County May Toughen Rules For Home Business

Glynn County GA officials are wanting to tax and regulate “home businesses” who employ outside workers. “Home Occupations” where the workers in the business also live in the home like medical transcriptionists, virtual assistants, etc. would possibly be exempt.

From The Brunswick News

It may soon cost individuals more to work out of their homes in Glynn County. [Georgia]

Those who operate businesses out of their residences may face added regulations and added fees to pay for enforcement of them.

The intention is not to discourage entrepreneurs or new enterprises, but to better control what work is being done out of a house, as well as its impact on the neighborhood.

Glynn County officials say they are considering requiring individuals who operate commercial enterprises from their homes to purchase a permit – in addition to an occupational license required of all businesses – from the county.

Cost of the proposed permit has not been discussed yet, said York Phillips, county planning manager. An occupational license now costs from $78 to $528, depending on the number of employees a business has.

Staff members from the county’s Planning and Zoning Department are working to update the language concerning enterprises that are operated from residential dwellings.
“The big change, structurally, would be the creation of two categories,” Phillips said. “We would keep the current one – home occupations – but add the home business category.”

The main difference between a home occupation and a home business is that for a home occupation all employees must live at the residence where the business is operated.

With a home business, owners may employ outside assistance.