American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which of the following describes a home occupation?

1. Always requires a separate entrance.

2. Can operate without any restrictions.

3. Conducted as a primary business in residential zones.

4. Incidental and subordinate to the primary residential use.

The correct answer is: Incidental and subordinate to the primary residential use.

A home occupation is typically a business activity that is conducted within a residential property, and it is characterized by being incidental and subordinate to the primary residential use. This means that the home remains primarily a dwelling, and the business activities do not dominate the residential character of the property or the surrounding neighborhood. Many zoning regulations define home occupations in this way, emphasizing that such businesses should not create significant noise, traffic, or other disruptions that would detract from the residential nature of the area. Home occupations usually involve activities that are small in scale, such as consulting services, crafting, or certain professional offices which do not require extensive client interactions or significant modifications to the home. In contrast, other options suggest characteristics that are not typically true for home occupations. While some home occupations might have alterations such as a separate entrance, this is not a requirement. Additionally, stating that home occupations can operate without any restrictions overlooks the customary zoning regulations that govern them, and suggesting they can be the primary business in residential zones contradicts their nature as subordinate to residential use.