Cranston City Zoning Code
Chapter
17.20 PERMITTED USES
§ 17.20.010 Generally.
No building or structure shall be erected, occupied or used and no land or premises shall be used except as authorized in Section 17.20.030 and in compliance with Section 17.20.110. In Section 17.20.030, the symbols have the following meanings:
a = permitted |
s = use allowed by special permit |
p = prohibited use |
Accessory uses and buildings incidental to the principal uses shall be interpreted as permitted with the principal use, subject to Sections 17.20.030 and 17.60.010.
(Prior code § 30-6)
§ 17.20.020 Conditions for permitted uses.
B.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this chapter, the following uses shall be permitted
uses within all residential zoning use districts of a municipality
and all industrial and commercial zoning use districts except where
residential use is prohibited for public health or safety reasons:
(Prior code § 30-7)
§ 17.20.030 Schedule of uses.
The following pages enumerate principal uses accepted by the
city and identify the zoning districts within which they are permitted.
TABLE OF PRINCIPAL USE* ++ | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A-80 | A-20 | A-12 | A-8 | A-6 | B-1 | B-2 | C-1 | C-2 | C-3 | C-4 | C-5 | M-1 | M-2 | S-1 | EI | G | |
RESIDENTIAL** +++ | |||||||||||||||||
Community residence | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y |
Dormitory | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y |
Family day care home | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Fraternity/sorority house | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Manufactured home park/manufactured home subdivision | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Multi-family dwelling | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Residence above first story business use | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y |
Rooming, boarding house | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Single-family accessory dwelling unit | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Single-family dwelling | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Tourist home, bed and breakfast | S | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Two-family dwelling | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
INSTITUTIONAL** +++ | |||||||||||||||||
Assisted Living facility | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Cemetery | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | Y |
Cultural use | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y |
Educational institution-preschool, primary, secondary, charter | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y | N |
Higher education institution | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y |
Hospital | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | Y |
Lodge/fraternal organization | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Municipal services other than those listed elsewhere | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Nursing home | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Public safety facility | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
Religious worship (place of) | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N |
State agency | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y |
OPEN SPACE/RECREATIONAL** +++ | |||||||||||||||||
Golf club and course | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N |
Marina | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Open space area | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | Y | Y | Y |
Municipal park, playground, and outdoor sports field | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y |
Recreational membership club | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | Y |
Yacht club | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N |
AGRICULTURAL** +++ | |||||||||||||||||
Agricultural operations | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N |
BUSINESS** +++ | |||||||||||||||||
Adult day care | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y |
Adult entertainment (see Section 17.80.010) | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | S | S | N | N | N |
Animal Day Care | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Animal Grooming Services | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Antiques, second hand shop, consignment shop | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Artisan's workshop (studio) | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N |
Bakery, retail | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Bakery, wholesale | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Bank, financial institution | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N |
Banquet facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Barber shop, beauty salon | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Body art establishment | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Book, stationery, gift shop | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Brew pub | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Business, professional office | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N |
Business/trade school | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N |
Car wash/detailing | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Catering service | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Check cashing facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Commercial day care | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y |
Commercial off-street parking | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Commercial recreation | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Communication service and broadcast studio | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Convenience store | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N |
Crematory | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Day Spa | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
*Drive-in restaurant | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Drug store | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N |
Florist shop | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Fuel station full service | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | S | S | Y | Y | S | S | N | N | N |
Fuel station minimart | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Funeral home | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Garden center | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Hardware store | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Health, fitness club | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Home improvement center | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Kennel | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Kiosk, freestanding exterior | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Landscape and tree services | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Laundromat | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Loft space (live/work) | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Medical or dental clinic | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | N |
Medical/diagnostic laboratory | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Motel, hotel | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N |
Motor and recreational vehicle and watercraft sale | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Motor vehicle repair and service establishment light | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Music and dance studio | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N |
Night club | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Nursery | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | Y | N | N |
