Home Employment

Home employment: A business activity conducted entirely within a single-family detached dwelling unit by residents of that unit which is clearly incidental and secondary to its principal use as a dwelling unit. Home employment is more intense than home occupation and allows customers to come to the house. Home employment uses may be permitted in accordance with the provisions of Section 32-300.16 of the Prince William County Zoning Ordinance.

 

 

 How to Apply for Zoning Approval:
  • Submit a completed Home Employment Certificate application to the Planning Office, with all required supporting documentation as described in the application package

  • Other information as may be required as determined by the Zoning Administrator

 
Only the following are permitted as home employment uses: 
  1. Administrative offices of business and/or trade
  2. Arts and crafts activities
  3. Baking/catering (off-premise service)* 
  4. Beauty salon (no tanning or toning equipment)
  5. Clerical/secretarial activities
  6. Day-time adult care (no more than five (5) adults not residing in the home)** 
  7. Diaper/laundry service
  8. Floral design
  9. Interior design/decorating
  10. Jewelry, watch, clock repair; engraving; locksmith; eyeglass; framing; dentures
  11. Maid service (off premise)
  12. Mail order
  13. Nail sculpture, manicurist
  14. Offices of a physician, therapist (including psychological, physical, and/or massage), dentist, lawyer, accountant, engineer, architect, desktop publishing, or similar professional***
  15. Pet grooming 
  16. Photography
  17. Picture framing
  18. Scissors, saw, blade sharpening
  19. Seamstress, tailoring, upholstery activities
  20. Small electronics repair
  21. Tutoring, education or training (no more than five (5) children or two (2) adults at any one time)

    22.  

    * Before requesting Zoning Approval for a Home Employment Certificate for Baking/Catering, please note that the Prince William County Health Department will not authorize home kitchens to be used for commercial catering purposes. Any baking-related home employment must conform to the standards of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For additional requirements and information from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services call 804-786-2373 or visit their website at www.vdacs.virginia.gov.

     

     

    **Before requesting Zoning Approval for a Home Employment Certificate for Adult Day Care, an application must first be filed with the Virginia Department of Social Services. For additional requirements and information from Social Services call 804-726-7000 or visit www.dss.virginia.gov

     

     

     

    ***Before requesting Zoning Approval for a Home Employment Certificate for Massage Therapy, an application must first be filed with the Prince William County Environmental Health Department. For additional requirements and information from Environmental Health call 703-792-6310 or visit www.vdh.virginia.gov