HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Item - 2025-04-14 - Number 07.1 - Staff Memo 04-07-25 PC Mtg w-Attach (LU 25-0002) p4 E�s� MEMORANDUM
C15REG )
TO: Planning Commission
FROM: Michael McNamee, Associate Planner
Planning Department
SUBJECT: Home Occupation Code Update (LU 25-0002) Work Session #2
DATE: April 7, 2025 MEETING DATE: April 14, 2025
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY&ACTION REQUESTED
This memo provides background for the Planning Commission's (Commission) April 14 work
session on the City's home occupation standards. The Commission will be provided with an
update on the project, including the results of a survey that was sent to home occupation
license holders and feedback that was received from the City Council at a study session on April
1. The Commission will be asked to provide input on draft code language that staff has
developed since the first Commission work session in January 2025.
BACKGROUND
The City's use-specific standards for home occupations can be found in the Accessory
Structures and Uses section of the Community Development Code (CDC) (LOC 50.03.004.1.b).
Subcriterion (1) of the use-specific standards for home occupations uses language that is
neither clear nor objective:
A home occupation may be conducted where allowed by other provisions of this Code if
the following conditions are continuously complied with:
(1) The use does not alter the residential character of the neighborhood nor infringe
upon the right of residents in the vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the
neighborhood.
///
"Altering the residential character of a neighborhood" or "infringing upon the rights of
residents in the vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood" are standards that are
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difficult to measure before the business has commenced operation. This language makes it
difficult for home occupation applicants, neighbors, the general public, and staff to understand
and enforce the limitations of a home occupation. The purpose of this project is to replace
Subcriterion (1), above, with new code language that distills the concepts of"residential
character" and "peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood" into measurable, objective
standards that provide a clear path for approval and ongoing compliance for home occupations.
Staff discussed this idea with the City Council at their meeting on June 18, 2024 as part of a
general update on code enforcement. The Council expressed support and directed staff to
study how to replace Subcriterion (1) with clear and objective code language.
Staff performed research into home occupation regulations for peer jurisdictions to help
provide a starting point for potential new regulations. Staff took those ideas to the Planning
Commission at its first work session on this project on January 27, 2025. The Commission
provided staff with initial feedback on a range of potential new code concepts to replace
Subcriterion (1), which has been incorporated into the refined code concepts in the discussion
section below. The City Council also held a study session on this project on April 1, 2025. Staff
also discussed this project with the Neighborhood Chairs Committee at their meeting on
January 18, 2025.
HOME OCCUPATION TYPES
At the first work session, the Commission asked staff for more information about the mix of
home occupation types. The City maintains a list of active business licenses, which is publicly
available information. From this list, staff was able to determine the most common types of
home occupation licenses (out of the 576 active licenses as of January 1, 2025). Similar business
classifications have been included together. See Attachment 4 for a detailed breakdown of
business categories.
1. Interior designers (6.4% of total)
2. Construction-related businesses (5.4% of total)
3. Administrative management services (5.2% of total)
4. Professional, scientific, and technical services (4.1% of total)
5. Computer or software services (4.0% of total)
6. Business management services (3.4% of total)
7. Educational services (3.3% of total)
8. Real estate services (2.9% of total)
9. Mental health services (2.8% of total)
10. Art and artists (2.6% of total)
The top ten categories make up approximately 39.5% of all home occupation licenses. Much of
the list is made up of professional services, the most common of which being interior design
services. Many of these businesses could involve client visits to the home occupation site, but it
is unlikely that they all do. An interior designer, for example, could take meetings with clients at
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their home, but would be just as or more likely to have meetings at the client's residence or
somewhere else. Construction-related businesses are also very common, with numerous types
of contractor businesses being represented. While unlikely to have clients at their home, this
type of business is more likely to have at least one work-related vehicle parked at home
because of the need to carry equipment to construction sites.
SURVEY OF HOME OCCUPATION LICENSE HOLDERS
Staff developed a survey for residents with active home-based occupations to rank their
understanding of and ability to comply with the City's existing requirements, and to get a sense
of how potential new code concepts could impact their business (Attachment 1). On February
26, the survey was sent to the 558 business licensees who had an active home-based business
in the city and an email address on file. The survey was open for three weeks, and was closed
on March 19. At its close, 157 people responded, which is a roughly 28% response rate. A
report summarizing the responses from the survey is attached to this memo as Attachment 3.
The survey had four sections:
Section 1 — Background Information: This section asked for information about the
business owned by the respondent, including the type of business, how many
nonpersonal vehicles associated with the business are parked at home, and how much
money is saved by operating the business at home, if any.
Section 2 - Existing Requirements: This section asked respondents to rank their
understanding of existing zoning requirements for home occupations, as well as their
ability to comply with those requirements. If complying with the requirement was
identified as a burden to the business, respondents were asked to explain why.
Section 3 — Potential Concepts: This section asked respondents about seven potential
concepts to replace Subcriterion (1) of the existing zoning regulations. As in Section 2,
respondents were asked to rank their level of understanding and theoretical ability to
comply with the potential replacements. Respondents were also given the ability to
explain why any of the concepts might be a burden to their business.
Section 4— Feedback: This section included a feedback form for general comments.
Section 1 —Background Information
Staff asked four questions in this section:
1. Do you have a home occupation business license in Lake Oswego?
2. What kind of business do you operate?
3. Are/would there be nonpersonal vehicles associated with your business parked at your
home? If so, how many?
4. Does/would operating your business from home save you money compared to
operating elsewhere? If so, could you estimate how much?
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The answers help provide some initial context to the City about the operations of a home
occupation business. All fields were optional to encourage those who might be concerned
about any potential code enforcement to continue with the survey.
The survey asked respondents to identify the type of business they run to help provide context
to their answers. Similar to the overall breakdown of home occupation businesses, most
respondents indicated that they were providing some sort of professional service (see
Attachment 3). Contractors, one of the most common home occupation license holders overall
(5.4% of all home-based licenses), were underrepresented in the sample, with about 3.2% of
the respondents indicating they were a contractor or did construction work. In general,
businesses that may be considered higher impact, with heavy client visitation, work vehicles, or
outdoor activities, are not widely represented in the sample, but this does seem to reflect the
overall breakdown of home occupation types.
Respondents were asked if they parked any "nonpersonal" vehicles at home that were
associated with their home occupation business. Of the 157 respondents, 12 responded yes
(8%) (see Attachment 3). However, it appears most of the "yes" respondents interpreted the
question to mean "do you ever have client vehicles parked at your home," even though the
intention was to get a sense of the impact of work-related vehicles. Of the 12 who responded
yes to this question, only two appear to be the type of business that would actually have a
work-related vehicle at home, and the rest appear to be referring to client vehicles. Of the two
respondents referring to work-related vehicles, the first has one work-related vehicle parked at
the residence, and the other has two.
Next, respondents were asked if operating from home saved them any money compared with
operating elsewhere, and if so, how much. Almost all respondents, 144 of 157, said yes (92%),
with 8 being unsure and 5 saying no. If they answered yes, respondents were also asked to
estimate how much money was saved by operating from home.
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How much money are you saving by operating your
business from home?
60
53
50
40
33
29
30
24
20
10 5
0
Number of Respondents*
■$0-999/mo ■$1,000-1,999/mo ■$2,000-2,999/mo ■$3,000/mo or more —No answer
*Of those answering that operating from home did save them money compared with operating from elsewhere
Based on the responses, operating from home saves most business owners a substantial
amount of money, with most respondents saying they save at least $1,000 a month. This
suggests home occupations are important for supporting business enterprise, especially small
and/or newer businesses that may not be able to shoulder the cost of maintaining a brick and
mortar location.
Section 2—Existing Requirements
In this section of the survey, respondents were asked to rank their understanding of and ability
to comply with a selection of the existing special use standards for home occupations, including
Subcriterion (1). The purpose of this section was to establish a baseline with which to compare
the proposed new concepts. The survey presented an existing requirement from the special use
standards for home occupations, and then asked respondents to rank their agreement with the
following statements, on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being strongly disagree, 5 being strongly agree):
• / understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this
standard.
• Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.
If the respondent felt there was a burden to their business, they were given an open response
field to explain why.
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Average Level of Agreement
5 4.67
4.42 4.55 4.57
4
3
2 1.76 1.6
1.52 1.52
1
2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4
•I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.
•Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.
2.1 -The use does not alter the residential character of the neighborhood nor infringe upon the
right of residents in the vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood. (LOC
50.03.004.1.b.ii(1)) (Subcriterion 1)
2.2 - No persons other than family members who reside at the dwelling may be employed or
otherwise work in the home occupation, except persons performing housekeeping, yard
maintenance, or other domestic services for the dwelling where the business occurs. (LOC
50.03.004.1.b.ii(3)) (Subcriterion 3)
2.3 - No outside storage of goods or materials other than vegetation. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(4))
(Subcriterion 4)
2.4- No more than 25% of the aggregate floor area on the lot is devoted to nonresidential use,
except that an entire dwelling unit or portion thereof may be used for short-term rental
lodging; an accessory structure may be used, provided the provisions of this subsection are
met. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(5)) (Subcriterion 5)
Perhaps surprisingly, Subcriterion (1) performs fairly well when respondents are asked to rank
their understanding of how to comply with it. This may reflect the fact that most home
occupation businesses are low impact. A business that involves only a home office with no
outside client visitation is generally not testing the limits of "neighborhood character" or
"peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood." As a result, even an ill-defined standard might be
easy to understand for owners of lower-impact businesses. Additionally, staff notes that lower-
impact businesses are less likely to have experience dealing with the ins-and-outs of applying
this standard, as issues related to lack of clarity in this standard have primarily arisen during the
enforcement of activity reported through the existing complaint-based system. Regardless, out
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of the four existing requirements that respondents were asked to rank, Subcriterion (1)
performed the worst, which indicates this is still the weakest of the existing standards.
Respondents generally ranked the existing requirements as having a low impact on their
business. When asked if the existing requirements placed a burden on their business, the
average answer was between 1 (strongly disagree) and 2 (disagree) for all four standards.
Subcriterion (3), which bans outside employees from working on site unless they are family
members who reside at the dwelling, scored as having the highest impact and also generated a
fair number of comments from respondents, some of whom expressed concern that this
requirement hinders their ability to grow their business while retaining the cost savings from
operating at home.
Section 3—Potential Concepts
In this section, respondents were asked to rank their level of understanding and ability to
comply with conceptual code requirements that could replace Subcriterion (1). This section was
formatted the same way as Section 2, with respondents being asked to rank their agreement
with the following statements, on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 being strongly disagree, 5 being
strongly agree):
• 1 understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this
standard.
• Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.
If the respondent felt there would be a burden to their business, they were given an open
response field to explain why.
Average Level of Agreement
4.61 4.54 4.54 4.59 4.62 4.51
4.43
2.47
2 1.66 1 7 1.63 I 1.6 11.8111
3.1 3.2 3.33. 7 3.8
•I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.
•Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.
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3.1—Client visits. Add new limits on the number of people permitted on site at once. For
example, a regulation that only 5 clients are permitted at one time.
3.2—Size of outdoor activities. Add new limitations on the size of outdoor activities associated
with a home occupation. For example, a regulation limiting the amount of square footage that
home business activities can occupy outside.
3.3— Hours of outdoor activities. Add new limitations on the time of day when outdoor
activities associated with a home occupation can occur. For example, a regulation that outdoor
activities associated with a home occupation cannot occur between 6pm and 7am.
3.4—Amplified sound. Add new limitations on amplified sound and music. For example, a
regulation that electric-powered speakers are banned in association with a home occupation.
3.5— Nonpersonal vehicles. Add new limitations on the number of nonpersonal vehicles
associated with the home occupation that can be parked outside the home. For example, a
regulation that only 1 nonpersonal or commercial vehicle associated with the home occupation
is permitted to be parked outside the home.
3.6— Hazardous materials. Add new limitations on the hazardous materials associated with the
home occupation. For example, a regulation saying that certain hazardous materials are not
permitted or limited to a certain amount that can be stored on site.
3.7— Flag lots. Add new limitations on flag lots. For example, regulations that would ban
outdoor activity or further limit the number of clients permitted in association with a home
occupation on a flag lot.
3.8— Delivery vehicles. Add new limitations on delivery vehicles. For example, a regulation
saying deliveries to the home occupation cannot occur if the delivery vehicle would be a large
semi-truck.
On average, each of the proposed concepts—except for one— performs better in terms of
understandability than Subcriterion 1. However, since respondents ranked Subcriterion 1 as
relatively easy to understand, the difference is small. In terms of the impact to the business,
respondents generally perceived the proposed concepts as being about as burdensome as the
existing requirements in Section 2.
