Upper Darby, PA Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)

Section 550-41 of the Upper Darby Zoning Code governs home-based businesses. The intent clause in § 550-41A allows reasonable home-occupation use of residential homes for "contemporary flexible employment options" while protecting neighborhood character. Subsection B defines the non-impact home occupation standard and lists specific numbered requirements a home business must satisfy: the business must employ no employees other than family members residing in the dwelling (§ 550-41B(2)); there can be no display or sale of retail goods and no stockpiling of inventory of a substantial nature (B(3)); there can be no outside appearance of a business use, including parking, signs or lights (B(4)); the business may not use equipment or processes creating noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical/electronic interference detectable in the neighborhood (B(5)); it may not generate solid waste or sewage discharge beyond what is normal for residential use (B(6)); and critically for space, “the business activity shall be conducted only within the dwelling and may not occupy more than 25% of the habitable floor area” (B(7)).

The business also cannot involve illegal activity (B(8)) and must meet commercial-vehicle parking standards cross-referenced to § 550-33B(1) and (2) (B(9)). Subsection C lists twelve categories of uses flatly prohibited as home occupations regardless of scale, including food preparation and service, veterinary uses, hospitals or clinics, bed-and-breakfasts, machine or welding shops, beauty or barbershops, retail sales, funeral homes, vehicle repair, and laundry or dry cleaning.