(A) Purpose - The purpose of this section is to provide for the conduct of home occupations in residential structures in residential zones, when the home occupations are incidental to and compatible with surrounding residential uses. A home occupation is gainful employment engaged in by the occupant of a dwelling. A home occupation shall not generate frequent customer access or have associated characteristics which would reduce other residents' enjoyment of the neighborhood.
(`64 Code, Sec. 37-5.1.1)
(B) Permit required - The conduct of a home occupation requires the approval of a home occupation permit by the director, who may establish additional conditions to further the intent of the Oxnard coastal land use plan. An application for such permit shall be in a form prescribed by and filed with the development services department.
(`64 Code, Sec. 37-5.1.2)
(C) Operating standards -
(1) A home occupation shall not be permitted if the home occupation violates any section of this chapter.
(2) A home occupation shall not alter the appearance of the dwelling unit. No structural alterations shall be permitted within the dwelling unit to separate any area used for a home occupation from the dwelling space. No area used for a home occupation shall be subleased or rented to another person.
(3) No goods shall be sold or displayed on the premises.
(4) No signs are permitted for a home occupation.
(5) Advertising for a home occupation shall not identify the street address of the home occupation.
(6) A home occupation shall be conducted indoors and confined completely to one room within the dwelling, which room shall not occupy an area equivalent to more than 25% of the gross area of one floor of the dwelling.
(7) Use of a garage for home occupation purposes shall not interfere with the permanent maintenance of two parking spaces. No portion of any other accessory structure shall be used for home occupation purposes.
(8) Horticulture activities may be conducted outdoors within the rear one-third of the lot.
(9) A single vehicle no larger than a three-quarter ton truck may be used in connection with a home occupation.
(10) A home occupation shall not encroach into any required parking, yard or open space area.
(11) Parking for a vehicle used in connection with a home occupation shall be provided in addition to parking required for the residents.
(12) Activities conducted by and equipment or material used in a home occupation shall not change the fire safety or occupancy classifications of the premises or use utilities in amounts greater than normally provided for residential use.
(13) A home occupation shall not create or cause noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare, electrical interference or other hazards or nuisances.
(14) No employees other than residents of the dwelling shall be allowed in connection with a home occupation. Babysitters or domestic servants shall not be considered employees of a home occupation.
(15) No customers or clients of a home occupation shall call upon the premises, arriving either by vehicle or on foot.
(16) If a home occupation is conducted on rental property, the property owner's authorization for the proposed use shall be obtained prior to the issuance of a home occupation permit.
(17) Where the person conducting a home occupation serves as an agent or intermediary between outside suppliers and outside customers, all articles, except for samples, shall be received, stored and sold directly to customers at an off-premise location.
(18) A home occupation shall not involve the use of material or mechanical equipment not recognized as part of normal household or hobby use.
(`64 Code, Sec. 37-5.1.3)
(D) Revocation - A home occupation permit may be revoked if the director finds that one or more of the following conditions exist:
(1) Any condition of the permit or any of the operating standards has been violated;
(2) The use has become detrimental to the public health or safety or constitutes a nuisance;
(3) The permit was fraudulently obtained;
(4) The use for which the permit was granted has ceased or was suspended for six or more successive calendar months; and
(5) The condition of the premises thereof in which the home occupation is conducted, has changed so that the use is no longer justified under the meaning and intent of this chapter.
(`64 Code, Sec. 37-5.1.5)
(Ord. No. 2034, 2716)