The biggest exception is when respondents are asked about introducing additional limitations
on flag lots. This ranked as both the most difficult to understand and the most burdensome. In
terms of understandability, the survey did not explain what the term "flag lot" means, which
staff acknowledges as an oversight that should have been better explained in the survey. The
written responses for this item indicate that at least some of the respondents did not
understand what a flag lot is. With respect to the responses indicating that the flag lot concept
is more of a burden, staff notes that this was the only question where respondents were given
a "not applicable" option instead of simply agreeing or disagreeing, since flag lot requirements
would only apply to certain properties. 106 respondents, or about 67%, chose the N/A option
when asked about the level of burden for this concept. The inclusion of the N/A option was an
intentional choice by staff to hear more directly from people who have flag lots about the level
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of perceived burden. Since people who would not be directly impacted could respond with N/A
instead of choosing an option on the scale, the average was likely pushed up by people who
would be impacted.
Section 4—Feedback
At the end of the survey, respondents were given an optional open form to provide general
feedback about the project. About half of respondents filled out the form. Their responses
ranged in tone, with some being supportive of the project overall, some expressing skepticism,
and many warning the City to be careful about imposing new restrictions on businesses without
carefully considering the impacts. The responses are attached to this report as part of
Attachment 3.
DISCUSSION
Home Occupation Regulation Concepts
Subcriterion (1) articulates a goal of retaining neighborhood character and peaceful enjoyment
of the neighborhood by those living in close proximity to a home occupation. Staff explored
several different ways of achieving this regulatory goal through requirements that are objective
and measurable, which were based on existing code enforcement practices and refined by the
first work session with the Planning Commission. Seven potential new code concepts were
included in the survey sent to home occupation business license holders. Draft code
amendments are attached as Attachment 2.
1. A limit on the number of clients who can be on site at once. During the April 1 study
session, several City Councilors expressed support for the concept of limiting the
number of clients who could visit the site at once. Other Councilors expressed some
reservations about the impact this standard could have on businesses that might have a
high number of clients but still produce low impact to the neighborhood. In the survey,
respondents generally agreed that this limitation would not be a burden to their
business, although some did say that a limit of five might be too low for their business
(see Attachment 3).
Proposed draft code language (Attachment 2):
No more than five clients, including persons accompanying clients, are permitted
at the dwelling where the business occurs at the same time.
Staff is looking for direction from the Commission regarding the number of clients
permitted at one time at a home occupation business. In the potential draft code
language excerpted above, staff has proposed a limit of five clients; while this specific
number of clients was initially proposed as a placeholder number for the survey, most of
the survey respondents nonetheless indicated that they could comply with a five-client
limitation, with some exceptions. Is there any additional information that the
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Commission would like to consider before establishing the maximum number of clients
allowed to visit a home occupation business?
2. A limit on the number of nonpersonal vehicles parked on site. At the Council study
session, Councilors expressed that neighborhood impacts could be limited if work
and/or commercial vehicles were mostly confined to the property where the home-
based occupation was located. They also expressed the importance of keeping such
vehicles from clogging up on-street parking in residential neighborhoods. Feedback from
Code Enforcement staff was that the most straightforward way to enforce this in
practice would be to use logos or commercial markings that clearly identify a vehicle as
associated with the home occupation.
Proposed draft code language (Attachment 2):
No more than one vehicle per home occupation business is permitted to be
parked outside of the property where the business occurs. Vehicles associated
with a home occupation business will be identified by the presence of visible
company or commercial markings on the exterior of the vehicle.
Staff is looking for direction from the Commission regarding the number of vehicles
permitted to be parked off the property. In the survey, most respondents said they do
not park any commercial vehicles at home, but of the ones that do, most say they have
one or two. In the past, Code Enforcement has encountered outlier cases where a home
occupation business has three or more nonpersonal vehicles parked at or near the
home.
3. Limiting outdoor activities associated with a home occupation. The concept of an
outright ban on outdoor activity was initially proposed by staff, as there is a standing
internal policy to not allow outdoor activities associated with a home occupation when
enforcing Subcriterion (1). When this concept was discussed with the Neighborhood
Chairs Committee (NCC), staff received feedback that such a ban could be overly-
restrictive for home occupations. Staff received similar feedback from the Commission
when this concept was discussed at the work session on January 27.
In response to this input, staff began to instead consider two distinct concepts: one that
would limit outdoor home occupation business activity during certain times of the day,
and one that would limit the physical size of outdoor activities associated with a home
occupation. As indicated above, both of these concepts were included in the home
occupation survey, and respondents generally indicated that they understood the
concepts and that such limitations would not be a burden on their business.
Staff also presented both of these concepts to the City Council at the study session on
April 1. At this meeting, the Council directed staff to return to the initial concept of
placing an outright ban on all outdoor activities associated with a home occupation
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because they are more likely to have impacts to neighbors and due to the difficulty of
creating standards that can effectively limit the impacts and be enforced.
Proposed draft code language (Attachment 2):
Outdoor activities associated with the business are not permitted.
4. Restricting amplified sound. Respondents to the survey generally agreed restrictions on
amplified sound would not be a burden to their business. The City Council's feedback
was that, if possible, it would be best for the City to apply the general nuisance
ordinance to home occupations rather than limiting speakers specifically for home
occupations. Restricting or banning outdoor activities, limiting the number of clients,
and other measures may also reduce noise levels without the need for a specific ban on
amplified noise. In light of this direction from Council, staff suggests adopting language
that makes it clear to home occupation applicants that noise restrictions are in place
based on the existing public nuisance rules.
Potential draft code language (Attachment 2):
The City's public nuisance rules (LOC 34.08, LOC 34.10) apply to home
occupations, and any complaints of a public nuisance related to a home
occupation shall be treated the same as any other public nuisance.
Though simply eliminating Subcriterion (1) from the use-specific standards for home
occupations would likely result in noise complaints related to home occupations being
treated like any general nuisance, staff suggests making it explicit within the use-specific
standards for home occupations that the City's public nuisance rules apply to home
occupations. Adopting the code language proposed above and in Attachment 2 would
provide additional clarity for owners of home occupation businesses, neighbors, and the
general public regarding the noise regulations that apply to home occupations.
5. Placing additional restrictions on flag lots. The initial concept of placing additional
restrictions on home occupations on flag lots resulted from Code Enforcement staff's
experience with home occupations in such locations. Code Enforcement staff indicated
that, because flag lots have a higher likelihood to abut more properties and utilize
relatively narrow shared access lanes, home occupations on flag lots can have a larger
impact on the surrounding neighborhood. On the survey, respondents were asked about
the idea of further limiting client visitation and outdoor activities. This idea ranked as
the hardest to understand and the most difficult to comply with (although this partly
reflects a selection bias, because those not living on a flag lot were allowed to choose
"N/A"). Nevertheless, several respondents raised concerns over the fairness of treating
flag lots differently from other properties.
Staff then presented this concept to the City Council at the study session on April 1. The
Council expressed concern that limiting home occupations on flag lots could result in
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disparate impacts for home occupation businesses on such lots, and conveyed that they
did not want to be overly punitive towards such business owners. Based on these
concerns, Council directed staff to remove the flag lot concept from consideration for
the proposed draft code amendments.
The proposed draft code amendments are consistent with this direction, and do not
include language that would regulate home occupations located on flag lots differently
than other home occupations (Attachment 2).
6. Restricting the size of delivery trucks. At the January 27 work session, the Commission
discussed the concept of limiting deliveries to home occupation businesses based on the
time of the delivery. Based on internal discussion with Code Enforcement staff, who felt
that regulating based on time of day would be challenging and has experience with large
trucks providing deliveries to home occupations while blocking streets and access to
neighborhood properties, staff pivoted to regulating the size of truck instead.
Staff had initially considered concepts that would limit deliveries from large trucks to a
home occupation. However, preliminary survey feedback indicates that the delivery of
appliances and furniture using larger trucks can be relatively routine activity and may
not be out of character within a residential neighborhood.
Based on this feedback, the concept was further refined to target the restriction of
tractor-trailers. Such a restriction would still permit deliveries from box trucks, which
are more compatible with neighborhood streets and, as survey respondents point out,
are relatively common in residential neighborhoods.
However, at the April 1 study session, the Council expressed skepticism that it would be
practical for home occupation owners to be able to control the type of vehicle deliveries
were coming from, and directed staff to remove this concept from the code
amendments.
The proposed draft code amendments are consistent with this direction, and do not
include language that would regulate delivery trucks (Attachment 2).
7. Restricting hazardous substances. When the Planning Commission previously discussed
the general concept of limiting emissions from home occupation businesses, Code
Enforcement staff mentioned that it would be hard to measure such emissions (and
thus hard to enforce any violations of such a standard). This concept has since evolved
to more directly address the presence of hazardous substances by adding a restriction
on hazardous substances to the home occupation regulations.
Among peer cities, it is common to ban or restrict the use of hazardous substances. This
concept would reference the definition of hazardous materials already in LOC
50.10.003.2, which in turn refers to the definition provided in state law (ORS 435.005):
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Hazardous Substances:Any substance listed or described as hazardous in ORS
Chapter 453 (Hazardous Substances). "Hazardous substances"are toxic, corrosive,
irritants, strong sensitizers,flammable, combustible, or generate pressure through
decomposition, heat or other means. Hazardous substances or mixture of substances
may cause substantial personal injury or illness during, or as a proximate result of
any customary or reasonably foreseeable handling or use.
In the survey, respondents generally agreed that this would not be a burden, but some
expressed that they needed clarity on what constitutes a hazardous substance. The ORS
definition was not provided in the survey, and it does explicitly state what kinds of
substances are considered "hazardous."
Potential draft code language (Attachment 2):
Any substance listed or described as hazardous in ORS Chapter 453 (Hazardous
Substances) is not permitted at the property where the business occurs.
Potential Uses to Reclassify as other than Home Occupations
In doing research and public outreach for this project, staff has identified two agricultural uses
that may be more appropriate to regulate separately from other home occupations:
• Farm stands are currently allowed in some nonresidential zones and are defined as a
temporary or permanent structure used for the sale of fresh produce and seasonal items,
including flowers, holiday trees, and wreaths. (LOC 50.10.003.2).
• Wineries are not expressly defined in the code. This use typically involves rows of grape
vines on a site, along with areas for serving customers wine and other food or
beverages, either indoors or outside.
While these uses can be appropriate in residential zones under certain circumstances, they may
also produce more impacts on surrounding residential character than other types of home
occupations. For instance, farm stands and wineries may take up more space outside, require
later operating hours, or attract more customers than a residence or even a typical home
occupation. As such, it may not be appropriate to classify these uses as home occupations.
One potential way to address this issue would be to allow farm stands and wineries within
certain residential zones as either an outright permitted use or on a conditional basis.
Additional use-specific standards could be added to LOC 50.03.003, as necessary. (In order to
minimize the impact of this potential change on existing businesses, staff recommends that any
existing home-based farm stands or wineries be provided with a concurrent path to seek
outright or conditional use approval along with any such code amendments.)
Staff asked for direction from Council regarding whether to explore additional regulations
specific to home-based farm stands and wineries as a part of the larger effort to update the
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use-specific standards for home occupations. They generally agreed that staff should continue
to research this idea and present code alternatives to the Commission at a future date.
REVISED PROJECT SCHEDULE
To provide enough time for staff to properly research and craft code updates, the project
schedule has been revised from what was originally presented to the Commission at the
January 27 work session. The updated tentative schedule is below.
Home PCWS CCWS PCWS PCWS PC PC CCPH
Occupation #1 #2 #3 Hearing Findings
Code
Update
Jan. 27, Apr. 1, Apr. 14, June 9, July 14, July 28, Sept.
2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 2025 16,
2025
Concepts Draft Code Hearings»»
ATTACHMENTS
1. Copy of Survey sent to Home Occupation License Holders, 2/26/2025
2. Draft Code Amendments, 3/27/2025
3. Responses to Survey, 3/19/2025
4. Breakdown of Top Home Occupation Categories
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3/19/25, 1:32 PM New Submission
I g Home Occupation Survey
I,Go/
The City of Lake Oswego has long allowed residents to operate a business out of their home, depending on the type of
business activity and how the business is operated. Such businesses conducted from a residential dwelling unit are
commonly referred to as home occupations. This is distinct from an employee of a business headquartered offsite
who works from home.
The City is currently exploring updating its zoning regulations for home occupations, as certain current standards are
difficult to enforce because they use subjective language. In particular, the focus of this code update is to replace one
of the standards for home occupations (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii), which reads:
The[home occupation]use does not alter the residential character of the neighborhood nor infringe upon the
right of residents in the vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(1))
Though the idea may seem reasonable, in practice, concepts such as "residential character" and "peaceful enjoyment"
of the neighborhood lack clarity and are not measurable.As a result, home occupation applicants, the public, and Code
Enforcement staff are unsure specifically what home occupation businesses can or cannot do.
The purpose of this project is to replace this standard (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(1)) with new code language that distills the
concepts of neighborhood character and peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood into measurable, objective
standards that provide a clear path for compliance and enforcement.
This survey is intended for current and past holders of home occupation licenses in Lake Oswego. The questions in
this survey will ask you about your business, how easy you find the existing regulations to understand and comply with,
and whether you would be able to understand and comply with any of the proposed replacement regulations. Your
feedback is invaluable in shaping updated standards, and we sincerely appreciate your time and participation!
This survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete.
Section 1 — Background Info
These questions are intended to provide context to answers you provide in the next sections. Answering is optional.
This poll is anonymous and your answers will not be used for enforcement purposes or to identify you.
Answering honestly will help the City determine reasonable restrictions for home occupations by allowing us to
understand existing conditions.
1.1 — Do you have a home occupation business license in Lake Oswego?
Q Yes
Q No
Q I did in the past but not now
Q I haven't had one, but I'm interested in getting one in the future
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 1/PAGE 1 OF 7
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/formslf/PHOS 1/7
3/19/25, 1:32 PM New Submission
1.2 —What kind of business do you operate?
1.3—Are/would there be nonpersonal vehicles associated with your business parked at your home?
Yes
No
1.4— Does/would operating your business from home save you money compared to operating elsewhere?
Q Yes
Q No
n Unsure
Section 2 — Existing Requirements
Lake Oswego currently has a number of special use standards that apply to home occupation businesses. Answering
the questions below will help the City establish a baseline for how easy the existing requirements are to understand
and comply with. The selected standards below are taken directly from the use-specific standards for home
occupations within the Lake Oswego Code (50.03.004.1.b.ii).
RATING SCALE
Strongly Disagree— Disagree— Unsure —Agree — Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
2.1 —The use does not alter the residential character of the neighborhood nor infringe upon the right of residents in the
vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(1))
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
1 2 3 4 5
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
1 2 3 4 5
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 1/PAGE 2 OF 7
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/formslf/PHOS 2/7
3/19/25, 1:32 PM New Submission
2.2— No persons other than family members who reside at the dwelling may be employed or otherwise work in the
home occupation, except persons performing housekeeping, yard maintenance, or other domestic services for the
dwelling where the business occurs. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(3))
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
2.3— No outside storage of goods or materials other than vegetation. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(4))
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
2.4— No more than 25% of the aggregate floor area on the lot is devoted to nonresidential use, except that an entire
dwelling unit or portion thereof may be used for short-term rental lodging; an accessory structure may be used,
provided the provisions of this subsection are met. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(5))
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 1/PAGE 3 OF 7
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/formslf/PHOS 3/7
3/19/25, 1:32 PM New Submission
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Section 3 — Potential Replacements
The City would like to replace the following language within the existing use-specific standards for home occupations:
The[home occupation]use does not alter the residential character of the neighborhood nor infringe upon the
right of residents in the vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(1))
The above standard is vague and has proven to be difficult to enforce. The City's goal is to replace this language with
new standards that capture the ideas of not altering the residential character of a neighborhood nor infringing on a
neighbor's peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood in ways that are more clear, objective, and measurable.
The City is interested in your thoughts for how to replace this standard. Please provide your feedback on a
few different ideas for new standards, below. Responses from this survey will be used to develop code
amendments that will eventually be proposed to the Planning Commission and City Council.
Please keep in mind that the questions below are intended to represent higher-level code concepts. More specific code
language will be refined based on input from the public, the Planning Commission, and City Council, prior to a public
hearing tentatively scheduled for May 28, 2025.
3.1 —Add new limits on the number of people permitted on site at once. For example, a regulation that only 5 clients
are permitted at one time.
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
3.2—Add new limitations on the size of outdoor activities associated with a home occupation. For example, a
regulation limiting the amount of square footage that home business activities can occupy outside.
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 1/PAGE 4 OF 7
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/formslf/PHOS 4/7
3/19/25, 1:32 PM New Submission
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
3.3—Add new limitations on the time of day when outdoor activities associated with a home occupation can occur. For
example, a regulation that outdoor activities associated with a home occupation cannot occur between 6pm and 7am.
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
3.4—Add new limitations on amplified sound and music. For example, a regulation that electric-powered speakers
are banned in association with a home occupation.
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
3.5—Add new limitations on the number of nonpersonal vehicles associated with the home occupation that can be
parked outside the home. For example, a regulation that only 1 nonpersonal or commercial vehicle associated with the
home occupation is permitted to be parked outside the home.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 1/PAGE 5 OF 7
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/formslf/PHOS 5/7
3/19/25, 1:32 PM New Submission
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
3.6—Add new limitations on the hazardous materials associated with the home occupation. For example, a regulation
saying that certain hazardous materials are not permitted or limited to a certain amount that can be stored on site.
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
3.7—Add new limitations on flag lots. For example, regulations that would ban outdoor activity or further limit the
number of clients permitted in association with a home occupation on a flag lot.
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Q NA
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
O 1 02 03 04 05
Q NA
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 1/PAGE 6 OF 7
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/formslf/PHOS 6/7
3/19/25, 1:32 PM New Submission
3.8—Add new limitations on delivery vehicles. For example, a regulation saying deliveries to the home occupation
cannot occur if the delivery vehicle would be a large semi-truck.
I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard.*
01 02 03 04 05
Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business.*
01 02 03 04 05
If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Section 4 — Feedback Form
4.1 — Do you have any general feedback on this project?
Submit Save as Draft
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 1/PAGE 7 OF 7
https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/formslf/PHOS 7/7
Draft 03/27/2025
LOC 50.03.004 Accessory Structures and Uses
1. Accessory Uses
a. General Standards
///
b. Standards for Specific Uses
i. Farm Stand. As an accessory use, farm stands are limited to one per site with a maximum
size of 800 sq. ft. floor area.
ii. Home Occupation.A home occupation may be conducted where allowed by other
provisions of this Code if the following conditions are continuously complied with .
{1)The use does not alter the residential character of the neighborhood nor infringe
Upon thc right of residents in thc vicinity to thc peaceful enjoyment of the
neighborhood.
(12)A current and valid business license is maintained.
(24) No persons other than family members who reside at the dwelling may be
employed or otherwise work in the home occupation, except persons performing
housekeeping,yard maintenance, or other domestic services for the dwelling where the
business occurs.
(3) No more than five clients, including persons accompanying clients, are permitted at
the dwelling where the business occurs at the same time.
L) No more than one vehicle per home occupation business is permitted to be parked
outside of the property where the business occurs. Vehicles associated with a home
occupation business will be identified by the presence of visible company or commercial
markings on the exterior of the vehicle.
(5) Outdoor activities associated with the business are not permitted.
(64) No outside storage of goods or materials other than vegetation.
(7)Any substance listed or described as hazardous in ORS Chapter 453 (Hazardous
Substances) is not permitted at the property where the business occurs.
(8)The City's public nuisance rules (LOC 34.08, LOC 34.10) apply to home occupations,
and any complaints of a public nuisance related to a home occupation shall be treated
the same as any other public nuisance.
(95) No more than 25%of the aggregate floor area on the lot is devoted to
nonresidential use, except that an entire dwelling unit or portion thereof may be used
for short-term rental lodging; an accessory structure may be used, provided the
provisions of this subsection are met.
(106) Marijuana facilities, psilocybin service centers, and psilocybin production are
prohibited.
(117) Short-term rentals shall meet the following additional standards:
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 2/PAGE 1 OF 2
Draft 03/27/2025
(a)A person who owns a lot containing a short-term rental (primary or
secondary dwelling unit) must maintain their primary residence on the lot.The
owner is not required to be on the lot when the dwelling is rented.
(b) No other commercial uses are allowed in conjunction with or accessory to a
short-term rental. The short-term rental shall not be marketed for group events
such as weddings, classes, or similar events,for example.
///
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 2/PAGE 2 OF 2
03/19/2025
Section 1—Background Information
Survey Language: These questions are intended to provide context to answers you provide in the next
sections. Answering is optional.This poll is anonymous and your answers will not be used for
enforcement purposes or to identify you. Answering honestly will help the City determine reasonable
restrictions for home occupations by allowing us to understand existing conditions.
1.1 —Do you have a home occupation license in Lake Oswego?
Do you have a home occupation license in Lake Oswego?
160 152
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
3 2
0
■Yes ■No ■I did in the past but not now
1.2 —What kind of business do you operate?
Responses:
1. 1 person (me) Manufacturer's Rep. High Tech B2B
2. 1:1 tutoring for reading and spelling, specialized for dyslexia.
3. A non profit industry trade
4. A realtor
5. A Travel Agency
6. Accounting
7. Accounting
8. Accounting& consulting
9. Adult Care Home
10. Affordable housing consulting with program compliance auditing.
11. Air BNB and counseling practice
12. Architectural firm.
13. Architecture Firm
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 1 OF 48
03/19/2025
14. Art
15. Art
16. Art Conservation and Restoration services
17. Art pottery
18. Artisan (sewing)
19. Artisan business- blacksmithing
20. Attorney Office
21. Basically I do not conduct business out of my home. I have just kept the license to get some
items to help non profits. No items are stored at my home.
22. Bookkeeping and accounting services
23. Bookkeeping Services
24. Boutique service for toy companies; developing soft goods for manufacturing
25. business consulting
26. Business office for Speech Language Pathology practice. Patients are seen off sight
.in professional office.space.
27. Career and life coaching
28. Civil engineering
29. Climate change consulting
30. conference management company
31. Construction
32. Consulting
33. Consulting
34. Consulting
35. consulting
36. consulting
37. Consulting
38. Consulting
39. Consulting
40. Consulting
41. Consulting
42. Consulting
43. Consulting
44. Consulting and advisory work.
45. Consulting and coaching
46. Consulting and real estate investmtents.
47. Consulting business
48. consulting, all done via video appts.
49. Design
50. Development and dissemination of training software.
51. Digital marketing
52. e-commerce
53. Educational Consulting
It's me on my computer doing zoom mostly and a lot of travel to clients.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 2 OF 48
03/19/2025
54. engineering consultant
55. Family home daycare
56. Film production, predominately editing
57. Financial Consulting Services
58. Firearms dealer
59. Floral design
60. Florist
61. Freelance Calligraphy& Illumination (i.e. laying gold/palladium leaf) -an art studio.
62. General contractor
63. General contrator for Residential and small commercial
64. Geological Services Consulting
65. Geology& hydrology consulting
66. Graphic and Web Design
67. Graphic design services and e-commerce-greeting cards
68. Graphic Design Studio
69. Haberdashery. Extremely small, high end hat maker. And to elaborate on the next question
never has or ever will be a vehicle I r any foot traffic for that matter at my residence for
business.
70. I am a freelance translator
71. I am a landscape designer
I also have an onsite apt.that I rent out.
72. I am a licensed architect operating as a single member LLC
73. I am a painting teacher and I have some kids dropped off here after school and others walk
from school to paint. This is my livelihood.
Your question about the number of cars does not allow for any clarification, so I am writing it
in here. On some days I have two extra cars in my driveway which is huge and some days
there might be one car on the street. But I have LO high school kids and this church up the
street congregants all across the front of our property nearly every single day but Saturday
and days off from school.
74. I am a registered patent agent licensed to practice patent law before the US Patent and
Trademark Office. I draft,file, and prosecute patent applications for clients that are remote.
Some local, and most located around the country.
75. I am a reseller of power back up systems. I do not keep inventory, it's all done electronically.
76. I have a coaching business and a telehealth psychology business.
77. I have a very small marketing consultant business.All remote and online business.
78. I operate a design agency that is registered here in lake Oswego and has 3 employees
(inlcuding myself).The other 2 employees are in Oklahoma and New York respectively. We
operate 100% remotely.
79. I operate a portrait photographer business,typically outdoors and not in my home.
80. I'm a technology consultant- I help business owners find and optimize their online platforms
and software they use.
81. I'm a therapist. I have an office down the street, so I have two licenses.
82. Income tax preparation services
83. Individual - parttime consultancy
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 3 OF 48
03/19/2025
84. Informatics Consulting
85. interior design
86. Interior Design
87. Interior design
88. Interior Design
89. Interior Design
90. Interior design consultant
91. Interior Design services
92. investment management
93. IT consulting services
94. Jewelry design and construction of one of a kind pieces.
95. Language and location based services
96. Law office
97. Law Practice and Family Office
98. Legal editing
99. Licensed Massage Therapy. One person usually from Lake Oswego or West Linn parked in my
driveway at a time.
100. Lumber Sales
101. Mail order&consulting
102. Management consulting
103. Management of rental properties, no visitors.
104. Manufacturer's Representative
105. Manufacturing and Import of Luxury Tabletop Products
106. marketing and branding agency
107. mediation services
108. Medical Expert Witness
109. Musical instrument manufacturing
110. None. I live in a large condo building and work from home as a remote employee. But
I have opinions and included them below.
111. Nonprofit
112. Nutrition Consulting
113. Occasional freelance graphic design.
114. On line non profit work
115. Online religious educational services.
116. Owner and sole proprietor of one-person LLC, retired professor performing part-time
statistical consulting in education policy
117. Pet sitting
118. Physical Health Care
119. Physical Therapy
120. pool service
121. private art teacher, mainly for kids
122. Private Investment management for a family owned corporation.
123. Production of turned wood products and finishes.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 4 OF 48
03/19/2025
124. Professional Life Coaching
125. Psychology alternative office. I travel the country and write reports in my home. No
direct client contact in home.
