Home Occupations

Home Occupations Defined

A home occupation is a business, profession, occupation, or trade that is conducted for gain or support by a full-time occupant of a dwelling unit; and is incidental or secondary to the use of such dwelling unit for dwelling purposes; and does not change the essential residential character of such dwelling unit. Subject to the limitations of the Zoning Ordinance, any home occupation, or home business, that is customarily incidental to the principal use of a building as a dwelling shall be permitted in any dwelling unit.

Employee & Use Limitations

Every home occupation shall comply with the use limitations applicable in the district in which it is located.

Employee Limitations

The entrepreneur of every home occupation shall be domiciled in the dwelling unit where such occupation is conducted. No more than one person that is not domiciled in the dwelling unit where a home occupation is conducted shall be employed in connection with, or otherwise participate in the operation of, such occupation.

Structural Limitations

No alteration of any kind shall be made to the dwelling unit where a home occupation is conducted that would change its residential character as a dwelling unit, including the enlargement of public utility services beyond that customarily required for residential use. No separate entrance shall be provided in connection with the conduct of any home occupation.

Operational Limitations

  • Every home occupation shall be conducted wholly within a principal dwelling unit or any permitted accessory structure.
  • No more than a total of 400 square feet of floor area of any dwelling unit or any permitted accessory structure shall be devoted to the conduct of a home occupation.
  • No stock in trade shall be displayed or sold on the premises of any home occupation.
  • No routinely scheduled gathering of patients, clients, subcontractors, or employees associated with any home occupation shall be allowed upon the premises of the home occupation. Day care homes are subject to the provisions of the Waukegan Zoning Ordinance.
  • No mechanical, electrical or other equipment that produces noise, electrical or magnetic interference, outside the dwelling unit that is greater or more frequent than that typical of equipment used in connection with residential occupancy shall be used in connection with any home occupation.
  • No outdoor storage shall be allowed in connection with any home occupation.
  • No refuse in excess of the amount allowable for regular residential pickup shall be generated by any home occupation.
  • No more than one vehicle used in commerce shall be permitted in connection with any home occupation and any such vehicle shall be stored in an enclosed garage at all times.