Orange County NC Website
4 <br /> adopted due to the preference of the Board of Commissioners to deal with the home <br /> occupation provisions as a whole, rather than modifying particular standards. <br /> The proposed amendment seeks to clarify the intent of home occupation regulations, <br /> provide greater emphasis on performance standards, and simplify the text. <br /> The major changes proposed are summarized as follows: <br /> • With exception of the maximum size allowed for accessory buildings, a uniform set of <br /> standards would apply to all home occupations, regardless of lot size and zoning district. <br /> • Certain uses which are likely to generate traffic, visual or other impacts unsuitable for a <br /> residential area are explicitly prohibited as home occupations. <br /> • Specific standards for traffic generation are included. <br /> • A size limitation on vehicles associated with a home occupation is included. <br /> • Accessory buildings are required to have a residential appearance. <br /> • No more than 1000 square feet of an accessory building may be used for a home <br /> occupation. <br /> • New structures built for the purpose of conducting a home occupation would be limited <br /> to 1000 square feet in area. <br /> • An existing accessory structure which is larger than 1000 square feet may be used for <br /> the home occupation only if no more than 1000 square feet is used for that purpose,and <br /> any remaining area remaining in the structure is physically separated by walls or other <br /> barriers. In order to qualify as an existing accessory structure for the purpose of <br /> conducting a home occupation, the structure must have been constructed to meet <br /> building code requirements applicable to a residential accessory structure, and must have <br /> been in existence for at least twenty-four months. <br /> • Additional setbacks for home occupation accessory buildings on lots larger than <br /> 200,000 square feet are eliminated. Currently, accessory buildings are required to be 30 <br /> feet farther from the road than the residence and side and rear setbacks are required to <br /> be 40 feet rather than 20 feet. Screening from adjacent roads and properties through <br /> landscaping and/or fencing would continue to apply. <br /> • Outdoor storage area is limited to 500 square feet, must be located at least 40 feet from <br /> all property lines and roads, and must be screened in the same manner as required for an <br /> accessory structure. <br />