126. Psychotherapy via telehealth platform.
127. Public finance consulting
128. Remote Accounting Services.
129. Residential Construction but no customers come to the door
130. Residential sub-contractor.Tile and stone installation.
131. retail beverage sales (water,juice, coffee)
132. Risk Management
133. Roofing contractor/bookkeeping office only
Yard elsewhere
134. Small Business Accounting
135. Software
136. software consulting
137. Software design services
138. Software developer
139. Software engineering with internet-based sales.
140. Software safety consulting
141. Speech-language-auditory therapy
142. Telehealth psychiatric services
143. telephone coaching
144. Timing systems, software, consulting
145. Travel Agency
146. Trustee, receiver, consulting. Management of owned industrial real estate .
147. Tutoring
148. Tutoring and Translation Services
149. Video Production company
150. Virtual consulting business
151. We are a non-profit working primarily in developing nations.
152. We own an aircraft rental business. Our aircraft are located at the Aurora airport. Our
home office occupies 7%of our total footprint. Nobody comes to our home. It's simply a
computer with internet, a phone and a printer. We have one vehicle for business travel
mostly to and from the airport.
153. We own small winery and we manage the administration/business operations out of
our house
154. Website design, graphic design, branding, and marketing business
155. Winery tasting room
156. writing
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 5 OF 48
03/19/2025
1.3 —Are/would there be nonpersonal vehicles associated with your business parked at home?
Are/would there be nonpersonal vehicles associated with
your business parked at your home?
Idir*
145,92%
■Yes ■ No
If so, how many?
How many nonpersonal vehicles do you have parked at
home?
7
6
6
5
4
4
3
1 1
■1 ■2 ■4 or more No answer
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 6 OF 48
03/19/2025
1.4 —Does/would operating your business from home save you money compared to operating
elsewhere?
Does/would operating your business from home save you
money compared to operating elsewhere?
5,3% 8,5%
■Yes • No • Unsure
If so, could you estimate how much?
How much money are you saving by operating your
business from home?
60
53
50
40
33
29
30 24
20
5
Number of Respondents*
7$0-999/mr $1,000-1,999/mo •$2,000-2,999/mo $3,000/mo or more •No answer
Section 2—Existing Requirements
Survey Language: Lake Oswego currently has a number of special use standards that apply to home
occupation businesses. Answering the questions below will help the City establish a baseline for how
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 7 OF 48
03/19/2025
easy the existing requirements are to understand and comply with. The selected standards below are
taken directly from the use-specific standards for home occupations within the Lake Oswego Code
(50.03.004.1.b.ii).
2.1—The use does not alter the residential character of the neighborhood nor infringe upon the right
of residents in the vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(1))
Average Level of Agreement
5
4.42
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.6
1.5
1
2.1
■I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
■Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
120 109
100
80
60
40
20 19
20
5 4
0
2.1
■1-Strongly Disagree ■2-Disagree ■3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 8 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
120 107
100
80
60
40
24
18
20 8
1
0
2.1
■1-Strongly Disagree ■2-Disagree 3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. Do I need to hide the equipment in my garage as it can be seen when garage door open. It is
usually closed.
2. I am unsure as to the definition of"infringe" or"peaceful enjoyment." I work on a computer
and make phone calls in my home. If I meet with a client it is either via Zoom or at a business
establishment/restaurant in L.O.. I do not see how these activities would infringe upon the
rights of residents in the vicinity. Still, my interpretation may be different than others. No, if I
was leaf blowing as part of my profession that would be a more clear issue!
3. I basically just work at home and am self employed,there is no effect on the neighborhood.
4. I do not think my business alters the residential character of the neighborhood, nor the right
of residents and their peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood. I've never had any
complaints for either of my endeavors.
5. I don't know what the standard is so it's difficult to know if it would be a burden or not. As a
consultant, the only impact to my neighbors is an additional car parked in my driveway.
6. I only see 3-4 patients a day usually only 4 days a week.They park in front of my house and
are only here for 1-2 hours each.They have speech, language, attention regulation and/or
auditory processing challenges. Even my young patients typically do not make a lot of noise.
or infringe on neighbors' well-being.
7. I operate my business from home, on my computer.Any additional legislation that I would
need to comply with or documentation I would need to provide would distract from the core
requirement I have wiith running my company
8. I understand that"peaceful enjoyment" refers to noise. But how much noise, how frequently,
and at what times of the day is unclear. I make far less noise, less frequently, and not outside
normal business hours of the whine and roar of landscaping tools, but because I am a home
business someone could conceivably complain about me.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 9 OF 48
03/19/2025
9. I will answer in the opposing question, my business causes zero disruption,traffic or any
burden on myself, neighbors or even the occasional deer. Still not sure why I have to pay the
city for a tiny almost invisible business other than a simple city money grab!
10. If we could not operate from home, we would have significant expenses for renting or leasing,
commuting, setting up new computers, office furnishings etc. All of which we have in our
home already and no need to commute etc. We do not have extra vehicles parking in the
neighborhood, no signs, no nothing to show or indicate our business location. So, not sure
how the LO rules or rights would play out in our situation.
11. It is just me. Only me. I'm trying to make enough to cover soccer fees and the like. Please help
a mama just be a mama.
12. My clientele are highly paid professionals and come in one at a time, and I'm merely parked
for the duration of their massage and then leave quietly and with only friendly interactions
and are most often residence of Lake Oswego.
13. My wife has terminal cancer. I work from home and care for her.
14. My work at home is entirely performed within the home. There are no exterior impacts and
no need to accommodate visiting clients. All client contact is accomplished elsewhere, usually
in the offices of the client.
15. My work environment consists of a cell phone, laptop and desk.That is all my business
environment requires.
16. n/a
17. N/A
18. n/a
19. NA, in the 20 or so years I have had my business I have never had a customer come to my
home.
20. No
21. no burden whatsoever
22. No burden. Business services are provided online; home is used for business administration
purposes.
23. No effect
24. No one in my neighborhood even knows I run a business out of my home therefore it cannot
have the impacts you are referring to.
25. No signage, no sales from my location. No business vehicle.
26. None. My work in no way affects the meighborhood
27. Not sure what the standard requires.
28. We have adequate off street parking and only operate 12-5 on Saturday April-October. We do
Not do special events.All activity is on our back
Patio with no on street presence.
29. Well, I was told by the city my business might not be allowable as a home business and I may
need to close it.This was 2 years ago.As a result, I found a commercial building to rent. I now
mainly receive business mail at my home address. I do occasionally work from home on the
computer from home. We I contacted the city offices I was told I still needed to have a home
business license in Lake Oswego. I think it is not fair to require this of me, but not to require it
from people who work from home for other businesses. It seems like a punitive effort on
small business or just a way to get money from me, since it would be hard to enforce for a
larger business that has people working from home. I would like to see the logic and
reasoning spelled out clearly, and some equitable treatment.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 10 OF 48
03/19/2025
30. Zero impact to my business.
2.2—No persons other than family members who reside at the dwelling may be employed or
otherwise work in the home occupation, except persons performing housekeeping,yard maintenance,
or other domestic services for the dwelling where the business occurs. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(3))
Average Level of Agreement
5
4.55
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2 1.76
1.5
1
2.2
•I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
•Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140
120 115
100
80
60
40 25
20 5 11
1
0
2.2
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure ■4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 11 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
120
106
100
80
60
40
20 16 14 8 13
0
2.2
•1-Strongly Disagree ■2-Disagree 3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. A technician(contractor) works 8-16 hours per month in the garage on timing system
assembly. This would severely disrupt the business.
2. Although most of my managers work from home the majority of the time,there are times
when they need to come to my home for meetings and other work. My next door neighbor
also has a home based business and has employees that need to come to his home to do
work. There are often 3 cars parked in front of his home and I have no problem with this
being the case. In this day and age, I feel that LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(3) needs to be revoked. It
is unrealistic and dated for this day and age.
3. By the exact letter of the law, if I employed a remote worker like another editor, it wouldn't
allow them to ever come over to my house to work on something. Unclear if that means I
couldn't have a client over.
4. How do I grow my business without employees?
5. I am the sole owner of my business
6. I believe a reasonable carve out could be made for a limited number of employees (1-2)who
work less than 50%of the time from the house. Forbidding anyone not living at the house
from ever working in the house could potentially hinder my company's collaboration and
productivity.
7. I bring in co therapist at time for groups
8. I do not have any employees, however IF I was in need of hiring an employee I don't see why
that would be prohibited.
9. I have an assistant helps me with my business and comes to the home office to work.
10. I have employees that work from their homes that may need assistance this is very rare, but I
would not want this to be off limits.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 12 OF 48
03/19/2025
11. I have employees,they work at my workshop in West Linn, where I do most of my work. I
have a home business license in Lake Oswego. Am I in violation by having employees and a
home business license?Should I be required to have a home business license if I and my
employees work elsewhere?What is the intent of this language?
12. I have no employees other than myself. We do use a yard maintenance service, but the
service is used for personal not business reasons.
13. I may need a second person occasionally, for holidays and special event work.
14. I would have to shut my business down. I have a hybrid work situation with the two people
who work for me but if I couldn't have them meet here to work at all then I am out of
business. I can't afford the overhead of another location.
15. If we were to hire a bookkeeper or admin for the Creative Director,they would likely have to
work between 8am-5pm a few days a week. This would impact our ability to hire for those
positions/services while operating out of the home.
16. In the past, I had another calligrapher who understood my business come to help me 1x per
week. She parked in my driveway.This did not disturb the neighborhood. She appeared like
any normal visitor and actually helped with my mother and father who were 88-94 during
that time period. Currently, my sister comes 1x per week for 3 hours, so she is a family
member. I think you are going too far by saying that only family members may come to assist.
My past help was excellent, knew the business and was less obvious in my driveway than the
maintenance people. When people throw parties in the neighborhood they sometimes have
up to 10 cars visiting. 1 or 2 cars from 1 or 2 assistants are nothing in light of this regulation.
17. It hasn't happened yet (and may never) -- but does this mean that presence of an occasional
employee/subcontractor/colleague would be against the rules?
18. It is reasonable that you have visitors occasionally that assist you. There's no disruption.
19. It's not applicable to me. But hypothetically, does this mean that I could not employ any
person who is doing the work somewhere else???The reality is that most of the work is
conducted online. I would say this wording is unclear by saying no one other than a family
member "may be employed ..."
Is the intent that no employee can come physically to work at the home occupation?Again,
not applicable to me at this time.
20. many home-based businesses involve family members. this is a nonsensical requirement and
would very much hurt MANY of the small home-based business models
21. My kids help me load a truck and set up at art fairs. I pay them. Like I pay a babysitter.
22. My wife and I operate the business.
23. N/a
24. n/a
25. No
26. No other employees than family
27. One man show. I have Zero employees.Just me and the city feels it necessary I pay it$100
annually and for what and for why us a big ????
28. The rule should be family plus 1 non family.
29. This is an idiotic policy and would disrupt any business.
30. This limits the types of jobs that I can bid on and accept. I could take on projects that require
two people to handle safely or to meet deadlines. I could be more profitable if I could hire
someone else to do bookkeeping or other administrative work from my home office.
31. This seems to prohibit occasional on-site meetings if you have other remote workers working
for you, or client entertaining. I have a hard time believing that an occasional at-the-home-
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 13 OF 48
03/19/2025
office meeting that doesn't fill the street with too many cars would change the character of a
neighborhood. A regulation like this would prohibit expansion of my business. Use of
whatever parking is on site (e.g. how much room is in the driveway), plus a couple of cars on
the street, for occasional appearances, should not be prohibited, any more than someone
having a dinner party or christmas party at their home once a month should not be
prohibited. The impact on the neighborhood is the same.
32. We previously had a home-based business in Milwaukie where we had employees that came
to the home. That is not the case now, but I don't understand why a de-minimus number of
employees would be a problem for Lake Oswego. It's also totally unclear whether a
completely"remote" employee would violate the terms of the business license. It sounds like
it would, but that makes not sense.The employee might even be in India, and it's not clear
what "may be employed or otherwise work in the home occupation" means.
2.3—No outside storage of goods or materials other than vegetation. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(4))
Average Level of Agreement
5 4.67
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.52
1.5
1
2.3
■I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
■Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 14 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140 126
120
100
80
60
40
19
20 7
4 1
0
2.3
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
140
118
120
100
80
60
40
18
20 8 5 8
0
2.3
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. Are business vehicles considered a good or material?
2. Having a few boxes of things on my patio would be no different from storage for personal use.
I feel like it should fall under any other city codes about safe storage.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 15 OF 48
03/19/2025
3. I do not store anything outside for my business other than a few flowers in different seasons
for short periods of time before being planted in customer's gardens.
