Covington City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
18.10 Authority
Purpose, Interpretation and Administration
Sections
- 18.10.010 Title.
- 18.10.020 Purpose.
- 18.10.030 Conformity with this title required.
- 18.10.040 Minimum requirements.
- 18.10.050 Interpretation – General.
- 18.10.060 Interpretation – Standard industrial classification.
- 18.10.070 Interpretation – Zoning maps.
- 18.10.080 Administration and review authority.
- 18.10.090 Classification of right-of-way.
18.15 Zones
Maps and Designations
Sections
- 18.15.010 Zones and map designations established.
- 18.15.020 Zone and map designation purpose.
- 18.15.030 Mineral zone.
- 18.15.040 Urban separator zone.
- 18.15.050 Urban residential zone.
- 18.15.060 Neighborhood commercial zone.
- 18.15.070 Community commercial zone.
- 18.15.080 Downtown zones.
- 18.15.090 Regional commercial mixed-use zone.
- 18.15.100 Industrial zone.
- 18.15.110 Map designation – Regional use designation.
- 18.15.120 Map designation – Special district overlay.
- 18.15.130 Map designation – Interim zoning.
- 18.15.140 Zoning maps and boundaries.
18.20 Technical
Terms and Land Use Definitions
Sections
- 18.20.005 Chapter guide.
- 18.20.010 A definitions.
- 18.20.012 B definitions.
- 18.20.014 C definitions.
- 18.20.016 D definitions.
- 18.20.018 E definitions.
- 18.20.020 F definitions.
- 18.20.022 G definitions.
- 18.20.024 H definitions.
- 18.20.026 I definitions.
- 18.20.028 J definitions.
- 18.20.030 K definitions.
- 18.20.032 L definitions.
- 18.20.034 M definitions.
- 18.20.036 N definitions.
- 18.20.038 O definitions.
- 18.20.040 P definitions.
- 18.20.042 Q definitions.
- 18.20.044 R definitions.
- 18.20.046 S definitions.
- 18.20.048 T definitions.
- 18.20.050 U definitions.
- 18.20.052 V definitions.
- 18.20.054 W definitions.
- 18.20.056 X definitions.
- 18.20.058 Y definitions.
- 18.20.060 Z definitions.
18.25 Permitted
Uses
Sections
- 18.25.010 Establishment of uses.
- 18.25.020 Interpretation of land use tables.
- 18.25.025 Land use tables within R, CC, NC and I zones.
- 18.25.030 Residential land uses.
- 18.25.040 Recreational/cultural land uses.
- 18.25.050 General services land uses.
- 18.25.060 Government/business services land uses.
- 18.25.070 Retail land uses.
- 18.25.080 Manufacturing land uses.
- 18.25.090 Resource land uses.
- 18.25.100 Regional land uses.
- 18.25.105 Permitted land uses.
- 18.25.110 Applicability – Ordinance.
18.30 Development Standards
Density and Dimensions
Sections
- 18.30.010 Purpose.
- 18.30.020 Interpretation of tables.
- 18.30.030 Densities and dimensions – Residential zones.
- 18.30.040 Densities and dimensions – Resource and commercial/industrial zones.
- 18.30.045 Downtown building form and site design standards.
- 18.30.050 Measurement methods.
- 18.30.060 Minimum residential density.
- 18.30.070 Calculations – Allowable dwelling units, lots or floor area.
- 18.30.080 Calculations – Site area used for base density and maximum density floor area calculations.
- 18.30.090 Calculations – Site area used for minimum density calculations.
- 18.30.100 Minimum density adjustments for moderate slopes.
- 18.30.110 Lot area – Prohibited reduction.
- 18.30.120 Lot area – Minimum lot area for construction.
- 18.30.130 Measurement of setbacks.
- 18.30.140 Setbacks – Specific building or use.
- 18.30.150 Setbacks – Livestock buildings and manure storage areas.
- 18.30.160 Setbacks – Modifications.
- 18.30.170 Setbacks – From regional utility corridors.
- 18.30.180 Setbacks – From alley.
- 18.30.190 Setbacks – Required modifications.
- 18.30.200 Setbacks – Projections and structures allowed.
- 18.30.210 Height – Exceptions to limits.
- 18.30.220 Height – Limits near airports.
- 18.30.230 Lot or site divided by zone boundary.
- 18.30.240 Sight distance requirements.
- 18.30.250 Nonresidential land uses in residential zones.
- 18.30.260 Personal services and retail uses in R-4 through R-18 zones – Neighborhood commercial.
18.31 Downtown
Development and Design Standards
Sections
- Article I. Purpose and Applicability
- Article II. Zoning
- 18.31.100 Article introduction.
- 18.31.110 Downtown zoning map.
- 18.31.120 Permitted land uses.
- 18.31.130 Permitted land use determination process.
- 18.31.140 Supplemental use standards.
- 18.31.145 Special use conditions for MHO zoned properties within the Covington Firs and Covington Township subdivisions.
- 18.31.150 Density and dimension standards.
- 18.31.160 Maximum building height – Bonus features.
- Article III. Street Types and Circulation
- Article IV. Design Standards – Block-Frontages
- 18.31.300 Article introduction.
- 18.31.305 Purpose.
- 18.31.310 Block-frontage designation map.
- 18.31.315 About the transparency standards.
- 18.31.320 Storefront block-frontage standards.
- 18.31.330 Landscaped block-frontage standards.
- 18.31.340 Mixed block-frontage standards.
- 18.31.345 Gateway block-frontage standards.
- 18.31.350 Basic streets (with no designated block-frontage).
- 18.31.355 Woonerf, landscaped passageway, and trail block-frontage standards.
- 18.31.360 Downtown passageway block-frontage standards.
- 18.31.370 Ground-floor residential frontage standards.
- 18.31.375 Where properties front onto multiple streets.
- 18.31.380 Where properties have multiple designations along one frontage.
- 18.31.385 High-visibility street corners.
- Article V. Design Standards – Site Planning
- 18.31.400 Article introduction.
- 18.31.405 Purpose.
- 18.31.410 Interior setbacks.
- 18.31.420 Public space requirements.
- 18.31.425 Residential amenity space.
- 18.31.430 Internal pedestrian access and design.
- 18.31.435 Vehicular circulation and parking.
- 18.31.440 Service areas and mechanical equipment.
- 18.31.450 Off-street parking standards.
- 18.31.460 Landscaping.
- 18.31.470 Site lighting.
- 18.31.480 Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) guidelines.
- Article VI. Design Standards – Building Design
18.35 Development Standards
Design Requirements
Sections
- 18.35.005 Applicability.
- 18.35.010 Purpose.
- 18.35.020 General layout standards.
- 18.35.030 Lot segregations – Zero-lot-line development.
- 18.35.040 Lot segregations – Clustered development.
- 18.35.050 Maximum length of residential buildings and façade modulations.
- 18.35.060 Attached dwellings and group residences – Applicability.
- 18.35.070 Attached dwellings and group residences – Vehicular access and parking location.
- 18.35.080 Attached dwellings and group residences – Building facade modulation.
- 18.35.090 Mixed-use development – Percentages of commercial uses.
- 18.35.100 Mixed-use and live-work development in the CC and NC zones – Design requirements.
- 18.35.110 Mixed-use development – Phasing – Required plans, requirements, covenants, recordings – Review and approval.
- 18.35.120 Manufactured home parks – Standards for existing parks.
- 18.35.130 Manufactured home parks – Standards for new parks.
- 18.35.140 Manufactured home parks – Alternative design standards.
- 18.35.150 Residential – On-site recreation requirements.
- 18.35.160 Multifamily – On-site recreation facility required.
- 18.35.170 Dedication of parks and trails – Required by capital facilities plan.
- 18.35.180 Private on-site recreation facilities – Minimum design standards.
- 18.35.190 Request for impact fee credits – Park and recreation and trail facilities.
- 18.35.200 Storage space, loading areas, and collection points for recyclables and refuse.
- 18.35.210 Fences.
- 18.35.220 Hazardous liquid and gas transmission pipelines.
- 18.35.230 Trail corridors – Applicability.
