No-Impact Home-Based Businesses

HB 2464 and No-Impact Home-Based Businesses

HB 2464 may provide some protection from regulation or harassment for people who have a home-based business. But, your business must meet the definition of a “No-Impact Home-Based Business” to be protected. 

A No-Impact Home-Based Business means a home-based business that: 

(A) has at any time on the property where the business is operated a total number of employees and clients or patrons of the business that does not exceed the municipal occupancy limit for the property; 

(B) does not generate on-street parking or a substantial increase in traffic throught the area; 

(C) operates in a manner in which none of its activities are visible from a street; and

(D) does not substantially increase noise in the  area or violate a municipal noise ordinance, regulation, or rule.

 

The governing body of a municipality may not adopt or enforce an ordinance, regulation, or other measure that:

 

(1) A prohibits the operation of a no-impact home-based business;

(2) requires a person that operates a no-impact home-based business or that owns the property where the business is operated to obtain a license, permit, or other approval to operate the business; or

(3) requires a person that operates a home-based business or that owns the property where the business is operated to:

(A)rezone the property for a non-residential use; or (B)install a fire sprinkler protection system if the residence where the business is operated consists only of:

(i) a single-family detached residential structure; or

(ii) a multi-family residential structure with not more than two residential units.

 

This bill does not prohibit:

(1) a person from enforcing a rule or deed restriction imposed by a homeowners’ association or by other private agreement; or

(2) a municipality from adopting or enforcing an ordinance regulating the operation of a short-term rental unit.

The governing body of a municipality MAY:

(1) require that a home-based business be:

(A) in compliance with federal, state, and local law, including:

  • (i) a municipal fire and building code; and
  • (ii) a municipal regulation related to:
  • (a) health and sanitation;
  • (b) transportation or traffic control;
  • (c) solid or hazardous waste; or
  • (d) pollution and noise control;

(B) compatible with the residential use of the property where the business is located; and

(C) secondary to the use of the property as a residential dwelling; and

 

(2) limit or prohibit the operation of a home-based

business that:

(A) sells alcohol or illegal drugs;

(B) is a structured sober living home; or

(C) is a sexually oriented business as defined by Section 243.002.