Big Lake City Zoning Code
§ 16
HOME OCCUPATIONS.
A.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this section is to permit the conduct of home occupations which are not incompatible with the neighborhoods in which they are located.
B.
GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR HOME OCCUPATIONS
Home occupations are permitted as an accessory use in the residential districts and are subject to the requirements of that district in which the use is located, in addition to the following:
1.
Only the person or persons residing in the dwelling shall be engaged in the home occupation;
2.
The home occupation shall be conducted only within the enclosed area of the dwelling unit, garage, or accessory buildings. No storage or display of materials, goods, supplies, or equipment related to the operation of home occupation shall be visible outside any structure located on the premises;
3.
Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the living area of the principal building, up to a maximum of four hundred (400) square feet, shall be devoted to the home occupation;
4.
There shall be no exterior alterations which change the character thereof as a dwelling or exterior evidence of the home occupation other than one sign not over one (1) square foot advertising the home occupation. Such sign shall be placed flat against a wall or door or displayed in a window;
5.
No home occupation shall create smoke, fumes, glare, noise, dust, vibration, electrical interference or any other nuisance not normally associated with the average residential use in the district;
6.
No home occupation shall become a fire hazard;
7.
The home occupation shall not create any significant increase in vehicular flow or parking and shall not create greater pedestrian traffic than normal for the residential district;
8.
No home occupation shall cause a significant increase in the use of any utilities, or generate trash or refuse beyond the average of the residences in the neighborhood; and
9.
No advertising sign may be placed on the premises other than the permitted sign in item (4) above.
10.
Occupations that may be considered for a home occupation approval include:
(a)
Accountant,
(b)
Artist,
(c)
Author,
(d)
Business or management consultant,
(e)
Child care of no more than six (6) children,
(f)
Dressmaking,
(g)
Handicraft,
(h)
Home-based computer service business,
(i)
Individual tutoring,
(j)
Millinery,
(k)
Music instruction,
(l)
Preserving,
(m)
Other occupations as approved by the city which meet the above General Provisions and are compatible with the neighborhood in which it is located.
C.
PROCESS FOR CERTIFICATE OF OPERATION AND TIME LIMIT
Home occupations are permitted to be conducted in a residential zone (“R-1”, “R-2”, “R-3”, “R-4” and “MH”) provided it is in accordance with other city ordinances or state and federal laws. A home occupation request must be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission at a public hearing and then to the City Council. A certificate for operation may be issued by the building inspector through the month of January following approval by the City Council. Each approved home occupation that would like to continue operating after January must have the home occupation certificate renewed in January of each year by the City Council, following a public hearing by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The initial home occupation request and the annual renewal permit must follow the same precludes [procedures] in advertising the public hearings with the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council as required in Section 23 to amend the Zoning Ordinance.
A use considered not within the scope of these home occupation provisions shall be subject to the provisions of the commercial or industrial zones of this ordinance or require a specific use permit.
(Ordinance 050517-1 adopted 5/17/05)