[Added 5-23-2005 by Ord. No. 753]
A.
This article is designed to regulate the conduct of
business within the home and to achieve the following purposes and
objectives:
(1)
Preserve and protect residential neighborhoods
from the adverse impacts of home occupation activities.
(2)
Permit residents of East Greenwich the ability
to use their homes as a place of livelihood or to supplement personal
or family income.
(3)
Establish criteria and standards for home occupations
conducted in dwelling units and structures accessory to dwelling units.
B.
These regulations are not intended to restrict the
use of a residence by the occupants for the following purposes: occasional
yard or garage sales; party-related sales when conducted less than
once per month; hobbies not undertaken for financial gain and seasonal
sales of flowers and/or vegetables grown on site, provided no additional
structure is constructed from which to sell the goods; nor are these
regulations intended to restrict farming activities as permitted by
this chapter.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
See § 260-6.
A.
The home occupation shall be conducted indoors and
shall be clearly subordinate, incidental and secondary to the use
of the dwelling and accessory structures for residential purposes
and shall occupy a floor area no greater than 20% of the floor area
of the dwelling unit or relevant accessory structure.
B.
Outward appearance. The exterior appearance of the
residential and accessory structures shall not be changed as a result
of or for the purposes of the home occupation.
C.
Impacts. There shall be no outside storage or window
display. Noise, dust, odors, heat, glare, noxious fumes or vibrations
shall not result from the home occupation. Mechanical or electronic
equipment which is incidental to the home occupation may be used,
provided it does not create visible or audible interference in radio,
telephone or television receivers or cause fluctuations in line voltage
off the premises. The home occupation shall not interfere with the
delivery of utilities or other service to the area. The use shall
not involve the storage or use of explosive, radioactive or other
hazardous materials on site.
D.
Traffic. The home occupation shall not generate greater
traffic volume than would normally be expected in the particular residential
zone in which the home occupation is conducted.
E.
Parking. The parking of vehicles shall not create
safety hazards or congestion. No additional on-site parking shall
be permitted. Parking other than in a designated driveway shall not
occur within the front yard between the street and the dwelling unit.
F.
Employees. The home occupation is to be conducted
only by members of the family residing in the dwelling.
G.
Limits on classes or instruction. If the home occupation
is the type in which classes are held or instruction given, there
shall be not more than two students or pupils in the dwelling unit
or on the premises at any one time, and hours of instruction shall
be limited to from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
H.
Limits on clients/customers. If the home occupation
is the type in which customers or clients visit the premises, there
shall be no more than two clients or customers in the dwelling unit
or on the premises during any period of 60 consecutive minutes, and
hours of operation shall be limited to from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
I.
Allowable number of home occupations. The total number
of home occupations conducted with a dwelling unit is not limited,
except that the cumulative impact of all home occupations conducted
within the dwelling unit or on the premises thereof shall not be greater
than the impact of one home occupation as set forth in these regulations.
J.
Compliance. Home occupations shall comply with all
local, state or federal requirements pertinent to the activity pursued,
including licensing, and the requirements of or permission granted
by this chapter shall not be construed as an exemption from such regulations.
K.
Signs. There shall be no signs advertising, directing
or otherwise identifying or indicating the presence of any home occupation.
L.
Deliveries to be made to the home concerning home
occupations shall be deliveries ordinarily made in residential neighborhoods.
A.
Home occupations shall blend with their neighboring
surrounds and shall not impair the use and value of residentially
zoned areas for residential purposes. The following uses shall be
allowed under this article:
(1)
Dressmaking, sewing and tailoring.
(2)
Telephone solicitation.
(3)
Tutoring.
(4)
Artist's or craft studio.
(5)
Professional office for attorneys, real estate
agents, insurance agents, accountants, stockbrokers, engineers, architects,
landscape architects, musicians, writers, data programmers and sales
representatives.
(6)
Photography, cosmetology, retail sales by mail
order or electronic means, catering and light assembly of goods.
(7)
Information and data processing via facsimile
or the Internet.
(8)
Consulting.
B.
Proposed home occupations that are not expressly permitted
and are not prohibited may be granted approval by application to the
Zoning Board of Review for a special use permit.
The following uses are prohibited and shall
not be allowed under this article as home occupations:
A.
Animal hospitals, stables, kennels and dog breeding.
B.
Dry cleaners.
C.
Eating and drinking establishments.
D.
Mortuaries and undertakers.
E.
Sales of, repairs, painting or body work to motor
vehicles, recreational vehicles or boats.
F.
Service and repair shops, including but not limited
to small engine repairs.
G.
Welding shops.
H.
Private clubs.
I.
Adult businesses and entertainment by the Internet
or otherwise.
J.
Rentals of equipment, tools, trailers and vehicles.
K.
Retail sales of goods not otherwise permitted under § 260-74.4A(6).
L.
Food service.
The Building Official/Zoning Enforcement Officer
may inspect the premises to determine compliance. Any violations of
this article shall be subject to enforcement action by the Town as
provided by this chapter.
