The purpose of this zone is to conserve and protect the beauty and historic character of the original townsite residential area of Farmington City through conservation of neighborhoods which reflect distinctive features of the original townsite, to promote the public welfare by keeping the original townsite area a desirable and attractive place in which to live, and to assure compatibility of design of new residential units, additions, remodels and accessory structures. In order to assure compatibility with the purpose of this zone, these provisions shall also extend to existing or proposed conforming or nonconforming land uses, such as commercial, public and industrial land uses that are situated within the boundaries of the Original Townsite Residential (OTR) Zone. (Ord. 2007-18, 3-6-2007)

The following are permitted uses in the OTR Zone. No other permitted uses are allowed, except as provided by subsection 11-4-050F of this title:

   Accessory dwelling unit.

   Agriculture.

   Class A animals.

   Class B animals (as provided herein).

   Home occupations complying with the provisions of section 11-35-030 of this title.

   Internal accessory dwelling unit.

   Residential facility for the disabled.

   Single-family dwellings.

   Uses customarily accessory to an established permitted use. (Ord. 2017-13, 5-16-2017; amd. Ord. 2021-25, 9-21-2021; Ord. 2023-40, 6-20-2023; Ord. 2025- 37, 7-15-2025)

The following are conditional uses in the OTR Zone. No other conditional uses are allowed, except as provided by subsection 11-4-050F of this title:

   Class D animals.

   Daycare center.

   Greenhouses, private with no retail sales.

   Home occupations requiring a conditional use permit under section 11-35-040 of this title.

   Private school.

   Public uses (as provided herein).

   Public utility installations, except lines and rights-of-way (as provided herein).

   Quasi-public uses (as provided herein).

   Residential facilities for the elderly.

   Uses customarily accessory to an established conditional use. (Ord. 2017-13, 5-16-2017; amd. Ord. 2021-25, 9-21-2021; Ord. 2023-40, 6-20-2023; Ord. 2025-37, 7-15-2025)

   A.   Minimum Standards: The following shall be the minimum lot areas, widths and main building setbacks in the OTR Zone:

 

 

   B.   Class B Animals: Class B animals are permitted in the OTR zone only if the area of the lot is twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or larger. Class B animals shall be limited to not more than one horse or cow and not more than two (2) sheep or goats for each twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of a lot.

   C.   Public Uses And Utility Installations: Public uses, public utility installations and quasi-public uses are only allowed on lots less than forty thousand (40,000) square feet in size.

   D.   Special Standards For Lot Width: Certain large, wide and deep lots presently exist in the OTR zone. City records show that between 1969 and 1986, the minimum lot width in the original townsite area was seventy feet (70'). Furthermore, for all the years prior to World War II, no minimum lot width or lot size standards existed at all in the original townsite area. Consequently scores of lots exist in this area with frontages less than eighty five feet (85') in width. The purpose of this section is to provide special standards for narrower lot width for the subdivision of large, wide lots located in the OTR zone. A property owner may subdivide a parcel of land in the OTR zone resulting in a lot width less than the minimum requirement set forth herein so long as the following standards are met:

      1.   Any new construction on the building lot created therefrom, shall conform to the new construction design guidelines contained herein.

      2.   The reduction in lot width shall not exceed fifteen feet (15').

      3.   The lot size must meet the minimum standard lot size described herein.

      4.   The lot, and any use proposed for the lot, shall comply with the minimum setback standards set forth herein, and standards related thereto set forth in chapter 28 of this title.

      5.   Any structures existing prior to the subdivision shall meet the setback requirements set forth in this chapter within the new subdivision.

