The provisions of this chapter allow for conducting home-based
occupations which are incidental to and compatible with surrounding
residential uses. A home occupation represents a legal income producing
activity by the occupant of the dwelling.
(Prior code § 159.54.010; Ord. 696 11-19-19)
A. Conducting a home occupation requires the approval of the Director who may establish conditions to further the intent of this chapter. An application for a Home Occupation Permit shall be on a form prescribed by the Director and shall be filed with the Department pursuant to Chapter
17.68 (Applications and Fees).
B. No
Home Occupation Permit shall be required for an in-home educational
activity, including, but not limited to, music lessons, academic tutoring,
or religious instruction, provided that no more than 5 students are
present at any 1 time, and the use complies with all of the operating
standards outlined below.
(Prior code § 159.54.020; Ord. 696 11-19-19)
Home occupations shall comply with all of the following operating
standards:
A. No
home occupation shall alter the appearance of the dwelling unit;
B. There
shall be no displays, sale or delivery of merchandise, or advertising
signs on the premises;
C. No
vehicles with commercial advertisements are stored where visible from
a public right-of-way;
D. No
signs other than the address and name of the resident shall be permitted;
E. No
advertising which identifies the home occupation by street address
shall be permitted;
F. In
the course of doing business, no employees or customers appear at
the home address to transact business;
G. A
limit of 1 vehicle no larger than a 3/4 ton truck may be used by the
occupant directly or indirectly in connection with a home occupation;
H. Home
occupations shall not encroach into any required parking, setback,
or open space areas;
I. There
shall be no use or storage of material or mechanical equipment not
recognized as being part of a normal household or hobby use;
J. Activities
conducted and equipment or material used shall not change the fire
safety or occupancy classifications of the premises. Utility consumption
shall not exceed normal residential usage;
K. No
use shall create or cause noise, dust, light, vibration, odor, gas,
fumes, toxic/hazardous materials, smoke, glare, or electrical interference
or other hazards or nuisances;
L. Only
the occupants of the dwelling may be engaged in the home occupation;
M. The
home occupation shall not involve the use of commercial vehicles for
delivery of materials to or from the premises;
N. The
home occupation shall not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic
in excess of that ordinarily associated with the land use district
in which it is located;
O. No
home occupation shall be initiated until a current business license
is obtained, pursuant to the Desert Hot Springs Municipal Code;
P. Home
occupation permits shall not be transferable;
Q. There
shall be no more than 1 home occupation in any dwelling unit;
R. If
the home occupation is to be conducted on rental property, the property
owner’s written authorization for the proposed use shall be
obtained prior to the submittal for a Home Occupation Permit; and
S. Any
special condition established by the Director and made part of the
record of the Home Occupation Permit, as deemed necessary to carry
out the intent of this chapter.
(Prior code § 159.54.030; Ord. 696 11-19-19)
The following are examples of uses that are not incidental to
nor compatible with residential activities, and are prohibited:
B. Businesses
which entail the harboring, training, breeding, raising, or grooming
of dogs, cats, or other animals on the premises;
C. Carpentry
and cabinet making;
D. Medical
and dental offices, clinics, and laboratories;
F. Repair,
fix-it, or plumbing shops;
G. Storage
of equipment, materials, and other accessories to the construction
and service trades;
H. Vehicle
repair (body or mechanical), upholstery, and painting;
I. Manufacturing,
warehousing and distribution;
J. Welding
and machining; and
K. Any
other use determined by the Director to be not incidental nor compatible
with residential activities.
(Prior code § 159.54.040; Ord. 696 11-19-19)
Microenterprise home kitchen operations (“MEHKO”),
as defined by the
Health and Safety Code, may operate within the City
only under the following conditions:
A. The
MEHKO is duly permitted by the County of Riverside;
B. The MEHKO complies with the operating standards under Section
17.108.030, except for the following subsections:
D. The
MEHKO complies with all applicable sections of this code, including,
but not limited to, the following:
1. Title 4, Code Enforcement,
2. Title 5, Business Licenses and Regulations,
3. Title 10, Vehicles and Traffic, and
4. Chapter
8.12, Noise Control.
(Ord. 696 11-19-19)
A Home Occupation Permit may be revoked or modified by the Director
if any one of the following findings can be made:
A. That
the use has become detrimental to the public health, safety, or traffic,
or constitutes a nuisance;
B. That
the permit was obtained by misrepresentation or fraud;
C. That
the use for which the permit was granted has ceased or was suspended
for 6 or more consecutive calendar months;
D. That
the condition of the premises, or the area of which it is a part,
has changed so that the use is no longer justified under the meaning
and intent of this chapter;
E. That
one or more of the conditions of the Home Occupation Permit have not
been met; or
F. That
the use is in violation of any statute, ordinance, law, or regulation.
(Prior code § 159.54.050; Ord. 696 11-19-19)