Alexandria City Zoning Code
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 155.01 TITLE; PURPOSE.
(A) Title. The official title of this chapter is the Zoning Code of the city.
(Prior Code, § 153.02)
(B) Purpose.
(1) This chapter:
(a) Regulates the location and use of structures and land for residences, business, industry, and other purposes;
(b) Regulates the location and height of structures, the size of yards and other open spaces, automobile parking, and the density of population;
(c) Provides a method of administration by establishing a Board of Zoning Appeals and prescribing duties and powers of officials; and
(d) Prescribes penalties for violations.
(2) This chapter is in accordance with a Comprehensive Plan and is adopted so that:
(a) Adequate light, air, convenience of access, and safety from fire, flood, and other danger may be secured;
(b) Congestion in public streets may be lessened or avoided; and
(c) The public health, safety, comfort, morals, convenience, and general public welfare may be promoted.
(3) This chapter is made with reasonable regard to existing conditions, the character of buildings erected in each district, the most desirable use for which the land in each district may be adopted, and the conservation of property values throughout the territory under the jurisdiction of the City Plan Commission.
(Prior Code, § 153.01) (Ord. 907, passed 9-15-1969; Ord. 1162, passed 11-7-1983)
§ 155.02 AUTHORIZATION AND COMPLIANCE.
(A) Authorization. This chapter is adopted pursuant to Chapter 174 of the Acts of the General Assembly of the state, 1947, and all acts supplemental and amendatory thereto.
(Prior Code, § 153.03)
(B) Compliance. No structure shall be located, erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, converted, or enlarged nor shall any structure or land be used or be designed to be used except in full compliance with all the provisions of this chapter and after the lawful issuances of permits required by this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 153.04)
(Ord. 907, passed 9-15-1969)
§ 155.03 APPLICATION AND JURISDICTION.
(A) Application. It is not intended by this chapter to interfere with, abrogate, or amend any existing easements, covenants, or other agreements between parties nor is it intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul, or in any way interfere with any existing provisions of laws or ordinances or any rules, regulations, or permits previously adopted or issued pursuant to law relating to the use of buildings or premises. However, where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises than is imposed or required by such existing provisions of law or by such rules, regulations, agreements, covenants, or permits, the provisions of this chapter shall control, but where such private covenants, permits, agreements, rules, or regulations impose a greater restriction than is imposed by this chapter, the greater restrictions shall control.
(Prior Code, § 153.07)
(B) Jurisdiction. This chapter shall apply to all incorporated land within the city and the contiguous unincorporated land within the jurisdictional area as shown on the Jurisdictional Area Zone Map on file with the City Clerk-Treasurer and County Recorder.
(Prior Code, § 153.06)
(Ord. 907, passed 9-15-1969)
§ 155.04 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ACCESSORY USE. A use customarily incidental and subordinate to the principal use and located on the same lot as the principal use.
AGRICULTURE. Any use of land or structures for farming, dairying, pasturage, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, arboriculture, or animal or poultry husbandry. Accessory uses permitted in conjunction with an agricultural use may include barns, stables, corn cribs, silos, and any other use or structure that is clearly a part of an agricultural operation.
AREA. Calculated from dimensions derived by horizontal projection of the site.
BASEMENT. A story having more than 50% of its clear height below finished grade.
BOARD. The Board of Zoning Appeals established by this chapter.
CLINIC. Any establishment where human patients are examined and treated by doctors or dentists but not hospitalized overnight.
CLUB. An establishment operated for social, recreational, or educational purposes but open only to members and not the general public.
COVERAGE. The percentage of the lot area covered by principal and accessory use structures.
DWELLING UNIT. Any structure or part of a structure designed or used as the living quarters for one family.
ESSENTIAL SERVICES. The erection, construction, alteration, or maintenance by public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies of underground or overhead gas, electrical, steam, or water transmission or distribution systems; including poles, wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduit cables, fire alarm boxes, police call boxes, traffic signals, hydrants, street signs, and other similar equipment and accessories in connection therewith; reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by such public utilities or municipal or other governmental agencies or for the public health or safety or general welfare but not including buildings.
FAMILY. One or more persons occupying a premises and living as a single housekeeping unit, distinguished from a group occupying a boarding house, lodging house, club, fraternity, or hotel.
HOME OCCUPATION. An occupation carried on in a dwelling unit which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the building for dwelling purposes and which does not change the character thereof.
JUNK YARDS or SALVAGE YARDS. Any automobile wrecking yard and a lot or portion thereof used for the storage, keeping, or abandonment of junk which shall include scrap metal and/or metal parts or vehicle parts, machinery, and/or parts thereof and any other items of salvage which are stored or maintained as part of an on-going or existing business or occupation of real estate.
LIGHT INDUSTRIAL. The processing and fabrication of certain materials and products where no process involved will produce noise, vibration, air pollution, fire hazard, or noxious emission which will disturb or endanger neighboring properties.
LOT. A parcel of land occupied or capable of being occupied by one or more structures.
LOT, DEPTH OF. A mean horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines.
LOT, MINIMUM AREA OF. The horizontally projected area of a lot computed exclusive of any portion of the right-of-way of any public thoroughfare.
LOT OF RECORD. Any lot which individually, or as a part of a subdivision, has been recorded in the office of Recorder of Deeds of the County.
LOT, WIDTH OF. The mean width measured at right angles to its depth.
MOBILE HOME. Any mobile vehicle used or designed to be used for living purposes whether the wheels be attached or not. A travel trailer, as defined herein, shall be considered a MOBILE HOME if occupied.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE. A structure designed, converted, or adapted for a use prior to the adoption of provisions prohibiting such use in this location.
NONCONFORMING USE. Any use or arrangement of land or structures legally existing at the time of the enactment of this chapter or any of its amendments which does not conform to the provisions herein.
STRUCTURE. Anything constructed or erected which requires a fixed location on the ground for use including, in addition to buildings, billboards, carports, porches, and other building features but not including sidewalks, drives, fences, and patios.
SUPPLY YARDS. A commercial establishment storing or offering for sale building supplies, coal, heavy equipment, feed and grain, and similar goods. SUPPLY YARDS do not include the wrecking, salvaging, dismantling, or storage of automobiles and similar vehicles.
TRAVEL TRAILER. A mobile vehicle with wheels designed for overnight living or camping purposes, capable of being towed by a passenger automobile and having an overall length of less than 25 feet and an overall width of less than eight feet.
(Prior Code, § 153.08) (Ord. 907, passed 9-15-1969; Ord. 1213, passed 8-3-1987)