Outdoor retail | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Passenger transportation terminal | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Pawn shop | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Personal services establishment | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Print shop | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Restaurant without drive-in facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Retail laundromat and drycleaning establishment | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Retail sale large scale | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Retail sale small scale | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Supermarket | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Tavern/pub/neighborhood bar | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Theater, movie cinema | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | Y | N |
Towing operations w/storage | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Urgent care facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Veterinarian hospital or clinic | S | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Wholesale sales | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
INDUSTRIAL** +++ | |||||||||||||||||
Alternative energy generation | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N |
Arts and crafts manufacturing | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Asphalt, cement or concrete plant | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Automobile body repair shop and paint shop | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | N | N | N | N | N |
Brewery or distillery | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Commercial laundry, dry cleaning service | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Container storage | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Contractor yard | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Data processing facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Distribution Center | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Electronic and computer component recycling | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Extractive industries | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Food/beverage processing establishment | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Foundry | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Hazardous waste landfill and hazardous waste injection well | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Hazardous processing facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Hazardous waste transfer station, incinerator | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Industrial equipment rental | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Manufacture heavy | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Manufacture light | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Manufacture of rubber and plastics | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Metal plating | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Motor vehicle repair and service establishment heavy | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Motor vehicle storage | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Outdoor advertising, billboards | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Paint production | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Printing and publishing | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Recycling facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Research/development facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Retail heating fuel supplier | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Sanitation services | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Self storage, mini-storage | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Solar power | Y | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N |
!Minor accessory solar energy system | S! | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | S! | Y | Y |
Major accessory solar energy system | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y |
Principal solar energy system | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Solid waste transfer facility | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
Telecommunications antenna | S | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | S | S | Y |
Telecommunications tower | S | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | S | S | S | S | S | S | Y |
Upholstering shop | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Trucking terminal | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Warehousing, commercial | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Welding shop, metal fabrication | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | Y | Y | N | N | N |
Notes: |
The symbols have the following meanings: |
Y = use allowed by right |
S = use allowed by special permit |
N = use not allowed |
*Massage therapy establishment: See day spa. |
**Should any use not be listed herein, the zoning official shall
review the application using the criteria of the use most similar
to the proposed use and also shall determine if the proposed use is
similar in type, character, and intensity as a listed use requiring
a special use permit. |
!A special use permit is required for ground-mounted minor accessory
SESs only. A special use permit is not required for roof-mounted SESs,
building-integrated SESs or solar canopies. |
++Uses authorized elsewhere in the use table. |
+++For any use that requires s state license or permit, receipt
of said license or permit shall be required as part of the definition. |
(Prior code § 30-8; Ord. 04-51 § 6 Exh. A; Ord. 06-28 § 1; Ord.
06-48 § 1; Ord. 2010-28, § 3, 9/27/2010; Ord. 2012-24, § 1, 9/24/2012; Ord. 2015-32, § 1, 11/23/2015; Ord. 2020-3, § 1, 1/21/2020; Ord. 2020-11, § 1, 2/24/2020; Ord. 2023-27, § 1, 12/19/2023)
§ 17.20.040 Conformance to district regulations required.
A.
Subdivision
of Land.
1.
Minor and major subdivisions of land, as defined by the city of Cranston Subdivision Regulations, as amended, shall not be approved unless all buildable lots are in conformity with the minimum lot area and minimum lot width and frontage as per Section 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations.
2.
Administrative subdivisions of land, as defined by the city of Cranston Subdivision Regulations, as amended, shall not be approved unless all buildable lots are in conformity with the minimum lot area and minimum lot width and frontage as per Section 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations, unless the proposal results in the reduction of existing nonconformities and/or does not create or intensify any nonconformity.
B.
Development
Proposals.
1.
Primary structures shall be permitted on substandard lots of record unless said lot is merged to form a conforming lot per Section 17.88.010, Substandard lots of records and lot mergers, and provided that the lot has sufficient accommodations for vehicular access including that required for emergency vehicles as determined by the fire chief or his/her designee. Such proposals shall not require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage. The setback, frontage, and/or lot width requirements for a structure subject to this Section and Section 17.88.010 shall be reduced and the maximum building coverage shall be increased by the same proportion as the lot area of the substandard lot is to the minimum lot requirement of the zoning district in which the lot is located. This provision shall not apply to multi-family development which are subject to Section 17.20.090, Specific requirements and Section 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations.
2.
Accessory structures may be permitted on substandard lots of record, in accordance with Chapter 17.60, Accessory Uses, and shall not require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage.
