The AR-1 agricultural/residential district is intended and designed to permit the continuation of low density residential areas and to provide for the location of animals and permit their continued husbandry, and to provide for accessory buildings housing such animals. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

AGRICULTURAL BUILDING: Shall include, but not be limited to, a building, structure, or erection used for agricultural purposes as part of an agricultural unit.

AGRICULTURE: The art and science of cultivating the ground, including the harvesting of crops and the rearing and management of livestock.

ANIMAL PRODUCTION: Commercial grazing; commercial ranching; commercial dairy farming; and the commercial breeding and raising of horses, bovine animals, goats, sheep, rabbits, poultry, mink, chinchillas, emus, ostriches, rheas, guinea fowl, alpacas, llamas, mules, donkeys, asses, swine, turkeys, ducks, geese and other similar animals and fowl.

ANIMAL RAISING, PERSONAL: The breeding and raising of agricultural animals and fowl for personal use and for agriculturally related projects by the owner or occupant of the premises.

COMMERCIAL FEEDLOT: The use of a site for the confined feeding or holding of livestock or poultry within buildings, lots, pens, or other close quarters which are not used for crop production or where grazing of natural vegetation is not the major feed source.

CROP PRODUCTION: The raising and harvesting of tree crops, row crops or field crops on an agricultural or commercial basis.

HORTICULTURE: The growing of horticultural and floricultural specialties, such as flowers, shrubs or trees intended for ornamental or landscaping purposes. Typical uses include wholesale plant nurseries and greenhouses.

LIVESTOCK SALES: The use of a site for the temporary confinement and exchange or sale of livestock. Typical uses include sales barns.

STABLES, COMMERCIAL: A building or structure used or intended to be used for the housing only of horses on a fee basis. Riding instruction may be given in connection with a commercial stable.

STABLES, PRIVATE: A building or structure used or intended to be used for housing horses belonging to the owner of the property only for noncommercial purposes. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

Subject to the above, all agricultural areas created pursuant to section 352.6, code of Iowa, and the activities conducted thereon, are and shall remain exempt from zoning and building regulations. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

Any use, building, or structure existing at the time of the enactment of this chapter may be continued even though such use, building or structure may not conform with the provisions of this chapter. No change of title or right of possession shall affect the continuation of an existing use. No existing building or premises devoted to a use not permitted by this chapter, except when required to do so by law or order, shall be enlarged, extended, reconstructed, substituted or structurally altered unless the use thereof is changed to a use permitted in this district. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

The following uses are permitted in the AR-1 agricultural/residential district:

Animal production.

Animal raising, personal.

Cemetery.

Churches and similar religious institutions, including accessory uses required for operation.

Crop production.

Forest preserve.

Home occupations.

Horticulture.

Personal animal raising, including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, llamas, asses, mules, swine, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, ostriches, emus, rheas, and guinea fowl.

Recreational areas, including golf course, country club, tennis court, swimming pool, park, playground, and similar recreational uses.

Schools, including playgrounds, athletic fields, and accessory structures required for operation.

Single-family residences. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

The following uses may be allowed by special use permit in accordance with the provisions of chapter 22 of this title:

Bed and breakfast operations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 24 of this title.

Commercial feedlots.

Commercial stables.

Kennels, in accordance with the state code of Iowa.

Livestock sales.

Quarries, mining.

Telecommunications towers, in accordance with chapter 28 of this title.

Veterinary clinics. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

   A.   Every single-family detached dwelling hereafter erected shall be located on a lot having an area of not less than five (5) acres, or two hundred seventeen thousand eight hundred (217,800) square feet. Minimum lot width shall be not less than two hundred feet (200').

   B.   All nonresidential principal uses of buildings as permitted in this district shall be located on a lot of not less than five (5) acres, or two hundred seventeen thousand eight hundred (217,800) square feet. Minimum lot width shall be not less than two hundred feet (200'). (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

No building shall be erected or enlarged unless the following yards are provided and maintained in connection with such building, structure or enlargement:

   A.   Front Yard: A front yard of not less than forty feet (40').

   B.   Side Yards:

      1.   On each lot upon which a dwelling is constructed, there shall be a side yard on each side of the principal building of not less than twenty feet (20').

      2.   On each lot upon which a permitted nonresidential building or structure is erected or enlarged, there shall be a side yard of not less than twenty feet (20') on each side of the principal building or structure.

   C.   Rear Yard: A rear yard of not less than forty feet (40'). (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

Not more than fifteen percent (15%) of the lot area may be occupied by buildings and structures, including accessory buildings. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

The maximum height of buildings shall be as follows:

   A.   Single-family dwellings: Forty five feet (45'), or three (3) stories.

   B.   Agricultural buildings: Forty five feet (45'). (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

Vehicle parking facilities shall be provided as required or permitted in chapter 19 of this title. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)

The erection, construction, alteration and location of signs, marquees and awnings shall be in conformity with the provisions of chapter 18 of this title. (Ord. C-405, 8-17-2004)