1.

Outdoor storage in residential area shall be prohibited, with the exception of firewood. Trash cans, lawn equipment, recreational equipment, gardening tools, etc. shall be required to be enclosed. A 10' × 12' storage shed shall be placed in the rear yard for all new construction unless a garage is provided. The shed shall match the style of the principal structure. Recreational vehicle and boat storage/parking is subject to the requirements in chapter 3.

2.

The following provisions shall be applied for duplex developments:

a.

Duplex dwelling units must be located on a corner lot.

b.

If more than one entrance is provided, the entrances to each unit will face different streets.

c.

The minimum setback requirements must be applied to each of the two (2) different streets.

1.

Manufactured homes shall be permitted only in the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction.

2.

Manufactured homes shall be located in the watershed overlay district.

3.

Homes must be screened from the public right-of-way with evergreen trees and shrubs to create an opaque buffer.

4.

The minimum width (the width being the narrower of the two overall dimensions) of the main body of the manufactured home as assembled on the site shall be at least 22 feet for a distance extending along the length (the length being the longer of the two overall dimensions) of at least 20 feet.

5.

The pitch of the roof of the manufactured home has a minimum vertical rise of two and two-tenths feet for each 12 feet of horizontal run; the roof is finished with a type of shingle that is commonly used in standard residential construction and which does not exceed the reflectivity of gloss white paint; the roof has an overhang (eave) extending at least ten inches from each vertical exterior wall. A site-installed gutter may be counted in the width of the eave.

6.

The exterior siding consists of wood, hardboard, vinyl, brick, or aluminum and shall be comparable in composition, appearance, and durability to the exterior siding commonly used in standard residential construction, and which does not exceed the reflectivity of gloss white paint.

7.

A continuous, permanent masonry foundation or masonry curtain wall, unpierced except for required ventilation and access, shall be installed upon a poured concrete footer after placement on the lot, and before occupancy.

8.

The tongue, axles, transporting lights, and removable towing apparatus are removed after placement on the lot and before occupancy.

9.

The manufactured home is set up on the site in accordance with the standards set by the N.C. Department of Insurance.

10.

Stairs, porches, entrance platforms and other means of entrance and exit to the manufactured home shall be installed and constructed in accordance with the standards set by the N.C. Department of Insurance.

11.

A covered front porch, a minimum of eight feet in width and eight feet in depth.

1.

Entrances.

a.

All residential buildings shall face the street or designated public space (e.g., common courtyard, plaza, or green) and have a pedestrian pathway connecting the principal entry to the street. All buildings with shared entrances shall be oriented so that the primary entrance(s) faces the street.

b.

The finished ground floor elevation for units within 18 feet of a sidewalk shall be 18 inches above the average adjacent sidewalk grade, or two feet above the adjacent street grade where no sidewalk is present.

c.

For residential buildings in developments designed for residents aged 55 and older, at least one zero-step entry shall be provided from the fronting sidewalk or pedestrian pathway to the interior of the house. Each unit shall have a separate outdoor entrance that includes a porch, stoop, courtyard, or similar element which provides a transition from the public sidewalk to the private space within the building or unit. Such entryway features must be at least six feet in depth and raised at least 18 inches in height from the average finished grade of the adjacent sidewalk.

d.

Individual units and tenant spaces on the ground floor may have separate entrances to the public sidewalk, but units on upper floors must be accessed through a common entrance on the ground floor.

e.

In the case of corner lots, the primary entrance(s) shall face the street from which the building derives its street address.

2.

Cornices are required to delineate the tops of facades. Expression lines are required to delineate the divisions between the first floor and upper floors.

3.

All buildings shall be designed to include varied relief to provide interest and variety. This shall include details that cast shadows to provide visual relief. The following is a partial list of features that may be used to accomplish this objective:

a.

Bow window,

b.

Bay window,

c.

Arched window,

d.

Gable window,

e.

Oval or round windows,

f.

Shutters,

g.

Arched entry, balcony, or breezeway entrance,

h.

Stone or brick accent wall,

i.

Decorative stone or brick band,

j.

Decorative tile,

k.

Veranda, terrace, porch, or balcony,

l.

Projected wall or dormer,

m.

Variation of roof lines on the building, and

n.

Decorative caps on chimneys.

4.

