Working in a home-based office

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There is no doubt about it, home based businesses are the wave of the future. But, is it in your future? There are many pros and cons to both possibilities (home-based-office and out-of-the-home office) and only you can decide which would be best for you.

If you choose to run your office from your home, the very first thing you need to do is to call the city and find out what the codes are in regards to home-based businesses.

You might be amazed to find out that in your city you can not run any business from your home or, that you can run any business from your home as long as that business is not connected to a state contractors license. It's that way in Victorville, California (follow this link to warehousing for a solution).

Let's say that there is no problem in your city as far as running this type of business from your home. The next requirement will probably be a home use permit which the city issues to you. You also need to find out if you need to have a fire inspection performed. Satisfy all of the city's requirements or you could find yourself out of business due to the city shutting you down.

Check with an attorney to find out if you are required to comply with the 'Americans with Disabilities Act'. Just because you work out of your home and consider your office 'not open to the public', that does not necessarily mean that you are not required to comply with the regulations of the ADA. Be careful, many businesses (home-based as well as not-home-based) are being sued over this.

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