Galesburg City Zoning Code
GENERAL REGULATIONS
§ 152.030 MAXIMUM HEIGHT LIMITS.
(1) The height of a public building, religious institution, office building, hospital, institution or school may be increased two feet in height for every one foot of additional setback over the maximum established in this DO up to a limit of 90 feet.
(2)
Chimneys, church steeples, cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, monuments, stacks, tanks, water towers, ornamental towers, spires, silos, grain elevators, other farm buildings or necessary mechanical appurtenances are exempt from height regulations.
(3) Buildings in the R3A, R3B, B1, B2, B3, M1 and M2 Districts may be increased in height one foot for each foot the building is set back from all required yard lines up to a maximum height of 100 feet.
(4) Television or radio towers for residential use, or individual corporate towers/antenna for commercial use may extend to a height of 60 feet.
(6) A public library in the B2 District may be up to 75 feet.
(B) Those parts of existing buildings that violate height regulations may be repaired and remodeled but may not be reconstructed or structurally altered, unless they comply with all height requirements.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 1-3.1, passed 1-4-2010; Ord. 12-3343, passed 1-23-2012; Ord. 21-3632, passed 2-22-2021; Ord. 25-3757, passed 7-21-2025)
§ 152.031 MINIMUM YARDS.
(1) On lots fronting on two non-intersecting streets, a front yard must be provided on both streets.
Figure 152.031(A)(1): Example of Double Frontage Lot
(2) On corner lots, there must be a front yard on both streets.
(3) Except for corner lots in the B1, I, M or O Districts, where a frontage is divided among districts with different front yard requirements, the deepest front yard required shall apply to the entire frontage.
(4) On corner lots in the B, I, M or O Districts which adjoin an R District on the rear, a ten-foot yard must be provided along the side street (see Figure 152.031(A)(4)).
(5) In the R3A, R3B, B, I, M and CPD Zoning Districts, there may be more than one commercial or industrial, institutional or multi-family building on a lot, provided that the required yards be maintained around the group of buildings.
(6) Those parts of existing buildings that violate yard regulations may be repaired and remodeled, but not reconstructed or structurally altered unless they comply with all yard requirements.
(7) If side/rear yards are provided where not required (i.e., in B and M Districts), they must be at least five feet wide except where an alley is adjacent.
(8) Where a lot is in a B, I, M or O Class District and is next to an R Class District, the side or rear yard required in that R Class District must be provided along the boundary line (see Figure 152.031(A)(8)).
Figure 152.031(A)(4): Minimum Side Yards
Figure 152.031(A)(8): Minimum Rear Yards
(9) See § 152.152 for parking yard requirements.
(B) The following exceptions may be made to the yard requirements.
(1) On lots of less than 70 feet in width the property owner may reduce a side yard to 10% of the width of the lot but to not less than three feet.
(2) On lots of record on or prior to June 5, 1967, a property owner may reduce his or her rear yard to 20% of the lot depth.
(3) On streets where a front yard setback has heretofore been established by existing buildings situated on lots or tracts comprising not less than 50% of the total block frontage on one side of that portion of any street lying between two intersecting streets, buildings shall either:
(a) Maintain a front yard (building setback) as required in the zoning district in which the property is located; or
(b) Maintain a lesser front yard, as determined by the average front yard (building setback) provided by existing buildings within 200 feet on each side.
(4) Except in any B3 Zoning District, nothing shall be erected, placed, planted or allowed to grow in such a manner as to impede visibility between a height of two and one-half feet and eight feet above the edge of the pavement of intersecting streets, within 30 feet of the intersection of the right-of-way of the intersecting streets. (See Figure 152.031(B)(4).)
Figure 152.031(B)(4): 30-Foot Site Visibility Triangle
(5) Any accessory building or structure closer than ten feet to a principal building shall be considered as part of the principal building and the side, rear and front yard setbacks for the principal building shall be required.
(6) Lots of record prior to June 5, 1967, with less area than required may be sued for one single-family dwelling or for a permitted non-dwelling use.
(C) The following accessory buildings, structures and uses are permitted, with respect to the location of the principal structure, as follows.
(1) In all yards.
