Stratford, CT Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 4.4.11 of the Stratford Zoning Regulations, titled Home based businesses, sets the standards for home offices and occupations in the Town of Stratford. Subsection B restricts them to one-family residence districts, and they are not allowed in any structures occupied or constructed for use by more than one family, unless the section says otherwise.

There are two tracks in subsection C. A home office, typically professional in nature, is permitted in the dwelling occupied by that person as their residence, with the total floor area used not exceeding 25% of the finished floor area of the dwelling, no more than one employee who does not reside on the premises, and no change to the residential character of the dwelling. A customary incidental home occupation, typically of a service nature, gets the same three limits plus a fourth: it excludes the sale of food or beverages for consumption on the premises.

Multifamily residences get a narrower exception. Under Section 4.4.11(C)(1)(d), a computer-based business is permitted in a multifamily district or residence provided there are no non-resident employees, on-site storage of goods and products, business related deliveries, signs or customers visiting the residence.

Parking is part of the standard. Section 4.4.11(C)(3) requires off-street parking under Section 6.8 at a minimum of 2.0 spaces in RS Districts, none in the minimum front setback area, and a turn-around on site. Section 4.4.11(C)(5) excludes the short-term renting of personal vehicles, pools, or other similar personal property from permitted home-based businesses. Section 4.4.2(10) adds that on a lot with an accessory apartment, home occupations are permitted when they are operated by the primary occupant only.

The text of Section 4.4.11 sets standards and does not itself describe an application process, so any zoning approval step is handled by the Zoning Commission under the rest of the Zoning Regulations.