The Athens‑Clarke County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a zoning text amendment that would allow home‑occupation activities to be carried out in accessory structures in addition to the primary residence, with existing guardrails (no signage, limits on employees and business vehicles, etc.) remaining in place. Commissioners instructed staff to change "heated floor space" language to "habitable" and to use an "and/or" construction so the code reads that home occupations must occur entirely within the primary or accessory structure (or both) rather than implying an exclusive choice.

Staff said the amendment responds to a Georgia state statutory change that removed the Georgia Department of Agriculture requirement for cottage food producers to supply Department paperwork. While removing that obsolete requirement, staff proposed using the opportunity to clarify whether accessory structures can be used for home occupations. Under current code, the home‑occupation activity must occur in the primary residence and be limited to up to 25% of the heated floor area. The amendment would allow accessory structures (for example, a detached shed) to be used for storage or business functions while retaining the 25% limit for the primary structure’s habitable floor space; accessory structures would not be subject to the same 25% limit by code, but any permit applicant must still demonstrate compliance with the ordinance and staff will review each permit.

Commission discussion focused on definitions ("heated" vs. "habitable"), whether attached garages/carports count toward the 25% calculation, and the practical effect of allowing accessory structures. Staff advised that each home‑occupation permit requires an application and staff review; code enforcement follows up on complaints and will enforce permit limits for visible storage or operations that exceed permit conditions. Commissioners asked staff to revise the draft to use "habitable" rather than "heated" and to make clear the 25% cap applies to the primary structure’s habitable floor space.

The commission voted to recommend approval of the amendment with those two wording edits; the item will be forwarded to the mayor and commission for further action.