The Home Occupation Declaration is a City of Dallas form, issued by the City of Dallas Development Services Department, on which a contractor declares that his or her residence is the place of business. It is used in place of a certificate of occupancy when a contractor must show an established place of business, and it is not itself a Dallas permit. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the City of Dallas at the link below.
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What is Home Occupation Declaration – Dallas, TX?
The Home Occupation Declaration is the City of Dallas form on which a contractor declares that his or her residence is the contractor's place of business, in lieu of a certificate of occupancy, and agrees to the conditions that apply to a home occupation.
The form's opening text explains the reason for it. The City of Dallas requires a contractor to submit proof of an established place of business. If that place of business is within the city, a certificate of occupancy must be secured as required in the Dallas Development Code. The declaration is the alternative: a contractor may declare that his residence is the place of business.
The form defines a home occupation as an occupation that is incidental to the primary use of the premises as a residence and conducted on the residential premises by the resident of the premises. It asks for the company name, as listed on the contractor's registration application, and the address of the residence. It then lists the conditions of section 51A-4.217 and closes with the contractor's printed name, signature and date, followed by a notary acknowledgment block for the State of Texas, County of Dallas.
Agreeing to the conditions has a stated consequence: violation of the home occupation conditions may result in the revocation of a contractor's registration. The printed header of the form reads Planning & Development Department, 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, (214) 948-4480.
Who needs to file Home Occupation Declaration – Dallas, TX?
A contractor who must show an established place of business to the City of Dallas, and who wants to declare his or her residence as that place of business instead of securing a certificate of occupancy, uses this declaration.
Points the form makes about who is covered:
- The declaration is for a contractor; the company name must match the one listed on the contractor's registration application.
- It applies where the place of business would otherwise be within the city and need a certificate of occupancy under the Dallas Development Code.
- The occupation must be incidental to the residential use and be conducted on the residential premises by the resident of the premises.
- The contractor must be able to meet every condition of section 51A-4.217 listed on the form, for example no sign or advertisement on the premises, no sale of products on the premises, and no use of more than 25 percent or 400 square feet of the main structure's floor area, whichever is less.
A contractor who secures a certificate of occupancy for a place of business does not use the residence declaration. The notary block refers to the signer as the contractor/homeowner.
When to file Home Occupation Declaration – Dallas, TX
Complete the declaration when you must give the City of Dallas proof of an established place of business and you choose to declare your residence as that place instead of securing a certificate of occupancy. The form prints no separate due date or validity period. It refers to the company name on the contractor's registration application, so it belongs with that registration. Because violating the conditions may lead to revocation of the registration, the declaration remains a standing commitment for as long as the residence is used as the place of business. For timing questions, call the department at the number printed on the form, (214) 948-4480.
How to fill out Home Occupation Declaration – Dallas, TX
Read the definition and purpose
Confirm the home occupation definition fits your situation: an occupation incidental to the residential use, conducted on the premises by the resident. The declaration replaces a certificate of occupancy for a place of business within the city.
Enter the company name
In the Company Name (as listed on the contractor's registration application) field, write the name exactly as it appears on your registration application.
Enter the address of residence
In the Address of residence field, write the residence you declare as your place of business.
Review the section 51A-4.217 conditions
Read each condition on advertising, employees, people on the premises, noise, sales, traffic, parking and floor area. Sign only if you can meet all of them.
Print the contractor's name
Under CONTRACTOR'S NAME (PRINT), print the full name of the contractor who agrees to the conditions.
Sign and date the declaration
Add the contractor's signature and the date in the CONTRACTOR'S SIGNATURE and DATE boxes. By signing, you agree to the conditions and accept that a violation may lead to revocation of your registration.
Have the notary complete the acknowledgment
The notary fills in the State of Texas, County of Dallas block with the notary's name and the contractor/homeowner who appeared, signs it and applies the stamp. Leave this block to the notary.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that the company name and address are correct and the signature block is ready. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and deliver it as described under How to submit.
How to submit Home Occupation Declaration – Dallas, TX
The form itself names no mailing address, portal or appointment process for returning it. It is tied to the contractor's registration, so confirm with the City of Dallas how and where it is to be delivered with that registration.
- Contact printed on the form: Planning & Development Department, 320 E Jefferson Blvd, Dallas TX 75203, (214) 948-4480.
- Notary: the completed form includes a notary acknowledgment (State of Texas, County of Dallas). The notary, not you, completes that block and applies the stamp, so arrange for a notary before you hand in the form.
- Fees: the form mentions none; ask the department if you need to know whether a charge applies to the registration.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the City of Dallas channels, not this site.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering a company name that differs from the one listed on the contractor's registration application; the form asks for that exact name.
- Declaring a residence as the place of business when the occupation would need a sign, advertisement or display on the premises, which the conditions prohibit.
- Planning to sell or offer products of the home occupation at the residence; the conditions forbid selling products on the premises.
- Using more than 25 percent or 400 square feet of the main structure's floor area, whichever is less, for the home occupation.
- Having employees who are not residents work on the premises more than four hours in a week, or employing more than one non-resident on the premises.
- Conducting activities on a porch, deck, patio, garage or other unenclosed or partially enclosed area instead of entirely inside the main structure.
- Putting the home street address on advertisements, signs or displays off the premises.
- Leaving the notary acknowledgment uncompleted, without the notary's stamp, after signing the declaration.
- Ignoring the conditions after signing; the form says a violation may result in revocation of the contractor's registration.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Home Occupation Declaration in Dallas?
It is a City of Dallas form on which a contractor declares that his or her residence is the place of business, in lieu of a certificate of occupancy. The contractor also agrees to the home occupation conditions printed on the form.
Do I need a certificate of occupancy if I declare my home as my place of business?
No, the form says a contractor may declare that his residence is the place of business in lieu of a certificate of occupancy. If the place of business within the city is not a residence, a certificate of occupancy must be secured under the Dallas Development Code.
What are the limits on a home occupation in Dallas?
The form lists conditions under section 51A-4.217, including no signs or advertising on the premises, no sales of products there, at most one non-resident employee, no more than 3 people on the premises at one time other than residents, and no more than 25 percent or 400 square feet of the main structure, whichever is less.
Does the Home Occupation Declaration have to be notarized?
The form includes a notary acknowledgment block for the State of Texas, County of Dallas, with a place for the notary's stamp. The notary completes that block after the contractor appears and acknowledges signing the declaration.
What happens if I violate the home occupation conditions?
The form states that violation of the home occupation conditions may result in the revocation of a contractor's registration. It names no other penalty.
Where do I submit the Home Occupation Declaration?
The form names no submission address or portal. It is tied to the contractor's registration, so ask the department at (214) 948-4480, the number printed on the form, where to deliver it with your registration.
Can I fill out the Home Occupation Declaration online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, not the City of Dallas, and does not file the form or arrange notarization; delivery follows the city's own channels.
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