Centralia, WA Zoning Ordinance

It is the intent of this chapter to:

Permit residents of the community a broad choice in the use of their homes as a place of livelihood and the production or supplementing of personal/family income;

Protect residential areas from potential adverse impact of activities defined as home occupations;

Establish criteria and development standards for the use of residential structures or dwelling units for home occupations.

(Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999; Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008)

"Home occupation" means any activity conducted for financial gain or profit in a dwelling unit, and which activity is not generally or customarily characteristic of activities for which dwelling units are intended or designed; such activity is clearly incidental or secondary to the residential use of a dwelling unit; and is conducted only by persons residing in the dwelling unit. The dwelling unit must be the primary place of residence for the person conducting the home occupation. The residential character of the building is maintained and the home occupation is conducted in such a manner as to not give an outward appearance nor manifest any characteristic of a business in the ordinary meaning of the term. It does not infringe upon the right of neighboring residents to enjoy the peaceful occupancy of their homes for which the residential zone was created and primarily intended. A garage sale is not defined as a home occupation.

(Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999; Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008)

Home occupations shall occupy not more than twenty-five percent of the total floor area of the residence. In no event shall such occupancy exceed four hundred square feet.

Home occupations shall not include the following: barber shop, beauty shop or real estate office.

Home occupations may be conducted in an accessory building.

Any occupation which may produce waste products of a quality or quantity not normally associated with residential use shall not qualify as a home occupation.

Home occupations shall comply with all other local, state or federal regulations pertinent to the activity pursued, and the requirements or permission granted or implied by this chapter shall not be construed as an exemption from such regulations.

Vehicle or appliance repair, alteration or rebuilding shall not be permitted as a home occupation.

Any person engaging in a home occupation shall register as a business under Chapter 5.01 CMC.

Home occupations shall emit no noise, air pollutants, waste products or other effects detrimental to the environment or the neighborhood beyond those normally emanating from residential use.

Parking of customers' or clients' vehicles shall create no hazard or unusual congestion.

(Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999; Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008; Ord. 2504 § 1, 2022)

Home occupations are permitted in any residential district; provided, that:

No exterior structural alterations are made to accommodate the occupation;

No merchandise or stock-in-trade is sold, stored or displayed on any exterior portion of the premises;

No equipment or material is stored, altered or repaired on any exterior portion of the premises;

No person or persons other than bona fide residents of the dwelling unit are employed in the home occupation.

A home occupation which fails to comply with all the preceding provisions shall require a conditional use permit.

(Ord. 2024 § 1 (part), 1999; Ord. 2209 § 2 (part), 2008)

The enforcing officer shall be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and for the correction of any violations.

The enforcing officer shall act on his own initiative when violations are detected or suspected by him; and shall take appropriate investigative and corrective actions, when warranted, if a complaint is filed in writing by any person who feels aggrieved or damaged by such alleged violation.