Belmont City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 4
BUILDING TYPE REQUIREMENTS
4.1 BUILDING TYPES ESTABLISHED
The rich, architectural vocabulary of the City presents a wide variety of development opportunities using traditional forms while avoiding any perception of monotony. Buildings that are stylized in an attempt to use the building itself as advertising shall be discouraged, particularly where the proposed architecture is the result of a “corporate” or franchise style. The guidelines in this Chapter are intended to attach the same or greater level of importance to the overall building design as is placed on the use contained within. Buildings are expected to be added to the City of Belmont as long-term additions to the architectural vibrancy of the community. Unless otherwise noted, all buildings shall meet the following:
- 1.All buildings shall share a frontage line with a street or civic open space (Exception: Buildings in the H-C, BC-D, and IC-D districts that are interior to a site which have buildings that otherwise meet the frontage requirements such as significant outparcel buildings are not subject to this requirement).
- 2.Principal building entrances shall be from the fronting street.
- 3.All buildings, except accessory structures, shall have a main, useable entrance opening onto a street or square from the front facade. On a corner lot, the principal entrance in both design and function should be from the primary pedestrian street. Pedestrian connections from the principal entrance of the building to sidewalks on adjoining streets and parking lots shall be built. (Exception: Flex Commercial buildings may be accessed from entries located in the front half of the building)
- 4.Important street vistas (such as along City gateways and primary pedestrian streets) should terminate in a focal point, such as a building or other architectural or natural feature.
- 5.Adjacent buildings housing similar type uses that are located within the same or similar zoning districts should relate in similarity of scale, height, architectural style, and configuration.
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- 7.All visibly exposed facades (exception: Single Family Homes and Duplexes) should have:
- a)a recognizable base course consisting of, but not limited to thicker walls, ledges or sills; integrally textured materials such as stone or other masonry; integrally colored and patterned materials such as smooth finished stone or tile; lighter or darker colored materials, mullions, or panels; and/or planters; and
- b)a recognizable top consisting of, but not limited to cornice treatments, other than just colored stripes or bands, with integrally textured materials such as stone or other masonry or differently colored materials; sloping roof with overhangs and brackets; stepped parapets; and/or a cornice capping the top of a building wall.
Innovative planning or design ideas for development in any district where the proposed building types are different than those allowed by the base district requirements may be reviewed as a Conditional District Zoning.
Required building materials may be substituted with materials that are similar in appearance and durability. Effective December 3, 2007, the requirements of this chapter shall apply to any new zoning permit application unless building elevations were approved as part of a conditional district rezoning.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
4.2 DETACHED HOUSE
- 1.LOT REQUIREMENTS
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4.3 TOWNHOUSE
| Description: The townhouse is a building with two or more residential units that are located side-by-side. When an entrance is provided at-grade, the townhouse may be used as a live-work unit. The use permitted within the building is determined by the District in which it is located. | ||
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Front (Maximum): 0-25 ft. Sides: 0 ft. (Corner-6 ft.) Rear: 15 ft. from centerline of alley or lane
Parking and Vehicular Access: Primary vehicular access is provided using a rear lane or alley only. Off-street parking shall be located in the rear yard only. No curb cuts or driveways are permitted along the frontage.
Performance Standards may vary based on zoning classification. See zoning district classification in CHAPTER 5. | Minimum Lot Width: 16 Ft
Encroachments: Balconies, stoops, stairs, chimneys, open porches, bay windows, and raised doorways are permitted to encroach within the front yard. Upper story balconies may encroach into the right-of-way up to 5 feet with permission from the City.
