Home Occupation Regulations

Sec. 29-218. Home Occupation.

An occupation conducted in a dwelling unit is permissible in the City, provided:

(1) No person shall be employed on the premises other than members of the immediate family residing on the premises.

(2) The use of the dwelling unit for a home occupation shall be clearly incidental and secondary to its use for residential purposes. No more than one room within the dwelling unit shall be used to conduct the home occupation, provided the area of that room does not exceed 25 percent of the total living area of the dwelling unit. No more than five percent of that room shall be used for storage of commodities related to the home occupation. No outside display, storage or use of land is permitted.

(3) There shall be no change in the outside appearance of the building or premises as a result of such occupation or occupations, with the exception of a sign as provided in chapter 16, article XI.

(4) No home occupation shall be conducted in any accessory building or attached garage.

(5) No mechanical equipment shall be used or stored on the premises except such that is normally used for purely domestic or household purposes, nor shall it create noise, vibration, glare, fumes, odors or electrical interference detectable to the normal senses outside the dwelling unit. In the case of electrical interference, no equipment or process shall be used which creates visual or audible interference in any radio or television sets off the premises, or causes fluctuations in line voltage.

(6) No retail or wholesale sales on the premises shall be permitted.

(7) No traffic shall be generated by such home occupation.

(8) A home occupation shall not be construed to include, among other uses, personal services such as massage, cosmetology, barber shops, beauty parlors; tea rooms, food processing for sale; kennels, dog grooming; real estate office; law office; radio and television repair, furniture refinishing or building, cabinet making, boat building, auto servicing or rebuilding and repair for others; metal fabrication or cutting, employing welding or cutting torches.

(9) Not more than one home occupation related vehicle regardless of the number of home occupations is permitted, which must be 20 feet or less in overall length and not more than seven feet in overall height and which must be parked off any public right-of-way. All exterior storage of cargo, equipment or other material shall be shielded from view at all times when such vehicle is located on a residential lot.

(10) A home occupation that is solely used for the purpose of receiving phone calls, mail, and keeping business records in connection with any profession or occupation shall be known as an "address of convenience."

(11) The Mayor shall determine whether the home occupation meets the established criteria. The determination may be appealed to the Board of Adjustment.

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