Commission removes minimum parcel sizes for home enterprise and rural home industry; staff to align definitions for home office uses

Mariposa County Planning Commissioners on May 2 directed staff to remove minimum parcel‑size thresholds that had been drafted for home enterprise and rural home industry uses and to reconcile language distinguishing home offices (professional services) from home enterprises (on‑site production and sales).

Staff said the draft attempted to limit some more intensive commercial activities to larger parcels, but several commissioners noted that many legitimate home enterprises — such as workshops, small artisans or small professional offices — can operate without large acreage and already are controlled by nuisance and performance standards (noise, odor, traffic, storage). The commission agreed that the development code should rely on operational standards rather than parcel‑size minimums.

Commissioners also asked staff to clarify the difference between “home office” and “home enterprise.” The draft prohibited on‑site sales at a home office, which raised concerns that the county could inadvertently bar professional services (attorneys, accountants) that see clients by appointment. Commissioners directed staff to reword the section so home offices can accommodate client visits and professional services while home enterprise rules address on‑site production, on‑site sales of fabricated goods and larger employee counts.

Ending: Staff will return with revised language that removes the 2.5‑ and 5‑acre minimum parcel sizes for home enterprise and rural home industry, clarifies and aligns definitions of home office vs. home enterprise, and retains nuisance and operational standards (traffic, noise, outdoor storage) to control impacts.