Zoning for SOHO in a small town, business primarily on the net.

I am a full-time freelance writer in a small NE Ohio town. I believe
it's possible that no zoning laws would apply as I am doing my
business primarily over the net with some phone calls. No one comes to
the house about it and I only get some occasional related mail and Fed
Ex deliveries. It's zoned residential and they want no businesses on
the street (at least as far as those that have a store front).

I would like to believe that if I went full steam ahead and got a DBA,
yellow pages listing, a business phone line, business checking
account, business cards, etc. that I wouldn't end up hearing from
zoning that I had to pay a fine or shut down or what have you.

1)How do I avoid all that crap without shutting down or moving?
2)How do I find out (for free, without anyone catching on) whether a
business that is done in a home office on this street with no
customers showing up on site, no business signage or other obtrusive
appearances, which is done by Web site, e-mail, phone and some mail,
is a zoning violation?

First read your zoning ordinances then comply. Usually home offices are allowed as long as there are no employees and the home is not used as a retail/commercial store, warehouse etc.