   E.   Flag Lots: Flag lots, as defined by this code, shall be prohibited in the OTR zone. (Ord. 2007-18, 3-6-2007; amd. Ord. 2015-11, 3-17-2015; Ord. 2023-42, 7-18-2023)

   A.   Alternative Standards: Following the subdivision yield plan defined in Chapter 11-2 and using the minimum standards of subsection 11-17-040A to establish a maximum number of lots, a subdivider may alter the lot area, width, and side and side corner setbacks of lots for main buildings within a subdivision using standards for the LR zone delineated in subsection 11-12-090, if the subdivider, at the sole discretion of, and by agreement with the City, implements one of the following public benefits:

      1.   Provide or set aside lots (or dwelling units at the option of the City) equal in number to at least ten percent (10%) of the total number of lots approved for the subdivision (or an alternative proposal acceptable to the City if the subdivision is less than 10 lots) for moderate income housing subject to recording a deed restriction(s) to ensure the required number of lots or units are available for a qualifying moderate-income household, or pays a fee in lieu thereof for moderate income housing determined in consideration of factors set forth in Chapter 11-28 of this Title; or

      2.   Preserve an existing on-site historic resource (standards for historic resources are set forth in Chapter 11-39 of this Title); or

      3.   Create open space; or

      4.   Establish some other public benefit; or

      5.   Provide a combination of 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 above.

   B.   Additional Lots: The City Council may approve additional lots than what is conventionally allowed in the underlying zone as an incentive to a subdivider to provide a public benefit. (Ord. 2025-21, 5-20-2025)

   A.   Location: Accessory buildings, except for those listed in subsection C of this section, may be located within one foot (1') of the side or rear property line, provided they are at least six feet (6') to the rear of the dwelling, do not encroach on any recorded easements, occupy not more than twenty five percent (25%) of the rear yard. An accessory building which contains an ADU shall be located a minimum of five feet (5') from a side or rear property line unless a special exception is approved by the Planning Commission to reduce these setbacks in accordance with section 11-3-045 .

   E.   Garages: All garages and any similarly related accessory buildings, whether attached or detached, shall be considered for approval as follows:

      1.   Notwithstanding subsection A, a garage shall not encroach into the front yard or side corner yard, except side yards and the rear yard, of the building lot, with the exception that if a garage currently does not exist on the property and one could not fit within the side or rear yard, then a garage may encroach into the side corner yard, but not the required side corner yard, provided that it is designed so as to be an architectural and integral part of the main dwelling.

      4.   Garages must be compatible and consistent with existing garages in the area. The placement of garages in the general vicinity and on adjoining properties with respect to setbacks and the position of existing garages in relation to the main buildings will be a consideration in determining site plan approval for new garages. Property owners may be asked to provide information regarding such during the building permit application review process. (Ord. 2007-18, 3-6-2007; amd. Ord. 2015-11, 3-17-2015; Ord. 2023-42, 7-18-2023; Ord. 2023-44, 7-18-2023; Ord. 2023-55, 9-19-2023; Ord. 2024-41, 7-16-2024; Ord. 2024-62, 12-17-2024)

   A.   Prohibited Fences: Fences consisting of chainlink or vinyl materials, except such fences which have a wood grain appearance, located in the front yard or side corner yard shall be prohibited.

   B.   Color Of Vinyl Fences: Vinyl fences shall only be installed with colors consisting of flat, nongloss finishes. (Ord. 2007-18, 3-6-2007)

   A.   Applicability:

      1.   These standards apply to all structures requiring a building permit, including new construction, additions and alterations. Creative solutions that are compatible with the desired character of a historic neighborhood are strongly encouraged. Designs that seek to contrast with the existing context are discouraged. This guidance will help protect the established character of each neighborhood, while also allowing new, compatible design.

      2.   The area within the OTR zone, including specific neighborhoods and buildings, conveys a certain sense of time and place associated with its history. It also remains dynamic, with alterations to existing structures and construction of new buildings occurring over time. New buildings and/or construction are not encouraged to look old, rather a new design should relate to the fundamental characteristics of the district while also conveying the stylistic trends of today.

      3.   New construction should, to the greatest extent possible, maintain the established mass, scale, height, width and form of other buildings on the street. New buildings and additions may be larger than earlier structures, but should not be so dramatically greater in scale such that the visual continuity of the street is compromised.

      4.   The planning department and/or planning commission may request a recommendation from an ad hoc architecture committee established by the city council or the Farmington City historic preservation commission regarding applications for permitted uses or conditional uses.

