Permits are obtained by submitting an electronic application on the Permit Portal https://portal.cityoflaurel.org/Energov_Prod/SelfService#/home

The following steps must be followed when using the Permit Portal:

1. Create a New Account (click on the Login or Register button) or if you already have an account (sign In through this button). Please note for new account registrations: After account is approved, an email from [email protected] will be sent with further instructions. 
2. After you sign on, click on the Permit button.
3. Find the permit that you are looking for and click on the Apply blue button to start the process.
4. Fill in all information leaving no blanks.

Home Occupations and Home Professional Offices are legally defined in Sec. 20-1.7 and Sec. 20-6.14 of the City of Laurel Unified Land Development Code.  Generally speaking, home occupations and home professional offices are a work activity conducted entirely within a single-dwelling residence and which does not alter the residential character of the building and property.  Acceptable work activities include the professional offices of doctors, dentists, lawyers, architects or consultants, home crafts such as baking, dressmaking or decorating, services such as repairing furniture or electronics, and home offices for contracting or telephone sales.  All home occupations and professional offices must meet the following criteria:

• No more than 20% of the residence’s floor area is used for the occupation;
• Saleable goods and stock cannot be stored on the premises;
• No employees, workers or assistants who are not residents can be employed on the premises;
• Commercial or industrial equipment cannot be located on premises;
• Sale of goods from the site is prohibited;
• The home occupational space may not have a separate entrance; except for offices of doctors, dentists and other similar professionals.

Residences with legal home occupations may have one commercial sign indicating that the residences is being used in part for a use other than a dwelling.  Such commercial signs must be affixed to the building, not exceed a total area of two (2) square feet, nor project more than one (1) foot beyond the building, and not be illuminated.

Home occupations may only have one (1) light delivery type commercial vehicle located on the premises.  Such vehicles may not exceed one (1) ton in capacity and cannot contain advertising other than the home occupation’s name in letters not exceeding four inches in height on any part of the vehicle.  Any other type of commercial vehicle or one containing advertising exceeding the previously noted limits must be garage parked or stored off-site.  Any other mobile equipment is prohibited from being located on the premises.

The Zoning Ordinance expressly states that the following activities and uses are NOT home occupations:

A Home Occupancy/Home Professional Office Affidavit must be submitted with any Use and Occupancy Permit Application for any Home Occupation or Home Professional Office.  All permits are issued to a specific person or business for a specific address.  A Use and Occupancy Permit for a Home Occupation or a Home Professional Office can only be issued to the resident(s) who physically reside at the address for which the permit is issued.  If the resident/applicant is not the owner of the home/residence where the Home Occupation or Professional Office will operate, a letter from the property owner acknowledging the Home Occupation or Home Professional Office and granting the resident permission to operate the Occupation or Office must be submitted with the Home Occupancy/Home Professional Affidavit.  The fee for a Home Occupation or Home Professional Office Permit is $250.

- Home Occupation/Home Professional Office Permit Application

- Home Occupation/Home Professional Office Affidavit