BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Changes could be coming soon to the way home businesses are run in Bellingham.

The city council will hold a public hearing at its upcoming Monday meeting to discuss the proposed modifications.

Earlier this year, city planners recommended the council realign its housing occupancy codes to meet Mayor Kim Lund’s push for more economic opportunities.

Current codes restrict home businesses to the building in which their owners reside, ban structural modifications for business purposes and place restrictions on additional employees.

The proposed ordinance at the center of Monday’s first of two public hearings will allow variations on a home business’s location and allow for up to three employees to be hired.

Products made on-site and exterior modifications for business purposes would also be allowed.

In the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan released late last year, over half of residents surveyed were in favor of more home businesses operating across the city.