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Franklin County approves special use permit for residential gunsmithing with conditions
Summary
The county approved a special use permit allowing gunsmithing on a 44.8‑acre A‑1 property near Pomona, limited to an on‑site garage/shop and subject to seven conditions including ATF compliance and sheriff notification.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 5 approved a special use permit that allows a resident gunsmithing operation on a 44.8‑acre A‑1 zoned property roughly 3.5 miles northeast of Pomona.
Planning staff told commissioners the permit is limited to gunsmithing activities (repair, modification, trade and related work) and is not intended to establish a retail gun store or a shooting range. The staff presentation said most work will be mail‑based and that occasional local customers might visit but the operation is not a weapons‑testing site.
Planning staff and the planning commission recommended approval with seven conditions: (1) the use is limited to repair, modification, trade and gunsmithing activities; (2) the applicant must comply with all Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives licensing and documentation requirements; (3) all gunsmithing activities must occur inside the designated garage or shop structure; (4) firearms and inventory must be secured and inaccessible to unauthorized persons; (5) the site must be compatible with the business and accessible for ATF or other inspections; (6) the applicant must notify the sheriff’s office within 30 days of approval; and (7) the permit is null and void if not initiated at the approved site within one year.
A planning staff member said, “This SUP is specifically for gunsmithing, not a gun store, not a gun range.” Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether federal FFL/ATF rules effectively constitute sales records; staff said federal recordkeeping required ATF wording that can read as a sale if parts or weapons move through the operation.
One written objection from a neighboring landowner was included in the staff report and discussed during the planning commission review; staff said the neighbor may live outside the state. After discussion, a commissioner moved approval and another seconded; the board recorded affirmative votes and approved the permit.
The approval includes the staff‑recommended conditions; any additional uses would require an amended special use permit.
