City of Manassas v. Rosson

The zoning ordinance of the City of Manassas permits a limited home occupation in a residential district; however, § 1-34(a) of the ordinance restricts the right to “the immediate family residing in the dwelling.” The validity of § 1-34(a) was challenged by Doris B. Rosson who, on December 7, 1978, was summoned to appear in general district court to answer a charge that she operated a business in a residential district in violation of the Manassas ordinance. Upon her conviction in general district court, she appealed to circuit court.

While the appeal was pending, the zoning administrator of…