Wall materials.

a.

Building walls shall be finished in one or more (but not more than three) of the following materials: concrete masonry units with stucco (C.B.S.), reinforced concrete with stucco, fiber cement board such as "Hardie-Plank" siding (50 year siding product), wood (termite resistant, 50 year siding product): painted or natural, brick, stone, stucco, and other materials as approved by the administrator.

b.

Visible foundation walls shall be finished in one of the following materials: brick, stone, stucco, or similar masonry material.

c.

Chimneys shall have a masonry exterior finish.

d.

Downspouts and gutters are to be galvanized steel, aluminum, or copper. Downspouts and gutters are to match in materials and finish.

e.

Day-Glo, luminescent, iridescent, neon, or similar types of color finishes are prohibited.

f.

Mirrored glass with a reflectivity of 20 percent or more and spandrel is prohibited.

5.

Windows.

a.

Windows shall not be flush with exterior wall treatments. Windows shall be provided with an architectural surround at the jambs, header, and sill.

b.

Except for round windows, windows and door openings shall be taller than they are wide.

c.

Shutters, if used, must be sized and placed so as to equal the width that would be required to cover the window opening. Plastic shutters are prohibited.

6.

Roofs.

a.

Shed, flat, and mono-pitch roofs shall be concealed with parapets along the street frontage.

b.

Flat roofs are prohibited, except on multifamily residential buildings where portions of the roof screened by pitched roof sections shall be permitted to be flat to provide for mechanical equipment wells or roof decks, provided that all pitched sections of the roof meet the roofing material requirements.

c.

Mansard roofs are not permitted.

d.

Skylights must be flat to the pitch of the roof and shall not be located on any sloped roof facing the primary frontage.

e.

Roof penetrations shall be hidden or painted to match the color of the roof.

f.

Attached garages, detached garages and other accessory structures, shall be subordinate in height, footprint, and proportion to the primary structure on the site, and shall be compatible with the principal structure in terms of roof form, materials, and color.

7.

Multifamily structures must include at least 60 percent masonry materials on all sides.

8.

Multifamily uses must only be provided on a lot three acres in area or less.

9.

All multifamily buildings with three stories or more must contain an elevator.

10.

All multifamily buildings must have interior corridors. Accessed via an enclosed stairway.

11.

All parking associated with the multifamily use must be located in the rear of the building.

12.

Multifamily buildings must front onto a public street, private street, or courtyard.

13.

No garage door shall front a public street.

14.

Housing types should be integrated in terms of scale, proportion, form, architectural detailing, and material usage. It is acceptable for new houses to be larger than older ones, but not so much larger as to threaten neighborhood character.

15.

Complexes with multiple apartment buildings should arrange the buildings to frame common space and amenities.

16.

Entrances should be differentiated architecturally to create a sense of human scale.

Guests must be able to park their vehicles on the property in a designated parking space.

1.

No family care home may be located within a one-half mile radius of an existing family care home.

2.

No exterior signage shall be provided.

3.

Must provide proof of licensing with the State of North Carolina prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy.

1.

Lighting fixtures must be pointed down and not project light on adjacent residential properties.

2.

A semi-opaque landscape buffer maintained at least six feet high is required adjacent to other properties in residential zoning districts.

3.

Residential care facility structures must include at least 60 percent masonry materials.

4.

Must provide proof of licensing with the State of North Carolina prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy.

1.

In the HC district, building sizes may not exceed 3,000 square feet.

2.

Adult establishments may not be located within 1,000 feet of residential zoning districts, churches, schools, residential uses, childcare facilities, civic buildings, or parks.

3.

Adult establishments may not be located within a two-mile radius of an existing adult establishment.

4.

No signage shall portray anything pornographic in nature or convey any such idea.

5.

Adult establishment structures must include at least 60 percent masonry materials on all sides.

A traffic management plan must be included with the approved development plan.

1.

Pumps shall be located to the rear or side of the development.

2.

Dumpsters must be in an enclosure made of at least 60 percent masonry materials and screened with evergreen landscaping maintained at least six feet high.

3.

No outdoor storage shall be provided on the lot.

Tattoo parlors, tobacco/vape shops, CBD dispensaries, bail bonding, bodily fluid collections, fortune telling, pawn shops, check cashing establishments, title loan lenders, and deferred presentment lenders shall not be permitted in the CC district.

