Lake Oswego planning commission weighs clearer, measurable rules for home occupations

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. — At a Planning Commission work session April 14, planning staff presented draft code amendments (LU 25-00002) intended to replace a vague use standard for home occupations with clearer, measurable rules about client visits, commercial vehicles, outdoor activity, noise and hazardous substances.

Michael McNamee, staff coordinator for the project, told the commission the goal is to replace the existing subcriterion — which says a home occupation may not "alter the residential character of the neighborhood or infringe upon the rights of residents in the vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood" — because "the concepts of neighborhood character and peaceful enjoyment are difficult to define, which makes them hard to understand and enforce." He said the draft aims to give home-business owners and code enforcement objective rules that are easier to apply.

Staff outlined four main measurable concepts under consideration: a cap on the number of clients on site at one time; limits on commercial vehicles associated with a home business (measured by visible logos); a ban on outdoor business activity with limited exceptions to be researched; and a prohibition or restriction on hazardous materials as defined by state law. Staff also recommended explicitly referencing the city nuisance code to govern noise from home businesses.

The draft language uses a placeholder number of five clients at one time for discussion; McNamee said that figure came from the survey instrument and was not final. "The…