(A) Intent. It is the intent of this section to provide for home occupations that conform to the standards set forth below. The standards in this section are intended to ensure compatibility of home occupations with other permitted uses and with the residential character of the neighborhood plus clearly establishing the secondary or incidental status of home occupations in relation to the primary use for dwelling purposes.
(B) Required conditions. Home occupations shall be permitted in all residential districts subject to the following conditions.
(1) Home occupations shall be limited to family members residing within the dwelling and who make the dwelling their primary place of residence. The employment of one non-resident employee also shall be permitted.
(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. No more than 25% of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit shall be used in the conduct of the home occupations.
(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 added 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 outside storage or outside display of any kind related to the home occupation.
(8) (a) All aspects of the home occupation shall be conducted within the dwelling structure in which the occupant makes his or her residence.
(b) 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.
(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 united parcel vehicles). See also § 194.240 of this chapter.
(13) The home occupation shall not involve the use of on-premises signs which call attention to the fact that the dwelling is being used for business purposes.
(14) 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 colors, materials, construction, separate entrances, lighting, signs or other means.
(15) No stock in trade (except for articles produced on the premises by residents of the dwelling) shall be displayed or sold upon the premises.
(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 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) Bed and breakfast;
(5) Contractor (other than a personal office; see division (B)(7) above);
(6) Dance studio;
(7) Freight, trucking or shipping;
(8) Lawn mower or bicycle repair;
(9) Medical or dental clinic;
(10) Painting of vehicles, trailers, boats and the like;
(11) Photo developing (see also division (D)(8) below);
(12) Private schools with organized classes;
(13) Restaurants, eating or drinking establishments;
(14) Television or radio repair;
(15) Tool or equipment rental;
(16) Tooling, welding or machine shop;
(17) Veterinary clinic, kennel or stable; and
(18) 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) Barber or beautician;
(3) Cake making or decorating (not a catering facility);
(4) Child care for five or less children at any time;
(5) Dressmaking, millinery, sewing or tailoring;
(6) Home school;
(7) Personal office for a(n):
(a) Accountant;
(b) Architect;
(c) Broker;
(d) Consultant;
(e) Contractor;
(f) Engineer;
(g) Insurance agent;
(h) Lawyer;
(i) Planner;
(j) Real estate agent;
(k) Sales representative; and
(l) Notary public.
(8) Photography studio (darkroom development involving chemicals not permitted);
(9) Services provided by clergy;
(10) Teaching or tutoring, including musical instruments or dance, when limited to one pupil at a time;
(11) Washing or ironing for others (not a commercial laundry or laundromat);
(12) Weaving; and
(13) Other uses that comply with the intent and conditions set forth in this section.
(Ord. 2000-16, passed 8-28-2000, § 3.4)