Home Occupation License

The city now allows certain business activity within homes with a Home Occupation License (PDF). This is a 5-step process where:

1. An application is made to the Administration Department
2. The City Inspector will schedule an inspection at the home to verify the requirements are met and limitations are in compliance with the city code.
3. The City Inspector reports to the City Engineer who reviews the information for zoning compliance.
4. Assuming approval, the application is returned to the Business License Clerk.
5. The Business License Clerk contacts the applicant with arrangements to acquire the license.

Restrictions & Limitations

• Home occupations shall be permitted as an accessory use to a residential use in any district subject to the requirements of this section.
• The use of the dwelling for a home occupation shall be incidental and subordinate to its use for residential purposes by its occupants.
• No alteration of the exterior of the principal residential building shall be which changes the character thereof as a residence, or presents other visible evidence of conduct of the home occupation.
• The outdoor storage, storage in garages or in unattached buildings, of materials or equipment used in home occupation is prohibited. No storage of toxic or flammable materials used in home occupations is allowed except such as is normally used for purely domestic or household purposes.
• No equipment shall be utilized that creates a nuisance due to odor, vibration or noise. No electrical interference of fluctuation in line voltage beyond the property line of the lot upon which the home occupation is conducted shall be permitted.
• No person shall be engaged in a home occupation that creates a hazard to person, property or the environment.
• No person shall be engaged in such home occupation other than a person occupying such dwelling unit as his/her residence.
• No generation of parking, traffic, sewerage, or water use beyond that required for normal occupation of the residence shall be allowed. Any vehicle used in the home occupation which has advertising thereon cannot be parked on the street.

Permit Required
No home occupation shall be conducted until a home occupation permit shall be issued by the director of public works. Such permit shall be issued upon determination by the director that the proposed use complies with all of the requirements hereunder and that the appropriate Business License has been issued by the city. The permit shall be issued only to the individual occupying a dwelling as his/her residence. As such, home occupation permits shall not be transferable and shall terminate upon sale or transfer of the property to a new owner.

Business License Required
No home occupation shall be conducted until a license for the merchant to conduct business is issued by the city clerk, in accordance with Chapter 15 of the Code of Ordinances of the city.

Occupations Allowed
The following home occupations are allowed by permit provided they do not violate any of the provisions specified herein: