Home-based business bylaw bounced

A City of Vernon staff effort to update and streamline the rules on how, when and where home-based business can operate has been sent back to the drawing board.

The revamp of the bylaw proposed changing the minor, major and rural home-based business categories into types one, two and three, and moving from a percentage of residential floor space to a set number of square meters. Operating hours signage, parking and the number of clients allowed a day, were also on the table.

Hours of operation were proposed from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

“What about someone offering music lessons? It’s unlikely those would be done by 7 p.m. It should follow the noise bylaw,” said Mayor Victor Cumming. “We are creating regulations that are already going to be a problem, by making currently compliant business non-compliant.”

A proposal to restrict the number of parking spaces and people visiting a home-based business daily also drew questions for council.

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“What kind of business has one client a day? What if you have a hair salon, how does that work?” Councillor Akbal Mund asked.

Council also asked to have the types of prohibited uses reviewed and brought back.

Planning staff noted the intent of the bylaw is reduce parking, traffic and noise issues and preserve a residential neighborhood’s overall character.

It was noted due to COVID-19, more people are working from home, and that the trend toward more home-based operations may continue for some time.