Commercial III uses must provide additional landscape screening such as foundation planting, perimeter buffering, and parking lot landscaping as part of an approved landscape plan within the development plan package.

1.

In the UR district, the personal and professional service establishments may not exceed 25 percent more square footage than the largest adjacent residential property.

2.

In the UR district, all off-street parking shall be provided in the rear of the primary structure.

3.

In the UR district, all handicap ramps must be designed with materials complimentary to the façade of the primary structure. Handicap ramps and lifts shall be placed to the rear or side of the principal structure with unobstructed access to handicap parking spaces.

4.

In the UR district must be located along a major or minor thoroughfare.

1.

In the UR district, restaurants and eateries may not exceed 25 percent more square footage than the largest adjacent residential structure.

2.

Hours of operation shall not exceed 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

3.

In the UR district, all off-street parking shall be provided in the rear of the primary structure.

4.

In the UR district, all handicap ramps must be designed with materials complimentary to the façade of the primary structure.

5.

In the UR district must be located along a major or minor thoroughfare.

1.

In the UR district, retail establishments may not exceed 25 percent more square footage than the largest adjacent residential structure.

2.

In the UR district, all off-street parking shall be provided in the rear of the primary structure.

3.

In the UR district, all handicap ramps must be designed with materials complimentary to the façade of the primary structure. Handicap ramps and lifts shall be placed to the rear or side of the principal structure with unobstructed access to handicap parking spaces.

4.

In the UR district must be located along a major or minor thoroughfare.

Provide screening and separation from the public ROW and adjacent properties with a masonry wall, decorative fencing, or evergreen hedge maintained between a three and four foot height.

1.

The number of students may not exceed five.

2.

Provide a sketch showing where an employee or visitor will park.

3.

Provide a sketch illustrating drop-off and pick-off procedures.

4.

At least 100 square feet of outdoor play area shall be provided for each child. The outdoor play area shall be enclosed by a decorative, non-chain-link fence having a minimum height of four feet, which shall be maintained in good condition.

5.

Front yards shall not be used as playground areas.

In the CC district, educational facilities are limited to community colleges, technical schools, or other higher education institutions.

A traffic management plan must be included with the approved development plan.

1.

All outdoor storage space must be screened by an opaque landscape buffer maintained at a height of at least six feet.

2.

All outdoor storage space must be located in the rear yard.

1.

In the HC district, outdoor storage and sales uses must be screened from the public right-of-way with a combination of fencing and landscape materials. An opaque buffer maintained at a height of at least six feet is required.

2.

Outdoor display for sales must be a minimum of 20 feet set back from the right-of-way and must be located in the side or rear yard.

Any wholesale/warehouse uses greater than 5,000 square feet will be a special use permit (SUP).

Class I

1.

Chicken (hen) keeping. Where the minimum lot size meets or exceeds 7,000 square feet, up to eight hens are allowed subject to meeting standards below and following Chapter 93 of the Code of Ordinances.

a.

Hens are permitted on lots with single-family detached dwelling units only.

b.

Hens must be kept in a coop and pen, or portable chicken tractors, and such coops and enclosures may not include residential structures or garages. All hens must be secured in the chicken coop during non-daylight hours.

c.

Chicken coops, pens, and tractors (whether stationary or moveable) must be located in rear yards only (behind the line formed by the back wall of the residence.)

d.

A minimum setback of 15 feet is required from the side and rear property lines.

e.

The coop and pen must be closer to the chicken owner's primary residential unit than neighboring residential unit.

f.

No more than four hens are permitted on any lot within the municipal limits of Bessemer City. Roosters are prohibited and shall not be considered a Class I agricultural use.

g.

All aspects of keeping chickens shall be personal and noncommercial. No sales of rendered eggs shall be permitted on the property.

2.

Beekeeping. All Bessemer City regulations for the act of domestic beekeeping have been adopted in accordance with Article 8 of Chapter 160A and subsection 106-645 Article 55 of the North Carolina General Statutes The North Carolina Bee and Honey Act of 1977. The city encourages domestic beekeeping as a hobby, but beekeeping at a scale that is indicative of a production process shall be operated as an agriculture operation (Class II) and located on suitable lands, not as an accessory use. Domestic beekeeping shall be permitted as an accessory use and shall only occur in accordance with the following requirements:

a.

