Can I run a business from my home in Birmingham?

Yes. A home occupation is an allowed accessory use in Birmingham's residential districts, under conditions that keep the business invisible from outside (§ 5.02):

• Only residents of the dwelling may work in it; no outside employees
• No exterior indication of the business, and no sign
• No alterations to the home and no non-residential equipment
• Nothing detectable beyond the unit, including noise through party walls
• No traffic beyond what is normal for the neighborhood
• No direct sales from shelves or racks, and no outdoor storage
• Off-street parking, not located in the required front yard
• Hours limited to 8 am to 10 pm
• The business may occupy at most 25 percent of the gross building area

One allowance is broader than in some neighboring cities: the occupation may be conducted in a permitted accessory building, such as a detached garage (§ 5.02). Client volume and deliveries are where most home businesses run into trouble.