Can I run a business from my home in Troy, Michigan?

Yes, as a home occupation, which is an accessory use in Troy's residential districts (Section 7.10). The conditions are strict:

• The business must be incidental and secondary to living in the home
• No employees other than immediate family members who live in the dwelling
• No signs of any kind
• No outside display or storage
• No change to the home's residential character and no non-customary alterations
• No nuisance and no additional traffic
• Sales limited to items prepared on the premises or incidental to a service

One point where Troy is more flexible than many cities: the work may be conducted within the dwelling or in an accessory building (Section 7.10).

The employee rule is the usual dealbreaker. A business with any non-resident employee working on site does not qualify. Home occupations go through administrative plan review (Section 8.03.C.10). For a read on your situation, call Planning at 248-524-3364.