwelling unit;(2)The total floor area to be used for the home occupation shall not exceed 20 percent of the total floor area of the principal building located on the property;(3)The home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the enclosed principal building. No outdoor activities shall be allowed;(4)Building modifications that alter the residential character of the dwelling or property are prohibited;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Article XXII-E, Section 10(a) lists 15 conditions a home occupation must satisfy to remain a lawful accessory use of a residential dwelling, rather than requiring a separate permit application. Item (1) requires the use to be incidental and secondary to the property's use as a residence and customarily conducted inside a dwelling unit. Item (2) caps the floor area devoted to the home occupation at 20 percent of the total floor area of the principal building on the property. Item (3) requires the activity to be conducted entirely within the enclosed principal building, with no outdoor activity permitted.
Item (4) bars building modifications that alter the residential character of the dwelling or property, and item (9) limits the operation to one employee who is not a resident of the home, defined as anyone who receives a wage, salary, or percentage of profits tied to the business. Items (10) through (12) add a further layer, prohibiting hazardous materials on-site and any offensive odor, noise, smoke, vibration, or pest problem beyond what is normal for a residential area. Richardson's residential district use tables list home occupation as a use permitted in single-family districts, alongside the separate home-based business (no-impact) category, which runs under the distinct standards of Section 10(b) instead.
Violations & Fines
A home occupation that exceeds the 20 percent floor area cap, operates outdoors, alters the dwelling's residential appearance, or employs more than one non-resident worker is an unlawful use of a residential structure under Article XXII-E, Section 10(a). Code enforcement can order the use brought into compliance or discontinued, and Article XXVIII, Section 1 allows a fine of up to $2,000 for each day the violation continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to run a home occupation in Richardson?
How much of my house can I use for a home occupation?
Can I hire employees for my home occupation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richardson
How Richardson compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Richardson to another location·View the Texas home business overview
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Zoning & Home Occupation Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Dallas County handle zoning & home occupation permits.