2026-030 - Amendments to Exhibit 9B Zoning Ordinance, including Section 8-500 Home Occupations and related definitions and use regulations, to modernize standards for home bases businesses, reORDINANCE NO. 2026-030
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, AMENDING
ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY
REPEALING AND REPLACING SECTION 8-500, "HOME
OCCUPATIONS," INCLUDING SECTIONS 8-501 THROUGH 8-505, TO
BE RENAMED "HOME-BASED BUSINESSES;" PROVIDING A
REPEALER CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING
A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND
PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Paris is authorized under the laws of the State of Texas,
including the Texas Local Government Code, to regulate land use and zoning within its
jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it necessary to update regulations governing
home-based businesses to reflect modern business practices, including remote work
and small-scale home-based businesses; and
WHEREAS, the City Council further finds it necessary to ensure compliance with
applicable provisions of the Texas Local Government Code, including those governing
the regulation of home occupations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that amendments to Zoning Ordinance No.
1710 Section 8-500 are necessary to modernize home occupation regulations, align
local regulations with Texas law, including but not limited to Texas Local Government
Code Sec. 229.902, and support implementation of the City's ongoing Development
Code modernization efforts; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to regulate home occupations based on
their impacts to surrounding properties while preserving the residential character of
neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, on July 6, 2026, following notice and publication as required by law,
the Planning and Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed
amendments to the City Zoning Ordinance, and following said hearing, made formal
recommendation to the City Council to approve the requested amendments; and
WHEREAS, on July 27, 2026, following notice and publication as required by
law, the City Council of the City of Paris conducted a public hearing on the proposed
amendments to the City Zoning Ordinance and the City Code of Ordinances, and
having considered the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and
the testimony and evidence introduced at said public hearing, found and determined
that approving the aforesaid amendments would be consistent with the City Zoning
Ordinance and the City Code of Ordinances, and in the best interests of the public
health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the City of Paris by a vote of 7 ayes and 0
nays.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
*F PARIS, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. That the findings set out in the preamble to this ordinance are hereby in all
things approved and are incorporated herein for all purposes.
SECTION 2. That Zoning Ordinance No. 1710, Section 8-500, "Home Occupations," is
hereby repealed in its entirety and replaced with Section 8-500, "Home -Based
Businesses," as set forth in Exhibit 'A" attached hereto and incorporated herein by
reference.
SECTION 3. That all provisions of the ordinances of the City of Paris, Texas in conflict
with the provisions of this ordinance are hereby repealed, and all other provisions of the
ordinances of the City of Paris not in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance shall
remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 4. That the repeal of any ordinance or part of ordinances affected by the
enactment of this ordinance shall not be construed as abandoning any action now
pending under or by virtue of such ordinance or as discontinuing, abating, modifying, or
altering any penalty accruing or to accrue, or as affecting any rights of the municipality
under any section or provisions of any ordinance at the time of passage of this
ordinance.
SECTION 5. That it is the intention of the City Council of the City of Paris that this
ordinance, and every provision hereof, shall be considered severable, and the invalidity
or partial invalidity of any section, clause, or provisions of this ordinance shall not affect
the validity of any other portion of this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That any person violating any provision of this ordinance shall be guilty of
a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine in accordance with
provisions of Sec. 1.01.009 of the City of Paris Code of Ordinances, and each and
every day's continuance of any violation of the above -enumerated sections shall
constitute and be deemed a separate offense.
SECTION 7. This ordinance shall become effective from and after its passage and
publication as required by law.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 27th day of July, 2026 by the City Council of the
City of Paris, Texas in regular session following notice and publication as required by
law.
�VAE CI),
Mihir Pan�kaj, Mayor
ATTEST:
1/s ,
ce Ellis, City Clerk
nie H. HJrris, City Attorney
1 0 :
ZONING ORDINANCE NO. 1710
SECTION 8-500 — HOME-BASED BUSINESSES
Sec. 8-501. Purpose and Intent
The purpose of this Section is to permit home-based businesses as accessory uses
within residential dwellings while preserving the residential character of the City's
neighborhoods.
This Section is intended to support small businesses, entrepreneurs, remote work, and
other compatible home-based business activities while regulating operational impacts
that may adversely affect surrounding residential properties.
Home-based businesses shall be permitted by right in all residential zoning districts,
subject to compliance with this Section.
