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Bulverde City Zoning Code

ARTICLE 14

13 MISCELLANEOUS DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

§ 14.13.001 Lot standards.

Each lot in any zoning district or any development shall have frontage on a dedicated public or private street.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.002 Number of buildings per lot.

(a) 
There shall be no more than one main building per lot in any single-family residential district and in any portion of a planned development zoned for single-family residential use.
(b) 
On properties zoned R-5 Residential (multi-family) or for any nonresidential zoning districts (commercial, industrial, aviation) or any portion of property zoned PD Planned Development for multi-family or nonresidential uses, multiple buildings may be located on a single lot provided adequate access for occupants of the buildings and property and for fire protection and other emergency services is provided to each building.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.003 Building orientation and natural features.

Buildings shall be oriented to preserve and minimally impact the existing site. Buildings near natural features should respond to them in a manner that respects and preserves the features, so that buildings and overall development blend with the natural environment.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.004 Drainage in residential districts.

Exterior landscaping in all residential districts shall adequately provide for diversion of uphill runoff in a heavy rain. The finished building slab elevation shall be at least 12 inches above the finished grade elevation of the residential structure or a proper water barrier shall be established between the outside grade and the finished slab elevation that would provide at least the same 12-inch differential.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.006 Sight triangle/visibility easement.

(a) 
On any corner lot on which front and side setbacks are required, no wall, fence, structure, sign, tree, shrub, or hedge may be maintained as to cause danger to traffic by obstructing the view and when topography prevents a clear view, the bank shall be removed to address the visibility obstruction.
(b) 
A clear and unobstructed view referred to as a sight triangle or visibility easement shall be maintained at the intersection of a driveway with a public or private street in a nonresidential development within a triangular area created by connecting a point which is 10 feet along the right-of-way at the intersection and a point extending away from the intersection of two or more roadways a distance of 40 feet.
(c) 
This line shall extend by projection to the back of curb on improved streets or the edge of pavement on unimproved streets along both streets impacted. The sight triangle herein referenced shall include all area between the above-defined line and the street pavement between a height of 30 inches above the pavement and eight feet above the top of curb if on an improved street or eight feet six inches above the pavement surface on an unimproved street.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.007 Location and screening of loading areas and utility accessories.

Loading areas and utility accessories shall be located at the rear of structures and screened from abutting properties and public rights-of-way to reduce their visual impact. Acceptable screening shall consist of decorative masonry or stone walls, berms, evergreen hedges or a combination thereof. Screening for loading and utility areas should equal at least the height of the elements being screened.
(1) 
Where berms are used as a screening device, they shall vary in height from a minimum of 18 inches to a maximum of 30 inches and be teardrop in form for a natural look and to avoid a “levee” effect or appearance. Shrubs and/or low walls must be provided atop any berm such that the total height of the berm plus the shrub or wall shall be equal to the height of the elements being screened within three years of installation.
(2) 
Decorative walls or retaining walls must be approved structurally and aesthetically by the city manager or designee.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.008 Fire protection.

Adequate access for fire protection access shall be provided to each building and each property in accordance with the requirements of the Bulverde fire code and the Bulverde subdivision ordinance.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.009 Trash receptacles.

Trash receptacles for nonresidential and multi-family uses shall meet the following criteria:
(1) 
Dumpsters shall be located on a concrete pad enclosed on three sides by a solid masonry wall with solid gates across the front. This wall shall be at least six feet in height, and at least two feet higher than the top of the dumpster. The style and finish of the wall and gates shall be drawn under the seal of a registered professional engineer.
(2) 
All trash receptacles shall be oriented perpendicular to the principal means of access to such receptacle and located in such a manner as to provide a minimum turning radius of 40 feet for the collection vehicle.
(3) 
Any trash receptacle not perpendicular to the principal means of access to such receptacle shall be oriented at a 30-degree angle from the fire lane, alley or other means of access.
(4) 
Alternative design standards must be approved by the city manager or designee.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.010 Exterior lighting.

All lighting, whether installed on the building exterior or freestanding, shall comply with the City of Bulverde dark sky ordinance.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.011 Sound amplification.

No sound amplification shall be permitted outside a building.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.012 Underground storage tanks.

Underground storage tanks shall be monitored as required by the appropriate federal and state authorities. Such tanks which are abandoned shall be removed and disposed of at the owner’s expense as required by the regulations of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.013 Access for nonresidential and apartment uses.

Insofar as possible, major driveway access for nonresidential districts on the opposite side of a street shall be aligned with each other.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.014 Additional information for review of a development application.

Information, including but not limited to architectural renderings, traffic impact studies and noise studies, may be requested by staff for analysis of a development proposal. In addition, the planning and zoning commission and city council may request additional information as it may deem necessary and proper in order to make a final decision on an application.
(Ordinance 437, ex, A, adopted 9/13/16)

§ 14.13.015 Structures permitted within setbacks.

The following structures are permitted with the setbacks imposed under this chapter, provided that all structures must comply with the requirements of any other applicable city ordinance:
(1) 
Fences: Fences shall be permitted within setbacks.
(2) 
Signs: Signs shall be permitted within setbacks adjacent to a street or roadway.
(3) 
Flagpoles: Flagpoles shall be permitted within setbacks, provided, however, that all flagpoles must be located a distance from the property line at least equal to the height of the flagpole.
(4) 
Utility infrastructure: Infrastructure necessary to provide utility service to an individual property shall be permitted within setbacks. This includes, but is not limited to, water meters, electric service pedestals and poles, sewer and septic systems, and water wells. This authorization does not apply to auxiliary or supplemental utility service infrastructure, including, but not limited to, rainwater collection systems, electrical generators, and solar panels.
(5) 
Driveways: Driveways and driveway approaches shall be permitted within setbacks.
(6) 
Mailboxes: Mailboxes constructed in accordance with the standards established by the United States Postal Service.
(7) 
Structures related to stormwater drainage and detention shall be permitted within setbacks.
(Ordinance 777 adopted 10/8/2024; ; Ordinance 800 adopted 3/11/2025)