The Mathews County Planning Commission voted Tuesday to recommend that supervisors adopt changes to the zoning ordinance governing home occupations, creating a more intensive classification as a conditional use in the residential, business, and village mixed use districts.

The ordinance, if adopted by the board during the regular meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, would create two definitions rather than the current single definition.

Under the proposal, a home occupation is characterized as being an accessory and subordinate use to the residential use and as having low impact, home-based business activities. All activities would be “completely contained within the dwelling unit and accessory buildings.”

A home enterprise would also be accessory and subordinate to residential use as well as low impact and home-based, but would allow for limited employee access, customers, or clients.

Home occupation

If passed, the ordinance would limit home occupations to 400 square feet or 25...