(a) Sills, belt courses, cornices and ornamental features may project only two feet into a required yard;
(b) Steps, four feet or less above grade, which are necessary for access to a permitted building or for access to a lot from a street or alley;
(c) Arbors not exceeding eight feet in height, flag poles as restricted in § 152.215, fountains, sculptures, plant boxes, yard lights and other similar ornamental objects;
(d) Driveways and parking spaces as restricted in § 152.152; and
(e) Basketball backboards and/or hoops.
(2) In front yards.
(a) Open, unenclosed porches (no glass, screen or walls), decks or ramps may extend ten feet into a required front yard; and
(b) Mail boxes.
(3) In rear yards.
(a) Open fire escapes, fireproof outside stairways, balconies and the ordinary projections of chimneys and flues into a rear yard for a distance of not more than three and one-half feet, when so placed as to not obstruct light and ventilation, may be permitted.
(b) Accessory buildings and operable motor vehicles, see § 152.111(B)(8);
(c) An accessory building or structure more than ten feet from a main building may be erected within three feet of a side or rear lot line, provided it is located back of the main building, and when on a corner lot both front yard requirements must be observed;
(d) Where a garage is entered from an alley, it must be kept ten feet from the alley line; and
(e) Air conditioning units not less than four feet from the rear property line.
(f) The wall of a private swimming pool shall not be located less then six feet from the rear property line.
(4) In side yards.
(a) Open air patios, which do not extend above the level of ground (first) floor may project into a required yard, provided these projections are distant at least two feet from the adjacent side lot line; and
(b) Air conditioning units not less than four feet from the side property line.
(c) The wall of a private swimming pool shall not be located less then six feet from the rear property line.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 1-3.2, passed 1-4-2010; Ord. 12-3343, passed 1-23-2012)
§ 152.032 OUTDOOR LIGHTING.
(A) Statement of purpose. The city does herein find that regulation of outdoor lighting in the city is necessary to prevent misdirected or excessive artificial light, caused by inappropriate or mishandled light fixtures that produce glare, light penetration and/or unnecessary sky glow; and to improve or maintain nighttime public safety, utility and security.
(B) General requirements. All outdoor light (greater than 3,000 initial lumens) fixtures installed and thereafter maintained on commercial, industrial or multi-family developments adjacent to or across the right-of-way from residentially used or zoned property, other than street lighting and those serving one- or two-family dwellings, shall comply with the requirements as specified below.
(1) Lighting shall be designed to minimize impact on adjacent residential property.
(2) All fixtures with output greater than 14,000 (for example, anything larger than a 175 watt high discharge lamp) initial lumens shall be fully shielded with no lenses or globes protruding below the shell of the fixture. Fixtures shall generally be parallel with the ground and shall be installed with non-adjustable mounting hardware, but may have up to a ten-degree angle if facing away from a public right-of-way or a residential property.
Figure 152.032: Lighting Fixture Design
(3) Externally illuminated building identification or other signs shall only use shielded light fixtures mounted on top of the sign structure.
(4) The use of searchlights is prohibited, other than a period of seven days from the opening of a new establishment.
(5) Exemption: airport lighting and sports lighting by the city, schools or other public agencies shall be exempt from these general requirements.
(6) All outdoor lighting fixtures, including display lighting, but excluding signs, shall be turned off after close-of-business, unless needed for safety or security, in which case the lighting shall be reduced to a minimum level necessary. Lighting of signs is addressed in §§ 152.180 through 152.191, 152.205 through 152.220 and 152.230 through 152.233.
(C) Light penetration. All outdoor lighting fixtures installed and thereafter maintained on commercial, industrial or multi-family developments adjacent to or across the right-of-way from residentially used or zoned property, other than street lighting and those serving one- or two-family dwellings, shall be designed, installed and maintained to prevent light penetration. At the property line, penetration from light fixtures shall not exceed one footcandle measured on the ground.
(D) Variance. Applicants may apply for a variance from these outdoor lighting regulations as detailed in § 152.019.
