Chapter 14.150 — HOME OCCUPATIONS

§ 14.150.010. Purpose. ¶

Home occupation regulations are intended to allow limited business activities in residential districts when conducted by the occupants of a dwelling in a manner wholly accessory to and compatible with residential characteristics.

(Formerly 14.75.010; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999; Ord. 409 § 3, 2017)

§ 14.150.020. Regulations. ¶

(1) Upon receipt of an application for a home occupation permit, the city planner shall determine whether the use represents a minor home occupation or a major home occupation based upon the criteria of BMC § 14.150.030 and 14.150.040 .
(2) All applications for major home occupation permits shall be subject to noticing requirements as established in Chapter 14.30 BMC (Procedures). No noticing shall be required for minor home occupation permits.
(3) Applications for home occupation permits shall be made in writing by the owner of the property, lessee, or purchaser in escrow with the written consent of the property owner. Applications shall

be on forms provided by the city. All applications shall be accompanied by a fee. The fee for the home occupation permit shall be set by the city council.

(4) Upon securing a home occupation permit, the applicant must secure a city business license.
(5) Minor home occupation permits may be issued subject to the following procedures:
- (a) Approval of all minor home occupations require the issuance of an administrative use permit by the city planner pursuant to Chapter 14.65 BMC.
- (b) Upon receipt of the application the city planner shall determine if the application meets the requirements of this chapter and BMC § 14.150.030 .
- (c) The city planner shall review the proposed use and shall approve, conditionally approve or deny the application. The city planner may impose such conditions as deemed necessary and reasonable to ensure that the use conforms to criteria within BMC § 14.150.030 .
- (d) Any applicant denied a minor home occupation permit may appeal the city planner's decision subject to the procedures as established in BMC § 14.30.150 .
(6) Major home occupation permits may be issued subject to the following procedures:
- (a) Approval of all major home occupations require the issuance of a use permit by the planning commissions pursuant to Chapter 14.60 BMC.
- (b) Upon receipt of the application the city planner shall determine if the application meets the requirements of this chapter and BMC § 14.150.040 and shall forward the application with a recommendation for action to the planning commission.
- (c) The planning commission shall review the application at its next regular meeting and shall approve, conditionally approve or deny the application. The planning commission may impose such conditions as deemed necessary and reasonable to ensure that the use conforms to criteria within BMC § 14.150.040 .
(d) Any applicant denied a major home occupation permit may appeal the planning commission's decision subject to the procedures as established in BMC § 14.30.150 .
(Formerly 14.75.020; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999; Ord. 409 § 3, 2017)

§ 14.150.030. Minor home occupation criteria. ¶

Minor home occupations are characterized as follows:

(1) The business shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling or accessory building.
(2) There shall be no sales or offering for sale from the premises of any commodities.
(3) There shall be no regular client or customer visits.
(4) Employment shall be limited to persons residing on the premises.
(5) The total floor area used for the home occupation, including area within accessory buildings, shall be less than 20 percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit.
(6) The use shall not generate traffic, noise, vibration, dust, odor, heat, light, glare, electrical interference, solid waste, or other characteristics in excess of that customarily associated with similar residential uses in the general vicinity.
(7) No equipment, materials, or products associated with the use shall be stored or displayed where visible from off the premises.

(8) The use shall not adversely affect the residential character of the neighborhood. (Formerly 14.75.030; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999; Ord. 409 § 3, 2017)

§ 14.150.040. Major home occupation criteria. ¶

Major home occupations are characterized as follows:

(1) The business shall be conducted primarily within the dwelling or accessory building;
(2) Minimal sales, with no publicly visible advertising or selling of items, from the subject property. However, a single, nonilluminated sign measuring no more than four square feet shall be allowed;
(3) Customer and client visits shall not exceed reasonable and typical visitation levels within the surrounding neighborhood;
(4) Employment shall be limited to persons residing on the premises, plus up to one additional person;
(5) The total floor area used for the home occupation, including area within accessory buildings, shall be less than 30 percent of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit or shall be wholly contained within a legal and conforming accessory structure;
(6) The use shall not generate traffic, noise, vibration, dust, odor, heat, light, glare, electrical interference, solid waste, or other characteristics in excess of that customarily associated with similar residential uses in the general vicinity;
(7) No equipment, materials, or products associated with the use shall be stored or displayed where visible from off the premises;

(8) The use shall not adversely affect the residential character of the neighborhood. (Formerly 14.75.040; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999; Ord. 409 § 3, 2017)

§ 14.150.050. Medical marijuana dispensaries and deliveries. ¶

Home occupations exclude medical marijuana dispensaries and deliveries as defined in this title. (Formerly 14.75.050; Ord. 384, 2009; Ord. 407 § 7, 2016; Ord. 409 § 3, 2017)