Title 17Division 4 — Standards For Specific Land Uses And Activities

Chapter 17.164 — HOME OCCUPATIONS

Yountville Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Yountville

§ 17.164.010. Purpose and application.

This chapter is intended to establish regulations for home-based businesses incidental to and compatible with surrounding residential neighborhoods and with minimal offsite impacts in order to promote the economic interests of residents and to reduce commute travel. The following specific rules and regulations established in this chapter shall apply in combination with the land use regulations of the applicable zoning district. (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

§ 17.164.020. General conditions and operating standards.

The following general conditions and operating standards apply to all home occupations:

  • A. Area and Location.

    1. The area devoted to a home occupation shall occupy no more than 25% of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit, portion of garage and auxiliary structures.

    2. No exterior operation of any home occupation is permitted.

    3. Home occupations conducted within a garage shall not eliminate or change the use of required off-street parking spaces.

  • B. Employees. Employment shall be restricted to residents of the dwelling unit except that a major home occupation may have one nonresident employee on-site at any one time, provided that:

    1. The employee works under the direction of the dwelling resident and is not an independent or separate business enterprise;

    2. Hours of operation for a nonresident employee are between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.;

    3. Parking for the nonresident employee is provided on site without reliance on on-street parking.

  • C. Clients and Customers. The frequency of customers, clients, students, patients, or persons in similar relationships with a home occupation visiting the home for services or products shall be limited as follows:

    1. Minor Home Occupations: No more than one visit per day,

    2. Moderate Home Occupations: No more than three visits per day, and

    3. Major Home Occupations: More than three visits per day, as established by use permit.

  • D. Sale, Storage, Distribution and Display of Goods.

    1. Articles offered for sale in a home occupation shall be limited to those produced or grown on the premises, or associated with services provided.

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Town of Yountville, CA

ZONING

§ 17.164.020

§ 17.164.040

  1. Products and materials associated with the home occupation shall not be displayed outside or in a window visible from a public right-of-way.
  • E. Off-site Impacts.

    1. No home occupation shall be permitted that:

      • a. Creates noise, odor, light pollution or glare, electrical disturbances, dust, vibrations, fumes, or smoke readily discernible at the exterior boundaries of the parcel on which it is situated, including violation of any provision of Chapter 17.144, Regulations for Impact on Adjacent Uses, of this title;

      • b. Involves the storage of equipment, vehicles, or supplies outside of the dwelling or any auxiliary structure;

      • c. Involves the creation or storage of toxic or hazardous materials.

    2. Traffic and parking impacts on the surrounding neighborhood shall be minimal and the location of commercial vehicles shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 17.116, Off-Street Parking and Loading, of this title.

  • F. Signs. One nonmoving and non-illuminated sign of up to one square foot may be permitted to identify the business.

  • G. Business License. All home occupations shall have a valid Town of Yountville business license.

  • H. Sales Tax. All home occupations that include retail sales from the premises shall report sales tax designating Yountville as the point-of-sale location.

  • I. Homemade Food Operations. All homemade food operations that involve food preparation or packaging in the home kitchen shall obtain a permit from Napa County Environmental Health Department and submit a copy of this approval to the Town.

  • (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

§ 17.164.030. Permitted uses.

The following uses may be permitted as home occupations:

  • A. Professional offices;

  • B. Personal services, including incidental sale of associated products;

  • C. Art and craft work, such as ceramics, painting, photography or sculpture;

  • D. Homemade food operations;

  • E. On-site retail sales of products produced on-site or associated with services provided, as limited by the restrictions on clientele in Section 17.164.020(C) of this chapter; and

  • F. Uses deemed by the Planning Officer or the Town Council to be similar to the above mentioned and which comply with the requirements of Section 17.164.020(E) of this chapter.

  • (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

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Town of Yountville, CA

YOUNTVILLE CODE

§ 17.164.040

§ 17.164.050

§ 17.164.040. Uses prohibited as home occupations.

The following are examples of uses and business activities that are not incidental to or compatible with residential activities, and therefore, are prohibited as home occupations:

  • A. Adult entertainment,

  • B. Animal hospitals or boarding,

  • C. Automotive and other vehicle repair and service, except for vehicles owned by residents of the dwelling,

  • D. Commercial cabinetry, carpentry, or furniture-making,

  • E. Welding and machine shop,

  • F. Contractor's storage,

  • G. Nightclubs and similar entertainment venues,

  • H. On-site meal service, and

  • I. Other uses determined by the Planning Officer or the Town Council to be similar to the above mentioned.

  • (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

§ 17.164.050. Home occupation approval.

  • A. The Planning Officer may administratively approve applications for moderate home occupations through issuance of an administrative use permit as regulated by Chapter 17.196 of this title if they comply with all the applicable conditions set forth in this chapter.

  • B. Major home occupations are subject to the approval of a use permit by the Town Council as regulated by Chapter 17.200 of this title.

  • (Ord. 21-501 § 9)

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Town of Yountville, CA