Running a small business from home is now easier in Rutherford County thanks to a change in the Zoning Regulations.
The Rutherford County Board of Commissioners approved amendments to the county’s zoning regulations that break home-based businesses down into two categories, minor and major.
“A lot of the businesses that we look at are businesses that most people wouldn’t know they were occurring, if someone didn’t bring it to our attention,” explained Doug Demosi, Rutherford County Regional Planning director. “This didn’t make much sense to us.”
So Demosi and his staff developed a new sey of regulations to govern home-based businesses, which will, in the end, make the process easier on both planning staff and potential applicants, he said.
The amendment creates two categories of home businesses; minor that covers operations with one or less nonresident employees and little foot or car traffic, and major home businesses that can have up to three employees and generate more traffic.
Minor home-based businesses will be allowed as a use-by-right and won’t require business owners to apply for a conditional-use permit. Owners only have to fill out a form stating they are starting a business and understanding the restriction that apply.
Use-by-right means the business still has to meet standards, but will not be restricted as a matter of form.
Major home-based businesses will still need to apply for a conditional-use permit from the Board of Zoning Appeals and comply with all regulations applicable in the zoning resolution.
Both types of home-based businesses still need to get a business license from the county.
Other changes in the amendment relaxes standards for parking lots associated with home businesses and restricts the amount of clients that can be on the premises at one time, as well as restricts the types of businesses that can be considered.
For example, the following businesses will not be approved as minor home-based businesses, not matter the size and would still need a conditional-use permit:
- Automobile/vehicle repair,
- Kennels, stables, veterinarian clinics/hospitals,
- Medical and dental clinics/hospitals,
- Restaurants, clubs, drinking establishments,
- Barbershops/beauty salons, and
- Undertaking and funeral parlors.
Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.
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