Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the use of premises and structures in the City shall be in accordance with the minimum standards hereinafter established.

1.   Generally, for all R Zones (except the LR Zone) the following minimum yard requirements † will be enforced:

Front Yard   25 feet (See Sec. 165.39 for exceptions.)

Side Yard   5 feet for first story, plus 3 feet for each additional story, or fraction thereof that a building exceeds one story in height; on corner lots, the side yard on the street side shall not be less than 25 feet (See Sec. 165.37 for additional side yard requirements.)

Rear Yard    20 feet.  An accessory building may be located in a rear yard but shall not be closer than 5 feet from a rear or side lot line.

2.   No use which is permitted as a conditional use under this chapter shall be established or enlarged except as permitted by the Board of Adjustment.

3.   The Planning and Zoning Commission will require developers to dedicate land for public purposes pursuant to Chapter 166 of this Code of Ordinances (Subdivision Ordinance) when appropriate.

4.   The yards, parking spaces, or lot area required for one structure or use under this chapter cannot be used to meet the requirements for another structure or use, unless the two lots are adjoined by covenant for zoning purposes.  (See Sec. 165.07 – Multi-lot Building Site.)

5.   Every use or structure erected or structurally altered shall be located on a lot as herein defined, and the number of uses and structures permitted on a lot shall be as follows:

   A.   In the RS Zones, there shall not be more than one (1) principal use or building on a lot.  There may, however, be more than one (1) accessory use or structure on a lot.

   B.   In all other zones, there may be more than one (1) principal use, building and accessory use and structure on a lot.

6.   Whenever any street, road or other public way is vacated by official action of the City, the zoning district adjoining each side of such street, road or public way shall be extended automatically to the center of such vacation and all area included in the vacation shall be subject to all the regulations of the extended district.

7.   No basement shall be occupied for residential purposes until the remainder of the building has been substantially completed.

8.   No structure shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed or structurally altered, nor any use established or enlarged:

   A.   To exceed the height limit herein established for the zone in which the structure is located.  If said structure is located in an area regulated by the Mason City Municipal Airport zoning, any lower height requirement of that zoning regulation shall prevail.

   B.   Except in conformity with the area regulations for the zone in which the use or structure is located.

   C.   Except in conformity with the yard regulations for the zone in which the building is located.

   D.   Except in conformity with the off-street parking regulations for the zone in which the use or structure is located.

9.   Any portion of a building or any structure attached to the building shall be considered as part of the building for purposes of height and yard requirements of this chapter unless otherwise provided.