Two Possible Solutions for Home-Based Zoning Issues

Question: I'm located in a residential zone. I am going to get my county business license next week, and I do not know how to get around the "no home-based businesses" restriction. On the application it says, "No inventory, no deliveries, no sales, etc." Is there anything I can do to get the county to okay my home-based gift basket business?

Answer: It's truly unfortunate that many U.S. counties and cities still abide by antiquated laws, laws that were created before the home-based business boom. Many business owners work in the same place they call home, earning revenues that support families and creating an income base for the same cities and counties that live by these old laws.

There are two ways to possibly work around or change this restriction:

1. Petition your county or city for a change in the law using your business strengths, one of which is that you will add to the state's tax base without creating added traffic or harming children or animals.

2. Some home-based firms rent unused space within another business's facility to receive merchandise and create their gift basket designs. This solution is not the best when you want to work at home, but that's what some do to move forward to make their dream a reality.

It's interesting that counties charge for a business license (unless it's free) that stipulates no sales when the reason business owners apply for licenses is to start a profit-making venture.