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

Division 8 of the zoning chapter, beginning at § 24.1-280, makes home occupations a permitted residential accessory use if operated in conformance with Article II's standards. Section 24.1-281's general requirements apply to every home occupation: the owner/operator and business-license holder must reside on the premises, and no one else may work there except as separately authorized for limited employee allowances. The use may not exceed four hundred square feet or twenty-five percent of the principal residence's floor area, whichever is greater, unless the Board of Supervisors approves a larger area through a Special Use Permit.

The property must keep a residential appearance visible from the street, outdoor storage is barred without a Special Use Permit, and the operation cannot generate traffic, parking, sewage or water use beyond what is normal for the residential neighborhood. Noise cannot exceed the limits of § 16-19.3, and no machinery may create odor, smoke, dust, glare or flammable or toxic hazards. Heavier commercial vehicles, 10,000 to 16,000 pounds GVW or 21 feet and longer, must be garaged or screened from public view. Uses not listed in Division 8 get resolved through the § 24.1-115 special-use-permit procedure administered by Planning and Development Services.