A draft zoning ordinance headed to a public hearing next month would make it easier for Winslow residents to run small businesses from their homes, updating rules that town officials say have not kept pace with how people work.
Under the current code, home occupations face tight limits on signage, employees and customer traffic that some residents say are unclear and inconsistently enforced. The draft would set out plain thresholds and a simple permit process for low-impact uses.
Key changes in the draft
The proposal, developed by the planning commission over several months, would:
- Allow one non-resident employee for qualifying home businesses
- Set clear limits on customer visits and delivery traffic per day
- Permit one small, non-illuminated sign per property
- Keep restrictions on outdoor storage and noise
Supporters say the update would give bookkeepers, bakers, repair workers and online sellers a clearer path to operate legally. Some neighbors have raised concerns about parking and traffic on residential streets, which the commission says the daily limits are designed to address.
The public hearing is scheduled for the first council meeting next month. Officials encouraged residents to review the draft at the town office and submit written comments in advance.
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Further reading: Zoning basics
