Can I run a business from home in Brunswick, Maine?
Yes. Brunswick permits home occupations in single- and two-family homes as long as they meet the zoning performance standards: no more than 2 non-resident employees on site at once, no more than 35% of the home's floor area or 750 sq ft (whichever is less), and no more than 16 vehicle trips a day; the ordinance doesn't describe a separate home-occupation permit. A home office used only by residents, with no signs, customers or outdoor storage, isn't regulated at all.
| Where allowed | Single- or two-family dwelling units [2] |
| Non-resident employees | Max 2 on site at any one time [3] |
| Max area used | 35% of the dwelling's floor area (plus finished accessory space) or 750 sq ft, whichever is less [4] |
| Traffic | Max 16 trips per day; no deliveries by trucks larger than single-unit trucks [5] |
| Growth Residential districts | No exterior storage or heavy commercial vehicles; no retail sales except internet sales [6] |
| Simple home office | Not a home occupation; not regulated [1] |
What counts
A home occupation is a lawful business, profession or trade conducted in a dwelling unit or accessory structure by a resident, incidental and subordinate to the residential use. A home office used only by residents (including for telecommuting) with no signs, public access, outdoor storage or displays is not a home occupation and isn't regulated by the zoning ordinance [1].
Performance standards
Home occupations are permitted in single- or two-family dwelling units [2]; the zoning use tables (Tables 3.2 and 3.3) list them as permitted in every district except GN and RN. They are subject to these limits:
- No more than 2 people other than resident family members may be employed on site at one time [3].
- The business may occupy no more than 35% of the gross floor area of the home and finished accessory space, or 750 sq ft, whichever is less [4].
- Traffic is capped at 16 trips per day, with no deliveries by trucks larger than single-unit trucks [5].
- In Growth Residential districts there can be no exterior storage of materials, equipment or commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW, and no retail sales except internet-based sales [6].
- No exterior alterations may be made for the business, and a new home must keep a typical residential appearance [7].
- The business must meet the town's performance standards on noise, traffic, nuisance and fire hazard as determined by the Code Enforcement Officer.
A business that can't meet these standards is treated as a non-residential use subject to all the ordinance's regular requirements, which may mean it isn't allowed in your district or needs review.
Signs
Home occupations are entitled to signage under Section 4.13. In Growth Residential and Rural districts, projecting signs are limited to 6 sq ft [8], and directly lit signs may be on only between 7 am and 11 pm or during business hours, whichever is less [9].
Approval
The ordinance doesn't describe a separate home-occupation permit; compliance is overseen by the Code Enforcement Officer. In the Shoreland Protection Overlay, home occupations are handled by the CEO under the same 3.4.2.C standards.
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Next steps
- Check your plan against the limits: 2 outside employees, 35%/750 sq ft, 16 trips per day, and (in GR districts) no outdoor storage or walk-in retail.
- Call Codes Enforcement in Planning & Development (207-725-6660) to confirm whether any permit or change-of-use review is needed for your business.
- If you want a sign, check Section 4.13 size and lighting limits with the CEO before installing it.
- If you plan exterior changes or more employees or traffic, ask about review as a non-residential use.
Common questions
- Can I run a business from my home in Brunswick, Maine?
- Yes. Home occupations are permitted in single- and two-family homes if they meet the zoning performance standards. The ordinance doesn't describe a separate home-occupation permit, but confirm with Codes Enforcement.
- How many employees can a home business have in Brunswick, Maine?
- No more than 2 people other than resident family members on site at one time. Traffic is capped at 16 trips per day.
- How much of my home can I use for a business in Brunswick, Maine?
- No more than 35% of the gross floor area of the home and finished accessory space, or 750 sq ft, whichever is less.
- Is a home office regulated in Brunswick, Maine?
- No. A home office used only by residents, with no signs, public access, outdoor storage or displays, isn't a home occupation and isn't regulated by the zoning ordinance.
- Can I have retail sales or outdoor storage at a home business in Brunswick, Maine?
- Not in Growth Residential districts. There, no exterior storage of materials, equipment or commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVW is allowed, and no retail sales except internet-based sales.
Maine state rules for home businesses
Maine has no statewide home-occupation law. Whether you can run a business from home, and with what limits, is mostly up to your town's zoning. A few state rules may apply:
- Sales tax registration: If you regularly sell taxable goods or services from home, you must register with Maine Revenue Services and collect sales tax.
- Home food businesses: Making shelf-stable foods (baked goods, jams and similar) to sell requires a Home Food License from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. It costs $20 a year and needs an initial kitchen inspection. Foods that must be refrigerated need a commercial license instead.
- Family child care: A state law (30-A M.R.S. §4364-D) makes family child care providers a permitted use in residential zones, under the same zoning rules as a single-family home. As amended in 2026, towns must follow it starting July 1, 2027. State child care licensing applies separately.
- Shoreland zone: The DEP's model shoreland ordinance defines a home occupation as one clearly incidental to the home, with no more than 2 employees besides family members living there. It requires a planning board permit in Limited Residential, Resource Protection and Stream Protection districts, and a code officer permit in Limited Commercial districts.
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 1.7.2 Definitions, Home Occupation, Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
A home office, including for telecommuting purposes, which is carried on by only residents and does not involve any signs, public access, outdoor storage or displays is not considered a home occupation and is not regulated by this Ordinance.
- Sec. 3.4.2.C(1), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
Home occupations are permitted in single or two-family dwelling units.
- Sec. 3.4.2.C(2), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
No more than two (2) persons other than family members residing on the premises may be employed on site at any one (1) time.
- Sec. 3.4.2.C(3), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
The total area onsite occupied by home occupations may not exceed 35 percent of the total gross floor area of the dwelling unit and finished portions of accessory structures associated with that dwelling unit or 750 square feet, whichever is less.
- Sec. 3.4.2.C(4), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
Automobile and truck traffic generated shall not be greater than 16 trips per day. No deliveries by trucks of the size typically larger than single unit trucks shall be permitted.
- Sec. 3.4.2.C(5)a-b (Growth Residential districts), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
There shall be no exterior storage of materials, equipment, commercial vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVR) rating in excess of 10,000 pounds, or other supplies used in conjunction with the home occupations; and b. There shall be no retail sales with the exception of internet-based sales.
- Sec. 3.4.2.C(6), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
No exterior alterations to an existing structure may be made in relation to the home occupation. If incorporating a home occupation in a new single or two-family dwelling unit, the structure shall maintain the appearance of a typical residential structure.
- Sec. 4.13 (Projecting Signs), Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
In all Growth Residential (GR) zoning districts, GM6, and GM8 (excluding lots with Bath Road frontage) zoning districts, Growth College (GC) zoning districts, and Rural Area zoning districts the size of a projecting sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet and the sign shall not project more than three (3) feet beyond the wall to which it is attached.
- Sec. 4.13.F(1)b, Zoning Ordinance (Appendix A, Municipal Code)
Directly illuminated signs located in Growth Residential or any Rural zoning district are permitted only between the hours of 7:00 am and 11:00 pm or during hours open to the public, whichever is less.