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Clinton council asks staff to tighten ADU and home-business rules to protect neighborhoods
Summary
Council reviewed recurring ambiguities in accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and home-occupation rules, asking staff to draft objective limits on business square footage, a definition for 'commercial vehicle', and tighter outdoor storage rules to prevent residential properties from becoming de facto commercial sites.
The Clinton City Council reviewed recurring administration problems in the city’s accessory dwelling unit (ADU) and home-occupation regulations and directed staff to draft clearer, objective standards to protect neighborhood character.
Community Development Director Peter Matson told the council staff had compiled a table of recurring issues encountered over the past year, ranging from structural and design ambiguities for ADUs (combination garage/shop/ADU layouts, inconsistent roof-pitch and door-orientation rules) to operational uncertainties about home-based businesses, including the absence of a square-footage cap for business use and ambiguity over whether both primary and accessory structures may be used for commercial activity.
The council signaled general support for allowing home-based businesses while limiting impacts that could change residential character. Members emphasized distinguishing remote home offices that generate no customer traffic from customer-facing home occupations, and they raised consistent concerns about increased traffic, multiple employees reporting to a residence, fleets or commercial vehicles parked in neighborhoods, and outdoor storage of business materials.
Council discussion identified potential approaches staff should draft for council review: an objective cap on business square footage within primary and accessory structures; a clear definition of “commercial vehicle” (criteria discussed included gross vehicle weight, number of axles or vehicle type such as box trucks or construction vehicles); and a prohibition or strict limits on outdoor storage tied to enforcementability and neighborhood compatibility. The council also asked staff to prepare sample redlined code text that would implement the proposed clarifications.
No formal ordinance or motion was adopted at the work session; staff were directed to return draft language for the Planning Commission and City Council to review.
Next steps: Community Development staff will draft clarified ADU and home-occupation code language, including a proposed commercial-vehicle definition and outdoor-storage standards, and present sample redlines for future council consideration.