4. I don't store any material outside of my home.
5. I don't understand what this means
6. I should be able to store whatever I want on my property if it's safe and especially if it's not
unsightly
7. I will clarify this in layman's terms to make sure it is clearly understood, I understand small
home businesses could cause certain problems in a residential setting but I also understand
there are small businesses where they don't do anything outside the home besides
communication with the mailman.This type of business should NOT be lumped in with those
that have employees and or are storing goods outside of the residence, have foot or vehicle
traffic in and out etc...
8. N/a
9. n/a
10. No
11. No clue what this means. What if I was a private chef for the good citizens of lake Oswego?
What if I used food from my garden? No one seems to be thinking this thru.
12. No impact
13. So a landscaper can clutter the yard with plants in pots but others can not use their own land
for what serves them? That is discriminatory.
14. So you can have a commercial mulch pile in your front yard, but you can't store a backhoe in a
fenced-in backyard where nobody can see it? This is a silly regulation. Anything business that
is visible (from a public right of way, public sidewallk, or neighboring property's ground level),
anything that smells (good or bad smell), or that makes noise audible outside above a whisper
(besides a properly-muffled vehicle entering/leaving the property),then I would agree should
not be permitted in a residential-zoned area.
It's not a burden on my business, but I would strongly disagree with prohibiting my neighbors
from storing business materials inside a fully-obscured fenced-in area, where the fencing is
well maintained and commensurate with the neighborhood character. (e.g. not just open
chain link) If they're using a noisy forklift to move those materials around much of the day, or
bringing in too many delivery trucks,then there is a problem.
15. Storing my inventory on my property requires a shed and the City should have no jurisdiction
over the contents of my property on my property.
16. This limits the types of equipment that I can purchase and therefore the types of jobs that I
can take. Larger equipment that doesn't fit into my house or garage.
17. We aren't entirely sure what this means. What is the limit of"goods or materials"?At present,
we have no idea what this means and,therefore, what it would take to comply.
2.4—No more than 25%of the aggregate floor area on the lot is devoted to nonresidential use,except
that an entire dwelling unit or portion thereof may be used for short-term rental lodging; an accessory
structure may be used, provided the provisions of this subsection are met. (LOC 50.03.004.1.b.ii(5))
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 16 OF 48
03/19/2025
Average Level of Agreement
5
4.57
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.52
1.5
1
2.4
•I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
•Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140
120 116
100
80
60
40 25
20 10
4 2
0 2.4
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 17 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
140
120 116
100
80
60
40
20
20 9 7 6
0
2.4
•1-Strongly Disagree ■2-Disagree 3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. A burden depends on how you enforce it. If I have a home business, and my husband also has
a home business, does the 25% mean in total for both businesses or 25%each? It doesn't
appear that the standard provides direction for multiple separate businesses in the same
home.
2. I am not sure how this applies to my art studio
3. I need more room than that.
4. I propose that the city rethinks it's defined term small business. Being a law abiding citizen I
felt it necessary to comply with this new forced business licensing or risk a $500 penalty to
the city. One should be able to run a legitimate small business without licensing if NO one is
bothered and No one even knows it exists.
5. I think when someone owns a house, they have the right to use their house as they see fit-
especially inside. My father and mother were artists here since 1983 and used their space
appropriately without any complaints. People enjoy coming to see the studio. Currently, I am
in their space as they recently passed away. You are overstepping here. I use a room in the
lower level, plus storage (inside, in an unfinished room under a two car garage.) It sounds like
you are attempting to micromanage us- I do appreciate your effort to get our input. (I have
always worked out of my home and started when I had children. It was a way to help the
family income plus raise my own kids instead of having someone else raise them. Plus teach
various skills to your kids.
6. If you are serious about making a useful difference and contribution to society the Percentage
should be up to 50%so we don't have to build such large structures just to accommodate a
comfortable business operation space.
7. My office is an extra bedroom-Maybe 10X15
8. N/a
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 18 OF 48
03/19/2025
9. n/a
10. No
11. No effect
12. Not Clear
13. Not really as the HOA has rules too
14. Remote workers may not be able to quantify floor area like that.You might have a second
bedroom you could call your office, but you might also just work on a laptop wherever in your
house.And it's not clear why that's worth regulating. I might want to film something in my
kitchen, or my backyard.
15. Some apartments are only 800 square feet, 25% might be an unreasonable limit for smaller
units.This is an equity issue for lower income entrepreneurs. Of course that is what I expect
from the Lake Oswego city government-screw the poor apparently is the normal operating
procedure.
16. Somebody can't have a workshop the same size as their house? Another silly regulation, but
dependent on the specific zoning. I would expect a large country estate lot, even if inside city
limits,to be allowed to have a large barn or shop that could be the size of the main house.
Certain zonings, like ordinary city-block plats, I would see the potential for a problem if the
business area is too large.
17. This anti-business policy will harm the city much more than it will protect
18. This is so confusing. It limits me from making enough to even be taxable because I am so
afraid of this law and not understanding it. I don't claim any of my space on any taxescity thru
federal.
19. This limits the size of projects that I can take on and therefore the income that I can make.
20. We would just need to understand how that 25% is calculated. Since the business operates
out of a single room, do we just use the dimensions of that room and compare it to the
square footage of the home?We are well under 10% based on those calculations, but if we
have to calculate the ENTIRE three car garage because we have 3 computers stored in there,
we'll definitely be closer to the 25%.Just need clarification on how these measurements will
be determined/calculated.
Section 3—Potential Concepts
Survey Language:The City would like to replace the following language within the existing use-specific
standards for home occupations:
The [home occupation] use does not alter the residential character of the neighborhood nor infringe
upon the right of residents in the vicinity to the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood. (LOC
50.03.004.1.b.ii(1))
The above standard is vague and has proven to be difficult to enforce.The City's goal is to replace this
language with new standards that capture the ideas of not altering the residential character of a
neighborhood nor infringing on a neighbor's peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood in ways that are
more clear, objective, and measurable.
The City is interested in your thoughts for how to replace this standard. Please provide your feedback on
a few different ideas for new standards, below.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 19 OF 48
03/19/2025
Responses from this survey will be used to develop code amendments that will eventually be proposed
to the Planning Commission and City Council.
Please keep in mind that the questions below are intended to represent higher-level code concepts.
More specific code language will be refined based on input from the public,the Planning Commission,
and City Council, prior to a public hearing tentatively scheduled for May 28, 2025.
3.1—Add new limits on the number of people permitted on site at once. For example, a regulation
that only 5 clients are permitted at one time.
Average Level of Agreement
5
4.61
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2 1.66
1.5
1
3.1
•I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
•Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140
123
120
100
80
60
40
20
20 6 2 6
0
3.1
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure ■4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 20 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
120 111
100
80
60
40 36
20 12 13
0 3
3.1
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. Again. What about my kids if they're helping me unload my work or the neighbor whose
truck u borrow to drive a piece to a client's house?
2. Allowing only 5 people at once seems arbitrary and difficult to enforce, and not equally
meaningful to all.
3. As an attorney, there are times when several people need to be assembled for different
matters. Putting a numerical limit might prove a problem.
As long as there is no infringement on neighbors peaceful use of the area,the actual numbers
of people allowed on-site, is somewhat arbitrary.
4. Because my clients are kids, sometimes they come with several family members. I wonder if
this regulation would allow 5 clients plus their parents,for example. There would be no more
than 5 cars visiting my property at one time.
5. Client meetings for me can include multiple stakeholders with various interest in the project.
One may be the "client", another may be the contractor, another may be the structural
engineer and so on. Would I have to turn away my landscape architect if they arrive and
happen to be the 7th person seated at the table? Limiting this seems arbitrary and hard to
enforce.
6. Depends on the number adopted -- I don't conceive of having more than 2-3 clients at any
one time, and very rarely at that.
On the other hand, I (and many of my neighbors) have hosted occasional parties with dozens
of people.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 21 OF 48
03/19/2025
7. Generally we limit tastings to 25 people. A limit of 5 would put an unreasonable burden
On our business. We have never received any
complaints from our neighbors. Our window of business is small.
8. I am not sure whether this would prohibit my entertaining more than 5 clients in my home at
a social event.The language is not clear as to the number of people in the household would
be included in that count. I believe that limiting a short meeting to 5 people is too restrictive.
9. I do not have clients visiting my office
10. I have a show four times a year for only TWO HOURS, on a weeknight and I never know how
many parents are coming. I need to have these shows to satisfy my clients.A regulation
limiting this would be catastrophic to me. I don't have room to have one big one. See below
how that turned out. Also, I have been in business here for 18 years and I have never had
ANY PROBLEM with any of the neighbors and sometimes they attend!
I also cannot stay in business with only 5 kids here at a time. They are inside and not making
any noise whatsoever and only four days a week. I cannot earn enough money to make the
house payment with this limitation.
I am putting up with cars going up and down Wembley Park Road all day long and busses and
nasty honking at each other every single day, I don't think you need to bother something that
is quiet and actually helping kids in the community.
11. I rarely have clients come to the home office.
12. I teach up to 10 students at a time
13. I understand this in the framework of the regular work week but what if you want to have a
special event? Do you have to pull a permit to have a gathering or a party?
14. If a family came to discuss flowers for an event there could be more than 5 people.
15. If you are having 3-5 clients or personel in the house at any given time,then you need to go
get commercial space. If just family, is one thing, but the comings and goings of others for
strictly business reasons (exemptions for housekeeping, yard care,trades services like
plumbers and such, medical home assistance etc). But as a site with traffic makes no sense in
a neighborhood.
16. In my neighborhood, people have large parties at times that seem to be for networking.
These are not people that have home businesses but people who work outside their houses.
People socializing with coworkers or networking are problematic in our neighborhood, but
not the home businesses.
17. N/a
18. N/A
19. No
20. No change to the current standard
21. Not really
22. One time a year, I am part of Lake Oswego Open Studios. People come randomly for 2 days to
visit my studio. It is rare that more than 5 are here at a time, but it's a transient day when
people are in and out exploring about 40-70 artists in the area.This is an exception.Typically
only one or two people come at a time to my studio 1-3x per week, if that, as I ship a lot of my
orders, so it's just like a friend visiting.
23. Putting a limit of 5 people that can be in a home at any given time is ridiculous.This would
give the city to much power and allow for potential abuse by the city.
24. That is great
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 22 OF 48
03/19/2025
25. The City is limiting people gathering at a home? This level of oversight is too much. Will you
be policing people gathering for lunch? It feels like LO is stretching into a dangerous area.
26. The potential burden would be dependent on the actual number put in. 5 would be fine.
27. This is reasonable with the Air BNB business, but the therapy business I would want the
capacity to have a group here for a short term session which very well may be more than 5
people short term session- not overnight. I can accept there may need to be a parking issue
needing to be addressed but having limits on having them in my house in my group room
feels invasive
28. Tie the regulation to available on-site parking (e.g. limiting to a couple of cars parking on the
street.) Don't set a hard limit, because someone might have sufficient space in their driveway
for more. Otherwise, also ban ordinary citizens' Christmas parties, because they violate the
same standard. Probably tie it to frequency. Up to once a week, or up to 4 hours a week.
29. What about dinner parties and social gatherings for networking or team-building?
30. Why is five the magic number?Are you assuming that there is negative consequences due to
Parking or noise?That doesn't seem logical. What are those more than five people doing that
would cause disruption?
3.2—Add new limitations on the size of outdoor activities associated with a home occupation. For
example, a regulation limiting the amount of square footage that home business activities can occupy
outside.
Average Level of Agreement
5
4.43
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2 1.7
1.5
1
3.2
■I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
■Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 23 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
120 111
100
80
60
40
16 20
20 7
3
0
3.2
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
120
105
100
80
60
38
40
17
20 7 9
0
3.2
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. Again putting limits on what a homeowner can do on their property that they own is
ridiculous. If it's square footage that I own I should be able to use it.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 24 OF 48
03/19/2025
2. Again, I'm more uncomfortable with LO's proposed regulation. So much so,that I am
considering moving out of the area and/or moving my business off site so I will not have to
answer to your overreach.
3. another nonsensical rule that would hurt many home-based businesses. most home-based
businesses are at home because of costs to compete with big corporations. if you can try to
keep that in mind with every new rule that would be kind and not affect LO.
4. Apply an "is it visible" and "is it a nuisance" standard, rather than a space limitations standard.
Prohibit noise (dB level @ property line is quantifiable), smells, visible from public areas or
neighbors' ground level.
5. As it is I do not use outside storage of any sort, but there are no parameters given here, so
77777
6. Define outdoor activity. I don't understand what business activities would be
limited...storage?autos?
7. Dependent on the number of square feet. My guess is that there would be minimal if any
burden.
8. Don't understand how these parameters are established. What is the real purpose for it?
9. For me, it's not like I have anything permanently occupied outside. But if I wanted to shoot
something in my backyard without being a burden in any measurable way, I wouldn't want
that to bit limited.
10. Hard to know how or when this would be a problem. We often have more than five visitors at
once that have nothing to do with businrss
11. I have a large outdoor area for outdoor art activities so not sure about this one
12. I have no outside activities
13. I make very large art. Sometimes in my sunny front yard. No clue what this means. It is good
for our community to see other ways of doing things. This is bonkers.