Accessory Structures: Side/Rear Setback: 0 ft. Maximum Footprint: 650 sq. ft. Maximum Number of Structures: 1 | |
 18 ft. wide Townhomes |  24 ft. wide Townhomes |  Live-Work Units |
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Effective on: 1/1/1901
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4.6 APARTMENT BUILDING
| Description: A multiple-unit building with apartments vertically arranged and with parking located below or behind the building. Units may be for rental or for sale in condominium ownership or may be designed as continuing care facilities. The ground floor may be available for commercial uses. The use permitted within the building is determined by the District in which it is located. | ||
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Front (Maximum): 0-25 ft. Sides: 0 ft. (Corner-4 ft.) Rear: 15 ft. from centerline of alley or lane
Parking and Vehicular Access: Primary vehicular access is provided using a rear lane or alley only. Off-street parking shall be located in the rear yard only; except on corner lots where parking areas and structures may be allowed in the side yard subject to the issuance of a special use permit or Conditional District Zoning. No curb cuts or driveways are permitted along the frontage except for vehicular access to rear parking. Performance Standards may vary based on zoning classification. See zoning district classification in CHAPTER 5. | Maximum Height: 3 Stories Side/Rear Setback: 0 ft. Maximum Footprint: 1,300 sq. ft.
Accessory structures over 1,300 sq. ft. are subject to the issuance of a special use permit or Conditional District Zoning.
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 Multi-Family Building |  Eightplex |  Multi-Family Building | |||||
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(TA2020.02, passed 05/04/2020)
Effective on: 5/4/2020
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4.7 SHOPFRONT BUILDING
| Description: A small scale structure which can accommodate a variety of uses. A group of shopfront buildings can be combined to form a mixed-use neighborhood center. Individual shopfront buildings can be used to provide some commercial service, such a neighborhood store, in close proximity to homes. Office buildings, hotels and inns can be placed in shopfront buildings. The use permitted within the building is determined by the District in which it is located. | ||
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Minimum Height: 26 ft. Front (Maximum): 0 ft. Sides: 0 ft. Rear: 20 ft.
Frontage Buildout (Min.): 70% | Minimum Lot Width: 32 ft. (Lots platted prior to 1995 – 16 ft.)
Side/Rear Setback: 0 ft. | |
 |  Retail |  Mixed Use |
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 Mixed Use |  Mixed Use |  Grocery Store |
Effective on: 1/1/1901
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4.8 WORKPLACE BUILDING
| Description: A building available for manufacturing and its related functions. Offices within the building should front the street. Loading is accommodated to the rear. Existing industrial buildings may be converted to loft buildings which are defined as multiple-unit buildings with units available for either residential or commercial use. The ceilings must be high to permit a greater distance from windows required in commercial units. Units may be for rental or for sale in condominium ownership. The use permitted within the building is determined by the District in which it is located. | ||
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Setbacks: Front yard and side yard setbacks for structures on infill lots shall generally be equal to the average setbacks for all principal structures within 300 ft. or one block length (whichever is greater). Where no frontage condition currently exists, the minimum setbacks shall be as follows:
Front: 10 - 20 ft. Side: varies Rear: 30 Accessory Structure Setback: 10 ft. Rear/Side Parking Setback: 10 ft. | Minimum Lot Width: 100 Ft Minimum Lot Size: 1 acre Maximum Height: 60 ft. in BC-D/IC-D otherwise three stories Parking and Vehicular Access: Off-street parking shall be located in the side or rear yard only except as permitted in the underlying district. A circulation driveway is permitted in the front yard. | |
 Heavy Industrial |  Corporate Office & Manufacturing |  Corporate Office |
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 Mixed-Use (Office/Residential) |  Corporate Office |  Small Tenant Office | ||||
Effective on: 1/1/1901
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4.9 FLEX COMMERCIAL BUILDING
