Planning Commission backs limit on visible vehicles for home‑based businesses

The Midway City Planning Commission on Aug. 11 voted to recommend a code text amendment to Section 16.13.270 (Home Occupations) that would limit the number of vehicles and trailers visible on a residential property to two and require those vehicles to be parked on an appropriate surface such as concrete, asphalt, pavers, or gravel.

Staff said Home Occupations are intended to remain secondary to the residential use of a property and that a small number of businesses operating from homes have grown to include multiple vehicles and trailers, causing concerns about compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods. To address enforcement challenges—where it can be hard to distinguish between business and personal vehicles—staff proposed a rule that ties allowed vehicles to the property rather than to each individual business.

Commissioners discussed the proposed wording and expressed concern that the phrase "garage capacity plus two" could be confusing in enforcement. The Commission supported clarifying that vehicles accommodated within the garage are allowed and that no more than two vehicles or trailers may be parked and visible outside the garage; they also recommended requiring parking on an appropriate surface to prevent vehicles from being stored on lawns or landscaped areas.

Commissioner Travis Nokes moved to recommend approval of the code changes, stating that the modification should "limit the number of vehicles and trailers parked and visible on site at any time shall be limited to two" and require parking on proper surfaces; Commissioner Craig Knight seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

No public comments were recorded on this item. The recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final action and, if adopted, will change permit conditions for home‑based businesses to reduce visual and neighborhood impacts.