Article I — Generally

The intent and purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations and procedures applicable to unusual uses of land where the circumstances and conditions require special attention, and where the application of this title during the course of the administration and enforcement, results in the inconsistency with the general intent and purpose thereof. (Prior code § 9213.01)

Regulations governing permits for home occupations shall be as set out in this article. (Prior code § 9213.04)

The intent and purpose of this chapter is to provide a means by which, for the convenience of maintaining a livelihood and well-being, a restricted and limited business or occupation may be carried on in any dwelling in any residential zone or dwelling in any P-A, C-C, C-G, and M-U overlay zones, but which is clearly subordinate and incidental to the uses permitted in such zone or residential dwelling, and for which its operation could have no detrimental or adverse affects on the neighborhood area in which it may be located. It is also the intent and purpose of this chapter to only allow the issuance of a home occupation permit to the occupant of the residence or dwelling located in the R-E, S-F, R-I, PUD and R-M zones and in the P-A, C-C, C-G, and M-U overlay zones. (Prior code § 9213.04(A); Ord. 830 § 12, 1993; Ord. 1102 § 5, 2016)

The zoning administrator, prior to accepting an application for a home occupation permit, shall determine whether or not a statement of environmental impact is to be required pursuant to the rules, guidelines or regulations duly adopted by the city council which are currently in effect and as may hereafter be amended.

(Prior code § 9213.04(B))

• A. Any owner or occupant of any legally permitted dwelling located only in the R-E, S-F, R-I, PUD, R-M, P-A, C-C, C-G, or M-U overlay zone may file with the zoning administrator an application for a home occupation permit, verified by said owner or occupant on forms prescribed by the zoning administrator, accompanied by a permit application fee in an amount established by a resolution of the city council. The application shall set forth and include any information as the zoning administrator may require.

• B. Issuance of a home occupation permit shall not become effective unless and/or until a business license has been obtained therefor, and no business license shall be issued by the director of finance until documentary evidence of the issuance of a home occupation permit has first been shown. Any home occupation permit issued to an illegal dwelling in error shall become null and void.

(Prior code § 9213.04(C); Ord. 765 § 52, 1989; Ord. 830 § 13, 1993; Ord. 1102 § 6, 2016)

The zoning administrator may issue a home occupation permit which complies with the provisions of this chapter, on forms prescribed by the zoning administrator, and may require additional terms and conditions considered necessary to assure the integrity of such permit and the zone in which it is proposed to be located. Should, at any time during the period which a home occupation permit is in effect, the zoning administrator find, after conducting an investigation, that the operation of such home occupation is in violation of the provisions of this chapter and/or the terms and conditions subject thereto, such violations shall be considered a misdemeanor as set forth in Section 18.06.130 and the zoning administrator shall by declaration serve notice of revocation of the home occupation permit. In any case, a home occupation permit shall expire at the same time a business license issued therefor expires, and shall not remain in effect unless and/or until such business license has been renewed by the director of finance, provided such renewal takes place within thirty days after such expiration of business license comes due.

(Prior code § 9213.04(G); Ord. 830 § 14, 1993)

Regulations governing the number, uses and types of home occupations shall be as follows:

• A. Number. Not more than one home occupation permit shall be issued for a dwelling.

• B. Uses and Types. A home occupation shall be limited to a personal service type use, provided that no employees or assistants in connection therewith are engaged for services on the premises who are not members of the resident family thereon.

• (Prior code § 9213.04 (D); Ord. 830 § 15, 1993)

No signs or other advertising of any form or nature whatsoever, shall be displayed anywhere on the premises in connection with a home occupation. (Prior code § 9213.04(E))

Other conditions, restrictions and regulations governing home occupations shall be as follows:

• A. Every home occupation permit shall only be issued to the owner or occupant of the property, and such permit shall only be applicable and remain in effect so long as the applicant is a resident of the premises for which such permit is issued, and shall not be transferable to any other person or property.

• B. The operation of every home occupation permit shall be limited to only the residents of the premises for which such permit is issued and shall not engage more than three such resident persons.

• C. There shall not be any on-premises sales, displays, or consultation, except by phone or mail; no on-premises manufacturing fabrication or processing; on-premises office or storage use shall not occupy more than fifteen percent of the ground floor of the dwelling used in connection with the operation of a home occupation permit.

  1. On-Premises Consultation Exception. On-premises consultation may be permitted in connection with a home occupation if the following conditions and restrictions are met:

     • a. Dwelling is located on a property whose front property line directly abuts a major arterial as designated within the Circulation Element of the city of Pico Rivera's General Plan or whose street-adjacent side property line abuts a major arterial as designated within the Circulation Element of the city of Pico Rivera's General Plan and provides direct legally permitted vehicular access via a driveway from the major arterial. On-premises consultation is prohibited within dwellings located on properties whose front and or street-adjacent side property lines directly abut a frontage road that runs parallel to a major arterial and is separated from the major arterial by a median.

     • b. Dwelling is not located within an apartment complex or condominium or similar development.

     • c. Property complies with current off-street parking requirements pursuant to Chapter 18.44 and is not a nonconforming dwelling in regards to off-street parking.

     • d. Dwelling possesses at least one off-street parking space for customer/client parking with minimum dimensions of nine feet in width by twenty feet in depth provided on a legally permitted driveway or within a legally permitted carport or garage that does not impede any required drive aisles.

  • e. A maximum of one customer/client may receive on-premises consultation at any one time. A family unit, such as a parent and one or more children, is considered one client or customer for purposes of this restriction.

  • f. On-premises consultation shall be restricted to services typically rendered within a business office.

  • g. On-premises consultation shall be permitted between the hours of seven a.m. to seven p.m.

• D. All operations of a home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the inside of a dwelling and shall not exceed the use of more than fifteen percent of the ground floor building area in which it is located. Furthermore, no area outside the dwelling shall be used for the home occupation in any manner whatsoever, except for one six thousand pound vehicle used in connection with the operation of the home occupation required to be completely stored in the garage and for one off-street parking space pursuant to subsection (C)(1)(d).

• E. No interior or exterior alterations or remodeling of any type whatsoever shall be permitted in connection with a home occupation.

• F. All operations of a home occupation shall comply with the noise compatibility guidelines set forth within the Noise Element of the city of Pico Rivera's General Plan.

• (Prior code § 9213.04(F); Ord. 830 § 16, 1993; Ord. 1102 § 7, 2016)