Chelan updates home occupation rules after public input

CHELAN — After weeks of public discussion and resident input, Chelan City Council approved updates to the city’s home occupation code on March 24, adopting revisions that reflect concerns raised during a recent zoning debate.

The changes follow a February public hearing that drew extended comment from residents, including those involved in small-scale agriculture and home-based businesses, who raised concerns about how the proposed rules could affect their ability to operate.

City staff brought forward a revised ordinance incorporating that feedback, which council approved unanimously.

Community Development Director John Ajax said the update is intended to clarify the city’s approach to home occupations while aligning with state law and existing practices.

Among the most significant changes is an increase in the allowable number of daily vehicle trips associated with a home-based business. The council approved a threshold of 16 trips per day, roughly eight customer visits, up from the originally proposed limit of 10.

Councilmember Tim Hollingsworth said the adjustment reflects a desire to give residents more flexibility while maintaining the ability to respond if issues arise.

“I just feel as though, if we can give a little more flexibility to folks, so much the better,” Hollingsworth said.

Councilmember Terry Sanders added that the limits are not fixed, describing the threshold as “something that can be revisited” if complaints or impacts emerge.

The ordinance also explicitly incorporates a state law exemption for farm-based sales, clarifying that residents selling their own agricultural products cannot be required to obtain a city business license or permit for those activities.

At the same time, city officials said general standards, including those related to traffic, noise and neighborhood compatibility, will continue to apply.

Ajax emphasized that the exemption does not, in fact, override any general neighborhood standards. “This isn’t a pass for someone to have a completely out-of-place farm produce stand inside of a residential neighborhood,” Ajax said.

Councilmembers pointed to the final version as an example of the city responding directly to public input.

The updated code reflects adjustments made after residents raised concerns during the earlier hearing, including the addition of the farm produce clarification and the increased traffic threshold.

The changes are intended to provide clearer guidance for home-based businesses while preserving the character of residential neighborhoods.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media