(A) Intent. This section provides standards to ensure compatibility of home occupations with other permitted uses and with the residential character of the district and neighborhood in which the home occupation is located as well as clearly establishing the secondary or incidental status of home occupations in relation to the primary use of the lot for dwelling purposes.
(B) Required standards. Home occupations shall be permitted in all Residential Districts subject to the following standards:
(1) Home occupations shall be limited to family members residing within the dwelling and who make the dwelling their primary place of residence.
(2) The use of the dwelling unit for the home occupation shall be incidental and subordinate to the use for residential purposes by the occupants.
(3) There shall be no structural alterations to the interior of the dwelling to accommodate a home occupation which would render the dwelling undesirable for residential use.
(4) There shall be no structural additions, enlargements, or exterior alterations changing the residential appearance of the dwelling or the lot or other visible indications of the conduct of the home occupation.
(5) There shall be no additional or separate entrance to the dwelling for the purpose of conducting the home occupation.
(6) There shall be no internal or external alterations, construction features, or use of electrical or mechanical equipment which would change the fire rating of the structure.
(7) There shall be no outdoor storage of any kind related to the home occupation.
(8) All aspects of the home occupation shall be conducted within the dwelling structure in which the occupant makes his or her residence. No home occupation shall be conducted in any detached accessory building.
(9) There shall be no traffic generated by a home occupation which is greater in volume than that which would be normally expected in the residential area in which the home occupation is located.
(10) There shall be no equipment or process used in the home occupation which creates noise, vibration, glare, smoke, fumes, odors, or electrical interference detectable to the normal senses at any point beyond the lot line in such a manner as to annoy, disturb, frighten, or otherwise interfere with the use and quiet enjoyment of adjacent properties, or which creates water usage or the production of sewage other than domestic in nature.
(11) There shall be no electrical or mechanical equipment utilized in the home occupation which will create any visual or audible interference with radio or television reception or which will cause fluctuations in line voltage off the premises.
(12) The home occupation shall not involve the use of commercial vehicles for delivery of materials to or from the premises other than vehicles normally associated with residential home delivery (i.e., postal or parcel delivery vehicles).
(13) The dwelling shall not be altered in its appearance and the home occupation shall not be conducted in such a manner as to differentiate the dwelling from the residential character of the area by either use of materials, construction, separate entrances, lighting, signs, or other means.
(C) Prohibited home occupations. The following uses, by the nature of the investment or operation, have a pronounced tendency, once started, to rapidly increase beyond the limits specified above for home occupations and impair the use, value, and quiet enjoyment of adjacent residential properties. Therefore, the uses specified below and other similar or comparable uses shall not be permitted as home occupations:
(1) Antique, book, or gift shop;
(2) Appliance repair, large or small;
(3) Auto/vehicle repairs, major or minor;
(4) Bicycle repair of service;
(5) Dance studio;
(6) Dental office or clinic;
(7) Freight, trucking, or shipping;
(8) Lawn mower repair or service;
(9) Medical office or clinic;
(10) Painting of vehicles, trailers, boats, and the like;
(11) Photography studio;
(12) Private schools with organized classes;
(13) Restaurants, eating or drinking establishments;
(14) Upholstering;
(15) Television or radio repair;
(16) Tool or equipment rental;
(17) Tooling, welding or machine shop;
(18) Veterinary clinic, kennel, or stable; and
(19) Any use not in compliance with the intent and conditions set forth in this section.
(D) Permitted home occupations. By way of example, the following uses, when conducted in compliance with the conditions set forth above, qualify as permitted home occupations:
(1) Artist’s, musician’s, or writer’s studio;
(2) Cake making or decorating (not a catering or commercial bakery facility);
(3) Data processing, word processing, or transcription services;
(4) Dressmaking, millinery, sewing, or tailoring;
(5) Barber shop/beauty shop;
(6) Home school, including cottage schools;
(7) Personal office;
(8) Teaching or tutoring, including musical instruments or dance, when limited to 1 pupil at a time; and
(9) Other uses that comply with the intent and conditions set forth above in this section.
(Ord. 1221, § 3.11(c), passed 1-26-2010)