14. I need one day a year for two hours at the most. That is not a major request i don't think.
Let's be realistic here, a one off, not a daily nuisance sort of thing.
15. If I want to park a company vehicle in my driveway, I don't want anyone to tell me I can't park
such a vehicle on my property. I am only talking about one or two vehicles that are operable.
16. It is unclear what outdoor activities are. is outdoor storage included?
17. It will be unclear what types of outdoor activites....tents?outdoor meeting space?
18. N/a
19. n/a,that sounds reasonable
20. No
21. No change to the current standard
22. Not very clear. Someone may want to have clients for a party in the garden in the summer.
What kind of outdoor activities are envisioned? Is this targeted to auto repair persons or
something like that?
23. So if I have a holiday party and invite clients as well as family and neighbors that is not ok?
That makes no sense.
24. This is unclear. If the use is temporary(e.g. less than one day for testing systems or shipping),
would this be a violation? Or is this for semi-permanent or permanent presence?
25. Vague language.
26. We only occupy 800 square feet of space on a lot
Consisting of 70,000 square feet.
27. Who decides what is and isn't necessary or even a part of my business?
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 25 OF 48
03/19/2025
3.3—Add new limitations on the time of day when outdoor activities associated with a home
occupation can occur. For example, a regulation that outdoor activities associated with a home
occupation cannot occur between 6pm and 7am.
Average Level of Agreement
5
4.54
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.63
1.5
1
3.3
•I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
•Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
Distribution of Answers
1 understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140
118
120
100
80
60
40
24
20 9 6
0 0
3.3
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 26 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
120 111
100
80
60
40
18
20 12 10
0 6
3.3
•1-Strongly Disagree ■2-Disagree 3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. 6 p.m. seems very early to require an end. 8 p.m. more reasonable.
2. Again -overreach! I'm getting more disturbed by LO and this survey
3. Could I work on my laptop in my yard in the evenings?
4. I don't see this as an issue, but again, not enough information to comment
5. I feel like it's the light or noise that should be regulated, not time. I might want to edit on my
laptop outside, with headphones, while it's still light out.
6. I think it should be later than 6pm....9:00pm is better.
7. I think the noise ordinances would cover this.
8. I usually work from 9-4
9. It should match whatever the current restrictions are for home services- landscaping,
outdoor tree work, construction, etc.
10. It's best to allow flexibility for business to conduct their services. For me, it is virtual tele-
health service, so I am not taking up any outdoor space or conducting any other activities. But
I would not like to have limits set as a matter of principal. What if I need to answer phone
calls from patients who have crisis after hour, and I happen to be walking outside when
receiving a call? Does that consider an outdoor activity?
11. N/a
12. n/a,very reasonable
13. Na
14. No
15. No change to the current standard
16. see comments above
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 27 OF 48
03/19/2025
17. Some people work late. As long as the current noise policies are followed,why create add'I
anti-business rules?
18. There are times I need to do work outside where it's ventilated and I certainly should and
could do it on my property past 6pm without issue.
19. We are only open from noon to 5 on Saturday
20. We test our timing systems during daylight and nighttime. It is a short quiet activity(no noise
except walking around) that takes up the driveway. Would this not be allowed?
21. What is going on to bring something like this up? People are allowed to have weddings on
their property, parties, I have to listen to illegal fireworks for at least a month every year, not
sure what this is all about.
N/A
22. Who are you to limit a businesses hours? Put a noise ordinance not a time. This would
include no tupperware parties on the deck in the summer... that is stupid.
23. Why not have it associated to the city quiet times that are already established? I believe it's
10 PM to 8 AM.Although we hear landscapers blowing and disrupting the noise ordinance all
the time before 8 AM.
24. Would an evening outdoor dinner party for clients be considered an outdoor activity
associated with the business?
25. Would rather an enforceable ordinance on the noise across the lake when the guy is on a
cocaine binge and doesn't turn down his music at midnight.
3.4—Add new limitations on amplified sound and music. For example, a regulation that electric-
powered speakers are banned in association with a home occupation.
Average Level of Agreement
5
4.54
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.6
1.5
1
3.4
■I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
■Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 28 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140
121
120
100
80
60
40
19
20 9 7
0 1
3.4
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
140
120 116
100
80
60
40
20 14 13 12
0 2
3.4
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. Again... you do not know what is needed for a business. So party entertainers can not use a
microphone at a dinner party they are hired to perform at? This is too far. It is controling
and discriminatory to specific businesses.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 29 OF 48
03/19/2025
2. And why not enforce this for all businesses rather than home businesses?We are often
disturbed by music at excessive levels from Lake Oswego High School and, on occassion, from
the church across Country Club road from us. Why make extra restrictions for home
businesses as opposed to keeping a general commitment to these types of quality of life
issues in place for all commercial and or non-personal situations?
3. As compared to homes without a home occupation. is it the same or different? Can a regular
home with no home occupation have electric amplified speakers? Consider decibels limits
inside a time restriction
4. Do you do this for people on the lake? My neighbor with pool parties? Seriously, LO this is
poorly considered!
5. Does this include computer speakers for zoom meetings?! This is unreasonable and horrible.
I understand having decibel limits but banning any form of electric powered speaker is a non-
sequitur for 90%of businesses!
6. Has nothing to do with my business but i do use electric speakers
7. I am more bothered by gardeners using blowers than anyone is bothered by me.The noise
from the blowers is distracting and disruptive.
8. I fully support almost any outside noise regulations. Please ban leaf blowers! They are an
almost constant disturbance all week long and extraordinarily loud. Any amplified sound and
music should also not be allowed.
9. I have a television in my office
10. I use speakers to edit my videos. Even just laptop speakers.That doesn't mean that they're
huge loud party speakers that disturb my neighbors.That would be too broad a rule.
11. Is the church on Country Club up by the high school considered a business? They are blasting
out our neighborhood very regularly during the summer with their vacation bible school and
outdoor church services on Sundays when I'm trying to enjoy my gardening activities.
Sometimes morning and night on the same day! I have called before and then someone has
gone over, but the volume just comes right back up and it's there again last time I heard it and
what did they do? Drop off invitations to come to it! Is that a nice workaround to audible
noise so they can get away with it?That is not fair. They need the survey, as they are also a
business in my opinion.
12. Is this specific to residential area businesses that require speakers? I imagine this would be
mostly food-oriented, music sales or retail (at best)
13. N/a
14. n/a very reasonable and I suggest including a maximum decibal level.
15. NA, our only outdoor sound is for personal entertainment.
16. No
17. No change to the current standard
18. Not so much a burden but I have to wonder about residents who have parties with loud music
all summer long, so what the difference for a business.
19. Not sure I understand this. Are there really home businesses that need to blast sound?Seems
very irrelevant for 99.9%of home businesses
20. Of course you mean OUTDOOR speakers but you did not say that. Also, why would a business
be restricted if a residence is not (meaning neighbors play loud music on outdoor speakers
already at times)? Shouldn't that be consistent?
21. There are already noise ordinances in place.
22. There should be a standard for dB noise at the property line (decibels using a noise meter),
instead of a ban on things that make noise. The above would mean a band is not allowed to
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 30 OF 48
03/19/2025
practice at home. For example, the proposed limitation would make it illegal for me to use
my computer speakers to play a Zoom meeting inside my in-home office, which I do every
day.
23. This goes back to my point above about coinciding with the already established quiet times in
the lake Owego ordinance.
24. We just have outdoor speakers which are background.The sound does not move beyond our
patio area.
25. What dB levels measured outside the home? How is this different than a resident playing
music in their home or yard?
26. Why not follow existing regulations wrt sound?
27. Would rather an enforceable ordinance on the noise across the lake when the guy is on a
cocaine binge and doesn't turn down his music at midnight.
3.5—Add new limitations on the number of nonpersonal vehicles associated with the home
occupation that can be parked outside the home. For example, a regulation that only 1 nonpersonal
or commercial vehicle associated with the home occupation is permitted to be parked outside the
home.
Average Level of Agreement
4.59
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.61
1.5
1
3.5
■I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
■Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 31 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140
122
120
100
80
60
40
21
20 7 5
2
0
3.5
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
120 112
100
80
60
40
20
20 11 11
3
3.5
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. Counting the number of work trucks parked at any one time exceeds this rule NOW.
2. Depends on the time limit for parking, customer parking for no longer than 60 minutes would
not create a burden for me.
3. Don't have any in the first place.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 32 OF 48
03/19/2025
4. Generally we have three to five cars at a time parked off the street.Tastings last 1 to 1 1/2
hours
So we have varied cars until closing.
5. I have an employee that parks in the driveway but every so often, I may have my associates in
for a meeting. Banning the opportunity to have my associates attend a monthly meeting at
my home office would be a huge burden.
6. I have not seen the home businesses having commercial vehicles, but I have seen commercial
vehicles from employees who bring their employers vehicles home parked in neighborhood
that are not from people with home businesses.
7. I have one car in my garage
8. I not have clients come to my Home Occupation, but this proposed rule seem incongruent to
allowing 5 clients at a time. Do they arrive all in one car like a "clown car." How would that
work?
9. If someone is parking 6 well-maintained vehicles in a long home-office driveway, and not
obstructing the sidewalk, why would it matter?
10. Is there a central parking area in Lake Oswego that clients could park and walk to my
location?
11. is this per home business?Some families have more than one.
12. Just drive around the lake and you will see plenty of service vehicles parked.
13. Limiting by number sounds arbitrary and hard to enforce. By outside the home you mean on
street public parking, or does it include the property's driveway and/or parking lot.
14. N/a
15. No
16. No change to the current standard
17. No clue how to do this so no clue how it would impact me.
18. Not always easy to regulate what people own.
19. Not sure if this regulation would cause issues with the personal parties or events that attract
more than the 1 non-personal vehicle allowed for business purposes. Can imagine persons
"gaming" this regulation.
20. One seems fair
21. Parents are parked briefly in my circular driveway for pick-up, not impacting neighbors.
22. That's ridiculous. If there's Parking available, why should it matter?
23. There can be an occasion that one client is early and might be parked shortly while the other
client is exiting.
24. There has to be a place for employees to park. How are their cars any different than kids'
cars, contractors vehicles for repairs and remodels, nanny's and so forth. If there is to be a
limit it should be reasonable and 1 employee car is not reasonable.
25. This is not applicable to me and my business. However,this would seem to limit severely a
family with 2 adults who each might have their own business needs.Ask is there an implicit
assumption that the wife must go along with the husband's business? If she is a plumber and
he is an electrician, can they not each have their own vehicle??
26. This opens weird doors to what if those vehicles are stopping in for a few hours not actually
there on the regular?
27. What does "parked outside the home" mean?
28. What is a "non-personal vehicle? e.g. If a client arrives in their own car, is that "non-personal"
because it belongs to someone else?
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 33 OF 48
03/19/2025
29. Would not be a burden, but I think "commercial" vehicles should be required to be parked
inside garages. For example, vans with ladders, landscape trailers, etc. should not be allowed
in residential neighborhoods if they cannot be concealed from view from public right-of-ways.
3.6—Add new limitations on the hazardous materials associated with the home occupation. For
example, a regulation saying that certain hazardous materials are not permitted or limited to a certain
amount that can be stored on site.
Average Level of Agreement
4.62
'-F.
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.48
1.5
1
3.6
■I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
■Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 34 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140
122
120
100
80
60
40
21
20 7
4 3
0
3.6
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
140
121
120
100
80
60
40
20 14 11
4
0
3.6
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. "Certain" hazardous materials?Which ones?This should be spelled out. For example,
fertilizers, chemicals, etc. should not be stored outside where neighborhood children have
access.Additionally, is flammable materials (gas containers for landscapers, turpentine for
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 35 OF 48
03/19/2025
painters, etc.) should not be allowed to be accessible by neighbors, and should probably be
approved by the Fire Marshall.
2. Depends on the definition and amounts of hazardous materials, I currently store firearms
ammunition in a gun safe.
3. Depends on what hazardous materials. Paint?That would be a burden.
4. Don't have any
5. I do not use hazardous materials.
6. I don't use hazardous materials. Our kitchen sinks cleaner and cleaning solutions at grocery
stores are more hazardous than paint thinner. So. Uhm. Maybe let's ban certain cleaners
being sold within city limits.
7. I have no hazardous materials- Not even a cigarette
8. It depends on what is deemed hazardous. materials that would naturally be used in a home
environment might need to be limited but not banned in a home with a home business.
9. n/a
10. N/a
11. No
12. No change to the current standard
13. No haz stuff used
14. Not a burden but important to understand what materials, in what quantity, and how they
should be stored. I use several art materials in small quantities,that are flammable when
improperly stored. I comply with the instruction and safety recommendations for each
product e.g. spray adhesive, spray fixatives, paint, etc.
15. Printer toner is a hazardous material, rubbing alcohol you buy at Safeway to clean printer bits,
is a hazardous material, cleaning products (home use and office use) are hazardous material.
You'll need to define what you mean and again it should be reasonable.
