Chapter 3.5 Home Occupation Business License

3.5.10 Purpose of this Chapter

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish requirements for home occupation business licenses.

3.5.20 Definition of Home Occupation

Home occupation shall mean any non-horticultural activity regularly carried out for gain by a resident and conducted as a secondary use at the resident’s dwelling. Home occupation includes any such activity regardless of whether the primary operations of the home occupation occur at the resident’s dwelling or elsewhere.

3.5.30 Fee

Every person engaged in a home occupation within the City limits shall obtain and pay a license fee in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. The City shall not issue a business license until the home occupation is reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director. After initial issuance, home occupation business licenses shall be renewed annually and shall require an annual renewal fee in an amount established by resolution of the City Council.

3.5.40 Requirements for Issuance of a Home Occupation Permit

Home occupations permitted by the provisions of the Zoning regulations (Article 7) cannot be conducted without first obtaining a Home Occupation business license that complies with the following regulations:

A.    There shall be only limited stock-in-trade associated with the home occupation, provided that keeping of such stock does not conflict with the other provisions of this Code, and provided such stock does not hinder the parking of vehicles in a garage.

B.    A home occupation shall be conducted in a dwelling and shall be clearly incidental to the use of the structure as a dwelling.

C.    There shall be no external alteration of a dwelling in which a home occupation is conducted, and the existence of a home occupation shall not be apparent beyond the boundaries of the site, except for a nameplate in accord with the provisions of Article 7.

D.    No one other than a resident of the dwelling shall be employed in the conduct of a home occupation.

E.    No motor or mechanical equipment shall be permitted other than normally incidental to the use of the structure as a dwelling.

F.    A home occupation shall not create any radio or television interference or create noise audible beyond the boundaries of the site.

G.    No smoke, odor, liquid or solid waste shall be emitted.

H.    No vehicles or trailers, including pick-up trucks and vans, or construction or other equipment, except those normally incidental to residential use, shall be kept on the site.

I.    A home occupation shall not create pedestrian, automobile, or truck traffic significantly in excess of the normal amount in the district.

3.5.50 Revocation

Any Home Occupation permit issued pursuant to this Chapter may be revoked by the City Council upon its finding, after a public hearing that the permittee has failed, neglected or refused to perform, comply with and abide by any of the conditions and provisions of this Chapter.