A. Permitted: A home occupation in an agricultural or residential zone is a lawful and permitted use if it complies with the definitions and guidelines outlined in this section.
B. Conducted Within Dwelling; Secondary Use: The home occupation must be conducted and carried on entirely within a dwelling by persons residing in the dwelling or by those persons at sites away from the dwelling, which use is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes and does not change the character thereof. A home occupation:
1. Shall not include the sale of goods or merchandise directly from the home except those which are produced on the premises;
2. Shall not involve the use of any yard space or activity outside of the buildings not normally associated with residential use;
3. Shall not occupy more than twenty five percent (25%) of the main floor of the dwelling nor more than fifty percent (50%) of the floor area of any garage or outbuilding in which the use is conducted;
4. Shall not cause a demand for municipal services in excess of that associated with normal residential use;
5. Shall be enclosed within a structure in complete conformity with international building codes as adopted by the town;
6. Shall not generate business related vehicular traffic in excess of three (3) vehicles per hour.
C. Mechanical Equipment; Types Of Businesses: The use of mechanical equipment shall be limited to small tools whose use shall not generate noise, smoke or odors perceptible beyond the premises of the dwelling. Home occupations would not allow a resident, professional or otherwise, to use the dwelling for his general practice when that practice is normally associated with some other zoning district. Home occupation will, however, allow the use of the dwelling by a physician, dentist, lawyer, clergyman, engineer or the like for consultation or emergency treatment. Consultation shall include the use of a dwelling to receive mail and maintain a telephone, fax or automatic answering device and computer related to the home occupation, but shall not allow frequent or constant visitation to the residence by clients to transact business. Telecommuting in a home satellite office, away from a main office, is permitted.
D. Daycare: Home occupation shall include the care of fewer than three (3) children other than members of the family residing in the dwelling or as prescribed by state codes or regulations.
E. Advertising; Employees; Outside Storage And Parking:
1. There can be identifying signage not in excess of a six (6) square foot nameplate, attached to the building;
2. No one outside of the immediate family may be employed within the home;
3. Shall not include outdoor storage, outdoor display of merchandise, nor parking/storage of any vehicles in excess of twelve thousand (12,000) pounds gross vehicle weight.
F. Covenants Precluding Use; Business License Regulations: In the event covenants applicable to the property preclude this use, the covenants shall control. A home occupation as described by this section would be a permitted use in any residential or agricultural zone and would require compliance with town business licensing regulations in effect at the time of use.
G. Administrative:
1. Activities normally considered business or commercial uses or activities listed in appendix A to this title, which is on file in the town office, as permitted in residential and agricultural zones are limited to home occupations in all cases and shall follow the review process.
2. All home occupations outside of the guidelines of the permitted use as described in this section shall be prohibited. Agricultural businesses that comply with this title in an agricultural zone are permitted uses. (Ord. 13-01, 9-3-2013; amd. Ord. 20-02, 3-17-2020)