3.
Additions, expansions or renovations to existing structures on substandard lots of record that do not result in a required increase of minimum lot area per Sections 17.20.090, Specific requirements and 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations may be permitted and shall not require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage. Additions, expansions or renovations which result in a required increase in the minimum lot area per Section 17.20.090, Specific requirements and Section 17.20.120, Schedule of intensity regulations shall require conformance with minimum lot area and lot width and frontage.
C.
No exemption in this section shall be meant to provide relief
from any other section of the zoning code.
§ 17.20.050 Reduction of lot and yard areas prohibited.
No lot, yard, required open space or off-street parking area
shall be so reduced, diminished, modified or maintained that the yards
or other open space, total lot area or off-street parking shall be
smaller than prescribed in this chapter.
(Prior code § 30-10)
§ 17.20.060 Required yards not to be used by another building.
No part of a yard, parking space or other open space required
about any building or use for the purpose of complying with the provisions
of this chapter shall be included as part of a yard, parking space
or other open space required under this chapter for another building
except as provided in subsection 17.88.010(p)(7).
(Prior code § 30-11)
§ 17.20.070 More than one dwelling structure on any lot prohibited.
In no case shall there be more than one main residential building
and its accessory buildings on one lot in the A-6, A-8, A-12, A-20
A-80 and B-l districts. Where more than one dwelling is permitted
they shall be so located as to permit subdivision of the lot in conformity
to this chapter. This regulation shall not apply to residential buildings
used for *educational purposes. It shall also not apply to any buildings
used for congregate retirement living facilities or nursing homes
where located in the A-12 or B-1 zones.
(Prior code § 30-12; Ord. 2012-22, § 1, 8/27/2012)
§ 17.20.080 Street access.
No dwelling shall be erected on a lot which does not abut a
public street for the full frontage of the lot.
(Prior code § 30-13)
§ 17.20.090 Specific requirements.
A.
The minimum lot areas in Section 17.20.120 are for a single-family dwelling in districts in which dwellings are permitted. For a two-family dwelling, the minimum lot area shall be eight thousand (8,000) square feet. For multi-family dwellings the minimum lot area shall be six thousand (6,000) square feet for the first dwelling unit, plus four thousand (4,000) square feet for each of the next nine dwelling units, plus three thousand five hundred (3,500) square feet for each dwelling unit in excess of ten (10) dwelling units; provided, however, that for the multi-family structures designed for the elderly, ninety (90) percent or more whose units are to be occupied by persons at least sixty (60) years of age, the minimum lot area shall be eight thousand (8,000) square feet for the first two dwelling units, plus one thousand (1,000) square feet for each dwelling unit in excess of the two dwelling units.
B.
Where a commercial use is mixed with a dwelling use, the minimum lot area shall be as shown in Section 17.20.120 for the district in which the lot is located, plus two thousand (2,000) square feet for each of the first ten (10) dwelling units, plus one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet for each dwelling unit in excess of ten (10) dwelling units.
C.
Where
corner lots have rounded corners with a radius of fifteen (15) feet
or more, the area otherwise required shall be reduced by one hundred
(100) square feet for each such rounded corner.
D.
Where
a corner lot directly abuts a lot in a residential district along
the same side of a street, all of the regulations of such residential
district for front yards shall apply to such corner lot along the
street whose frontage it shares with such residential district.
E.
Side
lot lines shall be substantially at right angles to straight street
lines or radial to curved street lines for their full length from
front to rear with the following exception:
Side lot lines may deviate from this requirement in areas where
natural constraints such as watercourses, wetlands, etc. or where
prudent division practices necessitate special consideration. In all
such cases, the burden will be on the owner to justify such deviation
in design.
F.
In Section 17.20.120 the "minimum side yard" requirement for a nonconforming lot (as defined in subsection 17.88.010(B)) having a frontage of less then fifty (50) feet, shall be five feet.
G.
No
railroad refrigerated freight car shall be left standing in operation
within one hundred (100) feet of a residential district.
H.
All
uses shall be carried on in such a manner as to produce no offensive
noise, dirt, odor, glare, heat or vibration perceptible or measurable
outside the appropriate property lines.
I.
