Running business from residential home--zoning

[wendyk]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? MI

Is it legal to buy a home that is zoned residential and run a business from it without living in it? If there are laws prohibiting this, could I put a bed in one of the rooms and say it is lived in? What could happen if I were caught doing this?

 

[nextwife]

If your business does not require equipment, trucks, hazardous chemicals or equipment, or employees or clients to come and go from the premises, it probably wouldn't matter. I know several people who no longer maintain a seperete office and work out of the house, but those are limited business types that communicate by email, and where most of the work is done either on a computer or a table (jewelry beading, for example, real estate closing tech, etc.).

What sort of business are you trying to place in a residential neighborhood?

 

[wendyk]

What sort of business are you trying to place in a residential neighborhood?

Well, the business is actually already there. It's not my business. Nor is it for sale. It is a recycling company and this would be considered the "corporate office" so to speak. There are maybe 3 employees onsite answering phones, filing paperwork, disbatching, etc. I do not believe the neighbors even know this IS a business next door to them.

I would like to know if it is illegal for him to operate out of a home that is zoned residential when there is not even a resident at the address. If so, do you think the bed is there to act as a loophole?

 

[FlyingRon]

Zoning is typically a town/county thing. You need to talk to someone in the local land use (or a lawyer that specializes in cases before them) to see how restrictive the local zoning is and how rigorously it is enforced. I can tell you here, what you want will definitely NOT be allowed. Even if it was actually your residence you'd need a special permit for the "cottage industry."

 

[FlyingRon]

Zoning is typically a town/county thing. You need to talk to someone in the local land use (or a lawyer that specializes in cases before them) to see how restrictive the local zoning is and how rigorously it is enforced. I can tell you here, what you want will definitely NOT be allowed. Even if it was actually your residence you'd need a special permit for the "cottage industry."

Your better option would be to get actual office space. Another option is for not much over your regular phone service you could put a business line(s) in your employees various houses and allow them to just work from home.

 

[divona2000]

...I can tell you here, what you want will definitely NOT be allowed. Even if it was actually your residence you'd need a special permit for the "cottage industry."

...Your better option would be to get actual office space. Another option is for not much over your regular phone service you could put a business line(s) in your employees various houses and allow them to just work from home.

Well, the business is actually already there. It's not my business. Nor is it for sale...I do not believe the neighbors even know this IS a business next door to them...I would like to know if it is illegal for him to operate out of a home that is zoned residential when there is not even a resident at the address. If so, do you think the bed is there to act as a loophole?

Wendy, if it's already there, you don't own it, and it's not for sale, what are you interested in? Having it shut down?

 

[wendyk]

I'm curious about the laws and yes.