The Commercial Office Zone (CO-1) is intended to provide specific areas where office functions, compatible businesses, apartments and certain public and semi-public uses may be developed.  The CO-1 Zone can serve as a buffer between residential and more intensive commercial or industrial areas.

1.   Permitted Uses.

   A.   Office buildings in which no activity is carried on catering to retail trade with the general public and no stock of goods is maintained for sale to customers except for those retail establishments specifically allowed in this zone.  Any office use shall be permitted, except the following:

      (1)   Drive-in facilities.

      (2)   Small animal clinics.

   B.   Clubs.

   C.   Copy services.

   D.   Florist shops.

   E.   Hospitals and clinics.

   F.   Meeting halls.

   G.   Nursing homes.

   H.   Optical, prosthetics, medical and dental supply stores, limited to retail sales.

   I.   Pharmacies limited to the retail sale of drugs and pharmaceutical products.

   J.   Photographic studios.

   K.   Bed and breakfast inns.

2.   Provisional Uses.

   A.   Dwellings located above or below the ground floor of a principal use permitted in this zone provided that the density does not exceed one (1) dwelling unit per 1,800 square feet of lot area.  A maximum of three (3) roomers may reside in each unit.

   B.   Religious institutions subject to the requirements of Section 165.30.

3.   Conditional Uses.

   A.   Barber shops and beauty parlors, Laundromats and laundry and dry cleaning pickup and delivery services.

   B.   Child daycare facilities subject to the requirements of Section 165.30.

   C.   Communication stations and studios.

   D.   Drive-in facilities associated with financial institutions.

   E.   Funeral homes subject to the requirements of Section 165.30.

   F.   Group care facilities, provided that there is at least 300 square feet of lot area for each occupant.

   G.   Public utilities.

   H.   Restaurants.

   I.   Schools - specialized private instruction.

   J.   Transient housing provided that there is at least 300 square feet of lot area for each permanent resident and 200 square feet for each temporary resident.

   K.   Hotels or motels, provided that parking spaces shall be in accordance with Section 165.33.

4.   Dimensional Requirements.

   A.   Minimum Lot Area:  None

   B.   Minimum Lot Width:  None

   C.   Minimum Lot Frontage:  None

   D.   Minimum Yards:

      (1)   Front - 25 feet

      (2)   Side - None

      (3)   Rear - None

   E.   Maximum Building Bulk:

      (1)   Height - 25 feet (If any building or structure is to be located in an area regulated by the Mason City Municipal Airport Zoning Ordinance, any lower height regulation of such ordinance shall prevail.)

      (2)   Lot Coverage - None

      (3)   Floor Area Ratio – 1.0

5.   General Provisions.  All principal and accessory uses permitted within this zone are subject to the requirements of the following sections of this chapter:

   A.   Permitted Accessory Uses and Buildings – See Section 165.31.

   B.   Accessory Use and Building Regulations – See Section 165.32.

   C.   Off-street Parking Requirements – See Section 165.33.

   D.   Off-street Loading Requirements – See Section 165.34.

   E.   Sign Regulations – See Section 165.35.

   F.   Fence Regulations – See Section 165.36.

   G.   Dimensional Requirements – See Sections 165.37 through 165.40.

   H.   Tree Regulations – See Section 165.41.

   I.   Performance Standards – See Sections 165.42 and 165.43.

   J.   Nonconformities – See Section 165.44.

6.   Special Provisions.  None.