The conduct of business in the residential districts may be permitted under the provisions of this section. It is the intent of this section to ensure the following:

a.

Compatibility of home occupations with other uses permitted in residential zoning districts;

b.

Maintain and preserve the character of residential neighborhoods and provide peace, quiet and domestic tranquility within all residential neighborhoods; and

c.

Within the district, in order to guarantee all residents freedom from excessive noise, traffic, nuisance, fire hazard, and other possible effects of commercial uses being conducted in this district.

A.

Residential home occupations, where permitted, must meet the following special requirements:

1.

A home occupation is subordinate to the use of a dwelling unit for residential purposes. No more than 25 percent of the floor area of the dwelling unit may be used in connection with a home occupation or for storage purposes in connection with a home occupation.

2.

No more than two home occupations shall be permitted within a single dwelling unit.

3.

A home occupation shall be carried on wholly within the principal use building. No home occupation or any storage of goods, materials, or products connected with a home occupation shall be allowed in accessory buildings or garages which are detached.

4.

The residential home occupation is limited to employment of residents of the property.

5.

A home occupation shall produce no noise or obnoxious odors, vibrations, glare, fumes, or electrical interference detectable to normal sensory perceptions outside the principal structure.

6.

No traffic shall be generated by such home occupations in greater volume than would normally be expected in a residential neighborhood and any need for parking generated by the conduct of such home occupation shall be met by providing off-street parking space and located in rear or side yard.

7.

On the premises, retail sales are prohibited except for the retail sales of products or goods produced or fabricated on the premises as a result of the home occupation.

8.

There shall be no exterior indication of the home occupation or variation from the residential character of the principal use.

9.

No on-street parking of business-related vehicles (either marked or commercially equipped) shall be permitted at any home. No business-related vehicle larger than a van, panel truck or pickup truck is permitted to park overnight on the premises. The number of business-related vehicles is one. All business-related vehicles shall be parked in the rear of the premises.

10.

Permitted residential home occupations:

1.

Antique dealer (no sales at premises).

2.

Appliance repair.

3.

Architectural services.

4.

Art studio.

5.

Auto repair (mobile).

6.

Barber shops/beauty shops (limited to two stations).

7.

Cabinetmaking.

8.

Catering/food service (shall meet local environmental health department and Georgia Department of Agriculture applicable requirements).

9.

Ceramics.

10.

Consulting services.

11.

Contracting, masonry, plumbing or painting, or other contracting services (no employees at the premises, no parking of equipment at the premises).

The board of commissioners recognize the peculiar problem posed by small contractors who do most, if not all, of their work away from the site of their business and that the business locations serve as no more than a place for the principal of the contracting business to do paperwork, receive phone calls and receive mail. As a result of the unique nature of the contracting enterprise the commissioners specifically recognize that a contracting business may be located in a residential area even if that contracting business employs people outside of the residents of the property. However, no outside persons employed by a contractor can do work on or assemble on or park on the residential premises housing the occupation. Further, no equipment belonging to the contractor can be parked, assembled or maintained at the residence business.

12.

Data processing.

13.

Direct sale product distribution (Amway, Avon, Jaffra, Mary Kay, Tupperware, etc.) provided there is no production on premises.

14.

Dog grooming.

15.

Drafting and graphic services.

16.

Dressmaking, sewing, tailoring, contract sewing (1 machine).

17.

Electronic assembly.

18.

Engineering service.

19.

Financial planning or investment services.

20.

Flower arranging.

21.

Gunsmiths.

22.

Hauler (one truck).

23.

Home office.

24.

House Clean service.

25.

In-home child care, but not more than six children at a time, including the caregiver's own pre-school children.

26.

Insurance sales or broker.

27.

Interior design.

28.

Lawn service.

29.

Locksmith.

30.

Mobile auto repair.

31.

Real estate sales, broker or appraiser.

32.

Retail food preparation (no retail sales on premises; shall meet local environmental health department and Georgia Department of Agriculture applicable requirements).

33.

Small scale garden plants for sale to retail commercial gardening and supply stores.

34.

Trucker (one tractor, no trailer).

35.

Telephone answering, switchboard call forwarding.

36.

Tow truck services.

37.

Tutoring, including all indoor and outdoor instructional services limited to five students at a time.

38.

Upholstery.

39.

Writing, resume services, computer programming.

40.

Any similar occupation which is found to meet the intent and purpose of this article by the director.

11.

Prohibited residential home occupations:

a.

Ambulance service.

b.

Restaurants.

c.

Automobile repair, parts sales, or detailing, washing services.

d.

Veterinary services (including care and boarding).

B.

Rural home occupations. Rural home occupations in the RC district shall be permitted under the provisions of this section. It is the intent of this section to ensure the compatibility of rural home occupations with other uses permitted in the RC district; maintain and preserve the agricultural or rural character of the area and not create a nuisance for the residents in the area by exceeding traffic, smoke, noise or be a fire hazard.

The purpose of rural home occupations is to provide a means for residents in the larger lot rural development districts to participate in the type of businesses permitted in residential districts, be able to conduct the home occupation in an accessory building where necessary, and to park on-site, vehicles required for home occupations. Rural home occupations, where permitted, must meet the following special requirements:

1.

The minimum lot size is ten acres, excluding any and all lots in a platted subdivision. For lots less than ten acres, the home occupation is limited to the provisions of subsection A, residential home occupations.

2.

The rural home occupation shall be clearly subordinate to the principle use of the parcel of land and shall not change the residential and agricultural character of the area. No more than 25 percent of the floor area of the principal dwelling shall be used in connection with the home occupation or storage purposes.

3.

The rural home occupation shall be conducted within a dwelling or within an accessory building provided all structure uses are harmonious in appearance with the zoning district in which rural home occupation is located.

4.

The use of one accessory building is allowed as long as the area used for the home occupation does not exceed 800 square feet of floor area of said building used in connection with the home occupation.

5.

The business of selling stock of merchandise, supplies or products shall not be conducted on premises except under the following circumstances:

a.

Orders previously made by telephone or at sales parties may be filled on premises; and

b.

Incidental retail sales may be completed which are in connection with the permitted home occupation.

6.

No more than five trade vehicles shall be parked on the premises. No more than three employee vehicles may be parked on the premises, however, such employees shall not work at the premises location.

7.

No outside storage of equipment or materials used in the conduct of the rural home occupation, including trade vehicles, is permitted unless said storage is outside of a 300-foot setback of any property line buffered in a manner approved by the community development department.

8.

The rural home occupation is limited to residents of the property.

9.

No more than two home occupations shall be permitted within a single dwelling unit.

10.

No additional points of access to any street shall be permitted, unless necessary to provide safe and proper access to the proposed use.

11.

Permitted rural home occupations:

1.

All occupations permitted in subsection A, residential home occupations.

2.

Tow truck services (no storage of more than two vehicles).

3.

Veterinary services.

4.

Antique shop.

5.

Small engine repair.

6.

Any similar occupation, which is found to meet the intent and purpose of this article by the director.

(Ord. No. 001-10, 1-5-10; Ord. No. 038-19, 10-1-19)