(a)

The purpose of this section is to guarantee that all residential areas are free from excessive noise, excessive traffic, nuisance, fire hazard and other possible effects of commercial, office, and other nonresidential uses. This section also recognizes the need to allow residents of the community an opportunity to use their homes in a limited manner as a place to operate a business which is unobstructive to the neighborhood. In order to ensure that the operations of home occupations do not adversely impact residential areas, criteria and development standards for home occupations have been developed. Home occupations are permitted in any dwelling unit under the following conditions:

(1)

The use is incidental to the principal residential use, the area used to conduct the home occupation does not exceed 25 percent of the gross floor area of such residence, and is conducted within the principal building. Gross floor area includes the basement, and any physically attached garage;

(2)

All business inventory and equipment is kept in the principal building;

(3)

The exterior of the home or yard does not display or indicate any evidence of the home occupation;

(4)

The use produces no noise, odor, vibration or electrical interference;

(5)

The occupants transact no business on the premises which would generate additional traffic or parking problems for the neighborhood;

(6)

Only members of the immediate family residing in the dwelling unit shall be employed on the premises.

(7)

Provided that all conditions of this section are satisfied, permitted home occupations include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

a.

Artists and sculptors;

b.

Authors and composers;

c.

Direct sale product distribution (Amway, Avon, Tupperware);

d.

Dressmaking, sewing and tailoring;

e.

Home crafts for sale off-site;

f.

Individual tutoring;

g.

Office facility of a salesman, sales representative, or manufacturer's representative, provided that no transactions are made in person on the premises;

h.

Preserving and home cooking for sales off-site;

i.

Telephone answering and solicitation.

(8)

The following uses shall be prohibited as home occupations:

a.

Ambulance service;

b.

Beauty salons and barbershops;

c.

Carpentry, cabinet makers;

d.

Lawn and landscaping services;

e.

Limousine or taxi services;

f.

Medical or dental offices;

g.

Photographic studios;

h.

Retail sales;

i.

Tow truck services;

j.

Tree services;

k.

Vehicle and motor repair;

l.

Vehicle parts sales, upholstery, or detailing.

(b)

Any use not listed in Subsection (7) or (8) of this section shall require an interpretation from the Planning Director upon consultation with the Building Division Director. The Planning Director shall evaluate requests for home occupations and determine if they are similar in nature to listed permitted home occupations and are consistent with the purpose of the home occupation provisions. The determination shall be in writing. Anyone aggrieved by a decision of the Planning Director may appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

(c)

An application for a home occupation permit shall be filed with the Building Division on a form prescribed by the Building Division Director. No home occupation may be established without first obtaining a home occupation permit and verifying compliance with the conditions specified in this section.

(Code 1976, § 18.24.070)