Ashland City Zoning Code
SECTION 4
0 DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
4.1
GENERAL DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
4.1.1
Table of Dimensional Requirements. No building or structure shall be constructed nor shall any existing building or structure be enlarged or altered except in conformance with the Table of Dimensional Requirements as to lot coverage, lot area, land area per dwelling unit, lot width, front, side and rear setbacks, and maximum height of structures except as may otherwise be provided elsewhere herein.
[Amended 11-16-2009 STM, Art. 14; 11-28-2016 STM, Art. 12; 5-2-2018 ATM, Art. 20]
Minimum Lot Area (sq.ft.) | Minimum Lot Frontage (ft.) | Minimum Front Yard (ft.) | Minimum Side Yard (ft.) | Minimum Rear Yard (ft.) | Maximum Height (stories)-(feet) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RA | 30000 | 150 | 40 | 10 | 30 | N/A-35 |
RB | 20000 | 125 | 30 | 10 | 20 | N/A-35 |
RM | 30000 | 150 | 40 | 10 | 30 | N/A-35 |
CH | 30000 | 150 | 30 | 10 | 30 | 3-35 for dwellings 5 for otherwise |
CD | 20,000 for dwellings 10,000 otherwise | 125 for dwellings 0 for otherwise | 30 for dwellings 0 for otherwise | 10 for dwellings 0 for otherwise | 20 for dwellings 0 for otherwise | N/A-38 (See Note 11) |
CV | 15000 | 100 | 20 | 10 | 20 | 2.5-35 for dwellings 4 for otherwise |
CN | 5000 | 50 | 15 | 8 | 35 | N/A-30 feet |
I | 30000 | 150 | 40 | 30 | 30 | 2-35 for dwelling 5 for otherwise |
4.1.2
Notes to Table of Dimensional Requirements.
[Amended 5-2-2018 ATM, Art. 20]
1.
For two-family dwellings in the RB District, increase minimum lot area by fifty percent (50%).
2.
For all requirements for multifamily dwellings, see Section 7.5.
3.
Excluding lots of thirty thousand (30,000) square feet or greater, no single or two-family structure shall be greater than four thousand five hundred (4,500) square feet excluding basement and finished attic unless a waiver on the size requirement is approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals by the grant of a special permit.
4.
In the CD District, increase minimum lot area for two-family dwellings.
5.
In the CN District, access to the rear of the lot shall be via 16' drives.
6.
In the CH, CD, and CV Districts: for single-family dwellings not connected to municipal water and sewer, increase minimum lot area by 50%; for two-family dwellings not connected to municipal water and sewer, increase minimum lot area by an additional 50%.
7.
In the CN District, lot coverage by buildings shall not exceed 15%.
8.
(Reserved)
9.
(Reserved)
10.
(Reserved)
11.
In the CD District, height may be increased to 45' upon issuance of a Special Permit by the Planning Board in accordance with Section 9.3 of this bylaw. In addition to the Special Permit criteria set forth in Section 9.3, the Board shall consider (i) the increase in height will result in another floor of the project, (ii) whether the applicant has made suitable accommodations for increased parking demand or has otherwise supplied suitable mitigation to offset project impacts and (iii) the applicant of a project conforms to the form-based code guidelines found in Section 8.5.7.
[Added 11-28-2016 STM, Art. 12]
4.1.3
Accessory structures. Accessory structures may not be placed within required yards, except that permitted signs or roadside stands may be located within a required front yard area, and a permitted one-story accessory structure may be located within a required rear yard, and a permitted one-story accessory structure may be located within a required rear yard, provided that it occupies not more than thirty percent (30%) of either the required or the actual yard, and further provided that it is not located within ten (10) feet of any property line.
4.1.4
Lot Shape. No lot shall be so irregularly shaped or extended that the square of the lot perimeter exceeds twenty-two (22) times the gross lot area except for the following two exemptions:
[Added 5-6-2009 ATM, Art. 26]
4.1.5
Average of Building Setbacks. No building need provide a front setback greater than the average of the setbacks provided by existing buildings on abutting lots, fronting on the same street.[1]
[Added 5-5-2010 ATM, Art. 26]
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former Subsection 4.1.6, Dimensional Requirements for Multiple Principal Uses, added 5-5-2010 ATM, Art 20, was repealed 5-2-2018 ATM, Art. 21.
4.1.6
Covered Open-Air Front Porch. The Dimensional Requirements requiring minimum front yard setbacks in residential districts shall not apply to a Covered Open-Air Front Porch, where at least ninety (90) percent of the Porch is located between the front of the residential structure and the front lot line, provided that no portion of the Covered Open-Air Front Porch shall be:
[Added 6-12-2021 ATM, Art. 9]
1.
