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Home Based Businesses

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Interested in operating a Home-Based Business (HBBs) or planning a fundraiser? Home Based Businesses (HBBs) are an important contributor to Army Family quality of life – new changes to procedures makes it easier and quicker gain approval to operate an on-post HBB.

What is Home Based Businesses?

Delegation of Authority to Approve Home Based Business Applications Memorandum

Home Based Businesses and Home Based Cottages Food Businesses Memorandum

HBBs allow Families to work from their Army quarters, developing rewarding careers that follow them through PCS moves. The wide span of HBBs operated by Army Families includes:

  • Car repair/service
  • Hairdressing and hairstyling
  • Home baking and meal preparation
  • Pet grooming and pet sitting
  • Massage therapy
  • Retail sales from home

HBB owners need to obtain approval from the Garrison Commander or Senior Commander. We’ve recently streamlined the process to make it quicker and easier.

Not everyone who works from home operates an HBB though. If you work remotely from your home, you probably don’t need approval. Other examples of businesses that don’t need approval are:

  • Bookkeeping and tax preparation
  • Personal training conducted outside the home
  • Family Child Care
  • Photography, graphic design, and advertising services
  • Entertainment or travel planning
  • Selling items from multi-level marketing (MLM) companies

Home Based Business approval is quick and easy!

The Army’s new standardized HBB application template streamlines the approval process.  Of course, installations are still required to adhere to local and state laws and regulations regarding home business operations, so check into those, too.

Here’s the Process

Step 1: Obtain the HBB Application. Visit your local Army Community Service or download your HBB application here.

Step 2:  Complete the Application.  This includes visiting and obtaining approval from installation agencies like the community housing manager and safety office. The application will identify the agencies, but ask your ACS representative if you have questions.  

Step 3: Collect other Requirements. Applicants must submit the following documents when submitting their HBB Applications: Business information (i.e. catalogs, brochures, or handouts) and a copy of liability insurance page and/or business registration number (if applicable). Cottage Food businesses must provide a written document containing: address of business, list of the Cottage Foods, a copy of the recipe for each food, and the method of advertising.

Step 4: Turn in the Application and Required Documents: Once you’ve completed your paperwork, submit the application to the Information, Referral and Follow-up Office at Army Community Service. Keep a copy of the completed application for your own records.

Applicants can expect their approval/disapproval no later than 60 calendar days following their submission.

Once you’ve completed your paperwork, submit the application to the Information, Referral and Follow-up Office at the Army Community Service Office, Building 7.