The provisions of this title shall be known as the ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF COEUR D'ALENE. (Ord. 1691 §1(part), 1982)

   A.   The comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinance together make up part of the land use control system for the city of Coeur d'Alene. Planning and zoning, by its nature, is composed of two (2) time frames: the current day to day zoning activity, and the future planning objectives. Zoning must be specific and regulatory in nature. Planning, on the other hand, is abstract and objectively oriented.

   B.   Zoning conforms and implements today's needs with the goals and objectives of the future, as expressed in the comprehensive plan. Thus, the zoning ordinance continues to be more restrictive than the comprehensive plan; however, no conflict should be perceived from these differences. The following zoning ordinance represents a first step toward the goals of the community as established in the comprehensive plan. The consistency of this step must be measured by the zoning ordinance, the comprehensive plan, and also by the practicalities of daily life which moderate our city's strides toward those goals. In this sense, the zoning ordinance can only be required to conform with but not exactly replicate the comprehensive plan.

   C.   The general purposes of the zoning ordinance are to protect and promote the public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare and to achieve the following objectives:

      1.   To promote the achievement of the policies of the Coeur d'Alene comprehensive plan.

      2.   To protect the land resources, and residential, commercial, manufacturing, civic, hazard and other specially designated areas from the intrusion of incompatible uses.

      3.   To provide for desirable, appropriately located living areas in a variety of dwelling types and at a wide range of population densities, with adequate provision for sunlight, fresh air, and usable open space and with minimal adverse environmental factors.

      4.   To ensure preservation of adequate space for agricultural, commercial, manufacturing, and other activities necessary for a healthy economy.

      5.   To provide opportunities for establishments to concentrate for efficient operation in mutually beneficial relationship to each other and to shared services.

      6.   To promote safe, and orderly movement of people and goods, and the provision of adequate off street parking and loading.

      7.   To achieve excellence and originality of design in all future developments and to preserve the natural beauty of the city of Coeur d'Alene.

      8.   To guide the growth and productivity of the city of Coeur d'Alene's economy.

      9.   To plan for future development of the city of Coeur d'Alene, thereby providing a basis for wise decisions with respect to such development.

      10.   To protect property rights and enhance property values.

      11.   To encourage beautification of existing and newly developed neighborhoods or areas through the use of underground utilities and landscaping.

      12.   To discourage the unnecessary destruction or impairment of structures, or other physical features, sites and areas of special character or special historical, cultural, educational, architectural, aesthetic or environmental interest or value.

      13.   To encourage the highest and best use of land in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan.

      14.   To ensure that land use decisions are not contrary to the public interest. (Ord. 3380 §5, 2010)

   A.   Property To Which Applicable: The zoning ordinance shall apply, to the extent permissible under other laws, to all property within the City of Coeur d'Alene.

   B.   Private Agreements: The zoning ordinance is not intended to abrogate, annul or impair any easement, covenant, or other agreement between parties, except that where the zoning ordinance imposes a greater restriction or higher standard than that required by such agreement, the zoning ordinance shall control.

   C.   Conflicting Provisions: Wherever the requirements of this section are in conflict with the requirements of this or any other lawfully adopted ordinances, rules, or regulations, the most restrictive or that imposing the higher standards shall govern with the one exception that this provision shall not be construed as to prohibit the use of planned unit developments.

   D.   Public Rights-Of-Way: Unless the context indicates otherwise, the provisions of this title do not apply to the use of, or improvements or projects occurring solely within, public rights-of-way. (Ord. 3379 §3, 2010)

   A.   Zoning Districts Named: The City of Coeur d'Alene is divided into the following named zoning districts as shown on the official zoning maps:

      1.   Residential District, R-1.

      2.   Residential District, R-3.

      3.   Residential District, R-5.

      4.   Residential District, R-8.

      5.   Residential District, R-12.

      6.   Residential District, R-17.

      7.   Residential District, R-34.

      8.   Mobile Home District, MH-8.

      9.   Commercial District, C-17.

      10.   Commercial Limited District, C-17L.

      11.   Downtown Core District, DC.

      12.   Manufacturing, Light, District, LM.

      13.   Manufacturing District, M.

      14.   Navigable Water District, NW.

      15.   Neighborhood Commercial District, NC.

      16.   Community Commercial District, CC.

   B.   Official Zoning Maps: The Planning Director shall be responsible for the official zoning map of the City of Coeur d'Alene showing the location and boundaries of each of the zoning districts provided by this title. The Planning Director will ensure the official zoning map is current and accurate. The Planning Director shall make an electronic copy available on the City's website. One paper map shall be kept in the Planning Department. The one official zoning map and all information shown thereon are hereby declared to be an official record of the City and a part of this title. The zoning map will correspond to this title and clearly indicate the zones. Paper copies will be made available on request.

   C.   Amendments: As amendments are made to this title with respect to the zoning districts, the Planning Director shall ensure the necessary amendments and alterations on the maps and henceforth any ordinance changing such zoning districts shall not set forth the boundaries of such districts as amended, but in lieu thereof, the official zoning maps shall be certified as true and correct by the Planning Director. (Ord. 3600, 2018: Ord. 3288, 2007: Ord. 3268 §6, 2006: Ord. 3127 §8, 2003: Ord. 3025 §11, 2001: Ord. 2502 §1, 1993: Ord. 2049 §1, 1987: Ord. 1691 §1(part), 1982)

Except as allowed by section 17.06.010, "Effects Of Prior Permits", of this title, and by the nonconforming use regulations set forth in chapter 17.06, article X of this title, as authorized pursuant to the variance procedure at section 17.09.605 of this title, or allowed by the planned unit development and limited design planned unit development provisions of this Code, no uses shall be established, substituted, expanded, constructed, altered, moved, maintained, or otherwise changed, and no lot lines shall be created or changed, except in conformity with the appropriate zoning district. (Ord. 2557 §1, 1993: Ord. 1691 §1(part), 1982)

In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this title shall be considered the minimum requirements necessary to accomplish the purposes set forth in section 17.01.015 of this chapter. (Ord. 1691 §1(part), 1982)

Neither the adoption of the ordinances codified in this title nor the repeal of any ordinance shall in any manner affect the prosecution for violation of such ordinance committed prior to the effective date hereof or be construed as a waiver of any license or penalty due under any such ordinance, or in any manner affect the validity of any action heretofore taken by the City Council or the validity of any such action to be taken upon matters pending before the Council on the effective date hereof. (Ord. 1691 §1(part), 1982)