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Crawfordville City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XI

HOME OCCUPATIONS

Sec. 11.1.- Purpose and intent.

This Article is intended to protect residential neighborhoods, with detached single-family residences on lots containing approximately one acre or less, from use of dwellings for business uses that would detract from the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. It is also intended to allow the use of detached dwellings for limited home business uses, subject to standards that will prevent nuisances and maintain the residential character of the neighborhood.

Sec. 11.1.1. - Applicability.

This Article shall apply only in residential areas as follows:

1.

This Article shall apply only within an area or areas where there is an urban or suburban pattern of land subdivision into lots, each of which has an area of one acre or less or which lots in the subdivision average one acre or less, and which are designed primarily for construction of one detached dwelling unit per lot.

2.

The provisions of this Article shall apply only in the areas of the City where the residence and/or lot in question is bounded on two or more sides by lots containing a detached single-family dwelling or a vacant lot platted as a part of the same subdivision. For purposes of this section, "bounded" shall mean contiguous and abutting; or any lot across a road right-of-way within the same or similar land subdivision.

Sec. 11.2. - General provisions.

Home business uses may be established in a dwelling as more specifically provided in this Article. No more than one home business use shall be permitted within any single dwelling or on any one lot. No lot within an area to which this Article applies shall be used in violation of this Article. Uses that do not qualify as a permitted home business use shall be prohibited in the area to which this Article applies. It shall be unlawful to establish or maintain any use or activity that is specifically enumerated as a prohibited use or activity by this Article, within the area or areas to which this Article applies.

Sec. 11.3. - Land use permit required.

No use or activity shall commence as a home business within the area or areas to which this Article applies, without first securing a Land Use Permit from the Land Development Officer. Failure to meet one or more of these regulations at any time shall be unlawful and grounds for immediate revocation of a land use permit for said use.

Sec. 11.4. - Business registration required.

No use or activity shall commence as a home business without first registering said home business with the Land Development Officer. Failure to meet one or more of these regulations at any time shall be unlawful and grounds for immediate revocation of business registration.

Sec. 11.5. - Uses and activities permitted.

The following businesses, uses, and activities shall be permitted in the area or areas to which this Article applies:

1.

Home offices for architects, engineers, lawyers, realtors, insurance agents, brokers, ministers, rabbis, priests, salesmen, sales representatives, manufactures representatives, home builders, home repair contractors, trash haulers and similar occupations.

2.

Artists, sculptors, authors, photographers and composers.

3.

Computer programming and data processing.

4.

Direct sale product distribution (Amway, Avon, Tupperware, etc.) provided parties for the purpose of selling merchandise or taking orders shall not be held more than once a month, shall be limited to ten customers and shall be held between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

5.

Dressmakers, seamstresses, and tailors.

6.

Home crafts, such as model making, rug weaving, woodworking, ceramics (with a kiln up to six (6) cubic feet) and similar activities, provided that no machinery or equipment shall be used or employed other than that which would customarily be found in the home, including machinery or equipment that would ordinarily be employed in connection with a hobby or a vocation not conducted for gain or profit.

7.

Mail order, not including retail sales from site.

8.

Music and art teachers or other tutoring services.

9.

Telephone answering.

10.

Washing and ironing.

11.

"Work at home" activities where employees of a business, located at another location, perform work for the business in their own residence provided all physical contact between the business and the employee occurs at the place of business and not the residence, other than the initial installation of any equipment or other work facilities. The work activities of the employee shall conform to all other requirements of this section.

12.

Other uses and activities similar to those listed in this Section as determined by the Planning Commission.

13.

Beautician/Barber with one chair and one sink. Must be owner of residence.

Sec. 11.6. - Uses and activities prohibited.

This section shall not be considered inclusive of all the types of businesses, uses, and activities prohibited by this Article. The following businesses, uses, and activities shall be prohibited in the area or areas to which this Article applies:

1.

Kennels.

2.

Stables.

3.

Veterinarian clinics.

4.

Medical and dental clinics.

5.

Restaurants, clubs, and drinking establishments.

6.

Motor vehicle repair or small engine repair.

7.

Funeral parlors.

8.

Retail sales of goods not made on the premises.

9.

Adult uses.

Sec. 11.7. - Use of dwelling and physical limitation.

All activities in connection with the home occupation shall take place within the principal building on the lot. The gross floor area of a dwelling unit devoted to a home business use shall not exceed fifteen (15) percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling. No internal or external alterations inconsistent with the residential use of the building may be permitted.

Sec. 11.8. - Vehicles and parking.

It shall be unlawful to routinely park any marked business vehicles on the street or in driveways in public view in connection with the home business use. Only vehicles used primarily as passenger vehicles shall be visible in connection with the conduct of the home business use. No more than one commercial vehicle, not exceeding one-ton capacity and two axles, may be stored on the premises, and it must be parked inside an enclosed garage or otherwise completely concealed from view when not in use.

Incoming vehicles related to the home business use shall at all times be parked off-street within the confines of the residential driveway or other on-site permitted parking.

Sec. 11.9. - Equipment nuisances.

No mechanical equipment shall be installed specifically for use as a home business or used except such as is normally used for domestic purposes. No home business use shall generate traffic, sound, smell, vibration, light, or dust that is offensive or that creates a nuisance. No equipment that interferes with radio and/or television reception shall be allowed. Home business uses must exclude the use of machinery or equipment that emits sound (e.g., saws, drills, etc.) that are detectable beyond the property. Chemical, electrical, or mechanical equipment that is not normally a part of domestic or household equipment and which is used primarily for commercial purposes shall not be permitted.

Sec. 11.10. - Visitations.

No more than two clients or patrons are allowed on the premises at the same time in conjunction with a home business use, except for persons in care at a family day care home, where no more than six clients are allowed. Instruction in music, dance, arts, and crafts, and similar subjects shall be limited to one student at a time. In no event shall visitations or any other vehicle trip associated with said home business use be permitted between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Sec. 11.11. - Display stock in trade.

There shall be no display and no visible stock-in-trade on the premises in connection with a home business use. No stock-in-trade shall be sold on the premises except those made on the premises, and such sales shall be infrequent and incidental. Storage devoted to a home business shall be limited in size to no more than six hundred (600) square feet of area and shall be counted as part of the total size limits established by this Article for home business uses.

Sec. 11.12. - Employees.

Only occupants of the dwelling and one additional full-time employee or two part-time employees shall be authorized to work on the premises in connection with a home business use.

Sec. 11.13. - Signs.

One free-standing or attached professional sign not more than two square feet in area identifying the home business use is permitted, in accordance with Article X [of this appendix].