The Fernley City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday, Sept. 17, on a proposed
ordinance to amend the municipal code and clarify regulations governing home occupations as
accessory uses in residential zones.
The ordinance received its first reading at last week’s council meeting. According to a staff
report, the proposed changes stem from neighbor complaints, the rise of specialized business
types, and ongoing compliance challenges.
The revisions seek to “enhance the compatibility of home occupations with their residential
surroundings, reduce conflicts, streamline enforcement and simplify licensing,” the staff report
said.
One of the proposed changes adds a new limitation on the total floor area that may be used for a
home occupation, along with specifications on where that space may be located.
“This change seeks to ensure that the home occupation accessory use remains subordinate and
incidental to the primary residential use while also offering new flexibility for occupancy of
accessory structures on the site,” the staff report indicated.
After consultation with the city clerk’s office and reviewing development codes from nearby
jurisdictions, staff also proposed adding a list of prohibited home occupations to address the
proliferation “of niche business types.”
Additional restrictions include limits on vehicles and employees associated with home-based
businesses are also included in the proposed changes.
New limits would require home occupations to occupy no more than 25 percent of the floor area
on the site, or 300 square feet, whichever is less. Businesses could operate in accessory buildings
as long as the total floor area limit is not exceeded.
No employees would be permitted other than the home’s occupants. No more than one vehicle or
trailer associated with the business would be allowed on site, with the trailer not to exceed 25
feet in length. Such vehicles could not be parked on the street and no vehicle with a gross
unladen weight of more than 10,000 pounds would be allowed.
Prohibited business types would include adult businesses, animal services other than dog
grooming or mobile/off-site grooming, auto and truck repair except for mobile repair services,
medical service uses that require client visits to the home and in-home cosmetology or massage
services, except for call-out appointments.
The Fernley Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the proposed
changes to the development code on August 13.
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