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Henrico County, VA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Separate home-occupation permit
Not required if compliant
Office activities
No customers on site
Service customers
By appointment only
Allowed hours
Mon-Sat, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Extra parking
One off-street space

Summary

Henrico does not require a distinct home-occupation license; a home occupation is allowed as an accessory use if it meets the § 24-4419 standards. Service and goods-sales home occupations have extra rules, such as appointment-only customers and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. hours, Monday through Saturday.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Henrico County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Standards Applicable to Home Occupations, Provision of Services. ... 4. Customers may come to the site by appointment only. 5. The home occupation must be conducted in the principal dwelling, not in an accessory structure and not outdoors. ... 7. Hours of operation must be limited to Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Under Henrico's zoning ordinance, a home occupation is a by-right accessory use in a dwelling that must comply with the standards of § 24-4419, so no special-use permit is generally needed if you stay within those standards. Office-only home occupations may not have customers come to the site. Home occupations providing services (bookkeeping, tutoring, music instruction, beauty culture, and similar) must be a customary professional service, may see customers by appointment only, must operate in the principal dwelling (not an accessory building or outdoors), are limited to Monday-Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and must provide one extra off-street parking space. A Virginia business license and any state professional licensing are handled separately.

Violations & Fines

Exceeding the § 24-4419 standards, for example seeing walk-in customers for an office use, operating outside allowed hours, or using an accessory building, is a zoning violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a home-occupation permit in Henrico?
Not a separate zoning permit if you meet the § 24-4419 standards. The use is allowed by right as an accessory use; a Virginia business license and any professional licensing are handled separately.
Can clients visit my home office?
For office-only home occupations, no customers may come to the site. Service home occupations may see customers by appointment only, in the principal dwelling, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Henrico County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsSignage RulesSome RestrictionsCottage Food OperationsSome RestrictionsHome DaycareSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome Restrictions

All Henrico County rules

How Henrico County compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Henrico County to another location·View the Virginia home business overview

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