- 18.35.240 Trail corridors – Design standards.
- 18.35.250 Trail corridors – Maintenance of trail corridors/improvements.
- 18.35.260 Wildlife habitat corridors – Applicability.
- 18.35.270 Wildlife habitat corridors – Design standards.
- 18.35.280 Short subdivisions or short subdivision alterations – Adequacy of access – Right-of-way use permits.
- 18.35.290 Proposed formal subdivisions, short subdivisions or binding site plans – Railroad buffer strips.
- 18.35.300 Preliminary subdivision and short subdivision approval – Maintenance of private streets, easements and utilities required.
- 18.35.310 Lakepoint Urban Village1 subarea.
- 18.35.320 Design standards for cottage housing and courtyard apartments.
- 18.35.330 Design review for middle housing.
- 18.35.335 Accessory dwelling units.
18.40 Development Standards
Landscaping
Sections
- 18.40.010 Purpose.
- 18.40.020 Application.
- 18.40.030 Land use grouping.
- 18.40.040 Landscaping – Screen types and description.
- 18.40.050 Landscaping – Street frontages.
- 18.40.060 Landscaping – Interior lot lines.
- 18.40.070 Landscaping – Building perimeter.
- 18.40.080 Landscaping – Surface parking areas.
- 18.40.090 Landscaping – Adjacent to freeway rights-of-way.
- 18.40.100 Landscaping – General standards for all landscape areas.
- 18.40.110 Landscaping – Additional standards for required landscape areas.
- 18.40.120 Landscaping – Alternative options.
- 18.40.130 Landscaping – Plan design, design review, and installation.
- 18.40.140 Maintenance.
- 18.40.150 Financial guarantees.
- 18.40.160 Water use – Applicability of water budget for landscape areas.
- 18.40.170 Water use – Irrigation water budget calculated.
- 18.40.180 Water use – Estimated water use calculated.
- 18.40.190 Water use – Irrigation efficiency goals and system design standards.
- 18.40.200 Water use – Irrigation system design, design review and audit at installation.
- 18.40.210 Water use – Irrigation design plan contents.
- 18.40.220 Water use – Irrigation schedules.
- 18.40.230 Water use – Irrigation system maintenance.
18.45 Tree
Preservation and Protection
Sections
- 18.45.010 Short title.
- 18.45.020 Purpose and intent.
- 18.45.030 Definitions.
- 18.45.040 Applicability of regulations.
- 18.45.050 Exemptions from tree permits.
- 18.45.060 Permits and permit requirements.
- 18.45.070 Permit standards and conditions for all minor tree removal and major tree clearing.
- 18.45.080 Tree retention, preservation, and tree replacement requirements.
- 18.45.090 Tree protection standards.
- 18.45.100 Tree maintenance standards and best pruning practices.
- 18.45.110 Tree preservation modification and departure options.
- 18.45.120 Performance guarantees, liability, insurance and licensing.
- 18.45.130 Enforcement, violations and penalties.
- 18.45.140 Appeals.
- 18.45.150 Severability.
18.47 Protection
and Preservation of Landmarks, Landmark Sites and Districts
Sections
- 18.47.010 Protection and preservation of landmarks, landmark sites and districts.
- 18.47.020 Definitions.
- 18.47.030 Landmarks and Heritage Commission created – Membership and organization.
- 18.47.040 Designation criteria.
- 18.47.050 Nomination procedure.
- 18.47.060 Designation procedure.
- 18.47.070 Certificate of appropriateness procedure.
- 18.47.080 Evaluation of economic impact.
- 18.47.090 Appeal procedure.
- 18.47.100 Funding.
- 18.47.110 Penalty for violation of CMC 18.47.070.
- 18.47.120 Special valuation for historic properties.
- 18.47.130 Historic resources – Review process.
- 18.47.140 Administrative rules.
18.50 Development Standards
Parking and Circulation
Sections
- 18.50.010 Purpose.
- 18.50.020 Authority and application.
- 18.50.030 Computation of required off-street parking spaces.
- 18.50.040 Shared parking requirements.
