Home business code discussed

Jana Mathia, Gazette Reporter | Dec 31, 20200

COLFAX — The longest discussion during last Monday’s, Dec. 21, City Council meeting was on the proposed update of the Home Occupation code, planned to come before the council in January for approval.

The code applies to businesses that operate and serve customers in a physical space within a home, such as hair dressers, Building and Community Development Associate Steve Bretveld said.

A Home Occupation code is on the books, but it is very vague, Bretveld said.

The Planning Commission has been working on updating it for the past year-and-a-half.

The council discussed a proposed update that limits customers to two at one time and no more than eight in a given day.

Members questioned if there should be a restriction on number or if the number should be modified. They came to the consensus that, as long as home-business owners maintain good relations with their neighbors, things should be OK.

According to the proposed update, the purpose of the code is “to create an administrative framework to authorize such uses that do not pose a disruption to or conflict with the existing and planned residential environment.”

Prohibited home occupations would be those with an increased possibility for generating hazardous or nuisance conditions.

The proposal also lists several examples including vehicle repair, painting vehicles, upholstering and firewood cutting.

Anyone with a home occupation should see if they need to file with the city, Bretveld said.

An application process and appeal is part of the proposed updated code.