Rock Hill, SC Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

South Carolina law treats home occupations as a zoning matter under the Local Government Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act. S.C. Code §6-29-720 authorizes Rock Hill to regulate the use of buildings and to designate uses permitted by right, by special exception, or by conditional use in each zoning district. Chapter 31 of the Rock Hill Code typically permits a customary home occupation as an accessory use in residential districts subject to standards including: a percentage of floor area cap (commonly 25 percent of the dwelling) devoted to the business, no alteration of the residential character of the exterior, no non-resident employees or only one non-resident employee, limited customer traffic, no outdoor storage of materials, no noise audible at the property line beyond ordinary residential levels, and signage limited to a small non-illuminated identification sign. Major home occupations (e.g., medical practices, instructional studios with multiple students, or contractor offices with employees and equipment storage) typically require a special exception from the Rock Hill Board of Zoning Appeals with a noticed public hearing under S.C. Code §6-29-780. The BZA applies compatibility standards and may attach conditions including limits on hours, customer count, off-street parking, and screening. Home occupations must also comply with any City of Rock Hill business license obligations under the city's business license ordinance (separate from zoning) and any state professional licensing administered by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation or relevant occupational board.