yep I'd call your town hall and speak to someone in zoning. Your tax id# shouldn't have anything at all to do with it.
this is totally off subject but kinda the same idea. I live in NY and have a home day care, when I put up a sign i was told by my local telephone co. that i was now being charged a business rate($40 more a month) just for having a sign, and the sign didin't have my phone # on it !!! So be careful how you advertise. The sign did come down immediately.
the minute you put sign -- that's advertising ...
and that means -- it's a business
and that means:
1) MUST be inspected by Dept. of Ag (they cover home cake bakers in NC)
2) have a business license for local authority (town, county, etc.)
3) must have in NC at least state Tax ID -- must collect and pay sales tax
4) do check w/ local zoning -- you may not be allowed to do a home business in your area (this varies considerably location to location)
the minute you put sign -- that's advertising ...
and that means -- it's a business
and that means:
1) MUST be inspected by Dept. of Ag (they cover home cake bakers in NC)
2) have a business license for local authority (town, county, etc.)
3) must have in NC at least state Tax ID -- must collect and pay sales tax
You beat me to it Doug!!! I was also going to add, if you are in a rural area, you probably can just put out a sign if you meet the criteria above. I am not within the city limits, so I could put out a sign without a permit. If I were in the city limits, I would have to purchase a sign permit.
Ummm......a sign is considered a form of 'advertisement'. I am legal, therefore, I put my sign in my front yard, as well as on my vehicle doors......and I live in the country. I am not zoned where I am......so no problems there. It's easy to get licensed in NC.....check into it. 
Doug is 100% right. I am liscensed and can't have a sign because
1. Raleigh zoning doesn't allow it.
2. My homeowners' association doesn't allow it.
Also, in Raleigh at least, if you want to have a sign on your car, it needs to be approved as part of your business license application. I'm not sure if that is part of the zoning, too, I just thought I'd mention it.
Kathi
Also, in Raleigh at least, if you want to have a sign on your car, it needs to be approved as part of your business license application. I'm not sure if that is part of the zoning, too, I just thought I'd mention it.
Kathi
more likely just another way for the city/county to put it's hands on your money! 
OH GOOD LORD, gimme my sign I clicked on to see who was singing in the yard. nevermind!!!
Even if you live in a rural part, you should check with the county. I live in rural Hope Mills, which doesn't care what I do, but Cumberland County requires that I have a home office permit. I am allowed to have a sign, up to a certain size but I haven't bothered with it.
Also, in Raleigh at least, if you want to have a sign on your car, it needs to be approved as part of your business license application. I'm not sure if that is part of the zoning, too, I just thought I'd mention it.
Kathi
more likely just another way for the city/county to put it's hands on your money!
So, so true!! In our city limits, your sign permit $$ is based on the size of the sign, ## of signs, etc. It is crazy!!!
Also, on another note regarding if you live in a community -- I am way out in the country now and the county I live in doesn't have a lot of rules regarding businesses; however, the community/development I lived in previously had a lot of restrictive covenants -- one of which was no home-based businesses of any kind!
however, the community/development I lived in previously had a lot of restrictive covenants -- one of which was no home-based businesses of any kind!
You mean no Avon ladies?
That was exactly what one of my neighbors asked 
!!
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