Coal City City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Accessory Uses, Yards, and Fences
§ 156-160 Compatibility; prohibited uses.
Accessory uses and structures shall be compatible with the principal use of the lot on which they are located and shall not be established prior to the establishment of the principal use. The keeping, preparation, or culture of poultry, pigeons, or livestock shall not be an accessory use.
§ 156-161 Location.
Accessory uses may be located in courtyards and required yards only as provided in Table 14.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 14 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 156-162 Standards.
All accessory uses shall conform to the standards in Table 15.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 15 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
§ 156-162.1 Small-scale solar energy conversion systems.
[Added 5-29-2020 by Ord. No. 20-08; amended 3-22-2023 by Ord. No. 23-05]
A.
Small-scale solar energy conversion (SSEC) systems shall be allowed as an accessory use in all zoning districts subject to the requirements listed below. Failure to follow all the requirements for the placement of a solar energy conversion system shall not be allowed. These requirements are as follows:
(1)
All contractors related to SSEC installation must be registered with the Village of Coal City.
(2)
At the time of permit application, the applicant must provide documentation proving that the utility company has been notified that a connection to their service is going to be made.
(3)
Electrical and control wiring must be either underground, in-ground or pole-mounted installations, or concealed in roof -mounted installations.
(4)
The SSEC shall be finished in a manner that reduces its overall appearance. The finish shall be nonreflective and of a neutral color, or be a color that is complementary to the house.
(5)
The SSEC shall have the ability to immediately cease operation of the system during an emergency.
(6)
All SSECs must be maintained in good working condition and be tightly secured to their mounting points at all times.
(7)
No SSEC is permitted to have advertising material, writing, or signage other than the warning notifications and/ or equipment identification.
(8)
No wall-mounted installations are permitted in residential districts.
(9)
The SSEC must be constructed according to manufacturers' specifications as well as engineers' evaluation for design wind loads for this geographic area.
B.
Additionally, roof -mounted installations in all zoning districts are required to provide an adequate structural engineer' s report evaluating the roof load calculation and must comply with the following requirements as well:
(1)
The minimum clearance between the edge of solar panel and edge of roof or top of the roof ridge must meet the manufacturer' s specifications; in no instance shall the solar panel extend beyond the edge of the roof or its ridge.
(2)
The pitch of the panels must be parallel to the roof pitch unless the panels are installed atop a flat roofing system.
C.
In addition to the aforementioned requirements within all zoning districts, there shall be additional requirements for that side of the structure' s roof which is directly adjacent to the street or road on which a structure is located (for example, a lot possessing a corner side yard would have two sides) shall be referred to as the street side."
D.
SSEC systems installed upon the property that do not meet the requirements of street-side or non-street side installations must meet the following ground- and pole-mounted installations. Ground- and pole -mounted installations:
(1)
Must be anchored to an adequate base which extends below the frost line.
(2)
Shall not be any taller than six feet.
(3)
Must be located 10 feet from any other structure.
(4)
Must follow the zoning district's lot coverage limitation.
(5)
Shall not be located in the front yard.
(6)
Shall not be utilized within the Core Area Commercial Zone of the village.
(7)
Must conform to Village Code § 156. 214, Glare.
§ 156-163 Wind energy conversion systems.
[Amended 7-27-2016 by Ord. No. 16-16]
Small-scale wind energy conversion (SWEC) systems shall be allowed as an accessory use in all zoning districts, subject to the requirements listed below. Failure to follow all of the requirements for the placement of a wind energy conversion system shall not be allowed. These requirements are as follows:
A.
The SWEC shall be located within the rear yard and must be within three feet from the primary structure. The base of the SWEC must be anchored appropriately; the base must meet manufacturer's specifications or be installed according to standards provided within a certified engineering report.
B.
The total height of the pole shall not exceed 35 feet in height and the pole may not exceed a length taller than 1.5 times the width of the thinnest side yard.
C.
The SWEC shall have a maximum area in which wind energy may be converted. This area, named the "alternative energy conversion area (AECA)," must be located higher than 15 feet from the top of the base. This AECA may not exceed six feet in width or height.
D.
Electrical and control wiring must be underground and concealed.
E.
The SWEC shall be finished in a manner to reduce its overall appearance. The finish shall be nonreflective and of a neutral color.
F.
The SWEC must meet all industry performance standards, including:
(1)
The sound pressure level generated by a SWEC shall comply with all Illinois Pollution Control Board noise regulations, and in no event shall a SWEC exceed 55 dB on any part of adjacent properties.