   B.   Streetscape: New construction must be compatible and consistent with buildings on adjoining lots and parcels in the general vicinity. To ensure compliance with setback and orientation, mass and scale, building height, building and roof form, materials and color standards set forth herein, applicants for new construction may be required to provide a plan view of the streetscape showing building elevations (similar to examples contained in the appendices in this section), landscaping and other physical features of adjacent lots, a series of abutting lots, or lots across the street. The city may also review aerial photographs to ensure a compatible and consistent streetscape.

   C.   Setback And Orientation: Situate new buildings such that they are arranged on their sites in ways similar to existing buildings in the area. This includes consideration of building setbacks, orientation and open space. The zoning administrator may reduce the minimum setback standards contained herein, provided such exception shall conform to the following standards:

      1.   The reduction in the setback shall not exceed fifteen feet (15');

      2.   The setback proposed shall be compatible with the character (including historic qualities related thereto) of the site, and the existing setback of structures on adjacent and surrounding properties;

      3.   The zoning administrator and/or planning commission may require conditions consistent with the Farmington City general plan, the intent and purpose of this title, and other provisions contained herein.

   D.   Mass And Scale:

      1.   New buildings and additions must be constructed to reinforce a sense of human scale. This may be accomplished by employing techniques such as these:

         a.   Using building materials that are of traditional dimensions;

         b.   Providing one-story porch on a main building dwelling that is similar to that seen traditionally;

         c.   Using a building mass that is similar in size to those seen traditionally;

         d.   Using a solid to void ratio on all visible facades from the public right of way that is similar to that seen traditionally, and using window openings that are similar in size to those seen traditionally. At least twenty five percent (25%) of street facing facades, excluding roofs, shall consist of window and/or doors.

      2.   New buildings and additions shall appear similar in scale to the scale that is established in the block or in the general vicinity. Subdivide larger masses into smaller "modules" that are similar in size to buildings seen traditionally. The area of a new construction or addition shall be equal to or less than that of the main dwelling or original building unless otherwise approved by the planning commission as a conditional use.

      3.   Front elevations shall be designed similar in scale to those seen traditionally in the block. Fronts shall include a one-story element, such as a front porch. In certain circumstances a two-story element, may be appropriate if it provides cover to a second-story balcony. The primary plane of the front should not appear taller than those of typical structures in the block. A single wall plane should not exceed the typical maximum facade width in the zone.

      4.   Where they are to be used, ornamental elements, ranging from corbels to porches, should be in scale with similar historic features. The proportion of elements such as brackets for example should appear to be functional as well as decorative.

   E.   Building Height:

      1.   New main building height should be similar to those found historically in the vicinity, and shall not exceed twenty seven feet (27') in height, unless the Planning Commission approves an increased height after review of a special exception application filed by the property owner per section 11-3-045;

      2.   No dwelling structure shall contain less than one story;

      3.   Except as otherwise provided herein, the height of a new addition shall be equal to or less than that of the original building;

      4.   Accessory buildings or structures shall be subordinate in height to the main building and shall not exceed fifteen feet (15') in height unless approved by the planning commission after a review of a special exception application filed by the property owner.

   F.   Building And Roof Form: Building form is an indispensable component which advances the purpose of this chapter, and visually, the roof is the single most important element in an overall building. New construction, including second story additions, shall comply with the following design guidelines (see also the illustrations in the appendices in this section):

      1.   Building and roof forms should be consistent with other buildings seen traditionally on the block and in the neighborhood;

      2.   Simple rectangular solids are typically appropriate in building form;

      3.   Gable and hip roofs are appropriate for primary roof forms in most residential areas. Shed roofs are appropriate for some additions. Roof pitches must be within plus or minus two inches (±2") per foot of other roofs on that property and/or adjacent properties of similar era ("shed style" roofs excepted);

      4.   If a property owner is proposing to construct a second story but no second story homes exist in the neighborhood, the property owner should consider bringing portions of the roof down to the gutter or eave line of the first story;

      5.   Major portions of second story and/or second story additions should be set away from front, rear and side property lines, and placed over the house and not the garage only; and

      6.   No structure shall extend above or beyond a daylight plane having a height of twelve feet (12') at each side property line and extending into the lot or parcel at an angle of forty five degrees (45°) with the following encroachments allowed:

         a.   Television or radio antennas, chimneys, flues, eaves and skylights;

         b.   Dormers or similar architectural features; provided, that the horizontal length of all such features shall not exceed a combined total of fifteen feet (15') on each side; and

         c.   Gables or similar architectural features; provided, that the horizontal length of all such features shall not exceed a combined total of nineteen feet (19') on each side, measured along the intersection with the daylight plane; and provided, that the intersection of the gable with the daylight plane closest to the front property line is along the roofline.

