Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Home Occupation Firearms topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Augusta BZA permits home‑based custom firearms work at 2118 Louisa Road with conditions
Summary
The Board approved a home‑occupation variance allowing custom firearms manufacturing at 2118 Louisa Road provided the residence retains its residential appearance and the operator complies with all state and federal regulations, including ATF licensing.
The Augusta‑Richmond County Board of Zoning Appeals approved a variance allowing a home‑based custom firearms manufacturing operation at 2118 Louisa Road, subject to conditions the board recorded at the hearing.
Zoning Administrator Bridal Kepner told the board the request sought a variance to Section 8‑3(b)(3) of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to permit a home occupation that would include manufacturing. Kepner reviewed the ordinance criteria that typically limit home occupations to personal services and prohibit manufacturing, and summarized the applicant's compliance statements: the business would occupy less than 25% of the heated floor area (about 14% per the application), have no regular business hours (appointment‑based), not employ paid assistants, and not display signage or produce detectable noise, vibration, odor or illumination.
“The applicant has received approval of for a firearms manufacturing license by the bureau of alcohol, tobacco firearms and explosives of the justice department,” Kepner said during the staff report. (The agency is the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, commonly abbreviated ATF.) Kepner recommended approval subject to conditions that the home maintain its residential appearance and that the business comply with all applicable state and federal regulations.
Applicant James Herring said he intended to move his manufacturing work from an offsite shop into his home so he could care for an ill spouse. “If there's any fears that I'm gonna create some big manufacturing company, then I'm gonna start manufacturing firearms and everything and bringing people in, that's not going to be the case. That's not what I'm doing,” Herring said. He explained his ATF license covers work such as altering or restoring older firearms and that his operation would be small and appointment‑based.
No opposition was recorded. The board voted to approve the variance subject to the staff conditions (maintain residential appearance; comply with state and federal regulations). Staff noted that a local business license and compliance with building codes would also be required before operation begins.
Key details from the record: the property is about 3.41 acres in a rural area on Louisa Road, the proposed home occupation would occupy approximately 14% of the dwelling, and the applicant stated there would be no paid employees. The staff report described Louisa Road as a rural local road with roughly 30 residences; staff reported receiving a letter of support and no opposition at the time the report was completed.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve variance for BZA‑25‑30 (James Herring / 2118 Louisa Road) — approved with conditions to maintain residential appearance and comply with state and federal regulations.