Exterior
lighting shall be shielded or reflected so that the light source is
not visible from any residential district. Exterior lighting, the
source of which would be visible from any public street, shall have
its source reflected or refracted so as to direct and distribute the
light to minimize glare.
The department of inspections shall maintain a list of exterior
lighting fixtures which it will approve as meeting the requirements
of this subsection.
J.
All
parking and outdoor storage areas or facilities for fuel, materials,
incineration and products shall be enclosed by a wall or fence of
solid appearance or tight evergreen hedge not less than five feet
high to conceal such areas or facilities from any residential district
adjacent or across the street from the principal building or use.
No such enclosure shall be required in or adjacent to any front yard
or corner side yard.
K.
Property and buildings to be used for industrial purposes shall be designed and laid out as to minimize disturbance to adjacent property by such features as buffer fences, planting, suitably located points of traffic ingress and egress and areas for loading and parking. They shall comply in addition to the requirements applicable to the district in which they are located. All industrial operations shall be carried on in conformity with the requirements of Section 17.36.010.
L.
Additional
Setbacks on Certain Streets. Additional setbacks shall be required
on certain collector and arterial streets in Cranston in anticipation
of increased traffic generation and/or projected highway improvements.
Minimum front yard setbacks shall be as follows:
Location | Setback |
|---|---|
Scituate Avenue (west of Elton Circle) | 75 feet |
Hope Road | 75 feet |
Phenix Avenue (west of Rt. 295) | 60 feet |
Natick Avenue | 60 feet |
Olney Arnold Road | 60 feet |
South Comstock Parkway | 60 feet |
Wildflower Drive | 60 feet |
Burlingame Road | 60 feet |
(Prior code § 30-14)
§ 17.20.100 Corner visibility.
A.
On
a corner lot, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed
to grow in such a manner as to materially impede vision between a
height of two and one-half and ten (10) feet above the centerline
grades of the intersecting streets in the area bounded by the street
lines of such corner lots and a line joining points along such street
lines thirty (30) feet from the point of the intersection.
B.
In
the areas within ten (10) feet from the sides of a driveway and from
the street line to a line ten (10) feet from the sides of a driveway
and from the street line to a line ten (10) feet back from the street
line, between a height of three and one-half and ten (10) feet above
the centerline grade of the driveway, nothing shall be erected, placed,
planted or allowed to grow in such a manner so as to materially impede
vision from the front ten (10) feet of the driveway to the sidewalk
extending ten (10) feet on either side of the driveway.
(Prior code § 30-15)
§ 17.20.110 Residential yard exceptions.
A.
Building
Projections. Projections of window sills, belt courses, eaves, cornices
and other ornamental features shall be permitted.
B.
Extension
into Front Yard. The space in a required front yard shall be open
and unobstructed by structures other than signs except that an unenclosed
porch may extend no more than ten (10) feet into the front yard.
C.
Required
Front Yards in Developed Blocks. In a block in which twenty-five (25)
percent or more of the frontage within two hundred (200) feet of the
lot and on the same side of the street is developed with structures,
the required front yard for a structure hereafter erected on that
lot shall extend to the average alignment of such existing structures
instead of as provided in the succeeding sections of this chapter,
except that no residence shall have a front yard depth of less than
five feet in depth or need have a front yard of greater depth than
forty (40) feet in an A-80 district, thirty (30) feet in an A-20 district
or twenty-five (25) feet in any other residential district.
D.
Principal
Front Yards. In any district a lot having frontages on two public
ways that do not intersect shall have two front yards each of a depth
as provided in this chapter. One such front yard shall be designated
the principal front yard.
One yard of a corner lot shall be designated as a principal
front yard. In a residential district, the yard adjacent to the street
that the front door faces shall be the principal front yard.
(Prior code § 30-16)
§ 17.20.120 Schedule of intensity regulations.
