Home-Based Business Occupational License

Required Steps

A. Confirm that the proposed Home-based business qualifies as a Home Occupation.

B. Apply online at the One Stop App website.

Required Documents

Home-Base Business (HBB) Occupational License Checklist:

1. Business Description. Provide a detailed description of your business in the application & include your NAICS Code. The description should include: 

   • Information on the types of products sold, services provided, or products manufactured.
   • If products are sold, whether they are sold retail or wholesale.
   • If food products are sold, how are items sold (in person or online).
   • Identify if any business activity that will take place at your home (e.g. customer visits, outside employees, deliveries, product storage, business vehicle storage).
2. State Issued ID. A copy of a driver's license or other state-issued ID for the business owner and/or agent.
3. Residency. If the applicant is not the property owner, please provide documentation proving residency (e.g. driver's license, government ID card, lease agreement, utility bill, letter from the property owner, etc...).
4. Home Business Acknowledgment Form. The Acknowledgment of Limitations questions will be triggered as part of the online application process. To review the limitations for home-based businesses, click here.

Things to Know After you Obtain Approval & the HBB OL has been Issued:

1. Upon receiving notification that your Home-Based Business Occupational License has been approved, you will be required to pay a $50 fee (Temp OL and a one-time fee of $190 for a Home-Based Business Certificate of Occupancy ($240 total). All fees are to be paid on the One Stop App after you receive an approval email from the Staff

2. After operating for 30 days, complete and submit the Amended Return form (pg 2) to the Bureau of Revenue at:

• City of New Orleans Bureau of Revenue
  1300 Perdido St, Room 1W15
  New Orleans, LA 70112

Home-Based Business Limitations

• Food. Home-based businesses that sell or cook food products must either cook at an off-site commercial kitchen or comply with the State Cottage Food Laws (see LA RS 40:4.9 for more information).
• Vehicles. Home-based businesses permit the parking of only one business vehicle at the residence. All other commercial vehicles are not allowed and should not be parked in a residential area. It is the responsibility of the business owner to locate an off-site commercial space for such vehicles.
• Prohibited Home-Based Businesses. Any type of motor vehicle service and repair, taxicab or other vehicle dispatch, or beauty salons are prohibited home occupations.

Don't Qualify as a Home Occupation?

If your business does not qualify as a home-based business, you must reapply at a location that is zoned appropriately for that type of business. You can find a property's zoning district online at our Property Viewer. Property Viewer includes links to our Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, where you can learn what types of businesses and activities are allowed in each zoning district.

Contact the Zoning Division at (504) 658-7125 or email businesslicenseinfo@nola.gov for questions.