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Planning administrator Matthew Williams outlines TA26-002 rewrite of South Fulton home‑based business rules
Summary
City planning staff presented TA26-002, a repeal-and-replace of the home‑occupations section of the zoning ordinance that would limit on‑site nonresident employees to one, clarify accessory structures and parking, and update definitions; the amendment proceeds to planning commission and mayor-and-council hearings in spring.
Planning administrator Matthew Williams presented a proposed text amendment, TA26-002, that would repeal and replace the City of South Fulton’s existing home‑occupations zoning rules and establish new limits and definitions for home‑based businesses.
"This text amendment seeks to regulate or to replace and repeal our homebased businesses," Williams said, describing the new Section 303.11. He said the proposal sets a new purpose and definitions, addresses alterations to structures, accessory buildings, vehicles and parking, and limits on operations and employees. "A home occupation's operations and employees are limited to members of the resident's family and no more than one on‑site non‑resident employee at any time," Williams said, adding that additional remote employees who do not work at the dwelling would be permitted.
The amendment would replace language the city inherited from Fulton County upon incorporation in 2017, Williams said. The proposal also clarifies prohibited uses and adds definitions intended to reflect current practices.
Why it matters: zoning definitions of home occupations affect how residents may run businesses from their homes, how neighbors may be affected by on‑site employees and parking, and how the city enforces land‑use rules. The limits proposed — one on‑site nonresident employee and family‑member operations — could narrow the range of activities currently allowed under the inherited Fulton County provisions.
What happens next: staff said TA26-002 will appear at a planning commission hearing tentatively scheduled for April 15 and at a mayor and council public hearing in May (May 12 as noted in the meeting). The public participation report for applications tied to modifications is due March 31, and applicants must hold community meetings and send notice postcards as required by the public participation rules.
The Community Information Meeting ended with staff saying they will post the final dates on the city website and provide applicants with guidance on notice materials and submission requirements.
