Council tables overhaul of home-occupation rules after extensive questions on scope and inspections

Director Song presented a proposed zoning-text amendment (A-26-002) to update Article 4.12 (home occupations) intended to reflect contemporary home-based work. Key staff proposals included retaining the 25% or 750-square-foot limit, adding a 150-square-foot internal-storage maximum, prohibiting separate exterior entrances for home-occupation use, limiting one home occupation per dwelling, requiring notarized owner authorization for renters, and expanding a list of prohibited uses (including manufacturing or storage of hazardous materials, expanded animal-care activities, automotive repairs, and certain lodging-related uses).

Council members raised multiple substantive questions. Several asked whether the 25%/750 and 150-square-foot thresholds are conventional benchmarks, expressed concern the proposed "general welfare" catchall might be overly broad, and pressed whether code enforcement would move the city from a reactive posture to proactive inspections. Director Song said inspections would be tied to an existing business license and that renewals could continue as legal nonconforming uses; he also said staff was open to modifying provisions. After discussion, Councilor (speaker S5) moved to table the item for a June 1 work session with a revised document to come back for a public hearing on July 13; the motion passed.

No final policy was adopted at the meeting. Director Song told the council he prefers an ordinance they can support and welcomed the opportunity to refine provisions in coordination with council questions and suggested revisions.