| Description: Similar to a shopfront in use, the highway commercial building is specifically coded for automobile-oriented uses that are found along Wilkinson Boulevard and in circumstances allowed under the NC-C zoning district provisions found in Chapter 5.6. This building type provides convenient automobile access from the fronting thoroughfare, while minimizing the negative impacts of parking lots on an active pedestrian realm. The use permitted within the building is determined by the District in which it is located. | ||
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Setbacks: Front yard and side yard setbacks for structures on infill lots should generally be equal to the average setbacks for all principal structures within 300 ft. or one block length (whichever is greater). Where no frontage condition currently exists, the minimum setbacks shall be as follows:
Front: 10ft Side: 4 (8 ft. for corner lot) Rear: 30 ft. Accessory Structure Setback: 5 ft. | Minimum Lot Width: 100 Ft Maximum Height: 2 stories or 35 feet, whichever is less Encroachments: Balconies, stoops, stairs, open porches, and raised doorways are permitted to encroach into the front setback a maximum of 6 ft. Parking and Vehicular Access: Off-street parking shall be located in the side or rear yard only except as permitted in the underlying district. A circulation driveway is permitted in the front yard. | |
 |  Oil & Lube Change |  Fast Food Restaurant |
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 |  Pharmacy with Drive Thru |
Effective on: 1/1/1901
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4.10 CIVIC/INSTITUTIONAL BUILDING
| Description: Specialized buildings intended to serve as public gathering places. Such uses include governmental offices, churches or other places of worship, schools, hospitals, post offices, and non-profit or charitable clubs and organizations. | ||
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Setbacks (Minimum):
Front: 0 ft. Sides: 15 Rear: 30 ft. Side and Rear Setback: 5ft. Maximum Height: 15 ft. Accessory Structures greater than 500 ft²: Side and Rear Setback: 20 ft. Maximum Height: 26 ft. | Minimum Lot Width: 70 Ft Minimum Lot Size: none Maximum Height: 3 Stories (Exception R-R, G-R – 2 Stories) Encroachments: Balconies, stoops, stairs, open porches, bay windows, and raised doorways are permitted to encroach into the front setback a maximum of 10 ft. | |
 City Hall |
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Effective on: 1/1/1901
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Setbacks: Front yard and side yard setbacks for structures on infill lots shall generally be equal to the average setbacks for all principal structures within 300 ft. or one block length (whichever is greater). Where no frontage condition currently exists, the setbacks shall be as follows: Front (Maximum): 0-25 ft. Side: 20% of the lot width or 5 feet on each side whichever is greater. (In new subdivisions, the entire setback may be allocated to one side with a minimum of 10 feet of total building separation) Rear: Three (3) ft. on lots with an area of less than or equal to 7,000 square feet; otherwise, 15 ft. from centerline of alley or lane Accessory Structure Setback: See CHAPTER 3 | Minimum Lot Width: 30 Ft
Lot Coverage (Maximum Impervious): 75%
Vehicular Access to Lot: For lots less than 55 feet wide, alley access is required. For all others the use of an alley is permitted. *Excludes Temporary Family Health Care Structures
Performance Standards may vary based on zoning classification. See zoning district classification in CHAPTER 5. |
 Single-Family Homes |  Triplex |  Single-Family Homes |
Effective on: 1/1/1901
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Setbacks: Front: 20 ft. (On lots located along existing streets with existing development, the front setback should be generally consistent with the frontage of the closest homes and/or buildings adjacent to the lot on either side.) Sides: 7 feet on each side (14 ft. overall) Rear: 30 ft. Parking: See section 9.2 (1) for the number of required spaces. Street-facing garages shall include a 30-foot-deep parking pad in front of garage doors. All other homes shall provide a parking pad 25-foot-deep. Parking spaces shall be 10 feet wide (per required space). All required parking pad dimensions are minimum standards and shall be measured from the property line. | Accessory Structure Side/Rear Setback: For lots less than or equal to 7,000 square feet in area there shall be a minimum three (3) ft. setback on side and rear lot lines; otherwise there shall be a minimum side or rear yard setback of five (5) ft. Excludes Temporary Family Health Care Structures. *See CHAPTER 3 for additional requirements. Minimum Lot Width: 55 ft. Maximum Height: 2 ½ Stories Encroachments: Balconies, stoops, stairs, chimneys, open porches, bay windows, and raised doorways are permitted to encroach into any required front or rear setback a maximum of 8 ft. Lot Coverage (Maximum Impervious): 50% Minimum Lot Size (Duplex Only): 10,000 ft2 Performance Standards may vary based on zoning classification. See zoning district classification in CHAPTER 5. |
