Sherman, TX Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

The Sherman Code of Ordinances defines a home occupation in § 14.08.001 as a business, profession, occupation or trade conducted within a dwelling unit or elsewhere on a lot primarily used for dwelling purposes for compensation or gain by a resident of the dwelling unit. The operating standards sit in note [2] to the use chart in § 14.10.001, and they attach wherever the chart carries that note.

Condition (A) ties the use to a detached single-family dwelling unit. Condition (C) requires the business to be conducted wholly within the main building and not in any accessory building, and caps the total floor area used at 20 percent of the total floor area of the main building, including garages. Instructional classes are the one carve-out: they can be held outside the main building, with a maximum of six students in each session.

Condition (D) allows only one employee other than the occupants of the residence. Anyone who receives a wage, salary or percentage of the profits directly related to the business counts as an employee, although coordinating or supervising employees who do not regularly visit the dwelling is not counted. Condition (E) bars exterior storage of materials, goods, supplies, vehicles or equipment, and condition (G) requires outdoor activities to be screened from the neighbor and public rights-of-way by a solid fence of at least six feet in height. Condition (H) permits product sales on the premises if every other condition is met, and condition (I) bans toxic, explosive, flammable, combustible, corrosive, radioactive or other hazardous materials on the site for business purposes.

Condition (K) lists uses prohibited as a home occupation, including physical or medical treatment of persons or animals, beauty shops, restaurants, massage establishments, auto repairing or painting, and sign painting. Development Services administers and enforces the zoning chapter under § 14.11.009.