(2)
The SWEC shall not cause microwave, television, radio or navigation interference contrary to Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations or any other laws pertaining to electronic interference issues.
(3)
The SWEC shall have the ability to immediately cease operation of the system during an emergency. The system shall be equipped with an emergency braking system.
(4)
The SWEC must operate without causing any flicker within the interior of buildings on adjacent lots. Furthermore, flicker on adjacent properties may not exceed 30 hours per year or 30 minutes on the worst affected day. A report from an industry-recognized software analysis, such as Windfarm, GH WindFarmer, or WindPRO, must be provided as proof for meeting this standard.
G.
Roof-mounted SWEC systems shall not exceed a total height of 96 inches from the roof. There shall be a minimum clearance of five inches above the roof and three feet from any appurtenances.
H.
Proper certification of insurance coverage and a certification from the electricity supplier must be provided prior to installation.
§ 156-164 Dish antennas (earth stations).
[Amended 3-23-1997 by Ord. No. 98-1]
Satellite dish antennas in excess of 36 inches shall be allowed to be constructed only in rear yards or in interior side yards; and a permit shall be necessary for their construction as an accessory use, which use shall conform to all requirements as stated in this chapter.
§ 156-165 Other television or radio towers or antennas.
Other radio or television towers or antennas as accessory uses shall not have an antenna height exceeding 55 feet, shall not be more than three feet from the principal building, and shall not be so positioned as to be a hazard to any utility line.
§ 156-166 Decks, patios, and porches.
[Amended 3-23-1992 by Ord. No. 92-01; 7-27-2016 by Ord. No. 16-16]
Decks or patios that are enclosed by windows or screens and a permanent roof shall be considered as accessory structures rather than as part of the principal building. No open porch shall cover more than 20% of the required front yard, or of the actual front yard if it is smaller than the required front yard. However, no open porch shall extend into the existing front yard more than seven feet or 50% of the actual front yard distance, whichever is less.
§ 156-167 Dog runs.
No more than one enclosed dog run as defined in § 156-3 shall be permitted on any lot in a residential district. The fence enclosing the run shall be an open fence, as defined in § 156-3, a maximum of eight feet in height and 50 feet in total length on all sides and shall be located at least 10 feet from all lot lines.
§ 156-168 Garages, carports, portable carports and parking spaces.
§ 156-169 Sheds.
[Added 5-12-2003 by Ord. No. 03-22; amended 7-13-2009 by Ord. No. 09-25]
Sheds are permitted as accessory uses and must be anchored to the ground. Sheds exceeding 100 square feet must be anchored and supported by a concrete base no less than two inches with a four-inch thickened edge.
§ 156-170 Yards.
A.
Obstructions. Courtyards and required yards may be obstructed by accessory uses or building projections only as provided in Table 14.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 14 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Yards used for only one structure. The minimum yard space required for one building or structure shall not be used as the required yard space for another adjoining building or structure.
C.
Reduction in lot area. No lot shall be reduced in area so that the yards or other open spaces shall be less than required by this chapter.
D.
Vacant through lots. On a vacant through lot, either of the lot lines abutting a street may be established as the front lot line, except that where two or more through lots are contiguous and a front lot line has been duly established by the construction of a building on one lot, the same street lot line shall serve as the front lot line of all such contiguous lots.
E.
Corner side yards on lots of record. If a corner lot that is a lot of record as of the date of adoption of this chapter has insufficient width to meet the requirement for the corner side yard and still provide 30 feet of width for the building and the other side yard, then the corner side yard may be reduced to not less than 30% of the lot width.
F.
Conformity to existing front yards.
(1)
The purpose of this subsection is to protect view lines in single-family residential neighborhoods except where the view line from a home has been voluntarily sacrificed by building with a setback that is greater than that required in this chapter or any applicable previous ordinance.
(2)
In any RS Residential District, where one or more side lot lines of a lot abut one or more residential lots with a nonconforming front or corner side yard, the minimum front and corner side yards on such lot shall be less than the zoning district regulations require.
(3)
For such a lot that is an interior lot, the minimum front yard shall be the mean average of the actual front yards established on the two abutting residential lots on either side. If there is no structure on one of the abutting lots, the front yard required by the zoning district shall be used in lieu of the actual front yard for that lot to compute the average.
(4)
For such a lot that is a corner lot, the minimum front and corner side yard shall be the actual front or corner side yard abutting each such yard on the adjacent residential lot.
