A home-based barbecue business wants to set up shop on Richins Road, and Draper neighbors will get their say before the Planning Commission decides.

Rusty's Pitmasters Barbecue LLC has applied for a conditional use permit to produce barbecued foods from a residential kitchen at 1645 E. Richins Rd., according to a public notice posted by Draper City on Aug. 13. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the application Thursday, Aug. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Draper City Hall, 1020 E. Pioneer Road.

The commission's vote follows the hearing. No City Council approval is required for an administrative conditional use permit, meaning the commission's decision is final.

Other home permits this year

The application is at least the fourth home occupation permit request to come before the commission in 2026. CleanCrumb.co, a cottage bakery at 12983 S. Fox Crossing Ln., was heard July 9. Bakehouse Cottage at 478 W. Sandberg Ln. followed July 30. Lamb Hair Salon at 249 E. 13560 South was heard Aug. 13. All four applications were handled by city planner Nick Whittaker.

As we reported July 30, home occupation requests have become a recurring item on the commission's agenda this year.

What's unclear

The notice describes the business as producing "barbecued foods" but does not specify whether that means smoked meats. That distinction matters: Utah's Cottage Food Law, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Food, explicitly prohibits products containing meat or poultry under the state's cottage food registration. A meat-based operation would fall outside that state program entirely, making the local conditional use permit the primary regulatory approval.

The notice does not name the individual business owner. The Draper Herald contacted Whittaker on Aug. 13 for additional details; he had not responded by publication.

How to weigh in

The hearing is open to the public. Residents who want to comment can attend the Aug. 27 hearing in person at City Hall. Those with questions beforehand can contact Whittaker at (801) 576-6522 or [email protected]. The full public notice is available on the city's website and at utah.gov/pmn.