Can I Put a Vending Machine Outside My House? Permit & Zoning

There’s no doubt that the vending machine business has been on the rise over the last few years, and it looks like it won’t be stopping any time soon!

In 2019, the vending machine market size was valued at around $18 billion. It’s expected to reach more than $25 billion by 2027.

Setting up a vending machine outside your house can be a great source of additional income for you and your family. The question is, is it possible without breaking any laws?

So, “can I put a vending machine outside my house?”

Yes, you can put a vending machine outside your house in the United States (and most parts of the world) as long as you have enough space outside where you live and you’re not selling anything illegal. You may need to obtain a business permit and pass certain inspections before the operation.

Today, we’re discussing the possibility of putting a vending machine outside your house, how profitable it can be, and the considerations you should keep in mind before setting up this business.

Is it Possible to Run a Vending Machine Outside Your House?

Yes! You can put a vending machine outside your house and not worry about any legal consequences as long as you stick to the following:

Check the laws and regulations in your area regarding vending machine business.
Make sure there’s enough space outside your house not only to fit the vending machine and provide room for maintenance and stocking but also to make it more visible and let customers reach it comfortably.
Make sure you obtain a business permit.
Make sure you pass any related inspections.

Once you have these points in order, you should have no problem operating a vending machine outside your residence.

Is a Vending Machine Outside My House Profitable?

Setting up a vending machine outside your house can be an excellent opportunity to raise your income, but you need to do it right to ensure that it makes enough profit to cover the cost of purchasing the machine, stocking it, and servicing it.

Here are some factors you need to think about when it comes to the success of your vending machine business:

Location —- the main factor that affects how much money you can make from your vending machine is the area where you live. If you live somewhere with lots of traffic, for example, an apartment complex inside the city or on a busy street near a movie theater, it’ll definitely boost your sales to have many potential customers passing by.
Type of products —- keeping it simple is probably best for a vending machine outside a house. Selling snacks and beverages is guaranteed to generate some sales, but getting too specific like selling accessories and hygiene products won’t always work out too well.
The convenience of use —- finally, think about how easy it is to use your vending machine. The main aspect here is payment; if your machine only accepts cash, you’ll be missing out on customers looking to pay with credit or debit cards or even apps on their mobile devices.

What to Consider Before Putting a Vending Machine Outside Your House

As such, a lot of people are looking for opportunities to enter the industry and join the profitable business. This brings about many questions related to setting up and operating vending machines.

If you’re set on setting up a vending machine outside your house, you first need to address the following points:

1. Business Permit

The first thing you want to look into is whether or not setting up a vending machine in your area requires you to have a business permit. This is crucial to make the operation legal and running smoothly in line with the official regulations.

The last thing you want is to invest in a vending machine only to have it taken down or get penalized due to violations. A business permit ensures you’re on the legal side and it typically addresses the following:

The type of products you can sell in your area.
The period you’ll keep the vending machine operating.
The exact location of the vending machine.
Your maintenance responsibility.

2. Zoning

Next, you need to consider the zoning rules of your area. This ties directly with the spot you want to park your machine in and involves paying a charge for it.

If this is the first time you’re requesting to set up a vending machine outside your house, you may be required to pay extra fees to compensate for disturbances and complaints.

You don’t need to worry though, these regulations are usually too strict if you plan to place just a couple of machines. That said, some of the rules you should be familiar with include:

If your home is in a subdivision, you may not be allowed to place a vending machine outside.
If you own a large plot of land, you may not be allowed to place a vending machine outside your house.
If you live in a condo, you won’t be allowed to put it right outside as it can disturb movement in the building.

3. Security

Last but not least, you need to understand the level of security your vending machine will require.

Vandalism and theft are common crimes associated with vending machines, so you should protect your investment by following the tips below:

Always keep the machine locked.
Install a security camera in the machine.
Install an alarm on the lock.
Set up a sign with the location of your vending machine to keep the police updated on the situation.

Wrap Up

To answer the question “can I put a vending machine outside my house?”, we can safely say yes, it’s possible.

This is perfectly legal in the United States and most parts of the world as long as there’s enough space outside from where you live and you’re not selling anything illegal in your vending machine.

Keep in mind that you may need to obtain a business permit and pass certain inspections before you can start the operation.

Can I Put a Vending Machine Outside My House? Permit & Zoning

Is it Possible to Run a Vending Machine Outside Your House?

Is a Vending Machine Outside My House Profitable?