Franklin County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
ZONING DISTRICTS
AND MAP
§ 155.065 ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS; PURPOSE.
These regulations establish the following zoning districts, the boundaries of which are shown on the maps, made a part of these regulations and which are designated as the “Official Zoning Map”. A description of each zone and uses permitted and indicated in §§ 155.085 through 155.091, 155.135 through 155.150 and 155.165 through 155.179 of this chapter.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.01)
§ 155.066 DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED.
Agricultural District | AG |
General Commercial District | CG |
General Industrial District | IG |
High Density Multi-Family District | RH |
Highway Commercial District | CH |
Industrial Commercial District | IC |
Limited Commercial District | CL |
Low Density Multi-Family District | RL |
Mobile Home District | RM |
Planned Commercial District | PC |
Planned Mixed Use District | PM |
Planned Residential District | PR |
Professional Office District | PO |
Rural Heritage Mixed Use District | HD |
Single-Family Large Lot District | RA |
Single-Family Residential Suburban Density District | RB |
Single-Family Residential Urban Density District | RC |
Single-Family Rural Residential District | RR |
Special Design Single-Family District | RS |
Special Environmental District | SE |
Special Floodplain District | SF |
Two Dwelling District | RD |
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.02; Ord. 8-2024, passed 8-6-2024)
§ 155.067 APPLICATION OF ZONE AND DISTRICT REGULATIONS.
(A) (1) The regulations set by this chapter within each zone and district shall be minimum or maximum limitations, as appropriate to the case.
(2) These regulations shall apply uniformly to each class or kind of structure of land, except as hereinafter provided.
(B) No part of a yard, open space, off-street parking, loading space or other special use area required about or in connection with any building or land for the purpose of complying with this chapter shall be included as part of a yard, open-space, off-street parking, loading space or other special use area similarly required for any other building or land unless otherwise specifically permitted in this chapter.
(C) No yard or lot existing at the time of adoption of this chapter shall be reduced in dimension or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Yards or lots created shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this chapter.
(D) Only those uses specifically permitted or substantially similar to permitted uses are permitted in each zone or district, and all uses not permitted or substantially similar uses are prohibited.
(E) No structure shall be erected on any lot or tract of land which does not adjoin and have direct access to a street or legally documented right-of-ingress or egress or other public right-of-way for at least 20 feet or unless otherwise specifically permitted in this chapter.
(F) Where conflicts may exist between an established setback and the setback required by this chapter, the minimum established setback shall be observed. Appeal to this requirement shall be made before the County Enforcement Officer or the Board of Zoning Adjustments.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.03)
§ 155.068 YARD REQUIREMENTS ALONG LESS RESTRICTED ZONE BOUNDARY LINES.
Along any zone boundary line, any abutting side yard or rear yard on a lot adjoining such boundary line in the less restricted zone shall have a minimum width and depth equal to the required minimum width and depth for such yards in the more restricted zone.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.04)
§ 155.069 CONVERSION OF DWELLINGS.
(A) The conversion of any building into a dwelling, or the conversion of any dwelling so as to accommodate an increased number of dwelling units or families shall be permitted only within a zone in which a new building for similar occupancy would be permitted under this chapter and only when the resulting occupancy will comply with the requirements governing new construction in such zone with respect to minimum lot size, floor area, dimensions of yards, other open spaces and off-street parking.
(B) Each conversion shall be subject also to such requirements as may be specified hereinafter applying to such zone.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.05)
§ 155.070 SAFETY AND VISION.
The following regulations provide for the maximum safety of persons using sidewalks and streets: on any corner lot or curb cut no wall, fence, structures, parking space or any plant growth which obstructs sight lines at elevations between two and one-half feet and nine feet above the crown of the adjacent roadway shall be placed or maintained within a triangular area 25 feet along each of the intersecting streets to be measured from the property line.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.06)
§ 155.071 ZONING MAP ATLAS; AMENDMENTS.
(A) (1) The county is hereby divided into zones and districts as provided herein and as shown on the Zoning Map atlas, which together with all explanatory material thereon, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter.
(2) Said Zoning Map atlas is generated via the county’s GIS database and is to be maintained regularly.
(3) The Zoning Map atlas shall be the official record of zoning status of all land in the county and be kept in the County Clerk’s office and shall be known as the “Zoning Map”.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.07)
(B) Amendments to the Zoning Map atlas changing the zoning status of an area made by ordinance by the Fiscal Court of the county after the effective date of said ordinance or resolution shall be promptly posted on the Zoning Map atlas. A proposal for amendment to any zoning regulation may originate with the Frankfort/Franklin County Planning Commission, with the County Fiscal Court, or with the property owner of the property in question. Regardless of the origin of the proposed amendment, it shall be referred to the Planning Commission before adoption. The Planning Commission shall then hold at least one public hearing after notice required by KRS Ch. 424 and make recommendations to the County Fiscal Court, and it shall take a majority of the entire Fiscal Court to override the recommendations of the Planning Commission.
