The purpose of this Chapter is to establish regulations to allow
limited business activity to occur at residences where the business
activity is clearly incidental to the primary residential use and
will not change the neighborhood's residential character or integrity.
Regulations in this Chapter are intended to reduce impacts of home
occupations to the degree that its effects on the neighborhood are
not detectable from normal and usual residential activity.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)
The regulations and standards contained in this Chapter shall apply to all home occupations, as defined by Chapter
17.24 (Allowed Use Definitions), in the City.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)
Home occupations regulated by this Chapter shall only be permitted in accordance with Article II (Zoning Districts, Allowed Uses, and Development Standards) and subject to the special regulations outlined in Section
17.78.040 (Special Standards) of this Chapter as determined through administrative Zoning Conformance. These requirements are in addition to any other development standards and regulations contained elsewhere in this Zoning Ordinance and any other permits or certificates required by law.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)
In general, a home occupation shall be located and conducted
such that the average neighbor, under normal circumstances, would
be unaware of its presence. All home occupations shall continuously
meet the following regulations in addition to any conditions imposed
by the business license for home occupation issued by the City. Prior
to the establishment of any home occupation, the following requirements
must be met:
A. Occupancy
by Operator. The residence where the home occupation is located shall
be the primary residence for the operator of the home occupation.
B. Business
License. A business license from the City is required for any home
occupation consistent with the requirements of this Municipal Code.
C. Advertising and Display. Signs pertaining to home occupations shall comply with the provisions of Chapter
17.54 (Signs on Private Property). There shall be no display of products produced by occupants of the dwelling which are visible in any manner from the outside of the dwelling unit.
D. Number
of Home Occupations. One home occupation is allowed at a home where
customers may visit the business. Otherwise, there is a limit of one
additional home occupation for the residence where no customers may
visit the business.
E. On-Site
Sales. The home occupation shall not involve sale of merchandise other
than that produced on the premises (e.g., artist's originals or products
individually made to order), or directly related to and incidental
to the services offered. Products which are not produced on the premises
may be constructed on-site, using equipment normally found in a residence;
however, these products may only be sold off-site at a permitted commercial
location.
F. Primary
Residential Use. The use of the residential dwelling for the home
occupation shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to its use
for residential purposes.
G. Operation
and Off-Site Effects. No process shall be used which is hazardous
to public health, safety, or welfare. The home occupation shall produce
no evidence of its existence upon or beyond the premises such as external
alterations creating nonresidential or unsightly appearance of a structure,
noise, smoke, fumes, odors, light, electrical interference, dust,
glare, liquid or solid waste, or vibrations. Noise levels shall comply
with the City's Noise Ordinance. There shall be no use of utilities
or community facilities beyond that normal to the use of the property
for residential purposes.
H. Visitors
and Customers. Generally, business visitors and customers of the home
occupation are prohibited from visiting the residence. However, this
provision does not apply to home occupations of an educational nature,
including, but not limited to, tutoring, music instruction, swimming
lessons, and art. Such uses are limited to not more than one business
visitor per hour and no more than one at any given time.
I. Storage
and Waste Materials. There shall be no outside storage of material,
equipment, products, or supplies. Hazardous materials may only be
stored in amounts below the thresholds as established by the local
Fire Department which do not require any special permits or licenses.
The home occupation shall dispose of all waste materials or byproducts
on a regular, timely basis in conformance with applicable garbage
collection, fire protection, and public health regulations.
J. Structure.
The home occupation shall be confined completely within a legal structure
and shall not occupy more than one room, or the equivalent of 25 percent
of the floor area of a dwelling, whichever is greater, or 200 square
feet of a permitted accessory building. No internal or external alterations
for the home occupation shall be made to the dwelling unit that are
not customarily found in or to serve residents. Conversion or alteration
of a portion of the interior of the residence, garage, or accessory
structure that does not result in a loss of off-street parking or
adversely alter the exterior appearance of the structure may be allowed
through approval of appropriate entitlements and issuance of a building
permit.
K. Traffic,
Vehicles, and Deliveries. The home occupations shall not generate
deliveries, pedestrian, or vehicular traffic beyond that which is
normal in a residential district. No vehicles not normally found or
parked for extended periods of time in a residential area shall be
located at a home occupation, including, but not limited to, tool
trucks, dump trucks, semis, and vehicles for hire (e.g., taxicab,
limousine, pedicab).
L. The
Approving Authority may limit the length of time in order to effect
periodic review of the home occupation operations or establish reasonable
conditions on the operation of any home occupation to meet the intent
of this Chapter.
(Ord. 1501 § 1, 2011)