A. 
Purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter to:
1. 
Allow for the conduct of home occupations that are deemed incidental to, and compatible with, surrounding residential uses;
2. 
Recognize that a residential property owner or resident has a limited right to conduct a small business from a residence and that a neighbor, under normal circumstances, would not be aware of its existence;
3. 
Maintain the residential character of residential neighborhoods; and
4. 
Prevent the use of home occupations from transforming a residential neighborhood into a commercial area.
B. 
Incidental and Secondary Use. The Home Occupation Permit is intended to allow for home occupations that are conducted within a dwelling located in a residential zone or the residential component of a mixed-use zone and are clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes and compatible with surrounding residential uses.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Where Allowed. Home occupations are allowed in residential and the residential component of mixed-use zones in compliance with Division 2 (Zones, Allowable Uses, and Development Standards).
B. 
Allowed Home Occupations. Allowed home occupations include any activity producing income, or intended to produce income, conducted entirely within a residential dwelling by the inhabitants of the dwelling, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the structure for residential purposes, which does not change the character of the dwelling, and only when conducted in compliance with the applicable locational and operational standards identified in Section 17.08.020 (Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zones). This shall include cottage food operations as set forth in the California Health and Safety Code, Chapter 11.5 (Cottage Food Operations) et seq.
C. 
Prohibited Home Occupations. The following uses are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities and are prohibited as home occupations:
1. 
Adult businesses;
2. 
Alcohol sales;
3. 
Ammunition, explosives, or fireworks, sales, use, or manufacturing;
4. 
Businesses that entail the commercial breeding, boarding, grooming, harboring, kenneling, raising, and/or training of dogs, cats, or other animals on the premises;
5. 
Carpentry (on-site) and cabinet making (does not prohibit a normal wood-working hobby operation);
6. 
Fortune telling (psychic);
7. 
Lawn mower and/or small engine repair;
8. 
Massage establishments (on-site);
9. 
Medical and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories;
10. 
Mini storage;
11. 
Plant nursery;
12. 
Storage and/or sales of equipment, materials, and other accessories to the construction and service trades;
13. 
Tattoo parlors;
14. 
Television, radio, or appliance repair;
15. 
Tobacco/hookah lounges/parlors;
16. 
Vehicle repair (body or mechanical), upholstery, automobile detailing (e.g., washing, waxing, etc.) and painting. (This does not prohibit "mobile" or resident-conducted minor repair or detailing at the customer's location);
17. 
Vehicle sales whereby any vehicle is stored on the premises for any period of time;
18. 
Welding and machining; and
19. 
Other similar uses determined by the Director not to be incidental to or compatible with residential activities.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Home Occupation Prohibited Without a Permit. No person shall engage in business or transact and carry on any business, calling, profession, occupation, or trade, on any property zoned for residential purposes without an approved and unrevoked or unsuspended Home Occupation Permit.
B. 
No Permit on Site with Violations. No permit shall be issued for a property on which there exists a violation of the law.
C. 
Permit Required. The establishment of a home occupation within a residence (single-family, multi-family, mixed use, or accessory dwelling) shall be regulated by a one-time application and fee, in compliance with the fee schedule adopted by the Council.
(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A. 
Filing. An application for a Home Occupation Permit shall be filed and processed in compliance with Section 17.44.030 (Application Processing, Filing, and Review—Generally). The application shall include the information and materials specified in the most up-to-date Department handout for Home Occupation Permit applications, together with the required fee in compliance with the fee schedule. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence in support of the findings required by Section 17.40.040 (Required Findings and Decision). Initial review of the application, including time requirements and requests for information, shall be in compliance with Section 17.62.060 (Preapplication Review).
B. 
Project Review Procedures. Following receipt of a completed application, the Director shall investigate the facts necessary for action consistent with the purpose of this section.
C. 
Public Notice Not Required. A public notice and hearing shall not be required for the Director's decision on a Home Occupation Permit application.
D. 
Director's Actions. The Director may approve a Home Occupation Permit that would be operated in compliance with Section 17.08.020 (Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zones), or the Director may defer action and refer the application to the Commission for review and final decision. The Director shall review all Home Occupation Permit applications and shall record the decision in writing with the findings on which the decision is based. The Director (or the Commission on a referral) may approve a Home Occupation Permit application, with or without conditions, only upon first making all of the following findings. Failure to make all of the following findings shall result in denial of the Home Occupation Permit application:
1. 
The proposed home occupation will be consistent with the General Plan, any applicable specific plan, and the development and design standards of the subject zone;
2. 
The proposed home occupation shall meet all of the requirements of this section and will be located and conducted in full compliance with all of the standards specified in Section 17.08.020 (Allowed Uses and Permit Requirements for Residential Zones) and all conditions imposed on the Home Occupation Permit;
3. 
The proposed home occupation will not be detrimental to the public convenience, health, interest, safety, or welfare, or materially injurious to the properties or improvements in the immediate vicinity; and
4. 
The proposed home occupation will not interfere with the use or enjoyment of neighboring existing or future residential developments and will not create traffic or pedestrian hazards.
E. 
Conditions of Approval. In approving a Home Occupation Permit application, the Director (or the Commission on a referral) may impose conditions (e.g., buffers, hours of operation, landscaping and maintenance, lighting, parking, performance guarantees, property maintenance, surfacing, time limits, traffic circulation, etc.) deemed reasonable and necessary to ensure that the approval would be in compliance with this section and the findings required above.
F. 
Acknowledgement. A Home Occupation Permit shall not be valid until signed by the applicant, with the signature acknowledging the applicant's full understanding and agreement with all of the conditions, and agreement to waive any right to later challenge any conditions imposed as unfair, unnecessary, or unreasonable.
(Ord. 688 § 1, 2006; Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
Immediately following the effective date of an approved Home Occupation Permit, when no appeal has been filed, the applicant shall obtain a Business License in compliance with Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations).
(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
Home Occupation Permits shall immediately expire upon discontinuance of the home occupation. Home Occupation Permits are not transferable to a new owner or resident of a premises, nor to another property.
(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
The Director shall have the right at any time during normal City Hall business hours, upon request, to enter and inspect the premises subject to a Home Occupation Permit to verify compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)
A change in the type of home occupation activity (e.g., a change from one allowed activity to another allowed activity) conducted by the original resident/permittee shall also require a new Home Occupation Permit and Business License before conducting an allowed home occupation.
(Ord. 19-03 § 3, 2019)