Home-based zoning

Many cities with restrictive home-based-business rules have changed those rules with the guidance of home-business owners.

First, find out what the laws currently say and use them as a starting point, if appropriate. If they currently ban all home-based businesses, you'll have to start from scratch.

Once the amendment to the current laws goes to public hearing, don't be naive to think there won't be oppositiion. Most of it will come from people who don't have a clear understanding of what home-based businesses are really about. They might assume "home business" means their neighborhood will be subjected to manufacturing, delivery vehicles, employees or customer traffic. These are valid concerns, though rarely are they a real issue. Listen to and address their concerns.