- 18.50.050 Exceptions for community residential facilities (CRFs) and senior citizen assisted housing.
- 18.50.060 Parking for the disabled.
- 18.50.070 Loading space requirements.
- 18.50.080 Stacking spaces and restrictions for drive-through facilities.
- 18.50.090 Transit and rideshare provisions.
- 18.50.100 Pedestrian and bicycle circulation and access.
- 18.50.110 Off-street parking plan design standards.
- 18.50.120 Off-street parking construction standards.
- 18.50.130 Compact car allowance requirements.
- 18.50.140 Internal circulation street standards.
- 18.50.150 Trail improvements and connections.
- 18.50.160 Electric vehicle charging station requirements – Downtown zones.
- 18.50.170 Electric vehicle charging station requirements.
- 18.50.180 Electric vehicle parking space design standards.
- 18.50.190 Recreational vehicles – Parking, storage, and habitation.
18.55 Signs
Sections
- Article I. General Provisions
- Article II. Administration
- 18.55.050 Prohibited signs.
- 18.55.060 Sign permits – Exemptions.
- 18.55.070 Sign permits – Temporary signs.
- 18.55.080 Comprehensive sign program.
- 18.55.090 Sign permits – Permanent signs.
- 18.55.100 Sign variances.
- 18.55.110 Maintenance – Removal.
- 18.55.120 Nonconforming signs.
- 18.55.130 Compliance and enforcement.
- Article III. Regulations for Temporary Signs
- 18.55.140 Temporary signs – General regulations.
- 18.55.150 Temporary signs – Residential properties.
- 18.55.160 Temporary signs – Mixed-use development properties.
- 18.55.170 Temporary signs – Institutional properties.
- 18.55.180 Temporary signs – Commercial properties.
- 18.55.190 Temporary signs – ROW and public spaces.
- 18.55.200 Temporary signs – Other properties.
- Article IV. Permanent Signs – Regulations
- 18.55.205 Permanent signs – Applicability of regulations.
- 18.55.210 Permanent signs – Structural components.
- 18.55.220 Permanent signs – Placement.
- 18.55.230 Permanent signs – Design criteria.
- 18.55.240 Permanent signs – Residential properties.
- 18.55.250 Permanent signs – Nonresidential properties – Freestanding signs.
- 18.55.260 Permanent signs – Nonresidential properties – Building-mounted signs.
18.65 Critical
Areas
Sections
- Article I. General Provisions and Administration
- 18.65.010 Purpose.
- 18.65.020 Applicability.
- 18.65.030 Appeals.
- 18.65.040 Critical areas rules.
- 18.65.045 Relationship to other regulations.
- 18.65.046 Fees.
- 18.65.047 Exemptions.
- 18.65.048 Partial exemptions.
- 18.65.049 Unauthorized alterations and enforcement.
- 18.65.050 Allowed alterations of critical areas.
- 18.65.060 Agricultural and keeping of livestock activities development standards.
- 18.65.062 Shoreline variance required.
- 18.65.070 Public agency/utility exceptions.
- 18.65.075 Reasonable use exception.
- 18.65.090 Disclosure by applicant.
- 18.65.100 Critical area review.
- 18.65.110 Critical area report requirement.
- 18.65.120 Sequential steps for mitigation, including avoiding impacts.
- 18.65.130 Mitigation and monitoring.
- 18.65.135 Off-site mitigation.
- 18.65.140 Financial guarantees.
- 18.65.160 Critical area markers, signs, fencing and installation.
- 18.65.170 Recording notice on title of critical areas.
- 18.65.180 Critical area tracts and designations on site plans.
- 18.65.200 Building setbacks from critical area buffer.
- Article II. Frequently Flooded Areas
- Article III. Geologically Hazardous Areas
- 18.65.250 Applicability and designation – Geologically hazardous areas.
- 18.65.260 Erosion hazard areas – Development standards and permitted alterations.
- 18.65.270 Erosion and seismic hazard areas – Protection measures and specific mitigation.
- 18.65.280 Landslide hazard areas – Development standards and alterations.
- 18.65.290 Steep slope hazard areas – Development standards and alterations.
