Terrebonne Parish, LA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1 floor-area cap
- 25 percent of dwelling's floor area
- R-2/R-3 floor-area cap
- 35 percent of dwelling's floor area
- R-1 employees
- Family members only, no outside employees
- R-2/R-3 employees
- Up to 2 non-resident employees allowed
- Approval required
- Zoning and land use commission site-plan approval
Summary
Terrebonne Parish lets residents run a home occupation from a dwelling only if it stays incidental to the residence, occurs inside the main dwelling, and sits in a residential district. In R-1 Districts a home occupation needs zoning and land use commission site-plan approval and cannot use more than 25 percent of the dwelling's floor area.
Home occupation: ... In general any business or commercial activity carried out for financial gain within a dwelling unit by the occupant of the dwelling unit, provided: (a) the activity is clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling unit as a residence; (b) is carried on solely within the main dwelling and does not alter or change the exterior character or appearances of the dwelling; and (c) is located in a residential district. ... An occupation for gain or support conducted only by members of a family residing in a dwelling and conducted entirely within the dwelling, provided that no article is sold or offered for sale except such as may be produced by members of the family residing in the dwelling, and further provided, that the occupation is incidental to the residential use of the premises and does not utilize more than twenty-five (25) percent of the floor area of the dwelling. ... b.Uses requiring planning approval—The uses listed below are permitted, upon approval of the location and site plan thereof by the zoning and land use commission ... Home occupation.
Full Breakdown
Terrebonne Parish Code section 28-1 defines a home occupation as any business or commercial activity for financial gain conducted within a dwelling unit by its occupant, provided the activity stays clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use, is carried on solely within the main dwelling without altering its exterior character, and sits in a residential district. The definition then splits by district: in R-1 Districts, only family members residing in the dwelling may run the business, no article may be sold except what the resident family produces, and the operation cannot use more than 25 percent of the dwelling's floor area, with no outside employees allowed.
In R-2 and R-3 Districts the floor-area cap rises to 35 percent and up to two non-resident employees may work on site. Both versions list the eligible trades: physician, dentist, musician, artist, cosmetician and seamstress in R-1; attorney, beautician, tailor, real estate and insurance agents, several categories of engineer, geologist, urban planner and accountant in R-2/R-3. Section 28-47(a) places home occupation among R-1's uses requiring planning approval, meaning the zoning and land use commission must approve the location and site plan for factors like traffic, water supply, waste disposal and fire and police protection before operation begins.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the floor-area cap, employing workers beyond the district's limit, or altering the dwelling's exterior appearance for a home occupation is a Chapter 28 zoning violation. Code Enforcement can cite the property, and Terrebonne Parish Code § 1-6 makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in the parish jail or a $500 fine, with each day of continued noncompliance counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire employees for a home business in a Terrebonne Parish R-1 neighborhood?
How much of my house can a home occupation use in Terrebonne Parish?
Do I need approval before starting a home occupation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Terrebonne Parish
How Terrebonne Parish compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Terrebonne Parish to another location·View the Louisiana home business overview
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