Chapter 18.140
HOME OCCUPATIONS
Sections:
18.140.030 Complaint procedures.
18.140.040 Action by the planning commission.
18.140.010 Home occupations.
The home occupation provision is included in recognition of the needs of many people who are engaged in small-scale business ventures which could not be sustained if it were necessary to lease commercial quarters for them, or which, in the nature of the home occupation, cannot be expanded to full-scale enterprise.
It is the intent of this chapter that home occupations be allowed which are unobtrusive by nature, which do not cause disruption of the surrounding neighborhood or have an adverse effect on the adjacent properties or environment. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.090), 2006.]
18.140.020 Standards.
A “home occupation” shall mean any occupation or profession carried on by a person residing on the premises; provided, the following conditions are satisfied:
A. No sign is used other than a nameplate not over 10 square feet in area;
B. There is no display or outside storage that would indicate that the lot is being used in whole or primarily for purposes other than residential;
C. The lot, including the building, retains the characteristics of a residential zone. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.090(1)), 2006.]
18.140.030 Complaint procedures.
The planning commission shall review home occupations upon receipt of two written complaints from two separate households located within 250 feet of the boundary of the affected property, or a complaint from the city building official. Complaints shall set forth the nature of the objection. The complaints shall be considered by the planning commission at a public hearing. The hearing procedure shall be the same as outlined in Chapter 18.210 GMC.
Criteria for judging objections shall include:
A. Generation of excessive traffic.
B. Monopoly of on-street parking areas.
C. Frequent deliveries and pickups by motor freight.
D. Noise in excess of that created by normal residential use (either in terms of volume or hours of occurrence).
E. Smoke, fumes, or odors in excess of those created by normal residential use.
F. Other offensive activities not in harmony with a residential neighborhood. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.090(2)), 2006.]
18.140.040 Action by the planning commission.
The commission, upon hearing the evidence, may:
A. Approve the use as it exists.
B. Require the use to be terminated.
C. Impose appropriate restrictions, such as limiting hours of operation, establishing a phasing out of the use, or other measures ensuring compatibility with the neighborhood.
D. The determination of the commission becomes final 10 days after the date of decision unless appealed in accordance with Chapter 18.210 GMC. [Ord. 290 § 3(4.090(3)), 2006.]