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

Chapter 20 defines a home occupation as any home office or home business conducted entirely within a dwelling, carried on by an occupant, and clearly incidental and secondary to the home's residential use. Section 20-1 sets ten standards a home occupation must meet in full. The applicant must own the property, or have the owner's written approval if renting. Only family members residing on the premises may work in the business, and nothing may be sold except items the immediate family actually produces there. The operation is confined to the main building and capped at 25 percent of that building's floor area.

The space used must be fully enclosed so the business is not visible from surrounding property, and outdoor storage of equipment or materials visible to neighboring homeowners is prohibited. No group instruction or group assembly of people is allowed on the premises, and the home and business must meet all applicable building and fire codes. The operator may park one commercial vehicle, limited to a passenger car, van, or light truck of up to one-ton capacity, in the approved parking area. Under Section 20-2, the applicant bears the burden of proving these conditions are met, and the zoning official or director of administration may approve a compliant application administratively; a denial can be appealed to the board of commissioners under the county's Comprehensive Land Development Regulations.