16. Seems fair, BUT who determines hazardous? By what standard? I have 501b of glitter right
now.... is that a hazard? To whom?And why? Pandora's box without clear definition of the
topic.
17. seems unnecessary and a violation of homeowner rights- meaning if they were storing a
bunch of hazmats for their personal use then it would be ok so not sure how this is different
other than to butt-in on how people earn income in this current economy.
18. Some hazardous materials, similar to those used in many households, are needed for me to
successfully carry out work. It is not clear if this means all hazardous materials,what is on the
list, and the amount that would be allowed
19. This is an excellent idea.
20. This is very unclear. What hazardous materials are we talking about? Is this something that
any homeowner can buy already and keep/use at home such as paint and paint related
chemicals, gasoline and their derivatives, etc.? There should not be more restrictions on a
business than a residence would have.
21. who's going to enforce that?And what do you define as hazardous?cleaning products can be
hazardous.
22. You would have a hard time listing all hazardous materials and quantities...and would likely
end up have stricter standards for a home with a business in it than a home without a
business.Again, keep it equitable and consistent regardless of home occupation or not.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 36 OF 48
03/19/2025
3.7—Add new limitations on flag lots. For example, regulations that would ban outdoor activity or
further limit the number of clients permitted in association with a home occupation on a flag lot.
Average Level of Agreement
4.17
2.47
2.5
2
1.5
1
3.7
•I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
•Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
100
90 87
80
70
60
50 43
40
30
20 11 9
10 6
0 1 _
3.7
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree •N/A
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 37 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
120
106
100
80
60
40
20
20 8 11 9
0 3
3.7
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree •N/A
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. Any change should be grandfathered
2. I do not own a flag lot
3. I don't know what a flag lot is.
4. I don't see why flag lots should be treated differently than other houses
5. n/a
6. N/a
7. No
8. No change to the current standard
9. No idea again. And what about all those flag lots on the edge of incorporated river grove?
Again low common sense.
10. Not living on a flaglot
11. not sure what it is asking
12. That is BS. A lot is a lot. Discrimination 100%
13. There is no reason to treat a home on a flag lot differently than a lot not on a flag lot.
14. What is a flag lot?
15. What is a flag lot?
16. why flag lots?
17. Why would a flag lot be any different than other lots? If anything, the business is less visible
to the public on a flag lot.
18. Why? I do not understand what the reason for this is.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 38 OF 48
03/19/2025
3.8—Add new limitations on delivery vehicles. For example, a regulation saying deliveries to the
home occupation cannot occur if the delivery vehicle would be a large semi-truck.
Average Level of Agreement
4.51
4
3.5
3
2.5
2 1.68
1.5
1
3.8
•I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to comply with this standard
•Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my business
Distribution of Answers
"I understand what actions I would need to take for my business to
comply with this standard"
140
117
120
100
80
60
40
21
20 8 9
0 2 3.8
•1-Strongly Disagree •2-Disagree •3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 39 OF 48
03/19/2025
Distribution of Answers
"Complying with this requirement is or would be a burden on my
business"
120 110
100
80
60
40
20
20 13 11
0 4
3.8
•1-Strongly Disagree ■2-Disagree 3-Unsure 4-Agree ■5-Strongly Agree
Open Feedback Form: If there is or would be a burden on your business, please explain:
Responses:
1. And why allow moving trucks, box trucks, and Amazon/UPS/FedEX or tree removal trucks in
this case?Access to streets makes a large semi-trucks impractical for many homes, and if
there is access why restrict it?
2. As a consulting company,this is not a concern of mine. However, a semi-truck making
occasional deliveries, say once a month, as long as it doesn't block the road, should not be a
problem.
3. furniture deliveries on rare occasions and appliances for personal and business at times are by
this type of truck
4. I borrow my neighbors truck to deliver to my clients. No clue what you're trying to do here.
5. I do not have deliveries made to my home business
6. I do not know what a semi truck is. So if I buy a desk that comes in on a "semi-truck, that is
not ok? Or a new washing machine that will serve my home but also my business that is not
ok? That makes no sense.
7. I get many large deliveries. It takes 15min.
Many people move with semi-trucks. Same thing.
Stop being controling. Businesses do not control what vehicle brings the items they need.
BTW all major equipment is in a semi at sometime or another.
My new washer was just delivered by semi... it was for the business.
8. I have not needed this so far, but it might be a limitation and I would see it as an infrequent
need. Perhaps there can be a limitation on the number of times certain types of vehicles are
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 40 OF 48
03/19/2025
allowed. I don't necessarily have control over what type of vehicle a delivery company is
using.
9. I live on a cul-de-sac. We (meaning the neighborhood) have had semis show up. As far as I
remember these have been moving vans... they like it a lot less than we do. On the rare cases
I get a delivery, I specify a sort truck... IMHO, this is self limiting in my case.
10. I receive a UPS package once every two months
11. If I need to order a new desk for my office and have it delivered?!
12. If it means that I can't have a mattress delivered there is a problem. Mattress company's and
similar companies use big trucks to deliver. Bark dust,garden compost and furniture truck's
are usually large also.The word "occasional" deliveries might be more appropriate.
13. Just like when somebody moves and needs a larger truck, which is more disruptive than a
delivery vehicle. How is that monitored?
14. Large semi-truck should be further defined. Is this a tractor trailer rig?What is "large"?
Specific examples would be helpful.
15. Limitations on frequency, rather than an outright ban, would make more sense. I don't see
why a once-a-week semi-truck delivery is unreasonable. I do see why a daily semi truck on a
residential street is a nuisance.
16. N/a
17. No
18. No change to the current standard
19. Not a problem
20. Not an issue for my business
21. Possibly but I don't know what is meant by a large semi-truck vs a panel truck or small semi-
truck.
22. Semi trucks often deliver residential furniture or home renovation items. This makes no
sense. It would not affect me, but I don't see many semi trucks making deliveries around LO
residential areas regularly.
23. Some times you don't know what kind of truck the delivery company is using.This is not up to
us to decide. Not that it happens on the regular but it has happened.
24. Suppose I order a new desk. I cannot control what type of vehicle the transport company
choses to deliver the desk to me. Seems like this needs to be determined on a street-by-street
basis and not cast as a blanket regulation for home businesses.
25. That sounds too restrictive and unclear. Suppose the business is having furniture delivered?
26. The only thing is that you might not know what size of truck will be used to make a delivery.
You may order a piece of furniture like a desk, and it shows up in a big truck.
27. there are so many home deliveries these days, with a variety of trucks, it would be hard to
enforce a home occupation delivery as distinct from a home delivery. Should probably include
routine deliveries requiring a semi-truck would be banned.
28. This same issue is relevant to personal deliveries. I think what you are trying to limit is the
frequency of these deliveries, so why not be more specific?
29. Would love to see limitations on the number of deliveries per day, on sustainability grounds
as much as neighborhood livability reasons. However, not sure how such a regulation would
be enforced.
30. Would really need to clarify something like this so that people aren't harassed for
furniture/appliances/other home deliveries.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 41 OF 48
03/19/2025
Section 4—Feedback Form
Survey Language: Do you have any general feedback on this project?
Feedback Form - Responded
41,
■Yes No
Responses
1. A good idea to get more clarification with the work from home concept that many do now.
But if someone is having clients, employees etc., come in and out daily, or having goods
delivered for resale via on line sales, is a bit much for keeping a neighborhood culture of being
a neighborhood, If those actions are happening then best be done only in commercial zoned
areas. But if the business is more just a one or two person family business with no real
impact outside the four walls of the residence,then that should be ok(unless you are running
a drug cartel or phone scam).
2. All I know about is what I do to make a living here at our house. I have been in business for 18
years here and have not had one iota of a problem. There are more N/A categories on your
survey and they are the ones I didn't answer.
I have had shows down at the Lakewood Center and that turned into a joke. They did not
have the room clean,they were always harassing us to get out of the building because they
had a show, but they booked us anyway, and were very unorganized with payments,
reservations,you name it so I came back to our house so I could control the specifics and have
a nice product to satisfy my clients.
I have always kept my business quiet and professional without trying to harm anyone's
enjoyment of their property.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 42 OF 48
03/19/2025
Sincerely,
Kirsten Vollan
3. All of my work takes place inside. I do nothing outside, so I'm more concerned about someone
trying to regulate what we do inside.This is supposedly a free country.This house is owned by
an individual not by the city.That said, I think that you would find my business does not
disturb the neighborhood at all. I use FedEx/UPS/USPS like anybody else and typically have no
one in my studio. It's a low key art studio with basically one person working (me)with 3 hours
of assistance per week by 1 person. I do understand if you are having trouble with people
who are disturbing others and working outside. I will say,there is a house at the end of
Carman Drive by 1-5 that looks like it is piling up junk outside the home and I'm really
surprised in Lake Oswego that that is going on. It is currently looking like a garbage dump....so
with that in mind,yes, some regulations to respect others around them, need to be in place.
4. As a business holder in Lake Oswego we never had any traffic or noise in our neighborhood
and highly respect our community
5. As an individual owning a consultancy with me as the only employee, working off of a
computer, with no identifiable work vehicles, it is hard for me to understand why I would
need to register my business/be required to obtain a City of Lake Oswego business lic. at all.
Especially when I consider the types of questions being asked in this survey. It is my
impression that the objective of the this survey is to manage small businesses that may have
an impact on their neighborhood or community.
6. As long as the home business is not impacting the neighbors and all vehicles are properly and
legally parked, there should be no limitation to one or two employees working within a home-
occupied business. Noise considerations should be regulated in regards to a home business
creating noise outside of the home.
7. Changes seem like a good idea.
8. Don't get stupid.
Some things make sense. Over control is not helping small businesses,which is what you are
targeting here.
Lake Oswego has done a poor job in building spaces for more businesses downtown.They
allow too many condos on land that should be used for commerce.
9. good idea for project....just to be clear I conduct mediations by zoom....business has zero
impact on anyone else....
10. Hours to operate should be expanded. 6 pm is too early.
Restricting deliveries by size of truck seems excessive. If the truck fits the street it should be
able to make deliveries.
11. I actually agree that home business protocol should be looked at as there are a few
businesses in my neighborhood that have multiple vehicles parked on the street and in yards.
12. I agree that some regulation is needed, and the current wording is vague and could use more
definition, but this feels like a ploy to restrict and discourage home businesses. I'm going to
guess that women and moms run most home businesses. I don't like that it needs to be
mentioned, but here we are. Limiting what kind of truck can deliver items to your driveway,
when often we have no control or knowledge of the type of delivery truck that is coming,
feels very unnecessary. I don't think this is a frequent occurrence. Small,women-owned
businesses contribute to the local economy, and I kindly ask you to please consider that.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 43 OF 48
03/19/2025
13. I am absolutely in favor of a home based business but such business should never impact the
lives of the neighbors or change the overall atmosphere and general feeling of the
neighborhood.
14. I am assuming that there is a difference between a home "office" and an active "business". I
think this needs further definition to distinguish between the two. Different activities occur
and different impacts result.
Perhaps another distinction needs to be considered.
15. I am glad to see these regulations.
16. I appreciate the effort to clarify the rules in this regard. I can imagine some kinds of home
businesses that I might find annoying in terms of traffic, noise, etc. (none in my nabe, so far),
so I recognize the need for regulation.
17. I appreciate the effort to maintain residential neighborhoods for predominantly family and
neighbor-oriented activities.
18. I feel the need for additional income for many who need to work from home is critical in this
economy and if the city puts too many restrictions on this would make matters worse.
19. I have no clients coming to my house. All my work is done through my computer.
20. I hope I answered your question correctly. I agree to comply and in complying with the rules
it would not be a burden to my business operations. I simply sit in one room, using one
computer and remote into customer computer and work remote on data entry for general
accounting purpose. I am not a CPA. I do not have clients visit me at my home/office unless
they are dropping off paperwork on occasion. I meet my clients either at their office or
restaurant for meetings.
21. I included comments in the explain boxes above.Thank you
22. I live in a Condominium. I work online from my home office,that consists of a computer desk
and book shelves. I do not receive clients, do not receive heavy packages for my work.
23. I really don't think commercial vehicles such as vans,trailers, delivery vehicles etc. are
appropriate in residential neighborhoods unless they have mufflers and are concealed from
view when parked.
24. I strongly support minimizing the activities, vehicles and noise associated with home
businesses
25. I think a lot of the negative neighborhood feedback is due to people expecting cars to fill the
curbs. Don't limit customers, limit car counts. People should be incentivized to arrive via
biking or walking! What about a commercial vehicle annual parking pass? Delivery parking
pass?
What if the home-business could apply to change curb usage in their frontage from free
public parking to a parklet program? Free curb parking is the worst possible economic use for
public RoW, let's make it something nicer than just more car storage!
Mike
First Addition
mike@perham.net
26. I think it is a good idea and should be outlined with specific requirements to protect the
neighborhood.
