Waterville council narrows home-occupation rules, explicitly bars cannabis production in residential zones

The Waterville City Council on May 6 approved a revision to ordinance 150.02 governing home occupations that clarifies what activities are permitted in residential properties and explicitly bars cannabis production, including wholesale operations, from residential zones.

City Attorney Jason Moran told the council the home-occupation ordinance was outdated and needed clearer limits. He said the revision preserves the permit-and-review process for home occupations but removes manufacturing, assembly, retail packaging for sale and specified hazards from what a homeowner may do. Moran recommended inserting the word "wholesale" into the ordinance to make clear that commercial cannabis growing for distribution would not be allowed in residential areas.

Councilmember Jennifer Grobe read a letter from resident Travis Perry asking the council to reconsider allowing a cannabis business in a residential zone; no one spoke at the public hearing in favor of changing the restriction. After brief discussion the council closed the public hearing and approved the second reading of the amendment, including Moran’s suggested insertion of "wholesale." The motion passed unanimously.

The ordinance as amended leaves room for commercial cannabis production, retail sale and wholesale activity in business or industrial districts, but not in single-family residential neighborhoods, Moran said. Council action followed the city’s standing procedure for an ordinance second reading. The council did not adopt any separate zoning map changes tied to this ordinance.

The council’s approval takes place during the regular legislative process; affected parties may follow up with the planning office for details on permitted zones and the permit review process.