- 18.65.300 Additional critical area report requirements – Geologically hazardous areas.
- Article IV. Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas
- 18.65.311 Critical aquifer recharge areas –Designation.
- 18.65.312 Critical aquifer recharge areas – Reclassification or declassification.
- 18.65.313 Critical aquifer recharge areas – Categories.
- 18.65.314 Critical aquifer recharge areas – Protection.
- 18.65.315 Critical aquifer recharge areas – Development regulations.
- 18.65.316 Critical aquifer recharge areas – Evaluation and implementation.
- Article V. Wetlands
- Article VI. Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas
- 18.65.350 Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas – Applicability.
- 18.65.355 Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas – Designation and purpose.
- 18.65.358 Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas – Classification.
- 18.65.360 Streams and shorelines – Standard buffers.
- 18.65.365 Streams and shoreline associated buffers – Development standards and alterations.
- 18.65.370 Streams – Permitted alterations.
- 18.65.375 Streams – Removal from culverts and pipes.
- 18.65.380 Streams – Specific mitigation requirements.
- 18.65.385 Naturally occurring ponds, less than 20 acres in area, and their submerged aquatic beds that provide fish or wildlife habitat.
- 18.65.390 Other fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas – Development standards.
- 18.65.395 Fish and wildlife habitat corridors and networks.
- 18.65.400 Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas – Modification.
- 18.65.405 Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas – Mitigation standards.
- 18.65.410 Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas – Additional provisions for critical areas report.
- 18.65.420 Process to identify additional species and habitat of local importance.
- 18.65.430 Fish protection measures.
- 18.65.440 Endangered, threatened, and sensitive species protection measures.
18.70 Wireless
Communication Facilities
Sections
- 18.70.010 Purpose.
- 18.70.020 Exemptions.
- 18.70.030 Applicability, review, and permits required.
- 18.70.040 Types of permits – Priority – Preferences – Restrictions.
- 18.70.050 General requirements.
- 18.70.060 Landscaping/screening.
- 18.70.070 Electrical transmission structure collocation – Specific development standards.
- 18.70.080 Adding antennas to an existing wireless communication facility tower – Specific development standards.
- 18.70.090 Utility pole collocation – Specific development standards.
- 18.70.095 Eligible facilities request.
- 18.70.100 Building-mounted concealed facility – Specific development standards.
- 18.70.110 Request to use nonconcealed facilities attached to a building in lieu of a concealed building attachment.
- 18.70.120 Nonconcealed building-mounted specific development standards.
- 18.70.130 Requests for new towers.
- 18.70.140 Tower-specific development standards.
- 18.70.150 Height modification.
- 18.70.160 Setback modification.
- 18.70.170 Expiration.
- 18.70.180 Removal of abandoned wireless communication facilities.
18.70A Small
Wireless Facilities
Sections
- 18.70A.010 Purpose.
- 18.70A.020 Definitions.
- 18.70A.030 General provisions.
- 18.70A.040 Application requirements for small wireless facilities.
- 18.70A.050 Review process.
- 18.70A.060 Permit requirements.
- 18.70A.070 Modifications to small wireless facilities.
- 18.70A.080 Consolidated permit.
- 18.70A.090 Design zones and pedestrian poles.
- 18.70A.100 Design and concealment standards for small wireless facilities.
- 18.70A.110 New poles for small wireless facilities and installations in a design zone or on pedestrian poles.
- 18.70A.120 Appeals.
- 18.70A.130 Removal of abandoned small wireless facilities.
18.75 Development Standards
Adequacy of Public Facilities and Services
Sections
- 18.75.010 Purpose.
- 18.75.020 General requirements.
- 18.75.030 Adequate sewage disposal.
- 18.75.040 Adequate water supply.
- 18.75.050 Surface water management.
- 18.75.060 Adequate streets.
- 18.75.070 Adequate vehicular access.
- 18.75.080 Adequate fire protection.
- 18.75.090 School concurrency – Applicability and relationship to fees.
- 18.75.100 Findings, recommendations, and decisions regarding school capacities.
- 18.75.110 Submission of district capital facilities plan and data.
