The intent of this section is to allow residents the opportunity to use their residence as a place to produce or supplement their personal and family income, while protecting residential areas from adverse effects associated with a home-based business and to achieve and maintain an attractive and efficiently functioning community. Home-based businesses are permitted in residential units subject to the conditions set forth in this section.
(A) Violations.
(1) A home-based business shall comply with all City Codes.
(2) If a violation of the City Code exists, the zoning administrative officer or his or her designee shall, in writing, note the specific area of noncompliance and the home-based business shall have a ten-day period in which to achieve compliance. Failure to comply with City Codes shall constitute an offense.
(B) Building use. The home-based business shall be incidental to the residential use of the property where it is operated. No more than 30% of the total first floor area of the primary residential structure on the premises shall be used for the operation of home-based businesses. To be considered a home-based business, at least one owner of such business must live on the premises.
(C) External activities. Any outdoor activities carried out in conjunction with the home-based business must be in keeping with, and maintain the integrity of, the surrounding residential area.
(1) The growing, in an unobtrusive manner, of plants, flowers, vegetables, fruit and similar materials utilized in the operation of the home-based business need not be screened.
(2) Other activities not consistent with the character of the surrounding residential area must be screened from view.
(D) External effects. The home-based business shall not constitute a hazard or nuisance to neighboring properties.
(1) Outdoor storage of any equipment, machinery, parts, goods, materials or other appurtenances of the business shall not be permitted.
(2) The home-based business shall not involve the parking or storage of tractortrailers, semi-trucks or heavy equipment, such as construction equipment, used in a business.
(3) Welding, vehicle body repair, vehicle painting, mechanical repair, rebuilding or dismantling of vehicles, or other like businesses are not allowed as home-based businesses.
(4) Businesses which involve the production, storage, distribution or collection of hazardous chemicals, toxic materials, fireworks or similar materials, or other like businesses, are not allowed as home-based businesses.
(5) The home-based business shall not cause glare, noise, odors or electronic interference to the residents of surrounding properties.
(6) The home-based business shall not require additional on- or off-street parking.
(E) Employees. A home-based business may employ individuals under the following conditions:
(1) At any given time, a home-based business may employ no more than two individuals that are not a resident of the primary home; and
(2) If more than one home-based business is operated from the same residential property, the maximum number of employees applies to all businesses taken together, not to each business separately.
(F) Signage. Signage designating a home-based business shall be limited to one non-illuminated and non-reflective sign.
(1) Signage may include at most the name of the home-based business, a logo symbol, contact information, address and indication of the appropriate public entrance. The sign may contain less information. The sign may not exceed four square feet and must be attached to the building.
(2) The presence or design of the sign shall not detract from the property or the surrounding residential area; neither shall its size constitute a visual hazard. Signage must be contained entirely on the property and must maintain appropriate distances from the boundaries of neighboring properties.
(Ord. 23-09, passed 8-21-2023) Penalty, see § 151.999