Guideline No. 39 – Professions and Home Business

An Exterior Alteration Application must be submitted for all professions and home businesses.

Exterior Alteration Application Requirements

The application must include:

  • Type of profession/home business desired (complete description).
  • Purpose of the Business.
  • Description of where business-related materials will be stored.
  • A description of any signage to be used must be included in the application.
  • Approximate square outside footage of lot to be used for the business, if applicable.
  • Description of how products, services, or materials will be distributed and advertised, if applicable.
  • Type and number of vehicles and where such vehicles are to be parked if rental property.
  • Number and type of deliveries required.
  • Type and number of vehicles to be used in the business, and where such vehicles are to be parked.
  • The total square footage of the home and the percentage of that square footage to be utilized in the conduct of the proposed business.
  • The operating hours.
  • The number and times of meetings to be held per week and the number of people, who will attend meetings, as well as the number and type of vehicles that meeting members will drive and park at the meeting.
Approval

Your application will most likely be approved if the following criteria are met:

  1. A completed in-home business or profession application is submitted.
  2. An acknowledgment of the adjacent or affected property owners by signature is provided. (Signatures acknowledge awareness and does not constitute approval or disapproval.)
  3. The primary use of the residential property will remain a personal residence.
  4. Any sign or signage, other advertising service relating to professions or home businesses has been applied for using an Exterior Alteration Application and will not be placed on the Lot until approved by the RHAC.
  5. Operating personnel is limited to one employee other than those members permanently residing in the residence. Other proposals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

NOTE: Section 11.02 of the River Hill Village Covenants states: “No profession or home industry shall be conducted in or on any part of a Lot or in any improvement thereon on the Property without specific written approval of the Architectural Committee.” The Architectural Committee, in its discretion, upon consideration of the circumstances in each case, and particularly the effect on surrounding property, may permit a Lot or any improvement thereon to be used in whole or in part for the conduct of a profession or home industry.” Home businesses are included in “home industries.”

If the impact of the profession or home business on other properties is significantly greater than that stated in the original application, the RHAC may reconsider and rescind its approval. The impact on traffic and parking is a consideration that the RHAC will take under advisement. Approval will only be granted if the business is considered to be compatible with a high-quality residential neighborhood. Any variance from the approved application will be considered a violation of the River Hill Village Covenants.

The following activities, among others, may be permitted at the discretion of the RHAC: music, art, and dance classes; schools, medical and dental offices; fraternal or social club meeting place; seamstress services.

Applications must be renewed after the first year and/or in the event of any material changes. Thereafter, applications must be renewed every two years and/or in the event of material changes.