Beekeeping shall only be allowed on properties with single-family, detached units only.

b.

The maximum number of hives allowed on properties within the city limits shall be no more than five hives per lot.

(1)

No hive shall be established or kept within 15 feet of any property line.

(2)

A constant and adequate on-site source of freshwater shall be provided and shall be located closer to the hive than any water source on adjacent property.

(3)

The hives shall be placed at ground level or otherwise securely attached to an anchor or stand.

Other

1.

Agricultural sales which include products grown elsewhere, or goods processed or manufactured on site, shall be considered a retail use.

2.

Any agricultural sales shall require the provision of on-site parking spaces.

3.

Class III uses are not permitted.

( Ord. of 7-11-2022(1) )

1.

In the CC and HC districts, parking lots must not exceed 5,000 square feet.

2.

A semi-opaque landscape buffer is required along the perimeter of the parking lot.

3.

Within the CC district, parking lot fencing shall be decorative in nature.

1.

As part of the special use permit approval process, sites may be subject to additional conditions related to such items as noise and occupancy levels, and hours of operation.

2.

Lights and loudspeaker systems shall not be operated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. the following morning.

3.

Adequate provisions shall be made for the disposal of waste products and the control of noise associated with the recreational industry.

Outdoor recreation centers may not exceed one-half of an acre (nearly 22,000 square feet).

1.

No more than 25 percent of the structure area may be used for business purposes; include sketch showing where business is located within home.

2.

Hours may not exceed 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

3.

No nuisance may be incurred to adjacent homes and the neighborhood.

4.

No signage is allowed.

5.

One employee is allowed; provide a sketch showing employee parking location.

6.

No outdoor storage is allowed.

7.

No more than two customers/clients shall be allowed on the premises at any time.

1.

The principal structure must be a minimum of 1,600 square feet.

2.

One accessory cottage is allowed per property and will be located in the rear yard.

3.

Accessory cottages may not exceed 30 percent of the size of the principal structure.

4.

The principal residence on the lot must be owner occupied.

5.

The accessory cottage shall be served by the same driveway as the principal residence on the lot.

1.

Outdoor storage areas must be screened from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties with evergreen landscaping maintained at a height of at least six feet. If landscaping cannot be located adjacent to the storage areas, it must be provided elsewhere on the site to provide the required screen.

2.

All outdoor storage shall be enclosed. Vinyl-coated chain link fencing shall be permitted only in the HC, BCP, and I zoning districts and shall not be visible from any public right-of-way. All fencing shall meet the requirements in chapter 3.

3.

Must be located to the rear of the principal structure on the lot.

In the CC district, conference centers may not exceed 150 percent of the size of the principal structure.

1.

Drive-through windows must be placed to the rear of a building. If no practical alternative exists, windows may be placed to the side of the building.

2.

No more than two lanes may be included for drive-through restaurants.

3.

Within the CC district, a walk-up window must be provided.

4.

Internal circulation shall not conflict with public right-of-way traffic.

5.

Drive thru lanes shall be screened with evergreen vegetation or masonry wall.

1.

Outdoor kennel space must be at least 400feet away from residential or mixed-use property lines.

2.

Kennels shall be designed to buffer all noise audible to surrounding properties. Noise from the dog or cats will not substantially interfere with an abutting occupant's use and peaceful enjoyment of the property.

3.

Any odor or unsanitary conditions caused by the dogs or cats will not substantially interfere with an abutting occupant's use and peaceful enjoyment of the property. There is no evidence that the dogs or cats pose any health problems or disease exposure for abutting occupants.

4.

Outdoor structures must meet all applicable setback requirements and are not permitted to be located to the front of front building line of the primary structure. When in use with the primary structure, the outdoor structure shall be subordinate in height, footprint, and proportion to the primary structure on the site, and shall be compatible with the principal structure in terms of roof form, materials, and color.

5.

More than five dog runs or other dog-related structures or any combinations thereof shall not be permitted if the structures can be seen from an abutting occupant's property in a residentially zoned district.

6.

Subject to any additional regulations noted in Chapter 93 of the Animal Code of Ordinances.

( Ord. of 7-11-2022(1) )