Chapter - 1500-12

A. Home Office. A business limited to the use of a home computer, phone, desk, and related office equipment. Home offices do not involve client visits or employees and deliveries would be no more than what is typical of a residential use.

B. Cottage Food Operation. A business, pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code, where a cottage food operator resides and where cottage food products (identified on the list of approved cottage food categories established and maintained by the California Department of Public Health) are prepared or packaged for sale to a consumer or third-party retailer.

C. Minor Home Occupation. A business that includes no outside employees and limited client visits. Types of minor home occupations may include professional offices, one-on-one instruction such as tutoring and music lessons, computer programing; art studios, telephone sales and surveys, domestic services and similar uses.

D. Major Home Occupation. A business that may include one outside employee and more extensive client visits. Types of major home occupations may include, equipment repair, contractor's office, dog grooming, hairdressing, nail salons, light assembly and shipping, catering, food processing, professional offices and similar uses.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

A. Home Office and Cottage Food Operation. The establishment of a Home Office or a Cottage Food Operation is permitted in all zones allowing residences. Cottage Food Operations must also be approved by the Sutter County Environmental Health Division pursuant to the California Health and Safety Code.

B. Minor Home Occupations. The establishment of a Minor Home Occupation may be permitted in all zones allowing residences subject to the approval of a Zoning Clearance.

C. Major Home Occupations. The establishment of a Major Home Occupation may be permitted in all zones allowing residences subject to the approval of a Use Permit.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

Home Occupations shall comply with the following standards:

A. Relationship to Dwelling Unit. The home occupation shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to the primary residential use of the dwelling unit.

B. Outdoor Storage Prohibited. Goods and materials associated with a home occupation shall be stored within an enclosed structure. The storage of flammable, combustible, or explosive materials shall be prohibited.

C. Vehicles. No additional vehicles, except for those that would ordinarily be located at a place of residence, shall be permitted in conjunction with the home occupation.

D. Performance Standards. Home occupations shall not generate dust, odors, noise, vibration, glare or electrical fluctuation or interference of radio and television reception that is perceptible beyond the property line.

E. Deliveries. Deliveries and pick-ups for home occupations shall not exceed the volume normally associated with residential uses, shall not interfere with vehicle circulation, and shall occur only between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

F. Size. Home occupations shall be located within the dwelling unit, attached garage, or detached garage or accessory structure, and shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit.

G. Employees. Employees of a Home Office and a Minor Home Occupation shall be limited to the persons residing in the dwelling unit. Cottage Food Operations and Major Home Occupations are allowed one additional person in addition to those residing in the dwelling unit.

H. Clients. No clients are permitted to visit a Home Office. Not more than six clients per day are permitted to visit a Minor Home Occupation. Not more than 10 clients per day are allowed to visit a Major Home Occupation. Hours for visits shall be between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

I. Building Code. Minor and Major Home Occupations shall comply with accessibility requirements of the California Building Code, including parking and path of travel into the dwelling.

J. Parking. Major and Minor Home Occupations shall provide one additional off-street parking space beyond that required for the primary residential use, if a Major or Minor Home Occupation includes an outside employee, a second additional off-street parking space shall also be provided.

K. Signage. Signage for home occupations shall be subject to Article 21.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

Any use or activity that affects the character of the surrounding residential neighborhood by generating more noise, odors, vehicles, storage, or traffic than would be normally expected in a residential zone is prohibited as a home occupation.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)

The Director may revoke the approval of a home occupation if any of the following applies:

A. The home occupation has become detrimental to public health, safety, welfare, or character of a neighborhood, or constitutes a hazard or nuisance to pedestrian or vehicular circulation or parking.

B. The home occupation does not commence within one year of approval.

C. The home occupation ceases for a period greater than one year.

D. The home occupation does not comply with the requirements of this Chapter or any applicable conditions of approval.

(Ord. of 6-28-2022)