27. I think it's great you're clarifying! I thought I was probably not going to be in the wrong, since I
don't bother my neighbors-- but it is nice for the law to be more specific--thank you.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 44 OF 48
03/19/2025
28. I think we're reaching for too many direct bans just because they are easier to measure,
instead of common sense. Frequency of an obtrusive activity is generally why a home
business becomes a problem. Neighbors will usually ignore the activity, if it only happens
occasionally. Strongly consider fewer outright bans on activities or absolute limits on the
activity itself. Instead, establish the limit with a frequency. X cannot occur more than Y times
a month. If a neighbor has problems with it, let them take photos every time it occurs to
prove it.
Presence of hazardous materials, if a primary supply for the business, is a potentially bigger
issue, because small operators are much less likely to protect against spills or releases, and
prevent environmental contamination of their lot. (This is needed to protect the next person
who purchases the residential property.) But, it still needs to allow someone who has,for
example, a house cleaning business to be able to store their supplies. Banning all hazardous
materials would essentially ban vehicles (gas& motor oil), cleaning supplies, gardeners, and
other types of businesses. Small quantities should still be allowed, but stored enclosed and
not visible from public areas or neighbors' properties.
29. I think while it makes sense to clarify the rules, more specific rules could easily be abused,
especially when they don't make sense for the business type. It may make sense to
differentiate by type of business (i.e, teaching a dance class in a yard vs working on a
computer for outdoor restriction times) and it's important to make the rules reasonable so
they can't be used for pedantic harassment.
It seems like the current rules are reasonable as they cover a broad range of business types
and could be addressed with mediation to find solutions when there are conflicts.
30. I totally understand the desire to make the code more specific. But for my very low impact
business, mostly just working at a desk, many of these requirements would technically affect
me even though they wouldn't have measurable impacts on my neighbors, or differ from
what people do personally. I would focus on hazardous materials, loud noise levels, number
of people, number of cars. Normal city codes might cover the majority of impact a home
business could have. I'd really hope it isn't quantified too rigidly that doesn't respect that
home workers use their homes dynamically, working in different rooms on different days,
doing something occasionally, and not having it add up to a burden.
31. I understand there is a difference between a home-based business and people working from
home who are employed by a company that is not themselves and that the regulation of the
latter group is even more difficult. However, I don't understand why there are no restrictions
on the types of activities they can carry out from home. It seems like the limitations that are
being considered should apply to anyone doing work from home.This is a limitation to
entrepreneurship and small businesses.
32. I would like to speak to any/all committee members regarding this regulation.
33. I would love to know why LO wants these new rules-are there a bunch of businesses that are
affecting their neighbors lives? if so I truly would love more information. if this is just a new
idea (say new administration or what have you)then I challenge you to reconsider. As you
create each new rule, if you could truly remember that home-based businesses are most
likely LOCAL businesses-not only to Oregon, but to LO specifically. Knowing that, why would
you try to eff with them? I am happy to participate or assist in further conversation.
34. If it were a homeowners association the fine print would have been read before the contract
was signed. Since the building that houses the business is already in place the current
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 45 OF 48
03/19/2025
language appears to work well.This survey has not shown the complaints from neighbors that
have been affected. Without that history I'm comfortable with the language that exists.
35. If you want to the keep the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood I have no problem with
home based businesses running in my neighborhood or cars parked outside of homes.The
number one thing that disrupts my peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood is the incessant
gas leaf blowers. They smell terrible, are terrible for the environment and the noise pollution
is infuriating. Please put a BAN on all gas leaf blowers in Lake Oswego. That will help me with
my work in Lake Oswego more than anything else.
36. I'm sure there are a lot like me. To see customers I go to them, otherwise it's phone and
email. All I really need is an address (PO box) which I could do almost anyplace. As a PS, I am
72 and close to pulling the plug. Please don't get too crazy.
37. in general, these changes would have no impact on my business. I do almost all of my
business online or by phone and rarely see clients in my home office. When I do meet with
clients on site, our meetings are generally less than one hour, during which there is a single
car either parked in my driveway or on the street.
38. In my experience,the city often creates regulations or codes that are disadvantageous only to
some residents- usually small businesses,who are also home owners.The city does not
enforce general code issues-for example, overgrown vegatation blocking the line of site and
too tall at a corner of the street-and yet seeks to constrain home businesses.And then, many
home businesses are simply office work...why should a resident who works for themselves be
treated different than a resident who works for a law firm or for Nike or another large
businesses in the eyes of the city?The self employed resident likely spends more money and
contributes more to the local economy as a result of their business than the person who
works from home for another business. I would like to see people treated fairly and equally.
39. Just to reiterate the city has found that they have been losing out on a pot of gold by not
requiring small home run businesses to pay to be licensed and I get it, BUT the city needs to
understand there are smaller businesses that cause zero negative impact on the community
or neighborhoods that realistically should be exempt from this money grab.Although the I do
believe it is reasonable to modify and create new laws around these small businesses run out
of residences.There clear difference between the two and I don't see anybody talking about
that. I certainly shouldn't have to pay the city to run my tiny business but because it was
written s000000 vaguely I couldn't risk the fine and paid the fee! Shame on you Lake Oswego!
I want my$100 back
40. Lake Oswego needs regulations for noise. What went on with the pickleball noise issues posed
huge disturbances to the health and well being of residents. I suggest this be addressed
globally and not just in terms of tiny businesses operating in homes.
Limiting the number of clients visiting a home business seems directly related to the amount
of neighborhood disturbance.
41. Many people work from home now. My business has no effect whatsoever on my neighbors.
Construction noise at all hours is a far bigger irritant than any home business I can think of.
42. Most of these regulations would not impact my business. But they might present a large
burden on others. Perhaps allow business owners an opportunity to apply for exceptions to
heightened regulations, and allow plenty of time for owners to make adjustments if
necessary.
43. My business is small, mostly working on the weekends. I think there needs to be some
delineation between full-time business and those that do their work intermittently.
44. My business is very quiet and has a singular person at a time enter and exit.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 46 OF 48
03/19/2025
45. My business only involves me, and all of my work involves my home office computer and
internet access. Basically, I read reports on-line and then write my own summary reports
online. I don't have clients that visit my house.
46. My home business reduces traffic in the neighborhood as I do not have to travel back and
forth to work.
I feel that any regulations that apply to home businesses should also apply to people who
telework or to people who invite coworkers to their houses or have dinners with guests for
networking.
I do not understand how a plummer who works for a company and brings his work van home
from his employer can have a different regulation for a business vehicle than a self-employed
plummer who has his van parked at his house.
I don't think there is a clear distinction on the impact on a neighborhood between what is a
home business, someone teleworking from their home, and corporate people who use their
homes to have guests over to network, but the regulations seem to be different.
47. New codes should anticipate the effects of increases in housing density that middle housing
will have in residential areas as well as the state and city mandated elimination of parking for
new homes.
48. no
49. No burden
50. No change to the current standard
51. None for my business; my children have attended in-home childcare facilities nearby and I
know pick up &drop off times mean there are up to 10-12 vehicles in front of the home for a
15 minute period. I would hope allowances would be made for that kind of traffic
52. None for now!
53. None of the existing rules or proposed changes have any effect on the business.
54. None of these updates would affect me as I have an online coaching business with no
disruption to the neighborhood but I can see how businesses with a lot of noise, deliveries,
and materials, and people would be.
55. Not at this time.
56. Our concerns are only in regards to how new regulations would impact our ability to operate
our business. At present, nothing looks to change with this, however we'll need more
information on how areas are calculated and things like "what happens if the City re-
designates/re-classifies my property based on these new regulations?".
57. Please avoid overregulating.As it is LO does nothing extra for my business that they already
do for a residence except charge me$65 once a year
58. Please consider inclusiveness, accessibility(hard of hearing might rely on speakers), low
income families and equity when passing laws. It is clear that the current laws have not
considered these and open the city up to significant liability for legal action as a result of
unfair laws. Will not be seen kindly in Oregon courts...
59. Please do not attempt to close my business. I am almost 80 years old and care for my wife.
My work entails sending and receiving emails and phone conversations with customers. I am
not sure if anyone in our neighborhood even knows I operate a business.
60. Please make alternatives with any further limits vs leaving a new regulation without realistic
plans to comply with it
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 47 OF 48
03/19/2025
61. Questions should include-do customers or clients come to this location? My answer is no.
Question 2. Is merchandise shipped to or.from this location? How much how often ?
62. See comment above re employees, on-site or off-site.
63. Seems like a good start to update
64. Some of these questions are challenging to understand. My business does not detract in any
way from neighbors' enjoyment of the area according to feedback I receive from them.
65. Thanks for asking.
66. The wording for these questions is awful. Many of the questions should be answered with a
yes or no response instead of agree or disagree. So confusing and a waste of my time. I had
enough at 3.1.
67. There could be a question about an entirely on-line business that could eliminate many of
these questions.That's what I have. I bet many others do as well.
68. These anti-business changes are poorly written and are mostly already covered by existing
neighborhood rules. Cut the budget for the departments that invent these horrible wastes of
time, money and energy
69. These are interesting considerations. I am basically retired, so these parameters do not
pertain to me.
I basically help others/organizations (non profits) from time to time with flowers or ordering
some products- no resale. I understand that many people work from home, however I
imagine most do not create noise,traffic nor burdens. I keep my license as a means of
supporting the City for all it gives us in return. I just never cancelled my license.
70. These items would not effect any part of my business or how I do my job or run my company.
71. This business does not require any changes to meet any new standards that may be enforced
in the future.
72. We work online primarily.
73. Why are changes needed.?The present regulations seem to work well. We should not put an
added burden on home based businesses. Who would enforce any new regulations?What is
the history of complaints prompting a change?
74. With the rising cost of commercial property having my business at home has been a lifesaver.
I wish for my business to be unaffected by changes in zoning.
75. Works for us!
76. You have to help people. Not make everything homogenous.There are better things and
better ways than infringing on small micro businesses in lake o
77. Your examples and definitions are unclear. Form requires judgement on questions I don't
understand, so I just used the extreme responses.
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 3/PAGE 48 OF 48
TOP HOME OCCUPATION TYPES
Category Total Number North American Number
Industry
Classification
System (NAICS)
Code
Interior designers 37 Interior design services 29
Interior designer 1
services
Interior decoration 3
consulting services
Interior design 4
consulting services
Construction- 31 Housing,single-family, 15
related businesses construction general
contractors,
Home builders(for-sale) 1
Home improvement 3
(e.g.adding on,
remodeling renovating)
Home improvement 1
(e.g., adding on,
remodeling,
renovating),single-
family housing,general
contractors
Home renovation 1
Residential 1
construction,single-
family,general
contractors
Addition,alteration and 1
renovation,single-
family housing,general
contractors
Roofing contractors 1
Deck construction, 1
residential-type
Handyman construction 1
service, residential
building
Construction 2
management,
commercial and
institutional building
Construction (General) 3
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 4/PAGE 1 OF 3
Administrative 30 Administrative 24
management management consulting
services
services
Administrative 6
management services
Professional, 24 Professional,scientific, 24
scientific, and and technical services
technical services (general)
Computer or 23 Computer peripheral 1
software services equipment merchant
wholesalers
Computer program or 3
software development,
custom
Computer repair and 2
maintenance services,
without retailing new
computers
Computer software 6
consulting services or
consultants
Computer software 1
programming services,
custom
Computer software 1
support services,
custom
Computer systems 1
integration design
consulting services
Games,computer 6
software, mass
reproducing
Systems integration 1
design consulting
services,computer
Software publishers 1
Business 20 I Business management 19
management consulting services
services Business management 1
services
Educational 19 Educational Services 12
services (General)
Educational consultants 7
Real estate services 17 Appraisal services, real 2
estate
Property managing, 1
residential real estate
Real Estate and Rental 6
and Leasing(General)
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 4/PAGE 2 OF 3
Real estate asset 6
management services
(except property
management)
Real estate brokers' 1
offices
Real estate consultants' 1
(except agents,
appraisers)offices
Mental health 16 Clinical psychologists' 1
services offices(e.g.,centers,
clinics)
MDs' (medical doctors), 1
mental health,offices
(e.g.,centers,clinics)
Medical doctors' (MDs), 1
mental health,offices
(e.g.centers,clinics)
Mental health centers 1
and clinics(except
hospitals),outpatient
Mental health 1
physicians'offices(e.g.,
centers,clinics)
Psychiatrists'offices 2
(e.g.,centers,clinics)
Psychologists'offices 2
(e.g.,centers,clinics),
clinical
Psychotherapists' 4
(except MDs or DOs)
offices(e.g.,centers,
clinics)
Psychotherapists'(MDs 1
or DOs)offices(e.g.,
centers, clinics)
Social workers', mental 2
health,offices(e.g.,
centers, clinics)
Art and artists 15 Art(except commercial 1
or graphic) instruction
Artists(except 3
commercial, musical),
independent
Artists(i.e., painters), 3
independent
Artists, independent 1
commercial
Arts, Entertainment, 4
and Recreation
(General)
LU 25-0002 ATTACHMENT 4/PAGE 3 OF 3