The purpose of a home occupation is to allow certain activities to be undertaken for gain or profit within a dwelling or a building accessory to a dwelling in any zone in which dwellings are present. The home occupation is to be conducted in such a manner that the residence shall not differ from its residential character either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting, signs or the emissions of sounds, noises, vibrations or odors.

(Ord. 163 § 8.1, 1989)

Home occupations are required to have a business registration as issued by the city clerk-treasurer, comply with all city codes and ordinances, and shall be consistent with the following provisions:

A.

Only members of the immediate family residing on the premises may be employed;

B.

Inventory—Exemption.

1.

No inventory is kept, other than incidental supplies necessary for and consumed in the conduct of such home occupation, or commodities sold other than those produced on the premises. Samples may be kept but not sold on the premises;

2.

Items commonly collected or traded, and occasionally sold by hobbyists such as coins, stamps, antiques, etc. may be considered to be exempt from this provision, as long as all other requirements of home occupations are met;

C.

No mechanical equipment is used except such as is customarily used for domestic, household or personal purposes, or as deemed similar in terms of power and type;

D.

Not more than one-fourth of the floor area of any building is devoted to such occupation, except accessory buildings which are used for no other purpose; and are not larger than one-quarter of the floor area of the dwelling unit;

E.

That such occupation shall not require internal or external alteration or involve construction features not customarily found in a dwelling;

F.

Shall not involve the use of commercial vehicles for the distribution of materials from the premises;

G.

The conduct of any home occupation, including but not limited to the storage of goods and equipment, shall not reduce or render unusable, areas provided for the required off-street parking. Additional parking is not allowed in order to conduct a home occupation, except what may be required through the issuance of a special home occupation permit pursuant to Section 17.68.040 of this chapter;

H.

Only one sign is permitted, three square feet in area, non-illuminated, and attached to a building;

I.

No display pertaining to the occupation, other than the one permitted sign, is visible from the street or adjacent residences;

J.

No more animals are maintained on the premises than what may otherwise be permitted in the zone;

K.

The home occupation is to be conducted in such a manner that the residence shall not differ from its residential character either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting, signs, or the emissions of sounds, noises, vibrations or odors.

(Ord. 355 (part), 2003; Ord. 163 § 8.2, 1989)

(Ord. No. 445, 11-12-08)

Garage sales, yard sales, bake sales, temporary home boutiques or bazaars for handcrafted items, parties for the display of domestic products, and other like uses do not need to comply with the requirements of this section as long as the use does not operate for more than twenty days in any one calendar year or in violation of any other provisions of this code or other ordinances. To qualify for this exemption, garage and yard sales must involve only the sale of household goods, none of which were purchased for the purpose of resale.

(Ord. 163 § 8.3, 1989)

A.

Special home occupation permits are required and must be granted by the board of adjustment for the following uses, even if the use meets all other requirements of subsections of this section:

1.

Automobile repair;

2.

Personal service shops;

3.

Music and dancing studios;

4.

Craft classes.

B.

In considering applications for special home occupation permits, the board of adjustment shall consider the nature and conditions of all adjacent uses and structures, and no such special home occupation permit shall be authorized by the hearing examiner unless the hearing examiner finds that the authorizing of such special home occupation permit will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or injurious to the property in the zone or vicinity in which the property is located, and that the authorization of such special home occupation permit will be consistent with the spirit and purpose of this title. In authorizing a special home occupation permit, the board of adjustment may impose such requirements and conditions with respect to location, installation, construction, maintenance and operation and extent of open spaces in addition to those expressly set forth in this title, as may be deemed necessary for the protection of other properties in the zone or vicinity and the public interest.

C.

A public hearing shall be conducted on all applications for a special home occupation permit. The hearing shall be held in the same manner as provided in Chapter 17.80.

(Ord. 163 § 8.4, 1989)

Permits for home occupations may be terminated if it is found that, notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, the use is being conducted in a manner which is detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, and adversely affects the residential qualities of adjacent properties. In making such findings, the board of adjustment shall hold a public hearing in the same manner as provided in Chapter 17.80.

(Ord. 163 § 8.5, 1989)