A home occupation is permitted in an R district as an accessory use for a dwelling unit upon the issuance of a home occupation permit.
(Formerly 18.50.200; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. D), 2007)
A home occupation permit may be issued only if the use meets all of the following conditions:
A. 
The home occupation is not incompatible in any way with the residential character of the neighborhood;
B. 
There is no external evidence of its operation;
C. 
The use conforms to all of the following conditions:
1. 
Only a resident of the dwelling unit may be engaged or employed in the home occupation;
2. 
The primary function of the home occupation will not necessitate providing services to customers or clients within or on the site of the dwelling unit. An exception to this condition is the provision of an educational service and the supply of goods or materials to be used in conjunction with the educational service if the educational service does not create a neighborhood nuisance by the generation of noise or pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond that normal for the area in which the use is located;
3. 
No goods, samples, materials or objects in connection with the operation of the home occupation may be stored or displayed on the site of the dwelling unit. This condition is not intended to prohibit the temporary interior storage of materials used in the operation of the home occupation; provided, that the storage complies with subsection (C)(5) of this section and does not create a health or safety problem or neighborhood nuisance;
4. 
No goods, products, or items may be maintained and sold from the dwelling as an activity of the home occupation, except as provided by subsection (C)(2) of this section. This does not include an activity regulated under the temporary use section of this title;
5. 
Not more than 20 percent of the total floor area of the dwelling or 10 percent of the site may be used in conjunction with the home occupation;
6. 
No sign, nameplate, or any other form of advertising used in connection with the home occupation may be displayed on the site;
7. 
No structure, addition, alteration or remodeling of the dwelling is permitted in connection with the home occupation;
8. 
Access to that portion of the dwelling used for the home occupation may only be through the main entrance to the dwelling unit;
9. 
No vehicle or vessel prohibited by PMC § 18.78.070 shall be maintained on site, unless it meets one or more of the exceptions set forth in PMC § 18.78.070(B);
10. 
No noise, dust, smoke, odor, nor electrical interference may be emitted in conjunction with the home occupation and the use must comply with the performance standards prescribed by Chapter 18.82 PMC.
Notwithstanding the requirements and conditions set forth in subsection (C) of this section, planning staff may deny a home occupation permit request upon a finding that there is the possibility that the use may disrupt the residential neighborhood or that it is not in keeping with the intent and purpose of a home occupation.
(Formerly 18.50.205; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. D), 2007; Ord. 21-1498 § 5, 2021)
If an application for a home occupation permit does not comply with every condition listed in PMC § 18.50.405, or if the application is refused by the planning staff, the applicant may file for a zoning administrator approval under the provisions of PMC § 18.32.010. The zoning administrator may issue a home occupation permit under the following provisions:
A. 
The zoning administrator must find that:
1. 
The establishment, maintenance or conduct of the home occupation, or the conditions under which the use will be conducted in this particular case, will not be detrimental to the health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience or welfare of persons residing or working in, or adjacent to, the neighborhood of such use, and will not, in this particular case, be detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to property in such neighborhood;
2. 
The home occupation, in this case, will not be objectionable or undesirable because of potential noise, increased pedestrian or vehicular traffic, dust, smoke, odors, or any other condition which may interfere with the general welfare of the surrounding residential area; and
3. 
The establishment, maintenance, and conduct of the use generally complies with the intent of a home occupation as defined in this title;
4. 
Cottage food establishments will comply with Contra Costa environmental health department standards.
B. 
In approving the home occupation permit, the zoning administrator may impose such conditions considered necessary to protect the best interests of the surrounding area or neighborhood, in line with the standards prescribed in this section and with the general plan.
(Formerly 18.50.210; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. D), 2007; Ord. 23-1509 § 20, 2023)
The following occupations or activities and every similar use when conducted on a commercial basis and performed on the site of the applicant's dwelling may not be considered a home occupation and therefore not permitted in an R district.
A. 
The repair, manufacture, processing, or alteration of goods, materials, objects, or equipment. However, dressmaking, tailoring and the manufacturing of arts and crafts items or the creation of artistic works, intended for off-site sale in which no equipment or process is used which creates an adverse impact on the neighborhood is permitted if the activity complies with PMC § 18.50.405. This provision is also not intended to exclude the creation or processing of clerical, graphic, computer-generated, or administrative associate products;
B. 
A use involving food handling, processing, or packing, except as permitted under Health and Safety Code Section 113758 as a cottage food operation;
C. 
Harboring, training, or raising animals, with the exception of the breeding and selling of no more than two litters or broods of domestic animals in any calendar year;
D. 
Either major or minor vehicle equipment repair or painting, including off-site mobile services. However, windshield or glass repair and minor dent removal are permitted; provided, that the service does not necessitate removal or replacement of any automobile body panel, engine part or paint; and provided, that the activity complies with the provisions of PMC § 18.50.205 and § 18.50.405;
E. 
Sale or servicing of firearms or ammunition;
F. 
Automobile washing and detailing, including off-site mobile services.
(Formerly 18.50.215; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. D), 2007; Ord. 21-1498 § 6, 2021)
More than one home occupation may be located in a dwelling unit but each use is considered a separate business and must obtain a home occupation or zoning administrator approval.
(Formerly 18.50.220; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. D), 2007)
A permit granted under this article becomes null and void if either the use ceases for a period of six consecutive months or if the home occupation is no longer conducted by the applicant to which the permit was granted.
(Formerly 18.50.225; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. D), 2007)
A permit granted under this article may be revoked by the zoning administrator by following the notice hearing and determination provisions of PMC § 18.28.100 and § 18.28.110 except that the zoning administrator rather than the planning commission shall hear and decide the matter.
(Formerly 18.50.230; Ord. 979 § 2 (Exh. A), 1990; Ord. 07-1284 § 3 (Exh. D), 2007)