Troup County, GA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Approval basis
- Tied to applicant, not the land
- Lapse trigger
- 6+ months discontinued needs reapproval
- Ownership change
- Requires new application
- Unlisted occupation
- Needs Board of Commissioners approval
- Governing section
- UDO Appendix B § 7.3(6)
Summary
Unincorporated Troup County allows home occupations in residential districts under UDO Sec. 7.3(6), but only on a lot with an existing or permitted house, tied to the applicant rather than the property. Unlisted businesses need Board of Commissioners approval, and a six-month gap or ownership change forces reapplication.
Home occupations may be permitted in residentially zoned districts, according to the standards for the zoning district of the proposed location of the business activity. ... (a)A home occupation may only be approved on a lot or parcel where a house exists or where a building permit has been submitted for the construction of a house that includes a designated space for the proposed home occupation. The building permit must clearly indicate the area within the dwelling that will be used for the home occupation. Home occupations do not run with the land and are specific to the applicant. If a home occupation is discontinued for more than six months, the required business license is not renewed, or the property changes ownership, a new application and approval are required to continue the home occupation.
Full Breakdown
In unincorporated Troup County, home occupations are zoned under UDO Appendix B Sec. 7.3(6), which splits standards by lot size: Sec. 7.3(6.1) governs lots of two acres or less across districts including SU-R, LR, SD-MH, MFR, USD, AGR, RR and AG, while Sec. 7.3(6.2) governs the same use on lots over two acres. Approval is tied to the property having a house: Sec. 7.3(6)(a) allows a home occupation only on a lot where a house already exists or where a building permit has been submitted for a house that includes a designated space for the business, and that space must be clearly marked on the building permit.
Home occupations do not run with the land, so approval is specific to the applicant; if the business is discontinued for more than six months, its business license lapses, or the property changes hands, a fresh application and approval are required before the occupation can continue at that address. A change of residence likewise requires a brand-new home-occupation application for the new location. At each business-license renewal, Community Development re-evaluates the certificate to confirm compliance on items like employee count, acreage, and equipment storage, and the owner must proactively report any change in location, expansion, or operational modification.
Home occupations involving sales must show a current Georgia Sales Tax certificate before a license issues, and any occupation not on the standard permitted list requires an application reviewed by the Board of Zoning Appeals/Planning Commission with final approval from the Troup County Board of Commissioners.
Violations & Fines
Operating a home occupation without an approved application tied to the current owner, continuing after a six-month lapse or ownership change without reapplying, or failing to report changes to Community Development violates Sec. 7.3(6) and can result in revocation of the home occupation certificate and business license, plus zoning enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my home occupation approval to a new owner?
What happens if I stop my home business for a while?
Can I run a home business not on the county's approved list?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Troup County
How Troup County compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Troup County to another location·View the Georgia home business overview
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