(5)
Where the actual front or corner side yards on the abutting lots are conforming, the minimum front and corner side yards shall be as required in the district regulations.
G.
Vision clearance triangle.
[Amended 7-27-2016 by Ord. No. 16-16]
(1)
Within a vision clearance triangle, as defined in § 156-3, located at the at-grade intersection of two streets, a street and a railroad, or a street and a driveway, special restrictions apply.
(3)
Overhanging objects, including tree branches, shall be permitted within this triangle only if all parts thereof are higher than eight feet above the level of the railroad or the pavement of the street or driveway where the center lines intersect. Signs shall be permitted only if the sign clearance is eight feet or greater or the sign height is 2 1/2 feet or less.
§ 156-171 Fences.
[Amended 9-12-1994 by Ord. No. 94-26; 3-12-2007 by Ord. No. 07-07]
A.
Fence regulations in residence districts. The establishment of fences in residence districts shall be as follows:
[Amended 7-27-2016 by Ord. No. 16-16]
(1)
Fences of a decorative nature, for instance picket fences, split-rail fences, ornamental fences or other fences of a decorative nature, may be maintained in the front yard and corner side up to a maximum height of three feet; a variance must be acquired prior to the construction of a fence in the front or corner side yard.
(2)
Fences shall be permitted in the rear or interior side yard up to a maximum height of six feet.
(3)
Security fences consisting of wrought iron or brick may be constructed in front yards in an RS-1 District, not exceeding six feet in height. No chain-link fence may be constructed in the front yard or corner side yard and termed a "security fence" under this section.
(4)
Fences must be positioned so that the finished side faces away from the lot on which it is constructed.
B.
Fence regulations in business districts. The establishment of fences in business districts shall be as follows:
(1)
Fences of a decorative nature, as defined in Subsection A(1) of this section, may be constructed and maintained in the front yard and corner side yard setbacks to a maximum of three feet; a variance must be acquired prior to the construction of a fence in the front or corner side yard.
(2)
Fences shall be permitted in the rear or interior side yard up to a maximum of six feet.
(3)
Fences must be positioned so that the finished side faces away from the lot on which it is constructed.
D.
Fence regulations of miscellaneous uses of land. Screening which is required for swimming pools or tennis courts and private and public utility facilities shall be regulated as follows:
(1)
Fences may be located in any required yard by permit.
(2)
No fence shall exceed a height of six feet, except those for tennis courts shall not exceed a height of 12 feet.
(3)
Fences must be positioned so that the finished side faces away from the lot on which constructed.
(4)
Fences surrounding swimming pools must completely enclose the swimming pool area and must have security fences as defined in Subsection A(3) of this section. Fences surrounding swimming pools must also meet the requirements of the International Code Council codes adopted by the Village in Chapter 150, Building Regulations, § 150-1, of the Village Code.
[Amended 7-27-2016 by Ord. No. 16-16]
E.
Construction and maintenance of fences in all districts.
(1)
Fence materials. No fence within the Village shall contain rolled fencing materials (such as chicken wire), barbed wire, metal spikes, electrified elements, or any components determined by the Village to constitute a public safety hazard. No temporary fencing, such as snow fence or construction fence, shall be used on a permanent basis. For purposes of this section, chain-link fences shall not be deemed to be rolled fencing material.
(2)
Maintenance. All fences shall be maintained in good, structurally sound repair, and in neat, clean and attractive condition.
(3)
Altering water flow. No fence shall be erected which interrupts, impedes or otherwise alters the natural flow of water.
(4)
Destruction. In the event a fence is damaged or destroyed to the extent that the cost of restoration shall exceed 50% of the cost of a new fence, no repairs or reconstruction shall be made unless such restoration or construction shall thereafter conform to the regulations of this section. If such damage or destruction does not exceed 50% of the cost of a new fence, repairs and restoration shall be completed within 12 months from the date of damage or destruction or such restoration shall conform to the regulations of this section.
(5)
Security fences in industrial districts. The restrictions against barbed wire or metal spikes shall not apply to security fences in industrial districts, provided that such items shall only be allowed at the top of such fences and are at least six feet off the ground.
(6)
Village property. The provisions of this section shall not apply to fences owned or maintained by the Village, or to fences constructed or maintained by any other governmental body or agency for which the principal purpose is inherent to public safety.
§ 156-172 Pools or swimming pools.
[Added 3-23-1992 by Ord. No. 92-01, amended 9-12-1994 by Ord. No. 94-26; 7-27-2016 by Ord. No. 16-16]