The proposed law would eliminate the need for home-based business owners to undergo a review by their local zoning boards to encourage small entrepreneurship.
A bill passed by the New Jersey General Assembly would streamline regulations for home-based businesses to allow entrepreneurs to more easily operate out of their homes.
As Neill Borowski explains in 70 and 73, “The legislation calls for new approaches to zoning to support the operations and growth of small businesses” and would exempt businesses from having to appear before their local zoning boards, but opponents including the New Jersey State League of Municipalities say the bill would allow illegal businesses to operate.
“The bill also limits the activities of the home-based businesses, including the volume of business visitors to the residence. Signs, lighting and parking are prohibited. The home-based businesses also could not disrupt the neighborhood with vibration, fumes or odors.”
Proponents of loosening regulations on home-based businesses say they are often hampered by outdated zoning codes, stifling small business development and entrepreneurship.
Read the full story: Home-based businesses wouldn't need zoning approval under proposed New Jersey law.
Madison Advances Data Center Moratorium
The mayor and city leaders could pause new zoning certificates for data centers for a year while it codifies them into its zoning regulations.
Salt Lake City Slashes Lot Size, Parking Requirements for Middle Housing Zones
A new ordinance alters regulations for middle housing zones, removing barriers that made multifamily development impractical or too expensive.
Charlottesville Temporarily Has No Zoning Code
A judge ordered the Virginia city to throw out its newly revised zoning code, leaving permitting for new development in legal limbo.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic Place Names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority