20.860.020 Development Requirements.
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A. Applicability. Home occupations shall be a limited use in all zoning districts within legally established residential homes. Such uses shall be subject to a Type I review, pursuant to VMC 20.210.040, subject to the development standards in subsection B of this section.
B. Development requirements. Failure to comply with any or all of the following development standards will result in revocation of the home occupation permit.
1. Employees. Two nonresident employees are permitted for home occupation activities located in all zoning districts; provided, that legal off-street parking is available for the second nonresident employee. The primary person or persons providing the business or service must reside within the dwelling on the premises.
2. Incidental Sales. The sale of consumer goods shall be prohibited except when the product to be sold is clearly incidental and secondary to the services authorized by such home occupation.
3. Off-site impacts. No home occupation shall generate measurable levels at the property line of dust, smoke, odor or glare as defined in Chapter 20.935 VMC, Off-Site Impacts, or noise in excess of the state standards outlined in WAC 173-06-050 as specified in VMC 20.935.030(A), Environmental Noise. The home occupation activity shall not generate solid waste in volume or type which is not normally associated with residential use unless specifically permitted.
4. Disturbing Influences. The home occupation use shall not create electronic interference, including but not limited to: interference with radio, satellite reception, telephone or television reception.
5. Exterior modification. To preserve the residential appearance of the structure, there shall be no evidence of the home occupation from the exterior of the structure, except one door nameplate or freestanding sign not to exceed two square feet is permitted. Freestanding signage shall be located within 10 feet of the residence and positioned facing the street parallel to the front of the residence.
6. Limitations on customers and visitors. The combined total number of customers and business visitors associated with the home occupation shall be limited to no more than an average of six per day per week (Monday through Sunday).
7. Location of use. All uses or activities associated with home occupations shall be wholly carried on within a dwelling or accessory structure by a member or members of a family except as allowed in subsection (B)(1) of this section. Such activity shall be secondary to the use of the dwelling for living purposes. Not more than 25 percent of the combined floor space of such dwelling and accessory structure or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less, may be used for the home occupation.
8. Outdoor storage. No outdoor storage associated with home occupation shall be permitted.
9. Vehicles. Vehicles related to the home occupation shall be restricted to standard noncommercial cars, trucks, and vans.
10. Exemptions.
a. Garage sales as per VMC 20.885.020(E) are exempt from obtaining a home occupation permit.
b. Child care homes licensed by the state for the care of 12 or fewer children are exempt from obtaining a home occupation permit. City business license requirements apply. No signs allowed.
c. Adult care homes licensed by the state for the care of eight or fewer persons. No signs allowed.
d. Home occupations that occupy less than 25 percent of a residence (up to 1,000 square feet of combined space), have no customer visits, and no on-site retail sales are exempt from obtaining a home occupation permit. The home occupation development standards of this section and the city business license requirements apply.
11. Examples of permitted uses include but are not limited to the following:
a. Artists, illustrators, writers, photographers (no photo processing), editors, drafters, publishers;
b. Professional office for consultants and other similar activities;
c. Bookkeeping, law office, and architect;
d. Distribution of products assembled at home for off-premises sales (such as garden produce or crafts);
e. Janitorial services (office);
f. Mail-order business or sales representative;
g. Interior decorator;
h. Manufacturer’s representative.
i. Light furniture making and woodworking that does not result in the use or storage of amounts of hazardous, flammable, or combustible materials above the allowed exempt quantities as detailed in the building and fire codes adopted by VMC Titles 16 and 17.
j. Cottage food operations, as defined by Chapter 69.07 RCW.
k. Medical, disabled or elderly transportation service, provided only one vehicle associated with the home business is permitted.
12. Examples of prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, the following:
a. Auto repair;
b. Welding shops;
c. Large appliance/electronics or equipment repair or service;
d. Truck hauling and/or tow storage yard;
e. Vehicle sales;
f. Cabinet making;
g. Manufacturing and/or related storage;
h. Kennel or stable;
i. Wholesale or retail sales;
j. Restaurants/drinking establishments;
k. Metal plating;
l. Any use generating, storing or utilizing hazardous waste;
m. Commercial limousine service.
13. Hours of Operation. Normal hours of operation shall be 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with after-hours activity permitted if wholly indoors and fully compliant with the off-site impact standards of VMC 20.935.030 and Table 20.935.030-1 regarding maximum permissible noise levels. (Ord. M-4402 § 3(V), 2023; Ord. M-4034 § 25, 2012; Ord. M-3931 § 28, 2009; Ord. M-3643, 2004)