Planning commission approves tighter home‑occupation rules, adds short‑term rentals to prohibited list

The Johns Creek Planning Commission on April 14 approved a staff‑initiated update to Section 4.12 of the zoning ordinance that clarifies what constitutes a home occupation and expands the city’s list of prohibited uses.

Planning staff presented Text Amendment A‑26‑002 as a modernization to address “contemporary home based business trends,” Ruchi Agarwal told commissioners. Agarwal said staff has been encountering an increase in creative and nontraditional home‑based operations and sought clearer rules so enforcement and interpretation are consistent: “We present this text amendment to you all.”

The rewrite sets a size limit for home occupations at the smaller of 25% of the dwelling or 750 square feet, allows up to 150 square feet of internal storage devoted to the business, requires that home‑occupation access be through entrances commonly used by the household (not through a newly constructed, exclusive exterior entrance), and limits hours to Monday–Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The amendment also reiterates that only residents of the dwelling may work on the premises and that business licensing, state permits and notarized owner authorization for tenants are required.

Staff gave a long list of specifically prohibited activities — ranging from the use or storage of explosive or hazardous materials to full‑scale automotive repair, dispatch centers that operate from a residence, commercial food production beyond cottage‑food allowances, and firearm businesses (with narrow exceptions for certain federally licensed collectors or remote sellers who meet conditions). Agarwal said the prohibition list is not exhaustive and that the community development director may determine additional incompatible uses.

Commissioners pressed staff on enforcement and edge cases. The commission asked whether inspections would be routine or complaint‑driven; staff said the code compliance division typically investigates following complaints but may inspect when necessary to verify compliance. Commissioners also questioned phrasing such as “detectable beyond the unit” for noise and whether the two‑client limit is practicable for some home businesses; staff noted that the city’s noise ordinance and decibel measurements would guide enforcement and that the home‑occupation standard is intended to keep commercial activity accessory to residential use.

Before voting, the commission adopted two clarifying edits: adding the word “business” after “home occupation” in subsection c so it reads “home occupation business,” and adding “short‑term rentals” to the end of the prohibited‑uses list in subsection e(6). Chair moved the amendment with those caveats; the motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion passed.

The updated ordinance will proceed as the Planning Commission’s recommendation to the mayor and city council for final action.