Valleywide : OK of Home Business Ordinance Urged

A city panel this week recommended that the City Council pass an ordinance to legalize about 30 home-based occupations throughout Los Angeles.

Tuesday, the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee approved the proposed measure, spearheaded by Valley Councilwoman Laura Chick. The proposed ordinance would legalize home-based occupations, including accountants, attorneys, engineers and composers.

“It’s a very conservative version,” Chick said following the meeting, during which she and committee Chairman Hal Bernson--the only other member of the committee present--debated provisions of the ordinance. “But it’s a good first step.”

Under the proposal, for example, outside client visits would not be permitted.

Also, home-based businesses would have to operate within guidelines governing traffic, noise, parking and location of business activities. Enforcement of the law would be paid by fees included in the home-business-permit fees.

Chick said she hoped the draft ordinance would be prepared and ready for full council review by mid-January.

Most home-based businesses are outlawed under existing city law, though the ordinance is rarely enforced. Opponents contend that home businesses will bring traffic and noise to residential areas, while supporters say the businesses provide jobs to many city residents.

Over the past 10 years, the council has considered a number of efforts to change the city’s regulations on home-based businesses.