5 ms·

I'm curious, what legal issues are we talking about here? What is not legal about running a business out of one's basement, and what law were they "ratted out"

I'm curious, what legal issues are we talking about here? What is not legal about running a business out of one's basement, and what law were they "ratted out" for breaking?

palmetieri2000 4y ago
Not who you're replying to, but I would imagine its an issue of registry and/or zoning depending on the type of business (and maybe tax stuff too). I'm from Australia so probably pretty different laws, but here at least you have to register the businesses address of operations and a part of that process is identifying your 'primary operation or activity', ie what the business does, some operations will be excluded from being conducted in residentially zoned areas regardless (large scale manufacturing, waste disposal & recycling, etc) but most trades will be permitted, I know a number of car mechanics that operate largely from home.
convolvatron 4y ago
compressed gas storage, flammables, chemical storage, hot work, etc are often governed by local law over and above needing a property zoned for light industry.
- robocat 4y ago
  And if you run into any problems with the above that damages the property or other properties, you will be uninsured, and/or sued (and no liability cover).
Lammy 4y ago
You need a "Home Occupation Permit". The details will vary by municipality, but here are the requirements for Sacramento CA, just to pick a random example: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/EDD/Home-Occupation-Permit-Requirements-Revised-9-18-13-(1).pdf https://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/EDD... "The following occupations are eligible for a Home Occupation Permit subject to restrictions discussed in the next section. If the occupation is followed by an asterisk, the use is also subject to special conditions also discussed below. Eligible home occupations are: 1. General office uses, such as accountant, administrative assistant, answering service, appraiser, architect, attorney, bookkeeper, broker or agent (real estate, insurance, etc.), counselor, consultant, drafting service, engineer, interior decorator, secretarial service, word processing service, and other office uses whose characteristics are substantially similar to those listed. 2. Commission merchant, direct sale product distribution, internet, or mail order business. 3. Dressmaker, tailor, fashion designer. 4. Mobile vehicle glass installation and mobile vehicle detailing.* 5. Pet services, such as pet sitting, pet grooming, pet training, and veterinarian care.* 6. Office for contractor, handyperson, janitorial service, landscape contractor, gardening service.* 7. Artist. 8. Tutoring.* 9. Small equipment, appliance, and computer assembly, repair, or reconstruction.* 10. Healing arts professional, including physician, surgeon, chiropractor, physical therapist, acupuncturist, and somatic practitioner.* 11. Hair stylist, barber, and manicurist. 12. Swimming instructor.* 13. Cottage food operation as defined in section 113758 of the California Health and Safety Code." ================= I saw somebody get dinged for this once for running a Twitch stream out of their garage and accepting donations, one of the only times I've seen the modern "contractor" trend work out in anyone's favor: - https://nitter.net/happyf333tz/status/1036846647945261056 https://nitter.net/happyf333tz/status/1036846647945261056 - https://nitter.net/happyf333tz/status/1040074413599678465 https://nitter.net/happyf333tz/status/1040074413599678465
- wrycoder 4y ago
  Cottage food per CA [0] [0] https://casetext.com/statute/california-codes/california-health-and-safety-code/division-104-environmental-health/part-7-california-retail-food-code/chapter-2-definitions/section-113758-cottage-food-operation-defined https://casetext.com/statute/california-codes/california-hea...
- kragen 4y ago
  Keep in mind that most of the world and even most of the US doesn't have to deal with this level of totalitarian regulation, simply because they won't tolerate being treated like livestock or prisoners.
jjk166 4y ago
Most local governments have zoning restrictions that dictate what kind of structures can be built and limit what activities can be done in an area. Typically there are certain activities permitted as a right, some that require special approval, and others that are just flat out banned. The single family dteched housing zones where most garages are located tend to be the most restrictive zones with regards to commercial activity. Typically if you violate a zoning law you'll get some standard number of days to comply or you'll get hit with a large fine.

I'm curious, what legal issues are we talking about here? What is not legal about running a business out of one's basement, and what law were they "ratted out" for breaking?

palmetieri2000 4y ago

Not who you're replying to, but I would imagine its an issue of registry and/or zoning depending on the type of business (and maybe tax stuff too). I'm from Australia so probably pretty different laws, but here at least you have to register the businesses address of operations and a part of that process is identifying your 'primary operation or activity', ie what the business does, some operations will be excluded from being conducted in residentially zoned areas regardless (large scale manufacturing, waste disposal & recycling, etc) but most trades will be permitted, I know a number of car mechanics that operate largely from home.

convolvatron 4y ago

compressed gas storage, flammables, chemical storage, hot work, etc are often governed by local law over and above needing a property zoned for light industry.

robocat 4y ago
And if you run into any problems with the above that damages the property or other properties, you will be uninsured, and/or sued (and no liability cover).

Lammy 4y ago

You need a "Home Occupation Permit". The details will vary by municipality, but here are the requirements for Sacramento CA, just to pick a random example: https://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/EDD/Home-Occupation-Permit-Requirements-Revised-9-18-13-(1).pdf https://www.cityofsacramento.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/EDD... "The following occupations are eligible for a Home Occupation Permit subject to restrictions discussed in the next section. If the occupation is followed by an asterisk, the use is also subject to special conditions also discussed below. Eligible home occupations are: 1. General office uses, such as accountant, administrative assistant, answering service, appraiser, architect, attorney, bookkeeper, broker or agent (real estate, insurance, etc.), counselor, consultant, drafting service, engineer, interior decorator, secretarial service, word processing service, and other office uses whose characteristics are substantially similar to those listed. 2. Commission merchant, direct sale product distribution, internet, or mail order business. 3. Dressmaker, tailor, fashion designer. 4. Mobile vehicle glass installation and mobile vehicle detailing.* 5. Pet services, such as pet sitting, pet grooming, pet training, and veterinarian care.* 6. Office for contractor, handyperson, janitorial service, landscape contractor, gardening service.* 7. Artist. 8. Tutoring.* 9. Small equipment, appliance, and computer assembly, repair, or reconstruction.* 10. Healing arts professional, including physician, surgeon, chiropractor, physical therapist, acupuncturist, and somatic practitioner.* 11. Hair stylist, barber, and manicurist. 12. Swimming instructor.* 13. Cottage food operation as defined in section 113758 of the California Health and Safety Code." ================= I saw somebody get dinged for this once for running a Twitch stream out of their garage and accepting donations, one of the only times I've seen the modern "contractor" trend work out in anyone's favor: - https://nitter.net/happyf333tz/status/1036846647945261056 https://nitter.net/happyf333tz/status/1036846647945261056 - https://nitter.net/happyf333tz/status/1040074413599678465 https://nitter.net/happyf333tz/status/1040074413599678465

wrycoder 4y ago
Cottage food per CA [0] [0] https://casetext.com/statute/california-codes/california-health-and-safety-code/division-104-environmental-health/part-7-california-retail-food-code/chapter-2-definitions/section-113758-cottage-food-operation-defined https://casetext.com/statute/california-codes/california-hea...
kragen 4y ago
Keep in mind that most of the world and even most of the US doesn't have to deal with this level of totalitarian regulation, simply because they won't tolerate being treated like livestock or prisoners.

jjk166 4y ago

Most local governments have zoning restrictions that dictate what kind of structures can be built and limit what activities can be done in an area. Typically there are certain activities permitted as a right, some that require special approval, and others that are just flat out banned. The single family dteched housing zones where most garages are located tend to be the most restrictive zones with regards to commercial activity. Typically if you violate a zoning law you'll get some standard number of days to comply or you'll get hit with a large fine.