   G.   Materials: Building materials should contribute to the traditional sense of scale of the block, this will reinforce the sense of visual continuity in the district. New materials that are similar in character to traditional materials may be acceptable with appropriate detailing. Alternative materials should appear similar in scale, proportion, texture and finish to those used historically. They also must have a proven durability in similar locations in this climate. Except for the roof, fascia and soffit, exterior material on the front and side elevations of said structures shall consist of brick, rock, stucco, wood siding or combination thereof, metal and vinyl shall be prohibited. Metal or vinyl exterior materials shall be permitted on windows and doors and on the fascia and soffit, and on the entire rear elevations of said structures. All exterior materials and colors are to be specified on plans for said structures and shall be submitted for approval by the planning department and/or planning commission.

   H.   Color: With respect to colors on a historic building, a scheme that reflects the historic style is preferred, although some new color selections can be compatible. For newer buildings and additions, a color scheme that complements the historic character of the zone should be used. Property owners are particularly encouraged to employ colors that will help establish a sense of visual continuity for the block.

      1.   Keep color schemes simple. Using one base color for the building is preferred. Muted colors are appropriate for the base color. Using only one or two (2) accent colors is also encouraged, except where precedent exists for using more than two (2) colors with some architectural styles.

      2.   Coordinating the entire building in one color scheme is usually more successful than working with a variety of palettes. Using the color scheme to establish a sense of overall composition for the building is strongly encouraged.

   APPENDIX 1
   Building Envelope

Large homes generally look less massive if they have more varied, rather than simple building forms. If a common pattern or level of complexity exists in the neighborhood, new houses should have a similar amount of variety in their footprint and massing.

   Neighborhood Scale

The scale of a building is its perceived size relative to the size of neighboring houses. Houses can be compatible by reducing the height, stepping back the second story and providing variation in the roof and building forms.

   APPENDIX 2
   Roof Design And Massing Of Roof Forms

Roof shape and type are often the defining elements of appearance of a house and neighborhood. Roofs should be compatible with the neighborhood through roof forms, slope, materials and massing. All roof forms should be architecturally compatible with the primary form's slope and material and be consistent with the character of roof forms in the neighborhood.

   Lower Eave Line

Lower the roofline to make second story homes more compatible with single-story homes. Lowering the eave line can reduce the apparent building mass making the home compatible with the neighborhood.

   APPENDIX 3
   Second Story Setbacks

Locate second story additions away from the edges of the property. Set major portions of second story additions away from front, side and rear property lines.

   Second Story Location Over House

Place the primary volume of second story additions over the house instead of over the garage only. Consider split level design when located between two-story and single-story homes.

   APPENDIX 4
   Wall Articulation

Avoid creating long or tall blank side walls. Break up the appearance of long side walls by adding steps or breaks in the building walls, and windows where privacy can be respected.

   Window Placement

House additions should respect adjacent neighbor privacy by carefully locating windows, use of landscape and other architectural solutions.

   APPENDIX 5
   Daylight Plane

No structure shall extend above or beyond the daylight plane with a height of twelve feet (12') and extending into the parcel at an angle of forty five degrees (45°).

   Exceptions For Encroachment

The following encroachments are allowed: television and radio antennas, chimneys, flues, eaves, skylights, dormers, gables or similar architectural features.

(Ord. 2007-18, 3-6-2007; amd. Ord. 2016-23, 2-16-2016; Ord. 2021-01, 1-19-2021; Ord. 2021-22, 8-3-2021; Ord. 2025-21, 5-20-2025)