Chapter 17.48 — HOME OCCUPATION REGULATIONS

Home occupation as used in this chapter means any use customarily conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the structure for dwelling purposes and which does not change the character thereof; it shall not be construed to mean any use which by its nature or scope adversely affects activities or causes substantial diminution in the enjoyment, use or property values of property in the neighborhood.

(Code 1987 § 17.15.010; Ord. 772 § 17.15.010, 1986)

These regulations are designed to ensure that certain incidental and accessory uses may be established in residential neighborhoods under specified conditions that will ensure their compatibility with the neighborhood. They are intended to protect the rights of residents to engage in certain traditional home occupations that are harmonious with, but subordinate and incidental to, a residential environment. Any occupation is permitted under this chapter provided it meets and complies with all the standards set forth herein. (Code 1987 § 17.15.020; Ord. 772 § 17.15.020, 1986)

No person shall engage in a home occupation without first filing a permit application with the Planning Department. No business license shall be issued to the applicant by the Finance Department until the home occupation permit is approved and issued by the Planning Department. (Code 1987 § 17.15.030; Ord. 772 § 17.15.030, 1986)

Application for a home occupation permit shall be filed with the Planning Department by the owner of the property for which the permit is sought or by a full-time tenant. Acceptance of an application does not constitute indication by the City of approval. (Code 1987 § 17.15.040; Ord. 772 § 17.15.040, 1986)

All home occupations shall comply with the following regulations and violations of these regulations shall be cause for immediate revocation of the permit and the applicant shall be subject to penalties as provided in the Municipal Code:

• A. There shall be no direct sales or display of products, either wholesale or retail, on the premises.

• B. The use shall not generate pedestrian or vehicular traffic beyond that normal to the district or neighborhood in which it is located, considering both type and frequency of such traffic.

• C. The use shall not involve the use of commercial vehicles for delivery of materials to or from the premises, other than delivery services such as United Parcel Service which may normally be expected to serve a residential neighborhood.

• D. No signs shall be displayed in connection with the home occupation, and there shall be no advertising which can be construed as encouraging customers, clients or the public to visit the

premises.

• E. There shall be no alteration of the residential character of the premises and in no way shall the appearance of the dwelling or an accessory building be so altered, or the conduct of the occupation be such, that the premises, dwelling, or accessory building may be reasonably recognized as serving a nonresidential use (either by materials, construction, color, lighting, signs, sounds or noise, vibrations, etc.).

• F. There shall be no use of utilities or community facilities beyond that normal to the use of the property for residential purposes as defined in the district.

• G. Storage and parking of vehicles on the premises used in conjunction with the home occupation shall be limited to automobiles and light trucks, not exceeding one-and-one-half-ton capacity.

• H. No vehicle or trailer displaying signs shall be parked in a manner that would attract or draw attention to the premises.

• I. Any trailer or other towed vehicles used in conjunction with the home occupation shall be parked or stored behind the required front yard setback and shall be screened from any public right-of-way.

• J. No person shall work at the subject premises, or report for work at the subject premises, as part of the home occupation, other than members of the resident family who permanently reside on the premises.

• K. The home occupation shall not involve maintenance of an office that is open to persons other than members of the resident family who permanently reside on the premises.

• L. The garage shall neither be altered nor used so as to reduce the number of parking spaces required by the district within which the use is located.

• M. There shall be no outside storage of stock, merchandise, scrap supplies, or other materials on the premises.

• N. Storage of any hazardous, toxic, or combustible materials associated with business operations shall be prohibited.

(Code 1987 § 17.15.050; Ord. 772 § 17.15.050, 1986)