District | Minimum Lot Area (sq. ft.)* | Minimum Lot Width and Frontage (ft.) | Minimum Yards (ft.) Front | Minimum Yards (ft.) Rear | Minimum Yards (ft.) Side | Maximum Lot Coverage | Maximum Building Height* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
S-1, A-80 | 80,000 | 200 | 40 | 100 | 20 | 10 | 35 |
A-20 | 20,000 | 125 | 30 | 30 | 15 | 20 | 35 |
A-12 | 12,000 | 100 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 30 | 35 |
A-8 | 8,000 | 80 | 25 | 20 | 10 | 30 | 35 |
A-6 | 6,000 | 60 | 25 | 20 | 8 | 30 | 35 |
B-1 and B-2 (single-family) | 6,000 | 60 | 25 | 20 | 8 | 35 | 35 |
B-1 and B-2 (two-family) | 8,000 | 60 | 25 | 20 | 8 | 35 | 35 |
B-2 (multi-family) | See formula in Section 30-14(a) | See formula in Section 30-14(a) | 25 | 20 | 8 | 50 | 35 |
C-1 | 6,000 | 60 | 25 | 20 | 8 | 60 | 35 |
C-2 | 6,000 | 60 | 25 | 20 | 8 | 60 | 30 |
C-3 | 6,000 | 60 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 100 | 35 |
C-4 | 12,000 | 120 | 40 | 20 | 8 | 50 | 35 |
C-5 | 10,000 | 80 | 30 | 20 | 8 | 60 | 35 |
M-1 | 30,000 | 150 | 40 | 30 | 20 | 60 | 35 |
M-2 | 60,000 | 200 | 40 | 30 | 25 | 60 | 35 |
EI** | 10,000 | 0 | 0 | 20*** | 20*** | 100%*** | 35**** |
Notes: |
|---|
* Subject to performance standards described in Section 17.24.010. |
** Subject to requirements of Chapter 17.106 and major land development approval. |
*** Zero feet if adjacent yard is also in an EI, M-1 or M-2
district. Maximum lot coverage is also subject to required yards. |
**** Seventy-five (75) feet if the adjacent lot is also in an
EI, M-1 or M-2 district, or if the minimum yard setback from any other
(non EI, M-1 or M-2) zoning district is increased 1.5 feet for every
one foot in height over thirty-five (35) feet. |
(Prior code § 30-17; Ord. 04-51 § 7 Exh. B)
§ 17.20.130 Modifications.
The building official is empowered to hear and grant modifications. Submission requirements for applications for such modifications shall be in accordance with Section 17.20.120 provided that references to the zoning board shall refer to the building official.
A.
A modification
may be requested for adjustments or deviations not exceeding twenty-five
(25) percent of any of the requirements of dimensional or quantitative
requirements of parking, signs, landscaping and other similar requirements
of this section, yet excluding the moving of lot lines and lot area
and density which are subject to the requirements of this section.
C.
Prior to ruling on a modification of more than five percent and less than twenty-five (25) of any dimensional or quantitative requirements of this chapter, the building official shall give notice in the same manner as would be given for a variance application, pursuant to the Section 17.108.070 requirements, by ordinary mail, to all property owners within a four hundred (400) foot radius and publish in a newspaper having local circulation in the city of Cranston that he or she is considering such modification, the location of property in question, the nature of the proposed modification, a statement that such modification may be granted by the building official if no objection is received within fourteen (14) days, and an invitation to allow any member of the public to inspect plot plans and application forms during normal working hours at the city hall.
D.
If one or more written and duly signed objections are received by the building official within fourteen (14) days of the date of such public notice, the modification shall forthwith be filed with the zoning board of review if the applicant so desires, as a request for a dimensional variance in accordance with the provisions of Sections 17.108.070 and 17.108.080 and the building official shall have no further role in deciding the case.
E.
If there are no objections within the specified time period as provided in subsection (C) above, the building official shall render a decision no later than fourteen (14) days after the date of the public notice. The following determination shall be made by the building official.
1.
The
modification requested is reasonable necessary for the full enjoyment
of the permitted use;
2.
If
the modification is granted, neighboring property will neither be
substantially injured nor its appropriate use substantially impaired;
3.
The
modification requested is in harmony with the purposes and intent
of the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance of the city; and
4.
The
modification requested does not require a variance of a flood hazard
requirement.
F.
If the petitioner is aggrieved by a decision of the building official said petitioner may file an application for dimensional variance to the zoning board or review in accordance with Section 17.108.080.
(Ord. 03-59 § 1; Ord. 2023-27, § 1, 12/19/2023)