Regulations For Rural Resident Enterprises
Zoning Information
Solano County Code, Section 28-50(b)(6)
Rural Resident Enterprises may be allowed in Exclusive Agricultural (A) Districts, Limited Agricultural (A-L) Districts, and Rural Residential (R-R) Districts upon securing a land use permit, provided the conditions of this section and all other provisions of this chapter have been or will be met. It is the intent of this section that such uses be limited to small-scale home business activities which are clearly secondary to residential use of the property, do not conflict with the rural character or surrounding properties or create impacts associated with commercial and industrial uses. Rural Resident Enterprises are uses which clearly do not compete with commercially or industrially zoned properties and are not likely to expand.
  1. Uses shall not exceed a total area of 1500 square feet of contiguous indoor or outdoor space of which a maximum of 500 square feet may be devoted to retail sales or services directly involving customers.
  2. Enterprises shall be operated by the resident family only and there shall not be more than one (1) non-resident employee on site.
  3. Uses shall not be allowed which generate significant amounts of traffic. A permit on a private road which involves an increase in traffic may be approved by the Planning Commission only after evidence is shown that the proposed use will not unduly burden adjacent property owners on the private road.
  4. Uses which generate traffic beyond that normally associated with rural areas or which may have impacts associated with increased lighting or noise shall be limited to daytime hours.
  5. Enterprises shall remain secondary to the residential use of the property and shall be located behind the front building line of the residence and a minimum of 20 feet from side property lines and 25 feet from rear property lines.
  6. When enterprises are to be contained within a building or area exceeding the allowable site limitations, that area to be used for the enterprise shall be physically separated from the remaining area and in no case shall an existing garage be converted to a Rural Resident Enterprise unless additional enclosed parking is provided in conformance with the County's parking standards.
  7. Signs shall be limited to one non-illuminated name plate not to exceed 20 square feet mounted on or directly adjacent to the residence or proposed use. No advertising signs shall be permitted.
  8. Areas dedicated to outside storage or use shall be adequately screened or fenced so as not to have a visual impact on neighboring properties.
  9. Adequate parking shall be provided as determined necessary by the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission. Access to the enterprise shall be limited to the existing residential driveway.
  10. Industrial uses, including uses involving heavy machinery, trucking and transportation operations, or uses which involve the use, storage or disposal of hazardous materials, chemicals or other objectionable elements, shall not be permitted.