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Austin City Zoning Code

ZONING DISTRICTS

AND MAP

§ 11.020 DISTRICTS.

   Subd. 1. In order to classify, regulate and restrict the location of trade and industry, and location of buildings designated for specific uses, to protect residential uses, to regulate and limit the height and bulk of buildings hereafter erected or altered, to regulate and limit the intensity of the use of lot areas and to regulate and determine the areas of yards and open space within and surrounding the buildings, the city is hereby divided into zoning districts.
   Subd. 2. The use, height and area regulations shall be as described for each district, and the districts shall be known as:
      A. R-1 Single-Family Residence District. The R-1 District is established to encourage the preservation of residential neighborhoods characterized by single-family buildings on medium sized lots and to preserve undeveloped lands for similar types of residential development by permitting a minimum of auxiliary non-residential uses.
      B. R-2 Multi-Family Residence District. It is the purpose of the R-2 District to assist in the maintenance and development of desirable residential neighborhoods, characterized by high density development, appropriate levels of service and choice of tenancy. Non-residential uses permitted in this district shall be limited to those uses and buildings that will provide stability and dignity to the area as a residential neighborhood.
      C. R-O Multi-Family Residence - Office District. It is the purpose of the R-O District to restore economic value to developed sections of the city in multi-family residential, commercial, or mixed use where existing properties are no longer practical for single-family residency, and where residential properties along major thoroughfares can be removed and replaced by modern residential and office buildings.
      D. B-2 Community Business District. It is the purpose of the B-2 District to permit and to encourage the establishment of commercial shopping centers which offer a wide variety of consumer goods and services. It is intended that the community business district serve a larger population and larger area than the B-1 District and, when located along major highways and thoroughfares, accommodate primarily automotive-oriented establishments.
      E. B-3 Central Business District. It is the purpose of the B-3 District to permit and encourage the establishment of a wide variety of uses in the downtown in such a way as to attract people to live, work and play to maintain Austin's traditional downtown as a regional tourism and cultural center. Design standards will be implemented to maintain the character of Main Street and 4th Avenue.
      F. I-1 Limited Industrial District. It is the purpose of the I-1 District to create industrial areas that will be acceptable within the city and will not adversely affect adjacent business or residential neighborhoods by permitting industrial establishments which are those whose operations are relatively free from objectionable influences or ones whose objectionable features will be obviated by design and/or appropriate devices.
      G. I-2 Industrial District. It is the purpose of the I-2 District to create industrial areas to accommodate a wide variety of industrial establishments who may operate to their maximum advantage without adversely affecting other nearby similar or dissimilar uses and activities.
      H. I-3 Business/Industrial Park District. It is the purpose of the I-3 District to provide for the establishment of industrial development that is compatible with surrounding or abutting residential districts and encourage high level performance standards. Development in the Business/Industrial District is limited to administrative, wholesaling, manufacturing and related compatible uses, with suitable open spaces, landscaping and parking areas.
      I. A-1 Agriculture, Recreation and Conservation District. It is the purpose of the A-1 District to encourage the preservation of areas within the planning area where farmland will ultimately be converted to urban land use or where urbanization is not likely to occur, including areas subject to acquisition as permanent open space areas.
      J. SZO Shoreland Overlay. It is the purpose of the Shoreland Overlay to regulate the subdivision, use and development of the shorelands of public waters and thus preserve and enhance the quality of surface waters, conserve the economic and natural environmental values of shorelands, and provide for the wise use of waters and related land resources.
      K. RM Residential Manufactured Home District. It is the purpose of the R-M District to set aside areas within the city wherein manufactured homes can be placed in a safe and healthful environment with due regard to their necessity as a residential dwelling unit.
      L. PD Planned Unit Development District. It is the purpose of the PD District to encourage a more creative and efficient development of land in residential, commercial or mixed uses and its improvements than is possible under the more restrictive application of zoning dimensional requirements, while at the same time meeting the standards and purposes of the comprehensive plan and preserving the health, safety and welfare of the citizens; to allow for a mixture of residential units and commercial in an integrated and well-planned area while ensuring concentration of open space into more usable areas; and the preservation of the natural resources of the site including wetlands, woodlands, steep slopes and scenic areas.
(Ord. 699, passed 1-18-22)

§ 11.021 MAP.

   Subd. 1. The boundaries of the aforesaid districts are hereby established as shown on the "zoning map" and the "overlay district map" of the city, which are hereby incorporated as a part of this chapter.
   Subd. 2. The map, together with a copy of this chapter, shall be available for public inspection through the office of the City Clerk.
   Subd. 3. Any changes in zoning district boundaries shall be recorded on the map.
   Subd. 4. Changes are effective upon adoption of an amendment by the City Council.
(Ord. 699, passed 1-18-22)

§ 11.022 BOUNDARIES.

   Subd. 1. The district boundaries are either streets or alleys, unless otherwise shown, and where the designation of the zoning map and overlay district map indicates that various districts are approximately bounded by the centerline of a street or alley, such street or alley centerline shall be construed to be the district boundary line.
   Subd. 2. Where the district boundaries are not otherwise indicated and where the property has been or may hereafter be divided into lots and blocks, the district boundaries shall be construed to be the lot lines and where the designations on the zoning map are approximately bounded by lot lines, the lot line shall be construed to be the boundary of the district.
   Subd. 3. In un-subdivided property, the district boundary lines shown on the zoning map and overlay district map shall be determined by use of the scale shown on such map.
      A. Annexed territory. For any land which may be annexed to the city in the future, the City Council shall assign the appropriate district based upon the existing planned land use designation within the comprehensive plan. Any land without a land use designation within the comprehensive plan.
      B. Overlay districts.
         1. Overlay districts, as defined in this chapter and provided for in § 11.042 of this chapter, are hereby established.
         2. In the event of conflicting provisions between the underlying zoning district and the overlay district, the overlay district standard shall generally apply, unless specifically determined otherwise by the Planning Commission.
(Ord. 699, passed 1-18-22)

§ 11.023 DISTRICT REGULATIONS.

Zoning District
Lot Area (sq. ft.)
Lot Width (ft.)
Front Yard (ft.)
Side Yard Each/Sum (ft.)
Rear Yard (ft.)
Max. Height (ft.)
Max Lot Coverage
Zoning District
Lot Area (sq. ft.)
Lot Width (ft.)
Front Yard (ft.)
Side Yard Each/Sum (ft.)
Rear Yard (ft.)
Max. Height (ft.)
Max Lot Coverage
R-1
6,000
60
25
5/10
20
30
40%
R-2
5,000
50
25
8/16
10
5 stories or 65 ft.
40%
R-O
5,000
50
25
8/16
10
5 stories or 65 ft.
60%
R-M
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
B-2
6,000
60
7
 
 
5 stories or 65 ft.
80%
B-3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I-1
 
 
25
10
10
75
 
I-2
 
 
25
20
20
75
 
I-3
 
 
30
15
30
70
 
A-1
200,000
200
 
40
12/32
35
40%
S-Z
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note:
R-2 and R-O: For each additional 10 feet in building height, an additional 4 feet of side yard is required on each side.
R-M: See the standards for development in the Residential Manufactured Home District in §§ 11.040 et seq.
B-2: Twenty-foot side and rear setback if abutting an R District
B-3: See the standards for the development in the Central Business District in §§ 11.040 et seq.
I-1: Twenty-foot side and rear setback if abutting an R or A District
S-Z: See the standards for development in the Shoreland Overlay District in §§ 11.040 et seq.
(Ord. 699, passed 1-18-22)