A bill has been introduced in the Kansas Senate to allow home-based businesses, and some city and county leaders across the state are raising concerns that it will hurt their ability to deal with any nuisance issues in neighborhoods.
Sedgwick County commissioners had a briefing on the bill this week. Senate Bill 505 would prohibit cities and counties from enacting or enforcing zoning regulations that would be considered as barriers to home-based work. Assistant County Counselor Justin Waggoner told commissioners that the bill would wipe out county zoning regulations on home-based businesses. He said there would be no restrictions on the number of employees, or the number of company vehicles that are parked on a property, and a home business could build an accessory building. Waggoner said if residents of a neighborhood had complaints about noise, odor, traffic or other issues relating to a home-based business, “our hands would be tied” in dealing with those issues.
Commission Chairman David Dennis said he has significant concerns about the bill because it would take away local control. The Kansas Association of Counties and the Kansas League of Municipalities have voiced opposition to the bill.
Commissioner Jim Howell said the bill pits property rights versus local control. He doesn’t see a chance for the bill to pass this year, because it has a long way to go to get through the legislative process, and lawmakers are approaching the April 1st adjournment.