- 18.75.120 School concurrency standard.
- 18.75.130 Credit for improvements.
18.80 Development Standards
Animals, Home Occupation, Home Industry
Sections
- 18.80.010 Purpose.
- 18.80.015 General requirements.
- 18.80.017 Other requirements, nuisances, and enforcement.
- 18.80.018 Amortization requirements.
- 18.80.020 Animal regulations – Small animals.
- 18.80.030 Animal regulations – Livestock – Purpose.
- 18.80.040 Animal regulations – Livestock – Densities.
- 18.80.050 Animal regulations – Livestock – Farm management plans.
- 18.80.060 Animal regulations – Livestock – Management standards.
- 18.80.070 Animal regulations – Livestock – Building requirements.
- 18.80.080 Animal regulations – Livestock – Education and enforcement.
- 18.80.090 Existing livestock operations.
- 18.80.100 Home occupation.
- 18.80.110 Home industry.
- 18.80.120 Protection of agricultural uses.
18.85 Nonconformance
Temporary Uses, and Re-Use of Facilities
Sections
- 18.85.010 Purpose.
- 18.85.020 Nonconformance – Applicability.
- 18.85.030 Nonconformance – Creation, continuation, and forfeiture of nonconformance status.
- 18.85.040 Nonconformance – Abatement of illegal use, structure or development.
- 18.85.050 Nonconformance – Re-establishment of discontinued nonconforming use, or damaged or destroyed nonconforming structure or site improvement.
- 18.85.060 Nonconformance – Modifications to nonconforming use, structure, or site improvement.
- 18.85.070 Nonconformance – Expansions of nonconforming uses, structures, or site improvements.
- 18.85.080 Nonconformance – Required findings.
- 18.85.090 Nonconformance – Residences.
- 18.85.100 Temporary use permits – Uses requiring permits.
- 18.85.110 Temporary use permits – Exemptions to permit requirement.
- 18.85.120 Temporary use permits – Duration and frequency.
- 18.85.125 Temporary use permits – Farmers’ markets and public markets.
- 18.85.130 Temporary use permits – Parking.
- 18.85.140 Temporary use permits – Traffic control.
- 18.85.150 Temporary construction buildings.
- 18.85.160 Temporary construction residence.
- 18.85.170 Temporary mobile home for medical hardship.
- 18.85.180 Temporary real estate offices.
- 18.85.190 Temporary school facilities.
- 18.85.200 Re-use of facilities – General standards.
- 18.85.210 Re-use of facilities – Re-establishment of closed public school facilities.
- 18.85.220 Re-use of facilities – Standards for conversion of historic buildings.
18.90 Residential
Density Incentives
Sections
- 18.90.010 Purpose.
- 18.90.020 Permitted locations of residential density incentives.
- 18.90.030 Maximum densities permitted through residential density incentive review.
- 18.90.040 Public benefits and density incentives.
- 18.90.050 Rules for calculating total permitted dwelling units.
- 18.90.060 Review process.
- 18.90.070 Minor adjustments in final site plans.
- 18.90.080 Applicability of development standards.
18.110 Commercial
Site Development Permits
Sections
- 18.110.010 Purpose.
- 18.110.020 Applicability.
- 18.110.030 Complete application.
- 18.110.040 Public comments.
- 18.110.050 Application of development standards.
- 18.110.060 Approval.
- 18.110.070 Financial guarantees.
- 18.110.080 Limitation of permit approval.
- 18.110.090 Modification to an approved permit.
- 18.110.100 Administrative rules.
18.114 Development
Agreements
Sections
18.125 Decision
Criteria
Sections
- 18.125.010 Purpose.
- 18.125.020 Temporary use permit.
- 18.125.030 Variance.
- 18.125.040 Conditional use permit.
- 18.125.045 Expiration or renewal.
- 18.125.050 Modifications and expansions of a conditional use permit – When use is not permitted outright.
- 18.125.060 Modifications or expansions of a conditional use permit authorized by existing land use permits – Required findings.
- 18.125.070 Modifications and expansions – Uses or development authorized by existing conditional use, or unclassified use permits.