Allendale City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XII
Impervious Surface Coverage, Side Yard Setbacks and Building Coverage
[Added 5-13-1999]
§ 270-61 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALLOWABLE COVERAGE
The percentage of the lot area that may be covered by building structures or impervious surfaces.
BUILDING COVERAGE
Land areas covered by buildings or other structures. These areas shall include residences, garages, sheds, porches, decks, cabanas and buildings or other structures with roofed areas.
FLOOR AREA RATIO
The percentage of the lot area that limits the overall gross building floor area.
GROSS BUILDING AREA
Is defined as the gross building floor area of the buildings on the property. The gross building area shall include all enclosed floor areas on all floors for residences, accessory buildings or garages. The gross building area shall not include open porches, unfinished attics, basements, decks or patios.
IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
Land surface areas that do not allow rainwater to be directly absorbed by the ground. These surfaces shall include:
A.
Building coverage.
B.
Driveways or other paved areas.
C.
Patios and walkways.
D.
Tennis courts.
E.
Water surface area of swimming pools.
F.
Decks which do not allow free drainage of rainwater through to the ground underneath.
LOT AREA
The actual land area of the property or lot, including easements or rights-of-way.
NONIMPERVIOUS COVERAGE
Includes:
A.
Gravel or loose stone areas that allow water to pass through to the ground below.
B.
Fences, playground equipment, arbors or outdoor furniture.
SIDE YARD SETBACK
The minimum dimension between a building or structure and the side property line.
§ 270-62 Impervious surfaces.
The maximum allowable coverage for the combined building and impervious surface area for single-family residential lots shall be determined as follows:
A.
For lots less than 10,000 square feet in area, the maximum allowable impervious coverage shall be 55% of the lot area.
B.
For lots over 40,000 square feet in area, the maximum allowable impervious coverage shall be 27.5% of the lot area.
C.
For lots with areas between 10,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet, the maximum percentage of allowable impervious coverage shall be equal to 55 divided by the square root of the lot area.
§ 270-63 Floor area ratios.
A.
The floor area ratio (FAR) is determined as follows:
(1)
For lots with less than 10,000 square feet, the FAR shall be 25% of the lot area.
(2)
For lots with more than 40,000 square feet, the FAR shall be 19% of lot area.
(3)
For lots between 10,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet, the FAR percentage shall be computed as follows: FAR = 25 - .0002 times (lot area - 10,000).
B.
The gross building area of a residential lot shall not exceed the percentage of the lot area which is equal to the floor area ratio as determined herein.
§ 270-64 Side yard setbacks.
The minimum side yard setback distance for residential zones shall be controlled by the zone and by the gross building area. No side yard shall be less than the minimum side yard requirement calculated for each zone district as set forth herein.
A.
Zone AAA.
(1)
Minimum of 25 feet.
(2)
.008 times the gross building area for areas over 3,000 square feet.
(3)
Minimum of 40 feet for gross building areas over 5,000 square feet.
B.
Zone AA.
(1)
Minimum of 20 feet.
(2)
.007 times the gross building area for areas over 2,800 feet.
(3)
Minimum of 40 feet for gross building areas over 5,600 square feet.
C.
Zone A.
(1)
Minimum of 15 feet.
(2)
.006 times the gross building area for areas over 2,400 square feet.
(3)
Minimum of 40 feet for gross building areas over 6,6OO square feet.
D.
Zone B.
(1)
Minimum of 10 feet.
(2)
.005 times the gross building area for areas over 2,000 square feet.
(3)
Minimum of 40 feet for gross building areas over 7,800 square feet.
