do home based businesses need zoning permit (homeowners association, house)

[XRiteMA98]

Hi. I have this idea(s) for some on-line business(es) to do on the side. Basically it's the kind of stuff that can be developped in a college dorm . So there won't be any noise, any storage, any traffic, nada.

Do I need a zoning permit for it? I got an ein and have applied to form a sole proprietorship business.

Found a webhosting company, I'm ready to go. Question is do I need zoning?

Also, can I register 2 businesses on a single address? I mean, later on I'll work on idea no. 2, right?

I will get different websites for these on-line apps, they will have their own clients, so why not register a business for each based on my home address? Is is possible?
Thanks.

[sskink]

If you don't have UPS trucks visiting every day nor customers looking for parking, I wouldn't bother with it unless you were in an HOA, in which case check the rules. I've worked from home for 10 years and never bothered to check legalities.

[Hopes]

It depends on your local township's ordinances. I ran into this problem when I was house hunting in northern PA. I found the perfect house only to find out that I couldn't run my business out of it even though it wouldn't have traffic. I've never had a problem anywhere I've lived throughout Allegheny County. I can assure you that nobody will give you a hassle in Allegheny County if your business doesn't have traffic.

[XRiteMA98]

Thanks for replying. Whats HOA? No fedex, no traffic, nothing. Bsically it's as if I'd be a writer. All I need is a computer. Do writers need zoning to do their craft?

Did FB Zuckerberg have a zoning permit in his dorm when he developped the website? it's sort of the same kind of work.

[Hopes]

HOA = Homeowners Association. Writers do not need zoning permits.

[greg42]

You'll be dealing more with the taxing and licensing part, some of which it sounds like you've already done.

That said, while I wouldn't think there is any traditional zoning issue, my borough has an ordinance that says that ALL home-based businesses have to register annually with the "zoning officer". It sounds weird to me but if one borough in PA has that then chances are some others do too.

[jaybb]

No customer visits, no auto traffic, no unusual external activities, no neon lights, no signs, NO PROBLEM

[Kippy]

Be sure to check and see if your municipality levies a business privilege tax. If there is, see if your business would be subject to said tax, as there are exceptions. I believe that it is usally a set percentage of gross receipts. This would be in addition to any municipal earned income tax, which self-employed individuals are also required to pay.

[XRiteMA98]

Thank you so much.