Is it necessary to get a business license when you work home

[Debra]

Hello!

Is it necessary that appraisers who work from home are not required to get a business license? Thanks!

 

[Residential Appraisal Ser]

Debbie: As a past zoning offical. It depends where you live. In most cases this is overlooked. In some cases maybe such as yours the law may be enforced. This is not an unusual law.
Just another way of boosting revenues for the town.
William Sentner
President
American Guild of Appraisers OPEIU AFL-CIO
RESASINC@Aolcom

 

[Larry Lyke]

Debra --

Simply telephone your local municipality's zoning or licensing board and ask them.

I am not aware that a solo-practice appraisal business operated from your home with no foot traffic to the house requires a license, inspection, or otherwise.

But do contact them, so that you can take advantage of things they might offer you, ideas or help.

THINK ABOUT THIS: In my state of Minnesota, you can run a daycare center with a license and a minimal state inspection (annually? and surprise?) in any residential location regardless of the neighbors distaste for same. So, you see a needed product in the marketplace is ALWAYS made way for.

In fact, the city groups **** in one district so you can park your car and don't have to drive all over town to satisfy your needs. Oh you say, that isn't the reason it's grouped -- Well, bless me!

 

[Austin]

Let you tell my business/state professional license horror story. The town I work out of in Virginia is tangent to the NC state line. I was in the brokerage-auction-appraisal business. The city tried to make me buy a business license for each separate operation. Because of where I live, I had to be licensed as an appraiser, auctioneer, and real estate broker in two separate states. This adds up to 9, yes count them, 9 licenses.
Then came continuing education. You had to have continuing education to renew your brokers, appraisal, and auction license in both states. Fortunately, I convinced the auction and real estate boards to accept my appraisal continuing education. It worked except for the NC appraisal board. I was licensed by exams for all of these licenses except the business licenses. At one time my city business licenses alone were about $700. That is six, count them six, state professional license examinations. Now you know the rest of the story and why I have such a loathing for regulatory boards, NC boards in particular. They don’t like outsiders coming in over there. They are still mad because I married one of their own. The reason I married her was that she was the first NC woman I ever met that wore shoes and had a full set of teeth.