 Single Family House |  Single Family House |  Limited Retail |
Effective on: 12/2/2024
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Setbacks: Front: 30 ft. (On lots located along existing streets with existing development, the front setback should be generally consistent with the frontage of the closest homes and/or buildings adjacent to the lot on either side.) (Exception R-R – 40 ft.) Sides: 12 feet on each side (24 ft. overall) Rear: 30 ft. Parking: See section 9.2 (1) for the number of required spaces. Street-facing garages shall include a 30-foot-deep parking pad in front of garage doors. All other homes shall provide a parking pad 25-foot-deep. Parking spaces shall be 10 feet wide (per required space). All required parking pad dimensions are minimum standards and shall be measured from the property line. | Accessory Structure Side/Rear Setback: There shall be a minimum side or rear yard setback of five (5) ft. Excludes Temporary Family Health Care Structures. *See CHAPTER 3 for additional requirements. Minimum Lot Width: 80 ft. Maximum Height: 2 ½ Stories Encroachments: Balconies, stoops, stairs, chimneys, open porches, bay windows, and raised doorways are permitted to encroach into any required front or rear setback a maximum of 8 ft. Lot Coverage (Maximum Impervious): 50% Performance Standards may vary based on zoning classification. See zoning district classification in CHAPTER 5. |
Effective on: 12/2/2024
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- 2.ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENTS
- A.General Requirements
- 1.Useable porches and stoops should form a predominate motif of the building design and be located on the front and/or side of the home. Useable front porches are at least 6 feet deep and extend more than 50% of the facade.
- 2.Garages with front loading bays (if permitted) shall be recessed a minimum of one (1) foot from the front facade of the house and visually designed to form a secondary building volume. All garages with more than two bays shall be turned such that the bays are not visible from the street. At no time shall the width of an attached garage door exceed 45% of the total building facade.
- 3.Fences or walls shall be no greater than 8 feet in height behind the front building line. Fences shall be no greater than 4 feet in height and walls no greater than 3 feet in height in the front yard setback.
- 4.Garage doors are not permitted on the front elevation of any detached on a lot less than 55 feet wide.
- 5.Except for Single Family Homes on Type B-Street Lots and Single Family Homes located in neighborhoods developed specifically for seniors, to provide privacy, all front entrances shall be raised from the finished grade (at the frontage line) a minimum of 1½ feet.
- B.Materials
- 1.Residential building walls shall be wood clapboard, wood shingle, wood drop siding, primed board, wood board and batten, brick, stone, stucco, approved vinyl, or similar material.
- 2.Garden walls may be of brick, stone or stucco matching the principal building. Front yard fences shall be wood picket, wrought iron or materials similar in appearance and durability. Side and rear yard fences may be chain link, wood, wrought iron, or similar material. All side and rear yard fences over 4 ft. in height shall be wood or similar material.
- 3.Residential roofs shall be clad in wood shingles, standing seam metal, terne, slate, asphalt shingles or similar material.
- C.Configurations
- 1.Main roofs on residential buildings shall be symmetrical gables or hips with a pitch between 4:12 and 12:12. Monopitch (shed) roofs are allowed only if they are attached to the wall of the main building. No monopitch roof shall be less then 4:12.
- 2.Two wall materials may be combined on one façade with the material that is more substantial in appearance (e.g., brick, stone or faux stone are deemed more substantial in appearance than materials such as vinyl, stucco or cementitious fiber siding) being below.
- 3.The undercroft of buildings shall be enclosed.
- D.Techniques
- 1.Overhanging eaves may expose rafters.
- 2.Flush eaves shall be finished by profiled molding or gutters.
 Duplex |  Professional Offices |  Quadruplex |
Effective on: 1/1/1901