Commission debates ADU business rules; directs staff to draft minor-occupation list

Santaquin planning staff and commissioners discussed Jan. 28 whether detached accessory dwelling units should be allowed to host home occupations and what limits should apply. The commission directed staff to prepare draft ordinance language and a recommended list of permissible low-impact (minor) home occupations for DADUs.

Staff explained the existing code is silent about ADU home occupations and reviewed current distinctions: minor home occupations allow up to eight business-related visitors per day and limited vehicle storage (four commercial vehicles stored behind a fence); major home occupations include larger children's-group activities (class sizes that can exceed 12 per session and up to 24 per day), higher vehicle-stop counts (up to 48 business-related vehicle stops) and require additional reviews, conditional-use permits and noise and fencing standards.

Staff noted many cities restrict ADU home occupations to professional office uses (desk-and-phone businesses) and reminded the commission that the owner of the business generally must live at the property. Commissioners expressed concern that allowing major home occupations in small detached ADUs could create traffic, parking and neighborhood impacts. Several commissioners said they favored permitting minor home occupations in DADUs (examples discussed included accountants, nail technicians, small professional offices and one-to-one service businesses) but not major operations. Commissioners asked staff to draft clear language specifying that visitor and vehicle limits should be enforced on a per-parcel basis (so a business at the primary dwelling and a separate business at an ADU do not automatically double allowed trips) and to produce a recommended list of low-impact uses.

Staff said the code is currently silent on ADU home occupations and recommended the commission address the issue now rather than wait for the first DADU applications. Staff also noted a conditional-use permit for a major home occupation (dance and singing classes) may appear on a future agenda (possible Feb. 28 hearing) and that the city must notify neighbors within 300 feet for such requests.

There was no formal vote; the commission directed staff to draft the minor-home-occupation list and redline ordinance language for future discussion and public hearing if needed.