San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 10 Home Occupations

Recognizing that unrestricted use of residential properties for purposes of an occupational nature other than that normally associated with home living has a detrimental effect on both the residential area in which the occupations are conducted and the areas properly designated for such uses, and further recognizing that this detrimental effect results in the depreciations of value, welfare, happiness, and morale of the entire community, it is the purpose of this division to eliminate this detrimental effect by creating criteria for the establishment and conditions for the continuance of home occupations.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

(a) Home occupations may include the following:

(1) Secondary business offices when a business has its principal office, staff, and equipment located elsewhere.

(2) The home office of a salesman when all sales are consummated by telephone and/or written orders with no commodities or displays on the premises.

(3) A self-employed person or an independent contractor, but not including a garment worker, a pieceworker or any other person engaged in the manufacturing, assembly, or fabrication of products.

(b) The applicant shall be required to pay appropriate fees as determined by city council resolution for processing applications for home occupations.

(c) It shall be the duty of the planning Director or his designee to ascertain all pertinent facts concerning such proposed use and to approve or disapprove. Written approval of a proposed use as a proper home occupation shall be considered a home occupation permit and shall remain in effect until revoked as provided in section 106-617.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

The establishment and conduct of home occupations shall comply with the following criteria:

(1) There shall be no exterior evidence of the conduct of a home occupation, including, but not limited to, noise or odor caused thereby.

(2) A home occupation shall be conducted only within the enclosed living area of the dwelling unit.

(3) Electrical or mechanical equipment which creates visible or audible interference in radio or television receivers or causes fluctuations in line voltage outside the dwelling unit or which creates noise not normally associated with residential uses shall be prohibited.

(4) Only the residents of the dwelling unit may be engaged in the home occupation.

(5) To the extent that there is any sale of any item related to a home occupation by the permittee as seller, no delivery of that item to the buyer shall occur on or adjacent to the premises.

(6) The establishment and conduct of a home occupation shall not change the principal character of use of the dwelling unit involved.

(7) There shall be no signs other than those permitted by the zone regulations.

(8) The conduct of any home occupation, including, but not limited to, the storage of goods and equipment, shall not reduce or render unusable the areas provided for required off-street parking.

(9) No vehicular or pedestrian traffic related to this home occupation shall be allowed.

(10) No storage or display of materials, goods, supplies or equipment related to the operation of a home occupation shall be visible from the outside of any structure located on the premises.

(11) There shall be no advertising in connection with the home occupation which gives the address of the property from which the home occupation is conducted.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

A home occupation permit granted in accordance with this division may be terminated if it is determined by the director that:

(1) Any requirement set forth in section 106-660 of this division is being violated;

(2) The use has become detrimental to the public health or safety or is deemed to constitute a nuisance;

(3) The permit was obtained by misrepresentation or fraud;

(4) The use for which the permit was granted has ceased or has been suspended for six consecutive months or more; and

(5) The conditions of the premises, or of the district of which it is a part, has changed so that the use may no longer be justified under the meaning and intent of this division.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)