Zoning Permits - Home Occupations

Home Occupations are defined as: An accessory use to a residential dwelling, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes and does not change the character thereof.

Home Occupations can be of two types:
1. a permitted use not requiring any zoning certificate; or
2. a conditionally permitted use requiring Board of Appeals approval.

Permitted Use

In order to qualify as a permitted use not requiring a zoning certificate, the applicant must adhere to all of the following conditions:

No internal or external alterations, construction or reconstruction of the premises to accommodate the use.
No signage.
No outside storage of any kind related to the use.
No more than two people can receive services such as teaching, tutoring, tax or computer consulting, etc. at any one time.
No sale of commodities or products from the premises.
Not more than 25 percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling shall be devoted to the use.
No equipment, process, materials or chemicals shall be used which create or emit offensive noise, vibrations, smoke, dust, odor, heat, glare, x-rays, radiation or electrical disturbances.
No additional parking area shall be created.
Only residents of the dwelling may participate in the home occupation as an employee or volunteer.
No display of products may be visible from the street.
No deliveries by commercial transportation.
No use of accessory buildings or structures.

Conditionally Permitted Use

A person may apply for a conditional use certificate for a home occupation which does not fully comply with any of the requirements outlined above. This use requires Board of Appeals approval. An Application for Conditional Use shall be filed with the Zoning Director and submitted to the Board of Zoning Appeals for consideration in accordance with Article XI-Conditional Zoning Certificates.

For Further Information
See Article VI Section 602.12 and Article XI Sections 1101.1 & 1101.2
of the Plain Township Zoning Resolution or
call the Plain Township Zoning Department at (330)492-4686
between 8a.m. - 4:30p.m., Monday - Friday

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