(1) Notice of hearing on proposed map amendment initiated by other than property owner. A proposal for an amendment to any zoning map not originated by the owner of the property in question shall require the Director of Planning and Zoning to give notice to said property owner by certified mail with return receipt requested, by a time at least 14 consecutive days immediately prior to the hearing on said proposed amendment to the Zoning Map, said notice to be in addition to any other notice required by statute, local regulation or ordinance and said notice shall contain:
(a) The current zoning designation on said map of the subject property and a brief description and definition of said zoning designation;
(b) The proposed zoning designation for said subject property and a brief description and definition of said zoning designation; and
(c) The date and place the hearing is to be held on said proposed Zoning Map amendment and the name of the body proposing said Zoning Map amendment.
(2) Application form. Application form shall be submitted as provided by the County Director of Planning and Zoning and all applicable information on the form must be completed. The property owner’s signature and the date shall be provided on the application form; or if the applicant does not own the property, a letter of permission shall be provided by the current property owner.
(3) Notification of adjacent property.
(a) All applications for an amendment to the Zoning Map shall include a list of each adjacent property owner and their current address.
(b) The County Director of Planning and Zoning will notify the adjacent property owners by mail as to the date of the public hearing.
(4) Fee. All applications for amendment to the Zoning Map shall be required to submit with the application a non-refundable fee as established by the Frankfort/Franklin County Planning Commission.
(5) Legal description. A legal description as recorded in the County Courthouse shall be provided as a part of the application.
(6) Development plan.
(a) A development plan shall be submitted as part of the application for amendments to the Zoning Map when required in accordance with §§ 155.190 through 155.196 of this chapter.
(b) Elements of the development plan are defined in the subdivision and site plan regulations.
(c) The submittal deadlines for applications to be revised and considered by the Frankfort/Franklin County Planning Commission shall be established by the Commission as necessary to facilitate adequate review by the staff and proper notification of adjoining property owners and the public of items placed on the agenda.
(7) Notice of public hearing. Notice of the date, time, place and reason for holding a public hearing shall be given by one publication in the newspaper of general circulation in the county, not earlier than 21 days, or later than 14 days, before the public hearing.
(8) Posting subject property.
(a) The County Office of Planning and Zoning shall post a sign as defined in KRS Ch. 100 on the property, of a zoning change request, at least 14 days prior to the hearing date.
(b) The sign shall be located in a conspicuous location.
(9) Public hearing. Upon receipt of a completed application, notification of adjacent property owners, receipt of fee, submission of legal description and posting subject property, the Frankfort/Franklin County Planning Commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.08; Ord. 11-2026, passed 2-12-2026)
§ 155.072 ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS; COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION.
(A) When considering the approval of a proposed zone map amendment, the Commission shall find that the map amendment is in agreement with the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Commission, or, in the absence of such a finding that:
(1) The original zoning classification given to the property was inappropriate or improper; or
(2) There have been major changes of an economic, physical or social nature within the area involved which were not anticipated in the Comprehensive Plan adopted by the Commission and which have substantially altered the basic character of such area.
(B) The findings of fact made by the Commission shall be recorded in the minutes and records of the Commission.
(C) Following the Commission’s public hearing on the zone map amendment, the Planning Department shall forward a summary of the Planning Commission’s action to the County Fiscal Court within five business days. The Commission’s recommendation relating to the proposed amendment shall become final and the map amendment shall be automatically implemented subject to the provisions of KRS 100.347, all as set forth in the Commission recommendations, unless within 21 days after the final action by the Commission:
(1) Any aggrieved person files a written request indicating the reasons they are aggrieved by the Commission’s recommendation with the Commission that the final decision shall be made by the County Fiscal Court; or
(2) The County Fiscal Court, including any individual member of the Court, files a notice with the Commission that the Fiscal Court shall decide the map amendment. It shall take a majority of the entire Fiscal Court to override the recommendation of the Commission.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.09; Ord. 11-2026, passed 12-12-2026)
§ 155.073 RULES FOR INTERPRETATION OF ZONE AND DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.
Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of zones and districts as shown on the Zoning Map atlas, the following rules shall apply.
(A) Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streets, highways or alleys shall be construed to follow such centerlines.
(B) Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines.
(C) Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main tracks.
(D) (1) Boundaries indicated as following shore lines shall be construed to follow such shore lines, and in the event of change in the shore lines shall be construed as moving with the actual shore line.
(2) Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streams, rivers, lakes or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerlines.
(E) (1) Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in divisions (A) through (D) above shall be so construed.
(2) Distances not specifically indicated on the Zoning Map atlas shall be determined by the scale of the map.
(F) Where a zone or district boundary line divides a lot which was in single ownership at the time of passage of the regulations, the Board of Zoning Adjustments may permit, as a conditional use, the extensions of the regulations for either portion of the lot not to exceed 50 feet beyond the zone or district line into the remaining portion of the lot.
(Ord. 8, passed 10-23-1987, § 2.10)