Mendocino County Municipal Code Ch. 20.452 Cottage Industries

It is the intent of this Chapter to provide for limited commercial and industrial uses in conjunction with a dwelling which are more extensive than Home Occupations, but which, like Home Occupations, do not alter or disturb the residential or rural nature of the premises or its surroundings. Such limited commercial and industrial uses are known as Cottage Industries.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

(A) Cottage Industries may be permitted upon issuance of a use permit in AG, FL, TP, RL, RR, RMR, SR and RV Districts.

(B) A use permit for a Cottage Industry may be granted for an unlimited period of years, unless it is determined that a shorter period is more appropriate to insure conformance with the intent and standards of this Chapter or other applicable requirements.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

(A) The particular uses conducted by the Cottage Industry, and their operation and appearance, shall not change or disturb the residential or rural character of the premises or its surrounding.

(B) The use shall be environmentally compatible with the project site and region.

(C) No additional service demands will be created by the use.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)

Cottage Industries shall conform to the following requirements:

(A) Not more than two (2) outside persons may be employed on the premises in addition to the members of the family residing on the premises.

(B) The Cottage Industry shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential use of a parcel containing a dwelling occupied as a principal residence of the owner or operator of the Cottage Industry.

(C) Multiple uses are permitted within the Cottage Industry. The total area occupied by all uses within the Cottage Industry, including storage, shall not exceed one thousand (1,000) square feet.

(D) All aspects of the Cottage Industry shall be located and conducted within a dwelling unit or enclosed accessory building(s), with the exception of outdoor storage of materials, products or vehicles as specifically provided by the use permit. There shall be no other change in the outside appearance of the building or premises, except one (1) nonilluminated sign not exceeding four (4) square feet.

(E) The sale of merchandise not produced on the premises (except mail order businesses) shall be incidental and accessory to the merchandise or service produced by the Cottage Industry, and shall not be advertised in any manner.

(F) Not more than ten (10) customers or clients shall come to the premises for service or products during any one (1) day. Not more than three (3) delivery vehicles shall access the premises each day.

(G) The use and parking of large vehicles or construction equipment (such as trucks of over one (1) ton rating) or vehicles being repaired shall be regulated by the use permit. Not more than one (1) vehicle for servicing may be parked in public view.

(H) No equipment or process used in the Cottage Industry shall create noise, vibration, glare, fumes, dust, odors, smoke, electrical interference or other impacts in excess of those customarily generated by single-family residential uses in the neighborhood, nor shall noise exceed the one or two-family residential standards in Appendix B at the property line.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991; Ord. No. 4149 (part), adopted 2005)

(A) The following are examples of use types that may be treated as Cottage Industries and that may be permitted in the Rural Residential, Remote Residential, Suburban Residential and Rural Village Zoning Districts:

Administrative and Business Offices;

Animal Sales and Services: Household Pets;

Animal Sales and Services: Veterinary (Large Animals);

Animal Sales and Services: Veterinary (Small Animals);

Automotive and Equipment: Repairs, Light (Not allowed in SR);

Building Maintenance Services;

Business Equipment Sales and Services;

Custom Manufacturing: Light Industrial;

Food and Beverage Preparation: Without Consumption;

Horticulture;

Mail Order Businesses;

Medical Services;

Personal Services;

Repair Services: Consumer.

(B) The following are examples of use types that may be treated as Cottage Industries and that may be permitted in Range Lands, Agricultural, Forest Lands and Timberland Production Zoning Districts:

Administrative and Business Offices;

Agricultural Sales and Services;

Animal Sales and Services: Household Pets;

Animal Sales and Services: Veterinary (Large Animals);

Animal Sales and Services: Veterinary (Small Animals);

Automotive and Equipment: Repairs, Light;

Automotive and Equipment: Repairs, Heavy;

Building Maintenance Services;

Business Equipment Sales and Services;

Custom Manufacturing: Light Industrial;

Food and Beverage Preparation: Without Consumption;

Mail Order Businesses;

Packing and Processing: Limited;

Packing and Processing: General;

Packing and Processing: Winery;

Personal Services;

Repair Services: Consumer.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991; Ord. No. 4149 (part), adopted 2005)

Where a use described in this Chapter is permitted without the necessity of obtaining a use permit within the zoning district the regulations within the district shall apply.

(Ord. No. 3785 (part), adopted 1991)