Chapter 17.29
Home Occupation Regulations

17.29.010 - Purpose and Intent The purpose of this chapter is to provide a means to continue to allow residents, county-wide, to conduct a limited business within their homes while minimizing the impacts to the character of neighborhoods. According to their nature, Home Occupations are allowed as an accessory use to the primary residential use with compliance of the Home Occupation Performance Standards found herein. If a Home Occupation grows beyond the scope of the performance standards, it shall be required to down-size until it can comply with the standards or relocate to a zoning district that permits such activities.

17.29.020 - Home Occupation Performance Standards Any business use or activity that meets the following verifiable criteria, shall be considered a Home Occupation:

A. Home Occupations are an accessory use to a principal residential use of the subject property which is occupied by the principal practitioner of the business.

B. No more than two persons that do not reside at the location of the Home Occupation, may be working on-site simultaneously.

C. The conduct of the Home Occupation shall be in such a manner that no emission of noise, vibration, dust, glare, heat, smoke or odors shall occur that are out of the normal residential character of the property and the surrounding neighborhood.

D. Exterior indications of Home Occupations are limited to the permitted signage. Any other variation of the residential character of the property resulting from the Home Occupation is prohibited.

E. One sign not exceeding six (6) square feet, shall be allowed. Any vehicle signage used to supplement the allowed signage, except for typical vehicle door signage on vehicles used in the conduct of business, is prohibited.

F. The total space devoted to the Home Occupation cannot be greater than 2000 square feet.

G. There shall be no more than an additional two hundred and fifty (250’) square feet, and limited to eight (8) feet in height, of outdoor storage of any kind related to the Home Occupation, other than the parking of a vehicle or equipment used in the conduct of business. Outdoor storage shall comply with the landscape and screening provisions of Chapter 17.27.040(A) Type I: SIGHT OBSCURING SCREEN.

H. No Home Occupation shall include: automobile, truck, or heavy equipment repair, body work or painting; nor parking or storage of heavy equipment that is not related to the Home Occupation.

I. Sales occurring on site of the home occupation shall be for items or services produced on site with only minor exceptions in terms of accessory materials bought from another source and resold at this location. (This applies to the Methow Review District only.)

J. Home Occupations shall not generate materially greater traffic volume than would normally be expected in the residential neighborhood or area in which it exists.

K. Designated off street parking for a Home Occupation shall be a minimum of one (1) space with a maximum of two (2) spaces with a maneuvering area provided specifically for business use on the site which will accommodate all expected traffic.

L. Home Occupations may be subject to an on-site inspection to assure compliance with all county regulations.

17.29.030 - Allowed Uses Any use that the administrator determines to meet the above Home Occupation Performance standards shall be considered an allowed use.

17.29.040 - Enforcement In the event complaints are received and deemed valid by the Administrator that an operating Home Occupation is not in compliance with the provision of this section, the owner of such business shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of Chapter 17.38 of the Okanogan County Zoning Code.

17.29.050 - Home Occupation compliance with other applicable regulations Home Occupations shall obtain all pertinent permits and licenses required by federal, state and local agencies and must meet all county requirements. All required permits and licenses shall be made available for the administrator to review, upon request.