East Greenwich City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIIA
Home Occupations
§ 260-74.1 Purpose and intent.
A.
This article is designed to regulate the conduct of business within the home and to achieve the following purposes and objectives:
(1)
Preserve and protect residential neighborhoods from the adverse impacts of home occupation activities.
(2)
Permit residents of East Greenwich the ability to use their homes as a place of livelihood or to supplement personal or family income.
(3)
Establish criteria and standards for home occupations conducted in dwelling units and structures accessory to dwelling units.
B.
These regulations are not intended to restrict the use of a residence by the occupants for the following purposes: occasional yard or garage sales; party-related sales when conducted less than once per month; hobbies not undertaken for financial gain and seasonal sales of flowers and/or vegetables grown on site, provided no additional structure is constructed from which to sell the goods; nor are these regulations intended to restrict farming activities as permitted by this chapter.
§ 260-74.2 Definition.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
See § 260-6.
§ 260-74.3 Standards.
A.
The home occupation shall be conducted indoors and shall be clearly subordinate, incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling and accessory structures for residential purposes and shall occupy a floor area no greater than 20% of the floor area of the dwelling unit or relevant accessory structure.
B.
Outward appearance. The exterior appearance of the residential and accessory structures shall not be changed as a result of or for the purposes of the home occupation.
C.
Impacts. There shall be no outside storage or window display. Noise, dust, odors, heat, glare, noxious fumes or vibrations shall not result from the home occupation. Mechanical or electronic equipment which is incidental to the home occupation may be used, provided it does not create visible or audible interference in radio, telephone or television receivers or cause fluctuations in line voltage off the premises. The home occupation shall not interfere with the delivery of utilities or other service to the area. The use shall not involve the storage or use of explosive, radioactive or other hazardous materials on site.
D.
Traffic. The home occupation shall not generate greater traffic volume than would normally be expected in the particular residential zone in which the home occupation is conducted.
E.
Parking. The parking of vehicles shall not create safety hazards or congestion. No additional on-site parking shall be permitted. Parking other than in a designated driveway shall not occur within the front yard between the street and the dwelling unit.
F.
Employees. The home occupation is to be conducted only by members of the family residing in the dwelling.
G.
Limits on classes or instruction. If the home occupation is the type in which classes are held or instruction given, there shall be not more than two students or pupils in the dwelling unit or on the premises at any one time, and hours of instruction shall be limited to from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
H.
Limits on clients/customers. If the home occupation is the type in which customers or clients visit the premises, there shall be no more than two clients or customers in the dwelling unit or on the premises during any period of 60 consecutive minutes, and hours of operation shall be limited to from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
I.
Allowable number of home occupations. The total number of home occupations conducted with a dwelling unit is not limited, except that the cumulative impact of all home occupations conducted within the dwelling unit or on the premises thereof shall not be greater than the impact of one home occupation as set forth in these regulations.
J.
Compliance. Home occupations shall comply with all local, state or federal requirements pertinent to the activity pursued, including licensing, and the requirements of or permission granted by this chapter shall not be construed as an exemption from such regulations.
K.
Signs. There shall be no signs advertising, directing or otherwise identifying or indicating the presence of any home occupation.
L.
Deliveries to be made to the home concerning home occupations shall be deliveries ordinarily made in residential neighborhoods.
§ 260-74.4 Permitted uses.
[Amended 12-11-2023 by Ord. No. 920-E]
A.
Home occupations shall blend with their neighboring surrounds and shall not impair the use and value of residentially zoned areas for residential purposes. The following uses shall be allowed under this article:
(1)
Dressmaking, sewing and tailoring.
(2)
Telephone solicitation.
(3)
Tutoring.
(4)
Artist's or craft studio.
(5)
Professional office for attorneys, real estate agents, insurance agents, accountants, stockbrokers, engineers, architects, landscape architects, musicians, writers, data programmers and sales representatives.
(6)
Photography, cosmetology, retail sales by mail order or electronic means, catering and light assembly of goods.
(7)
Information and data processing via facsimile or the Internet.
(8)
Consulting.
§ 260-74.5 Prohibited uses.
The following uses are prohibited and shall not be allowed under this article as home occupations:
A.
Animal hospitals, stables, kennels and dog breeding.
B.
Dry cleaners.
C.
Eating and drinking establishments.
D.
Mortuaries and undertakers.
E.
Sales of, repairs, painting or body work to motor vehicles, recreational vehicles or boats.
F.
Service and repair shops, including but not limited to small engine repairs.
G.
Welding shops.
H.
Private clubs.
I.
Adult businesses and entertainment by the Internet or otherwise.
J.
Rentals of equipment, tools, trailers and vehicles.
K.
Retail sales of goods not otherwise permitted under § 260-74.4A(6).
L.
Food service.
§ 260-74.6 Inspections; enforcement.
The Building Official/Zoning Enforcement Officer may inspect the premises to determine compliance. Any violations of this article shall be subject to enforcement action by the Town as provided by this chapter.