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1. Do I need a Home Occupation for my business?

Many people ask if they can have a business in their house. The answer is yes, but sometimes you need a Zoning permit from the Planning an Zoning Commission and sometimes you don't. You DO NOT need a Zoning Permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission (home occupation permit) if you just have a home office where you have a computer for your business to process paperwork and have no other business amenities. All other occupations require a Zoning Permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Examples for a home occupation use are as follows: handicrafts, direct sale product distribution, tailor, hair salon, barber, physician, dentist, tutor, tourist home, and limited auto repair.

The activity must be clearly secondary to the residential use of the property and shall occupy no more than twenty-five (25%) of the finished and habitable floor area of the dwelling. However, the residence under certain circumstances and provided such home occupation is located within the basement or an accessory structure. The purpose of this is to allow the entire basement or the entire area (which includes the home occupation). Please refer to Section 13.10 of the Preston Zoning Regulations for more details or call the Planning and Zoning Office at 860-887-5581 x 109.

2. Can I have an accessory apartment in my residence?

Each home may have an accessory apartment provided a zoning permit is obtained from the Planning and Zoning Commission. The apartment must be part of the existing home and may not be located in a non-detached accessory building. The apartment may not be more than 25% of the size of the residence, the primary residence shall be owner occupied, and adequate on-site parking shall be provided from each unit. Please refer to Section 13.8 of the Preston Zoning Regulations for more details or call the Planning and Zoning Office at 860-887-5581 x 109.

3. What is my property zoned?

Town of Preston Zoning Map

Or you may access property information, including zoning map on http://www.prestongis.com

4. Can I subdivide my property?

Subdividing your property depends upon the size of your lot. Each lot will need to comply with the dimensional requirements of the Zoning Regulations, all Inland Wetland and Watercourses Regulations, and Public Health Code requirements for the installation of a septic system. A copy of the Subdivision Regulations are on the town Website and may be accessed:
 Zoning Regulations . If you need additional information regarding subdividing your property, please contact Kathy Warzecha at the Planning and Zoning Office at 860-887-5581 x 109.

5. Can I keep a horse on my property?

According to the Preston Zoning Regulations, the keeping of horses or ponies (this would include donkeys, sheep, goats, llamas, pot bellied pigs or similar) for pleasure is permitted provided the land on which the animals are kept or pastured is 3 acres for the first two animals, plus one acre for each additional animal. The residents of the property must own the animals and an adequate building, secure from the weather to house the animals. The building must be at least 100 feet from any existing dwelling under separate ownership and/ or 50' from any lot line. Please refer to Section 4.1.4 of the Preston Zoning Regulations for more details or call the Zoning Enforcement Officer at 860-887-5571 x 115.

6. What are the zoning setback lines for my property?

The setback lines are dependent upon the zoning designation for your property. You may reference the Zoning Regulations 

. Section 12 outlines zoning setback lines.