18-19.250 Home Occupation.
a. Purpose and Intent. The provisions set forth in this section are intended to allow the conduct of a home occupation as an accessory activity of a nonresidential nature which is performed within a living unit or within a garage or accessory building reserved by an occupant of the living unit and which is customarily incidental to the residential use of the living unit. These uses are intended to be incidental to and compatible with surrounding residential neighborhood. A “home occupation” is gainful employment engaged in by the occupants of a dwelling.
b. Permit Required.
1. The conduct of home occupation requires the approval of a home occupation permit from the Director, who may establish additional conditions to further the intent of this section. A permit is required when a person does business in his/her home, or uses his/her home address as a business address on business licenses and tax certificates. Home occupations may be conducted from dwellings located in residential zones or from dwellings located in commercial zones where dwellings are an allowed or conditionally allowed use. Home occupation permits are not required for employees telecommuting.
2. State licensed child day care centers for fourteen (14) or fewer children are exempt from home occupation regulations or as provided under applicable sections of the Health and Safety Code.
c. General Requirements.
1. Home occupations shall not involve customer access or have other characteristics which would reduce residents’ enjoyment of their neighborhoods. The peace and quiet of residential areas shall be maintained.
2. There shall be no customers or clients except for:
(a) Private instruction, such as education tutoring, music or art, on an individual basis, provided there are not more than eight (8) visits in any one (1) day.
(b) Physical therapists, including massage or other therapists, who shall have no more than one (1) client on site at any time and no more than eight (8) visits in any one (1) day.
(c) Attorneys, accountants and other low visitation consultants who shall have no more than one (1) client on site at any time (except for overlapping appointments) and no more than eight (8) visits in any one (1) day.
(d) Businesses with customer access shall maintain at least one (1) on-site customer parking space in addition to their required residential parking. For the purposes of this section only, parking in a driveway that has a minimum depth of twenty (20') feet from the back of sidewalk or street right-of-way (whichever is more restrictive) and is made available to customers during business hours of operation shall meet the definition of a parking space.
3. Activities shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit or an enclosed accessory building and shall not alter the appearance of such structures. (Horticultural activities may be conducted outdoors.)
4. There shall be no sales, rental or display on the premises (internet and phone sales allowed).
5. There shall be no signs other than address and names of residents.
6. There shall be no advertising of the home occupation by street address except that the street address may be included on business cards and business correspondence originating from the home.
7. No vehicle larger than a van or three-quarter (¾) ton truck may be used in connection with a home occupation. A marked commercial vehicle used in conjunction with the occupation shall have no more than two (2) square feet of advertising. Licensed vehicles and trailers used in connection with a home occupation are limited to one (1) additional vehicle and/or trailer.
8. The home occupation shall not encroach on any required parking, yard or open space area.
9. Parking for vehicles used in connection with the home occupation shall be provided in addition to parking required for the residence.
10. Activities conducted and equipment or materials used shall not change the fire safety or occupancy classifications of the premises, nor use utilities in amounts greater than normally provided for residential use.
11. No use shall create or cause noise, dust, vibration, smell, smoke, glare or electrical interference or other hazard or nuisance.
12. No employees other than residents of the dwelling shall be allowed to work on site. (Visitors, babysitters or domestic servants are not considered employees of a home occupation.)
13. Clients or customers shall not visit the home occupation between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
14. If the home occupation is to be conducted from rental property, the property owner’s written authorization for the proposed use shall be submitted to the Director.
15. No delivery or commercial pick-up shall be by vehicles larger than a typical delivery van (FedEx, UPS, etc.). Direct customer pick-up is prohibited.
d. Prohibited Uses. The following uses by their operation or nature may interfere with residential welfare and diminish the convenience intended for commercial zones and therefore shall not be permitted as home occupations; however, off-site work is permitted:
1. Automotive repair (body or mechanical) or detailing, sound systems, upholstery or painting of automobiles, when performed on the same site as the home occupation.
2. Personal services, such as beauticians and estheticians.
3. Carpentry or cabinet making.
4. Welding or machining.
5. Medical offices, clinics, laboratories, except that counseling is permitted, when no more than one (1) client visit or group session is held at one (1) time.
6. Appliance, radio or television repair.
7. Print shop or photograph development; digital photo production is permitted.
8. Gun or ammunition sales, except for off-site sales (subject to approval by the Police Chief).
9. Storage, repair or reconditioning of motorized vehicles, boats or recreation vehicles or large equipment, repair or reconditioning of major household appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, stoves, heating and air conditioning equipment when performed on the same site as the home occupation.
10. Tow truck and ambulance services. (Ord. #248-2020, S2 (Exh. A))