Chapter 23.82
HOME OCCUPATIONS
Sections:
23.82.030 Permit requirements.
23.82.040 Development and operational standards.
23.82.050 Restricted home occupations.
23.82.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the home occupations provision is to allow limited commercial/office uses within a residential neighborhood or zoning district consistent with established development and operational standards to ensure compatibility and to keep the integrity of the surrounding residential uses and character. To this end, these regulations minimize noise, traffic nuisances, hazardous material usage, and other possible side effects of commercial uses being conducted in residential areas. [Ord. 1-2013 §3, eff. 3-15-2013; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.82.020 Definitions.
Terms unique to this chapter are listed in EGMC Chapter 23.100 (General Definitions). [Ord. 1-2013 §3, eff. 3-15-2013; Ord. 8-2011 §34(A), eff. 6-24-2011]
23.82.030 Permit requirements.
Home occupations are permitted in designated zoning districts as described in Division III, Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Development Standards, of this title. No special planning permit or entitlement, including zoning clearance/plan check, shall be required for home occupations. Home occupation owners shall acquire any applicable permit or license (e.g., County health permit, Chief’s operating permit, etc.) as may be required for the specific operation by Federal, State, or local regulation. [Ord. 1-2013 §3, eff. 3-15-2013; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.82.040 Development and operational standards.
All home occupations shall comply with the following development and operational standards. In addition to the performance standards herein, EGMC Section 23.82.050 lists restricted uses and EGMC Section 23.82.060 lists specific prohibited uses.
A. Storage and Display.
1. Storage, operation or display of materials, goods, supplies or equipment related to the operation of a home occupation may not be located outside the residence.
2. On-site storage of hazardous materials associated with the home occupation shall be prohibited.
3. All activities of the home occupation, including storage of inventory or products and all other equipment, fixtures, office and work space may not exceed twenty (20%) percent of the total square footage of the dwelling unit. Total square footage shall include rooms used for residential and home occupation use.
4. Products produced as a function of the home occupation shall not be displayed in any manner that would make them visible from the exterior of the dwelling unit.
B. Employees/Clients.
1. Employees may be allowed as part of the home occupation permit; however, no more than two (2) nonresidents may work from the residence or report to the home at any time.
2. The number of clients/customers that can be present at the residence shall be limited to one at any one time, and shall not exceed the maximum of eight (8) per day. Clients/customers shall be permitted at the home occupation business location only on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on weekends from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
C. Vehicles/Parking. In addition to the following standards, all parking associated with the home occupation shall comply with parking regulations in EGMC Section 23.58.040, General parking regulations.
1. Commercial vehicles weighing four (4) tons or more may not be parked or stored on any residential property or local residential street in conjunction with a home occupation. However, one (1) vehicle weighing less than four (4) tons may be retained on site of a home occupation contingent upon the existence or establishment of an additional vehicle parking space located outside of the required front and street-side side yard setback area. Such parking space shall comply with residential parking provisions. Regardless of the number of home occupations at a residence, only two (2) additional vehicles (including nonresident employee and client vehicles) shall be present at any one (1) time. Off-street parking shall be provided for all vehicles associated with the home occupation. Additionally, no trailer used for commercial, industrial, or agricultural purposes shall be parked or stored in any residential zone except for loading or unloading services.
2. There shall be no more than one (1) commercial delivery per day, during normal business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
D. Signs. A sign no larger than two (2 ft2) square feet shall be allowed for the home occupation other than the address of the residence.
E. Nuisances. No activity that produces noise, smoke, odor, glare, electrical interference, vibrations, or junk and rubbish discernible beyond the site shall be allowed.
F. Sales. There shall be no products sold on the premises, except as provided by the California Health and Safety Code for cottage food operations. [Ord. 14-2017 §3 (Exh. C), eff. 6-23-2017; Ord. 1-2013 §3, eff. 3-15-2013; Ord. 8-2011 §§34(B), (C), eff. 6-24-2011; Ord. 28-2007 §3, eff. 10-26-2007; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.82.050 Restricted home occupations.
The following specific home occupation uses shall be permitted, subject to further limitations as follows:
A. Beauty/barbershops limited to one (1) operator only.
B. Contractors and subcontractors offices are permitted as home occupations. However, the storage of vehicles, materials and equipment not normally associated with residential uses shall be prohibited, except as provided in the RD-1, RD-2, and AR-1 through AR-10 zones.
C. Furniture repair and restoration shall be limited to one occupant of the dwelling on a part-time basis, subject to approval of the Building Inspection Department and the Fire Marshal, as applicable. There shall be no pickup or delivery at the location by the public.
D. Shoe repair, on a part-time basis, providing that no more than eight (8) visitors a day either drop off or pick up such items. No sales of any kind are permitted. The use will not be conducted in such a fashion as to constitute either a public or private nuisance.
E. Dressmaking, sewing, tailoring, contract sewing (one (1) operator).
F. Cottage food operations, consistent with the requirements of the California Health and Safety Code and limited to one (1) full time employee, not including a family member or household member of the cottage food operation.
G. Short-term rentals as defined in EGMC Section 23.26.050 shall only be permitted in accordance with Table 23.27-1 and EGMC Chapter 4.38.
H. Bed and breakfast inns, as defined in EGMC Section 23.26.050, shall only be permitted in accordance with Table 23.27-1. [Ord. 13-2020 §5, eff. 8-21-2020; Ord. 1-2013 §3, eff. 3-15-2013; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]
23.82.060 Prohibited uses.
The following uses are expressly prohibited as home occupations:
A. Ambulance service;
B. Ammunition reloading, including custom reloading;
C. Carpentry, cabinetmakers;
D. Ceramics (kiln of six (6 ft3) cubic feet or more);
E. Health salons, gyms, dance studios, aerobic exercise studios;
F. Medical, dental, chiropractic, or veterinary clinics;
G. Mortician, hearse service;
H. Palm reading, fortune telling;
I. Private clubs;
J. Repair, or reconditioning, of boats or recreation vehicles;
K. Restaurants or taverns;
L. Retail sale from site, including but not limited to firearms and retail car sales. It shall specifically exclude direct distribution, artists’ originals, and food sales as provided by the California Health and Safety Code for cottage food operations;
M. Storage, repair or reconditioning of major household appliances, including refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, stoves, heating and air conditioning equipment;
N. Storage, repair or reconditioning of motorized vehicles or large equipment on site;
O. Tattoo service;
P. Tow truck services;
Q. Veterinary uses (including boarding);
R. Welding service (office only);
S. Hotels and motels. [Ord. 13-2020 §6, eff. 8-21-2020; Ord. 23-2014 §3 (Exh. A), eff. 10-10-2014; Ord. 1-2013 §3, eff. 3-15-2013; Ord. 26-2006 §3, eff. 8-11-2006]