Chapter 18.55
HOME OCCUPATIONS
Sections:
18.55.020 Terms and conditions.
18.55.030 Examples of qualifying uses.
18.55.040 Prohibited home occupations.
18.55.010 General.
A home occupation is an accessory use of a dwelling unit; conducted entirely within the dwelling unit, and carried on by one or more persons, one of which resides within the dwelling unit; provided, that the use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residence purposes and does not change the character thereof or adversely affect the uses permitted in the residential zoning district of which it is part. In general, a home occupation is an accessory use so located and conducted that the average neighbor, under normal circumstances, would not be aware of its existence. All storage associated with the home occupation is encouraged to be stored within the dwelling or its accessory structures, and any exterior storage must be screened from public view by an opaque wall or fence. Any indoor storage, construction, alterations, or electrical or mechanical equipment used for the home occupation shall not change the fire rating of the structure or the fire district in which it is located. It is the intent of this chapter to eliminate as home occupations all uses except those that conform to the standards set forth in this chapter. [Ord. 2016-02 § 1; Ord. 48 § 2, 1998. Code 1983 § 12-3-1.]
18.55.020 Terms and conditions.
Home occupations are a permitted accessory use in residential zoning districts only so long as all of the following conditions are observed:
A. Such occupation shall employ at least one person who resides within the residence;
B. No use shall require any internal or external alterations, include storage, involve construction features, or involve the use of any electrical or mechanical equipment that would change the fire rating of the structure or the fire district in which it is located;
C. All storage associated with the home occupation is encouraged to be located within the dwelling or its accessory structures. Any exterior storage shall be screened from public view by an opaque wall or fence (must be high enough to screen the storage area, with a maximum height of six feet);
D. No home occupation or use shall create noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, electrical interference, fire hazard, traffic or any other hazard or nuisance to any greater or more frequent extent than that usually experienced in an average residential occupancy in the zoning district in question under normal circumstances wherein no home occupation exists;
E. Signs associated with a home occupation are limited to one attached sign (six square feet maximum sign area) and one detached sign, per street frontage (six square feet maximum sign area with a maximum height above grade of four feet). Such signs are to be constructed and colored to be complementary to the residence;
F. Sufficient area for the parking of three vehicles is to be provided. [Ord. 2016-02 § 1; Ord. 48 § 2, 1998. Code 1983 § 12-3-2.]
18.55.030 Examples of qualifying uses.
The following are typical examples of uses which can be conducted within the limits of the restrictions established in this chapter and thereby qualify as a home occupation. Uses which may qualify as “home occupations” are not limited to those named in this section, nor does the listing of a use in this section automatically qualify it as a home occupation:
A. Accountant;
B. Architect;
C. Artist;
D. Attorney-at-law;
E. Author;
F. Barber, hair-styling;
G. Consultant;
H. Dress-making, alterations and tailoring;
I. Individual musical instrument instruction;
J. Individual tutoring;
K. Insurance;
L. Millinery;
M. Mobile repair businesses (work completed off site);
N. Nail salon;
O. Preserving and home cooking;
P. Real estate sales. [Ord. 2016-02 § 1; Ord. 48 § 2, 1998. Code 1983 § 12-3-3.]
18.55.040 Prohibited home occupations.
The following are uses that by the nature of the investment of operation have a tendency to sometimes increase beyond the limits permitted for home occupations and thereby impair the use and value of a residentially zoned area for residential purposes. Therefore, the following shall not be permitted as home occupations:
A. Automotive, RV and boat repair (minor or major), including body repair and painting;
B. Dental, chiropractic and medical offices;
C. Massage parlors. [Ord. 2016-02 § 1; Ord. 48 § 2, 1998. Code 1983 § 12-3-4.]