Sec. 8-502. Definitions
For purposes of this Section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings
assigned below.
(1) "Business" means means a trade, occupation, profession, or other commercial
activity.
(2) "Home-based business" means a business that is operated:
(A) from a residential property as an accessory use incidental to and subordinate to the
primary residential use;
(B) by the owner or tenant of the property; and
(C) for the purpose of:
(i) manufacturing, providing, or selling a lawful good; or
(ii) providing a lawful service.
(3) "No -impact home-based business" means a home-based business that:
(A) has at any time on the property where the business is operated a total number of
employees and clients or patrons of the business that does not exceed the municipal
occupancy limit for the property;
(B) does not generate on -street parking or a substantial increase in traffic through the
area;
(C) operates in a manner in which none of its activities are visible from a street; and
(D) does not substantially increase noise in the area or violate a municipal noise
ordinance, regulation, or rule.
(4) "Client Visit" means a pre -arranged, in person visit by a customer, student, or client
to a home-based business.
Sec. 8-503. General Standards
A home-based business shall remain incidental and subordinate to the residential use of
the property and shall not alter the residential character of the dwelling or surrounding
neighborhood.
Business activities shall occur primarily within the dwelling or an accessory structure.
Incidental outdoor activity may occur only if it does not create a nuisance, produce
impacts detectable beyond the property boundary, or create visible evidence of
commercial activity from the public right-of-way.
Client visits are permitted by appointment. The operation of a home-based business
shall not create traffic, parking demand, deliveries, or disturbances materially greater
than those normally associated with residential use. Additional parking areas shall not
be constructed to serve the business.
Equipment shall be limited to that customarily associated with residential or hobby use.
Hazardous materials beyond those ordinarily associated with residential occupancy are
prohibited. Business materials and equipment shall be stored within the dwelling or an
accessory structure. Outdoor storage associated with a home-based business is
prohibited.
Home-based businesses shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws,
including building, fire, health, sanitation, environmental, transportation, and sign
regulations. Nothing in this Section shall require the operator of a home-based business
to rezone residential property unless warranted by the operational impacts of the
business, nor shall this Section require the installation of a fire sprinkler protection
system where prohibited by state law.
No exterior modification shall be made that indicates the presence of a business except
as otherwise authorized by this Code.
Sec. 8-504. Registration
A home-based business shall not require a Specific Use Permit or any other
discretionary zoning approval.
Except for a no -impact home-based business as defined by state law, an administrative
Home -Based Business Registration shall be required for enforcement and
recordkeeping purposes. Registration shall be issued administratively, shall not require
annual renewal, and shall not impose conditions beyond those established by this
Section.
Registration may be revoked upon violation of this Section after notice and an
opportunity to correct the violation.
No -impact home-based businesses shall not require registration.
Sec. 8-505. Prohibited Activities
A home-based business shall not operate in a manner that creates impacts inconsistent
with a residential neighborhood.
Without limiting the foregoing, the following activities are prohibited:
1. Automotive repair, heavy equipment repair, industrial fabrication, welding, or
similar activities whose operational impacts are incompatible with residential use.
2. Outdoor commercial storage, display, or sales.
3. Storage or use of hazardous materials beyond those ordinarily associated with
residential occupancy.
4. Any business whose operational impacts require commercial or industrial zoning
The following activities are prohibited under this Section 8-500 regardless of whether
the home-based business impacts surrounding properties:
1. The sale of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs.
2. Sexually oriented businesses.
3. Structured sober living homes.
Sec. 8-506. Enforcement
Violations of this Section shall be enforced in accordance with Section 1.01.009 of the
City of Paris Code of Ordinances.
Enforcement shall be based upon observable operational impacts rather than the type
of business conducted.
The City may issue notices of violation, revoke a registration, require cessation of a
noncompliant home-based business, or pursue any other remedy authorized by law.
A home-based business that complies with this Section shall be presumed compatible
with residential use.
Sec. 8-507. No Zoning Precedent
The existence, registration, operation, or enforcement of a home-based business shall
not be construed as establishing a commercial, office, retail, industrial, or other
nonresidential use of the property.
The existence of one or more home-based businesses within a residential area shall not
constitute justification or evidence in support of a zoning amendment, variance, special
exception, or other land use approval inconsistent with the residential character of the
area.
Home-based businesses are accessory uses and shall not be considered precedent for
the expansion of nonresidential zoning or land uses.
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