Comment Well... (Score 1) 535
I think it entirely depends on where you live.
I cover nearby township meetings for the local newspaper, so I'm obviously only qualified to talk out of my ass about this. But in the particular township which I have the most experience, running a software company from home is actually a *right*, as long as you file for the correct permits and abide by the specified restrictions. The permit you need is called a "Conditional Use Permit" here in Minnesota. It'll cost about 250 dollars or so to file for one, and then the city/township/county has to chew on it for a while.
You'll probably have some sort of hearing before a zoning board or township board or committee or whatever. Be prepared to answer questions like, how will your business affect residential traffic patterns? Will you have any employees? Working on-site or off site? Will you have any employees in the future? How many cars will you have parked outside during the day time?
Another thing you might want to check is to see if your software company violates any housing covenants that you signed when you moved into your neighborhood. As I understand it, disputes over housing covenants are not settled by any governmental agency -- you start out with courts and lawyers.
32579738956 other people have said this before me, but go talk to your city, township, or county zoning administrator. They're usually very helpful (unless you live in a larger city, then, good luck). Chambers of Commerce are also good places to find out info.
But the best way of approaching things like this is to *start* at the local level; ask the smallest level of local government (your wife? ;) and work your way up. When it comes to zoning issues, generally, any smaller level of government can be more restrictive than any larger level of government, but not less restrictive. (The township can't say "Sure, you can build a 35 story office building," if the county has imposed height limits on buildings county wide, etc.)
But get as much local info as you can, since everywhere is different (that's why you start smallest first and work your way up. Kinda like booting. ;)
Your milage may vary, I'm not a lawyer, etc. Good luck!
I cover nearby township meetings for the local newspaper, so I'm obviously only qualified to talk out of my ass about this. But in the particular township which I have the most experience, running a software company from home is actually a *right*, as long as you file for the correct permits and abide by the specified restrictions. The permit you need is called a "Conditional Use Permit" here in Minnesota. It'll cost about 250 dollars or so to file for one, and then the city/township/county has to chew on it for a while.
You'll probably have some sort of hearing before a zoning board or township board or committee or whatever. Be prepared to answer questions like, how will your business affect residential traffic patterns? Will you have any employees? Working on-site or off site? Will you have any employees in the future? How many cars will you have parked outside during the day time?
Another thing you might want to check is to see if your software company violates any housing covenants that you signed when you moved into your neighborhood. As I understand it, disputes over housing covenants are not settled by any governmental agency -- you start out with courts and lawyers.
32579738956 other people have said this before me, but go talk to your city, township, or county zoning administrator. They're usually very helpful (unless you live in a larger city, then, good luck). Chambers of Commerce are also good places to find out info.
But the best way of approaching things like this is to *start* at the local level; ask the smallest level of local government (your wife?
But get as much local info as you can, since everywhere is different (that's why you start smallest first and work your way up. Kinda like booting.
Your milage may vary, I'm not a lawyer, etc. Good luck!
