An as-of-right home occupation in Lowell may not generate any customer, pupil, employee, or client trips to the site and may have no non-resident employees. Customer visits and employees are allowed only under a Special Permit, with conditions on traffic and parking.
Zoning Ordinance Section 4.3.3(6) requires that an as-of-right home occupation 'does not produce any customer, pupil, employee or client trips to the occupation site and has no nonresident employees.' The City's Home Occupation page reiterates that 'There cannot be any non-resident employees reporting to the residence' and that 'the sale of any commodity is not allowed, nor is the storage of any work-related equipment (tools, etc.).' To have customer visits or up to three additional employees, the operator must obtain a Special Permit under Section 4.3.4, which authorizes the Board of Appeals to impose conditions including restriction of hours of operation, maximum floor area, off-street parking, and a maximum number of daily customer vehicle trips. Such a permit lasts no more than five years or until the property is transferred.
Generating customer or employee trips without the required Special Permit violates Sec. 4.3.3 and is enforceable under Sec. 11.1.4 at $300 per offense, each day a separate offense. Parking and traffic impacts may also be cited under the City's traffic regulations.
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Lowell, MA
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