Chapter 22C.190
HOME OCCUPATIONS
Sections:
22C.190.020 Home occupation standards.
22C.190.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to allow small scale commercial occupations incidental to residential uses to be located in residences while guaranteeing all residents freedom from excessive noise, traffic, nuisance, fire hazard, and other possible effects of commercial uses being conducted in residential neighborhoods. (Ord. 2852 § 10 (Exh. A), 2011).
22C.190.020 Home occupation standards.
(1) Home occupations are permitted as an accessory use to the residential use of a property only when all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The total area devoted to all home occupation(s) shall not exceed 25 percent of the floor area of the dwelling unit or 600 square feet, whichever is less;
(b) The home occupation may be located in the principal dwelling or in an accessory structure. If located in an accessory structure, the area devoted to the occupation, as described in subsection (1)(a) of this section, shall be based upon the floor area of the dwelling only;
(c) Not more than one person outside of the family shall be employed on the premises;
(d) The home occupation shall in no way alter the normal residential character of the premises;
(e) The home occupation(s) shall not use electrical or mechanical equipment that results in:
(i) A change to the fire rating of the structure(s) used for the home occupation(s);
(ii) Visual or audible interference in radio or television receivers, or electronic equipment located off-premises; or
(iii) Fluctuations in line voltage off-premises;
(f) No equipment or material may be stored, altered or repaired on any exterior portion of the premises;
(g) Sales shall be limited to merchandise which is produced on the premises and/or mail order, Internet and telephone sales with off-site delivery;
(h) Services to patrons shall be arranged by appointment or provided off-site;
(i) The home occupation(s) may use or store a vehicle for pickup of materials used by the home occupation(s) or the distribution of products from the site, provided:
(i) No more than one such vehicle shall be allowed;
(ii) Such vehicle shall not park within any required setback areas of the lot or on adjacent streets; and
(iii) Such vehicle shall not exceed a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight in excess of 16,000 pounds, a length in excess of 20 feet, or a width in excess of eight feet;
(j) Signs in connection with the home occupation shall comply with the restrictions of MMC 22C.160.150(9);
(k) No sales or services will be conducted on the premises which will generate more than 10 average daily round trips per day by customers.
(2) A home occupation permit issued to one person shall not be transferable to any other person, nor shall a home occupation permit be valid at any other address than the one listed on the permit.
(3) In granting approval for a home occupation, the reviewing official may attach additional conditions to ensure the home occupation will be in harmony with, and not detrimental to, the character of the residential neighborhood.
(4) Any home occupation authorized under the provisions of this chapter shall be open to inspection and review at all reasonable times by enforcement officials for purposes of verifying compliance with the conditions of approval and other provisions of this title.
(5) The community development director shall have authority to administratively grant a minor modification to the standards listed in subsections (1)(a) and/or (c) of this section, provided the use is consistent with the purposes of this chapter and will be operated in harmony with the character of a residential neighborhood. Minor modifications shall be limited to the home occupations standards in subsections (1)(a) and (c) of this section, provided they create no significant impacts to the residential neighborhood. The community development director is authorized to approve minor modifications only in cases of unique circumstances such as large property acreage, remote site access or site location, or small scale of use, when these circumstances ensure the commercial operation remains incidental to the dwelling and in no way alters the normal residential character of the premises. No variance shall be granted which would be detrimental to public health, welfare or environment. (Ord. 2852 § 10 (Exh. A), 2011).