Can I run a business from home in Chatham, Massachusetts?
Yes. Chatham's zoning bylaw allows a home occupation in residential districts as a 'special condition' use, with no special permit needed if you meet the standards. You must live there, make no change to the home's exterior other than a permitted sign, and have no more than 2 non-family employees and 2 business vehicles on site. Retail stores and heavy-equipment storage aren't allowed.
| Approval | Allowed as a special condition use if standards are met; no site plan review [3] |
| Who can run it | A principal resident of the home [1] |
| Employees (residential districts) | Up to 2 besides resident family members [2] |
| Business vehicles | Up to 2 parked on site (4 in the SB district) [2] |
| Exterior and sales | No exterior change except a permitted sign; sell only goods made on site or incidental to the service [5] |
| Parking | 1 space per full-time employee plus 1 per 300 sq ft used for the business [6] |
What counts as a home occupation
Chatham's Protective Zoning Bylaw defines a home occupation as an occupation or profession carried on by a principal resident, in the home or an accessory building. It must stay clearly secondary to the residential use and not change the neighborhood's character. It may not include a retail store, displaying goods to the passing public, or storing heavy equipment [1].
How approval works
Home occupations are listed as "special condition uses" in the residential districts [3]. A special condition use is permitted in the district as long as it meets the general and specific standards in Section VII [4]. You don't need a special permit, but the Building Commissioner enforces the standards. Approved home occupations are exempt from Planning Board site plan review [7]. The general standards also bar uses that create objectionable noise, vibration, smoke, odors or glare.
The specific standards (Sec. VII.B.13)
- No change in the exterior appearance of the home or property other than a permitted sign [5].
- No sales of products except goods produced on the premises or products incidental to the service you provide [5].
- In the R60, R40, R20 and R20A districts: no more than 2 employees working on the premises besides resident family members, and no more than 2 business vehicles stored or parked there [2].
- In the SB (Small Business) district: up to 2 employees and 4 business vehicles, with no more than 2 in public view.
The district lists in Section III include home occupations in R30 and R40A too, but Sec. VII.B.13 names only R60, R40, R20, R20A and SB, so ask the Building Division which limits apply in R30 and R40A.
Parking
The parking schedule requires one off-street space per full-time employee plus one per 300 sq ft devoted to the business [6].
Signs and other approvals
The bylaw allows only a "permitted sign". Sign size and design rules aren't in the zoning text we reviewed, so check with the Building Division.
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Next steps
- Confirm with the Building Division (508-945-5168) that your business fits the home occupation definition and standards for your district.
- Plan for off-street parking: one space per full-time employee plus one per 300 sq ft used for the business.
- Ask the Building Division about sign rules before putting up any sign.
- If you'll use a business name other than your own, file a business certificate with the Town Clerk.
Common questions
- Can I run a business from my home in Chatham, Massachusetts?
- Yes. A home occupation is a "special condition" use in residential districts, so no special permit is needed if you meet the standards. You must be a principal resident, and retail stores and heavy-equipment storage aren't allowed.
- Can I have employees for a home business in Chatham, Massachusetts?
- In the R60, R40, R20 and R20A districts, up to 2 employees besides resident family members and up to 2 business vehicles. Ask the Building Division which limits apply in R30 and R40A.
- How much parking does a home business need in Chatham, Massachusetts?
- One off-street space per full-time employee plus 1 per 300 sq ft used for the business.
- Can I change the outside of my home for a business in Chatham, Massachusetts?
- No. There can be no change to the exterior other than a permitted sign, and you may sell only goods produced on the premises or incidental to your service. Check sign rules with the Building Division.
Massachusetts state rules for home businesses
Massachusetts has no general state law on home occupations. Whether you can run a business from home, and what limits apply (employees, signs, client visits, parking), is set by your town's zoning bylaw. State law does protect some home-based uses and add a few requirements:
- Family child care is protected: a licensed family child care home or large family child care home (licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care) is an allowed use everywhere. Towns may not prohibit or regulate it through zoning (M.G.L. c. 40A, §3). A family child care home serves up to 6 children under 16, counting the provider's own children who are cared for there.
- The "Dover Amendment" (also c. 40A, §3) bars zoning from prohibiting religious or nonprofit educational uses and child care facilities. Towns can still apply reasonable rules on bulk, height, setbacks, open space and parking. This mainly matters for institutions, not typical home offices.
- Business certificate ("DBA"): if you do business under any name other than your own legal name, you must file a business certificate with the city or town clerk where your office is located (M.G.L. c. 110, §5).
- Farm stands and agriculture get zoning protection only on qualifying farm parcels (generally 5+ acres, or 2+ acres with $1,000 per acre in yearly sales).
- State licensing for specific trades (cosmetology, food production, etc.) applies no matter where you work.
What the bylaw says
- Sec. II Definitions, 53. Home Occupation, Protective Zoning Bylaw, as amended through May 2025 (attested 09/03/2025), p. 13
“HOME OCCUPATION” means an occupation or profession conducted in a residential zone as an accessory use in a dwelling (or accessory building) by a principal resident. The use shall be clearly secondary to the use of the land for residential purposes and not change the character of the neighborhood. Home occupations may not include the operation of a retail store, the display to the passing public of goods, or the storage of heavy equipment on the premises.
- Sec. VII.B.13.c Home Occupation, Protective Zoning Bylaw, as amended through May 2025 (attested 09/03/2025), p. 88
In the R60, R40, R20 and R20A Districts employees working the premises shall not exceed two (2) other than members of the resident family. Not more than two (2) business-related vehicles shall be stored or parked on the premises.
- Sec. III.C.1.b R60, R40, R40A, R30, R20 Residential Districts, Special Condition Uses, Protective Zoning Bylaw, as amended through May 2025 (attested 09/03/2025), p. 22
b. Special Condition Uses (see Section VII) 1. Boarding or Rooming House 2. Guest House 3. Home Occupation
- Sec. II Definitions, 100. Special Condition Use, Protective Zoning Bylaw, as amended through May 2025 (attested 09/03/2025), p. 18
“SPECIAL CONDITION USE” means a use which is specifically permitted in a zoning district, provided that it meets the general and individual standards and conditions set forth for that use in Section VII of this Bylaw.
- Sec. VII.B.13.a-b Home Occupation, Protective Zoning Bylaw, as amended through May 2025 (attested 09/03/2025), p. 88
a. There shall be no change in the exterior appearance of the residence or premises other than a permitted sign. b. There shall be no sales of products except goods produced on the premises or products incidental to the service provided.
- Sec. VI.B.6.q Parking Requirements, Required Spaces, Protective Zoning Bylaw, as amended through May 2025 (attested 09/03/2025), p. 67
one (1) space for every full-time employee in any approved home occupation plus one (1) space for every three hundred (300) square feet devoted to the use
- Sec. VI.A.1 Site Plan Review, Applicability, Protective Zoning Bylaw, as amended through May 2025 (attested 09/03/2025), p. 60
Site plan approval shall be required for all uses except single-family dwellings and their accessory structures, approved home occupations, agricultural and fishing uses, roadside stands, and those uses permitted in Conservancy Districts as set forth in Section IV A of this Bylaw.