No-Impact Home-Based Business Occupancy Permit Application

Zoning Use Permit – PA MPC (2022) §107 & §603(l) – 2021 IRC

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Today's Date*

Municipality*

County*

1. Applicant Information

Applicant Name*

First Name Last Name

Cell Phone*

E-mail Address*

Does the Applicant Live in the Dwelling?

Yes

Is the Owner the Applicant?*

Yes

If No, list the property owner's name and phone below.

Property Owner Name*

Property Owner Phone*

Owner authorization required. Because the applicant is not the owner, include written authorization from the property owner with your submittal.

2. Business Information

Business Name (if any)

Business Phone / E-mail

Description of Business Activity

Hours / Days of Operation

Family Members Working in the Business

Anticipated Start Date

3. Property Information

Property Street Address*

City*

ZIP Code*

0 of 10 max characters

Parcel / PIN Number

Lot No. / Subdivision

Zoning District

Dwelling Type

Single-Family Detached

Two-Family / Duplex

Townhouse

Apartment / Condo

Other

Other Dwelling Type

Is the Dwelling in a Floodplain?

Yes

Deed Restriction, Covenant, or HOA Rules Limiting Business Use?

Yes

Unknown

Deed, covenant, or HOA restrictions. Zoning permission for a no-impact home-based business does not override any deed restriction, covenant, HOA bylaw, or similar agreement. Include HOA or landlord approval with your submittal if it is required.

4. Business Operation (MPC §107 No-Impact Criteria)

Answer every question. A “Yes” answer to questions 1–8 means the business may not qualify as a no-impact home-based business.

1. Will customers, clients, or patients visit more than is normal for a residence?

Yes

2. Will pickups or deliveries exceed what is normal for a residence?

Yes

3. Will anyone work in the business other than family members living in the dwelling?

Yes

4. Will retail goods be displayed or sold, or will substantial inventory be stored?

Yes

5. Will there be any outside sign of the business (signs, lights, business parking, etc.)?

Yes

6. Will any equipment or process create noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical interference detectable in the neighborhood?

Yes

7. Will the business create solid waste or sewage beyond what is normal for a residence?

Yes

8. Will any part of the business be conducted outside the dwelling (yard, garage, accessory building)?

Yes

May not qualify as a no-impact home-based business. A “Yes” answer to questions 1–8 means the business may not qualify as a no-impact home-based business. A business that does not meet every criterion must follow the zoning ordinance’s requirements for home occupations or other uses, which may require a special exception or conditional use.

9. Will any construction or alterations be needed for the business?

Yes

Building permit required. Any construction, alteration, or trade work for the business requires a building permit (IRC §R105.1).

Habitable Floor Area of Dwelling (sq. ft.)

Floor Area Used for Business (sq. ft.)

% of Habitable Floor Area (max. 25%)

Calculated automatically from the two areas above.

Over the 25% floor area limit. A no-impact home-based business must be conducted only within the dwelling, occupying no more than 25% of the habitable floor area (MPC §107).

5. Regulations

Zoning – PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC, February 2022):

A no-impact home-based business is an accessory use, clearly secondary to the residential use, with no customer, client, or patient traffic, pickups, deliveries, or removals beyond those normal for a residence (MPC §107). It must meet all of the following:
1. Compatible with the residential use of the property and surrounding residential uses.
2. No employees other than family members residing in the dwelling.
3. No display or sale of retail goods, and no stockpiling or inventory of a substantial nature.
4. No outside appearance of a business use, including parking, signs, or lights.
5. No equipment or process creating noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors, or electrical or electronic interference detectable in the neighborhood.
6. No solid waste or sewage discharge beyond what is normal for residential use in the neighborhood.
7. Conducted only within the dwelling, occupying no more than 25% of the habitable floor area.
8. No illegal activity.
Zoning ordinances must permit no-impact home-based businesses in all residential zones as a use permitted by right (MPC §603(l)). This does not override any deed restriction, covenant, HOA bylaw, or similar agreement.
A business that does not meet every criterion is not a no-impact home-based business and must follow the zoning ordinance’s requirements for home occupations or other uses, which may require a special exception or conditional use.

Building – 2021 International Residential Code (PA UCC):

A dwelling with a qualifying accessory home business remains a one- or two-family dwelling or townhouse under the IRC; no change of occupancy is created.
Any construction, alteration, or trade work for the business requires a building permit (IRC §R105.1).
A business use beyond an accessory home business (for example, a live/work unit or a space open to the public) may fall outside the IRC and be reviewed under the IBC as a change of occupancy.

6. Submittal Checklist

Check Included or N/A for each item.

Floor plan of the dwelling showing the business area and its square footage

Included

N/A

Written description of business operations

Included

N/A

Written authorization from the property owner (if the applicant is not the owner)

Included

N/A

HOA or landlord approval (if required by deed, lease, or HOA rules)

Included

N/A

Copies of any required state or professional licenses

Included

N/A

7. General Requirements

Supporting documents must be mailed, emailed (info@codesassessmentpros.com), or dropped off at our office.

The business may not begin operating until the occupancy permit is issued. All required fees must be paid before the permit is issued.

Failure to provide all information will result in the application being deemed incomplete, returned to the applicant and not reviewed. Review time will start with a completed application submittal.

Floor Plan Sketch

Sketch the floor plan of the dwelling. Label each room, and shade or outline the area used for the business with its dimensions (in feet). Draw your sketch with north at the top of the page.

Upload Floor Plan Sketch

Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, jpeg, png, tif, tiff, doc, docx, Max. file size: 1 GB, Max. files: 10.

Upload your floor plan sketch. Reminder: supporting documents must be mailed, emailed (info@codesassessmentpros.com), or dropped off at our office.

Invoice & Payment

Where should we send the invoice?*

Enter the name and the mailing address or email address the invoice should go to. Payment can be made by check (mailed or dropped off at our office) or by card.

8. Applicant Certification

Certification

I have read and agree to the certification statement below.

I certify that I am the owner of record of the property, or that the proposed use is authorized by the owner and I am authorized to make this application as the owner’s agent. The information provided is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I agree that the business will be operated at all times in compliance with the no-impact home-based business criteria listed above, and that any change in the business that no longer meets those criteria requires a new zoning review. I agree to allow the code official or zoning officer to inspect the premises at any reasonable hour to confirm compliance.

Applicant Signature

Type your full legal name to sign this application electronically.

Date

Printed Name

Title / Relationship to Owner