A home occupation may be allowed as an accessory use in specified districts where it is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential purposes. The home occupation shall maintain peace, quiet and domestic tranquility within the neighborhood and City and guarantee to all residents freedom from excessive noise, excessive traffic, nuisance, fire hazard and other possible effects of commercial uses being conducted in residential areas.
(a) Criteria for Minor Home Occupations. Home occupations which comply with all of the following criteria shall be classified as minor in character and shall be permitted by right with no permit necessary in all residential districts, but shall be required to register with the City:
(1) The use shall be conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof and no others.
(2) There shall be no storage of equipment, commercially licensed vehicles or supplies associated with the home occupation outside the dwelling.
(3) There shall be no display of products visible in any manner from outside the dwelling.
(4) There shall be no change in the outside appearance of the dwelling or premises or any visible evidence of the conduct of the home occupation.
(5) No advertising display signs shall be permitted.
(6) The use shall not require additional off-street parking spaces.
(7) No equipment or process shall be used in a home occupation which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes, smoke, odor or dust detectable by the normal senses off property.
(8) Parties for the purpose of selling merchandise or taking orders shall not be held more than four times each month.
(9) Motor vehicle traffic relating to the conduct of the home occupation shall be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(10) Deliveries from commercial suppliers may not be made more than once each week, and the delivery shall not restrict traffic circulation.
(11) No highly explosive, toxic or combustible material should be used or stored on the premises. No activity shall be allowed that would interfere with radio or television transmissions in the area.
(12) The use shall not involve more than thirty-three and one-third (33-1/3) percent of the floor area of only one story of the principal building and shall be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes.
(13) Home occupations shall comply with all local, state or federal regulations pertinent to the activity pursued, and the requirements of or permission granted by this section shall not be construed as an exemption from such regulations.
(b) Criteria for Major Home Occupations. Uses which do not satisfy the criteria for a minor home occupation shall be classified as major home occupations and shall require Development Permits in accordance with this section. Single-family neighborhoods should, in general, be protected from major home occupations, unless it can be specifically demonstrated that such use will have no short or long term negative impacts on the neighborhood. Major home occupations shall be encouraged in multi-family neighborhoods such as R-2 and R-3 Districts. To this extent, the following regulations shall apply to all major home occupations:
(1) The use shall be conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof and no others.
(2) There shall be no storage of equipment, vehicles or supplies associated with the home occupation outside the dwelling.
(3) There shall be no display of products visible in any manner from outside of the dwelling.
(4) The structure shall not be altered or the occupation within the residence be conducted in such a manner that would cause the premises to differ from its residential character either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting or the emission of sounds or vibrations that carry beyond the premises.
(5) One unlighted nameplate not exceeding one square foot in area announcing the name and home occupation shall be permitted.
(6) The use shall not require more than two additional off-street parking spaces for clients and customers of the home occupation.
(7) No equipment or process shall be used in a home occupation which creates noise, vibrations, glare, fumes, smoke, odor or dust detectable by the normal senses off property.
(8) Parties for the purpose of selling merchandise or taking orders shall not be held more than four times each month.
(9) Motor vehicle traffic generated by clients or customers of the home occupation shall be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
(10) Deliveries from commercial suppliers may not be made more than once each week, and the delivery shall not restrict traffic circulation.
(11) No highly explosive, toxic or combustible material should be used or stored on the premises. No activity shall be allowed that would interfere with radio or television transmissions in the area.
(12) Home occupations shall comply with all local, state or federal regulations pertinent to the activity pursued and the requirements of or permission granted by this section shall not be construed as an exemption from such regulations.
(13) If the home occupation is not conducted by the owner of the dwelling, written permission from the owner must be obtained.