Enclosed by screen, glass or building walls, whether full or partial (open handrails and guardrails shall be allowed up to a height of 38 inches);
2.
Of a depth (including all roof lines and columns, but not stairs) greater than ten (10) feet;
3.
Of a height greater than one story (as related to the adjoining building);
4.
With habitable space or balconies located above the Covered Open-Air Front Porch;
5.
Located closer to the front lot line than a distance in feet equal to sixty (60%) percent of the applicable front yard setback requirement;
6.
Covered with a flat, non-sloped roof, unless such roof is an open trellis; and
7.
Constructed in non-compliance with all other requirements of the underlying zone including, without limitation, side yard setbacks and lot coverage requirements.
The volume and footprint of a Covered Open-Air Front Porch shall not be considered part of the volume or footprint of a non-conforming structure being rebuilt under section 3.3.7. However, the Covered Open-Air Front Porch may be rebuilt in kind after a demolition, destruction or catastrophe. |
Said bylaws shall only be applicable for structures in existence at the time of adoption (Annual Town Meeting, June 12, 2021) |
4.2
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR VILLAGE COMMERCE (CV) DISTRICT
4.2.1
General. In order to encourage clustering of uses, provision for efficient vehicular circulation and parking and ease of pedestrian access, the following special provisions apply in the Village Commerce (CV) District.
4.2.2
Principal Buildings. More than one (1) principal building may be constructed on a single lot. However, the maximum floor area for individual buildings and uses shall be as follows:
4.2.3
Abutting Lots. Where two (2) abutting lots share a unified off-street parking area and where the continued existence and use of the shared parking area is guaranteed through appropriate mechanisms, a special permit may authorize deviations from the regulations otherwise applicable to the lots, as follows:
1.
Reduction or waiver of requirements for side and rear yards between the two (2) lots.
2.
Reduction in the required number of off-street parking spaces for one (1) of the lots, provided that the total number of required spaces for all lots sharing a common parking area are provided within the total area of such lots.
3.
Increase in the maximum building coverage, up to fifty percent (50%) of total lot area, subject to the specified limitations on total floor area.
4.2.4
Pond Street. For lots fronting on Pond Street (Route 126), site plans should indicate the location of the future street (right-of-way) line and should demonstrate that the required landscaping and off-street parking areas, together with necessary vehicular and pedestrian circulation facilities, can be provided within the area of the lot defined by such street line. If no future right-of-way line has been designated by the Planning Board or the Select Board, the presumed line shall be located twenty-five (25) feet from the center line of the existing right-of-way.
[Amended 11-20-2019 STM, Art. 14]
4.3
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCE (CN) DISTRICTS
4.3.1
General. In order to encourage clustering of uses, provision for efficient vehicular circulation and parking and ease of pedestrian access, the following special provisions apply in the Neighborhood Commerce (CN) District.
4.3.2
Lot Waivers. Where two (2) abutting lots share a unified off-street parking area and where the continued existence and use of the shared parking area is guaranteed through appropriate mechanisms, a special permit may authorize deviations from the regulations otherwise applicable to the lots, as follows:
1.
Reduction or waiver of requirements for side and rear yards between the two (2) lots.
2.
Reduction in the required number of off-street parking spaces for one (1) of the lots, provided that the total number of required spaces for all lots sharing a common parking area are provided within the total area of such lots.
3.
Increase in the maximum building coverage of ten percent (10%) of the total lot area, subject to the specified limitations on total floor area.
4.3.3
Performance Standards.
1.
No interior display shall be visible from any property line.
2.
Outdoor storage or display of goods or materials is prohibited.
3.
Warehousing of goods or materials except as expressly provided in this By-law is prohibited.
4.
Not more than thirty-five percent (35%) of any front or exterior side yard shall be used for driveways.
5.
No lighting fixture shall be located and directed as to be a hazard to traffic safety.
6.
All incandescent light sources shall be shielded from view of adjacent residential zones and abutting properties.
7.
Noise levels shall not exceed fifty-five (55) db in the day or forty-five (45) db at night or shall not exceed the ambient noise level, whichever is greater. All noise-producing equipment, fans, vents, etc., shall be oriented away from residential areas and/or appropriately screened.
4.3.4
Architectural and Design Review.
1.
When the exteriors of existing structures are to be remodeled or enlarged or when new buildings or structures are constructed, including signs, walls, fences and exterior lighting fixtures, the design shall be subject to site plan review procedures in accordance with Section 9.4.
2.
This shall include the determination that the plans submitted are visually harmonious and compatible with the surrounding land uses, vegetation and topography in order to promote quality design, reduce the adverse impact of uncoordinated development and protect and enhance the surrounding neighborhoods.
3.
Plans shall conform with specific plans for the areas of Route 126 and Route 135.