HOT TOPICS

Home Occupations

Urbana residents may apply to run a business from their home through the Home Occupation application process.

To obtain an application click here.

Section V-12.  Regulation of Home Occupation.

Any person seeking a Home Occupation shall submit an application to be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator. Upon approval by the Zoning Administrator, Home Occupations shall be permitted as follows:

A.  Without a Certificate of Occupancy, any activity that meets (but does not exceed) the following criteria:

  1. There are no persons, other than members of the immediate family residing in the dwelling unit, engaged in the home occupation; and
  2. There are no signs on the premises identifying the home occupation other than a nameplate, not more than one square foot in area, only permitted as a wall-mounted sign and not internally illuminated; and
  3. The occupation is wholly operated and contained within the dwelling; and
  4. No materials or equipment are stored outside the dwelling unit; and
  5. No more than two commercial or business vehicles used in conjunction with the home occupation may be on the premises at any one time and no more than five vehicle visits per day; and
  6. No more than two commercial or business vehicles used in conjunction with the home occupation may be parked on the premises or on an abutting street; and
  7. No mechanical or electronic equipment is used which creates objectionable noise, odors, or electronic impulses, or otherwise create a nuisance discernible beyond the property lines of the premises.

B.  Any activity which exceeds any of the criteria set forth under Section V-13.A, above, shall require approval by the Zoning Administrator and require the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, and furthermore shall be limited to the following restrictions and conditions:

  1. No more than one person, other than members of the immediate family residing in the dwelling unit, is engaged in the home occupation; and
  2. Two off-street parking spaces must be provided on-premise as approved by the Zoning Administrator.  Driveways may qualify in meeting this requirement; and
  3. No mechanical or electronic equipment is used which creates objectionable noise, odors, or electronic impulses, or otherwise create a nuisance discernible beyond the property lines of the premises; and
  4. There is no activity, construction, or display which would indicate from the exterior of the building or dwelling unit that the building or dwelling unit is being used for any purpose other than residential, expect as provided in Section V-13.A.5; and
  5. There are no other signs other than a nameplate, not more than one square foot in area, only permitted as a wall-mounted sign and not internally illuminated; and
  6. Storage of materials and space for equipment use in an accessory building is limited to 200 square feet.  No outdoor storage is permitted; and
  7. The occupation does not or will not constitute a violation of any nuisance code; and
  8. No more than two customers or clients may be on the premises at any one time; and
  9. There is no exterior storage of vehicles other than those owned by members of the immediate family residing on the premises; and
  10. No more than two commercial or business vehicles used in conjunction with the home occupation may be parked on the premises or on an abutting street.

C.  Any activity which exceeds the criteria under Section V-13.B shall be prohibited as a home occupation as herein defined.  Furthermore, since it is the intent of this subsection to prohibit any activity as a home occupation which may use hazardous materials, any activity which the Zoning Administrator classifies as exterminator, lawn care (except lawn manicuring), dry cleaning, or medical diagnostic laboratory shall be prohibited as a home occupation as herein defined.

- Last Modified -June 27, 2018 - 2:23pm
- Author - Visitor