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RequestforAction <br />To ItemNumber <br />PlanningCommission 8.2 <br />AgendaSection MeetingDate Prepared by <br />WorkSession February 28, 2023 ChrisLeeseberg, SeniorPlanner <br />ItemDescription Reviewedby <br />HomeOccupations ZackCarlton, Community Development Director <br />Reviewedby <br />MarkPistulka, BuildingOfficial <br />ActionRequested <br />Discussifthecity’shomeoccupation ordinanceandprovidestaffdirectionregardingpotentialchangesto the <br />currentstandards. <br />Background/Discussion <br />Withthe approvalofafewhomeoccupation CUP’sinrecentyears, buildingcodeissues havesurfacedpertaining <br />to commercialoperations beingrunout ofaresidential property. Thestatebuilding codedoes notdifferentiate <br />betweenabusinessoperating onaresidentially zonedpropertyversus oneonacommercially zonedproperty. <br />Withstateandcityregulations, a registered architectorengineer isrequiredtopreparedocuments forthebuilding <br />ascommercial usesopentothepublic arerequired tomeet allapplicable commercial building, electrical, plumbing, <br />mechanical, andfire codes. Itdoes notmatterifthehome occupation isanaccountant, autorepair, officeworker, <br />hairsalon, photography studio, woodworking, etc. <br />Section 30-83 (c)(1) states: Witheachapplication forabuilding permit, andwhen required bythebuilding official <br />forenforcementofany provisionsofthisarticle, twosetsofplansandspecifications shallbesubmitted together <br />withacertificateofsurvey ofthelot uponwhichthe proposed buildingorconstruction isto bedone. <br />Section 30-83 (c)(2) states: Allplansandspecifications, except forsingle-family dwellings, orany otherbuildings <br />exempted by MinnesotaStatute ortheMinnesota StateBuildingCode, shallbeprepared andsignedbyaregistered <br />architectoraregistered professional engineer dulyqualifiedbyregistrationasrequiredbyMinn. Stats. § 326.02. <br />Severalproperties thatrecently received CUP’snotedsignificant expensesarerequiredtomeetthebuildingcode <br />requirements andchallenges infinding professionalstodothedesignworkasthejobsaretypicallytoo small. <br />Residential houses, garages, andsheds/polebuildings aretypicallynotconstructed withcommercial uses/codes, <br />andtheconversionto doso, ifpossible, canbeextremelyexpensive/difficult. Itemsincludingcommercially <br />compliant ingress/egress, standardandADAaccessiblerestrooms, stairslopes, hazardous material storage/ <br />ventilation/disposal, plumbing, and electricalarenottypicallyconsidered withconstruction ofa homeor <br />accessory structure. <br />Staffwould likefeedback regardingprohibition ofhome occupationsoperated fromattached ordetached <br />accessory structures, puttingthefocusbackonoccupations, working outofthehome/house. Forclarification, <br />TheElkRiverVision <br />Awelcoming community withrevolutionary andspiritedresourcefulness, exceptional <br />service, andcommunity engagementthatencourages andinspiresprosperity. Updated: January2023