Home Occupation

A Zoning Home Occupation Permit is used to establish a home occupation. A home occupation is one that is conducted entirely within a dwelling and is incidental and secondary to its residential use. The Development Ordinance establishes requirements for home occupations, which include:
  • Only one person may be employed who is not an occupant of the residence
  • Cannot occupy more than 25% of the gross floor area of the dwelling
  • Only handmade items, foodstuffs, and crafts made in the dwelling may be offered for sale on the premises
  • No outside storage or display of items
  • No maintenance or repair of commercial equipment in the occupation
  • One commercial vehicle and/or a trailer not exceeding 24 feet in length may stored on site
  • One attached sign is allowed
  • Activities cannot generate traffic, parking, noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference beyond what normally occurs in the district in which it is located

Prerequisites


  • None

Approvals or Permits Issued


  • Issuance of a Zoning Home Occupation Permit by the Development Services Center
  • The permit lists all required inspections

Submittal Requirements


  1. Completed Zoning Home Occupation Permit Application (PDF) submitted to the Development Services Center or online through Accela Citizen Access (ACA).
  2. Application fee
  3. A floor plan of the dwelling that identifies the percentage of gross floor area occupied by the home occupation

Permit Requirements


  1. The proposed home occupation must comply with the Development Ordinance regulations.
  2. Payment of required permit fee.
  3. Applicant is authorized to obtain the permit.
  4. Upon meeting all permit requirements, the applicant is entitled to a Zoning Home Occupation Permit.

Additional Information


  • Projects are assigned a Case Manager to act as the point of contact and assist with managing the project through the permit review process.

​Expected Processing Time

  • Within 2 business days of receipt of an application the Planning & Development Department will determine whether an application is complete or incomplete.
  • If the application is incomplete, then the applicant will be notified within those 2 business days with a written list of application deficiencies. 
  • If the application is complete, then it shall be considered submitted.
  • Approximately 5 business days from submittal of a complete application the Planning & Development Department will approve, approve subject to conditions, or disapprove the application in accordance with review standards of the Development Ordinance.
  • The application will be approved upon the determination that it meets all applicable review standards of the Development Ordinance.
  • If the permit application is approved subject to conditions, the applicant may submit a revised application to show conformance with the conditions of approval or address the comments.
  • If the application does not meet the review standards of the Development Ordinance, it will be denied with comments and the applicant may appeal or revise the application addressing the comments.
  • Any revised application will be reviewed and decided within 5 business days of submittal.
  • If the applicant appeals a denial, it will be considered in accordance with the appeal provisions of the Development Ordinance.

Fees


  • All permit fees are due prior to permit issuance
  • See the Development Fee Schedule (PDF) for specific fees
  • Payment types accepted: Cash, Discover, MasterCard, Visa and Check or Money Order payable to the City of High Point
  • Online (ACA) payment types accepted: Cash, Discover, MasterCard, Visa and E-check

Inspections


Certficate