(E) Plan submission requirements. The following information shall be submitted with a request for a building permit or an electrical permit for new construction or remodeling, or when an outdoor light fixture is replaced with a different fixture:
(1) Description and location of outdoor light fixtures including component specifications such as lamps, reflectors, optics, angle of cutoff, supports, poles and include manufacturer’s catalog cuts; and
(2) The footcandle level at the property line measured at ten-foot intervals and on a ten-foot grid throughout the lighted area for outdoor display areas or under a canopy.
(F) Measurements. Measurement of light levels shall be accomplished as follows.
(1) Metering equipment. Lighting levels shall be measured in footcandles with a direct-reading, portable light meter. The meter shall read within an accuracy of plus or minus 5%. It shall have been tested, calibrated and certified by an independent commercial photographic laboratory or the manufacturer.
(2) Method of measurement. The meter sensor shall be mounted not more than six inches above ground level in a horizontal position at the property line. Readings shall be taken only after the cell has been exposed long enough to provide a constant reading. Measurements shall be taken in locations free of shadows.
(G) Light levels. Light levels for various lighting applications shall be appropriate for the given application. In addition, the following standards shall apply:
(1) Outdoor display lots. All display lot lighting, including auto dealerships or other outdoor sales areas, shall utilize fully shielded luminaries that are installed in a fashion that maintains the fully shielded characteristics. The light level used for illuminating outdoor displays shall not exceed 30 footcandles; and
(2) Service station/gas pump canopies. All luminaries mounted on or recessed into the lower surface of service station canopies shall be fully shielded and utilize flat lenses. The light level used for illuminating service station canopies shall not exceed 40 footcandles in the B1, B2, B3, M1, M2 or CPD Districts and shall not exceed 20 footcandles in all other districts.
(H) Grandfathering of nonconforming luminaires. Luminaires in place prior to June 17, 2002 shall be exempt from these regulations. The exempt luminaires may be replaced with a similar kind of luminaire unless more than 50% of the similar luminaries on the same premises are being replaced. In this case all the replacement luminaries on the premises shall meet the standards of this chapter.
(I) Administration. The Community Development Department is hereby empowered and directed to administer and enforce the provisions of this section relating to outdoor light control for commercial, industrial and multi-family development as well as public buildings.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 1-3.3, passed 1-4-2010; Ord. 17-3538, passed 2-6-2017; Ord. 20-3609, passed 4-6-2020)
§ 152.033 FENCES.
(A) Orientation of sides. Fences shall be constructed so that the finished side faces away from the lot on which it is constructed, and the supporting structure side shall face the interior of the fenced property.
(B) Applicability. Any fence in existence prior to July 6, 2010 and which is subsequently replaced, shall be constructed as provided in this section.
(C) Residential districts.
(1) Fences less than four feet high may be located on any part of a lot, excluding the sight triangle.
(2) Fences less than seven feet high may be erected on those parts of a lot that are as far back or farther back from a street than the main building, excluding the sight triangle.
Figure 152.033(C): Fences Cannot Be Located in Sight Triangle
(D) AG, CPD, I, O and B1 Districts.
(1) Fences less than four feet high may be located on any part of a lot, excluding the site triangle.
(2) Fences less than eight feet high may be erected on those parts of a lot that are as far back or farther back from a street than the main building, excluding the site triangle.
(E) B2, B3 and M Districts. Fences less than eight feet high may be located on any part of a lot, excluding the site triangle.
(F) General provisions.
(1) Reserved.
(2) Corner lots which have rear yards abutting each other may have fences less than seven feet high erected on that part of the lot which is at least as far back from the front of the lot as the principal building. Corner lots which have rear yards abutting each other need have only one front yard, which shall be in the front of the principal building. (Figure 152.033(F) illustrates the requirements of this division.)
Figure 152.033(F)(2): Fences in Corner Lots
(3) Corner lots which have rear yards abutting the side yard of an adjacent lot may have fences less than seven feet high erected on that part of the corner lot which is at least as far back from the street fronting the lot as the front building line, provided that one of the following additional requirements is met:
(a) The fence shall cut off at a 90-degree angle for a distance at least equal to the minimum front lot requirement for the district at that point on the rear lot line of the corner lot which intersects with the front building line of the adjacent lot, after which distance the fence may cut back at an angle of at least 90 degrees to the side lot line of the corner lot (see Figure 152.033(F)(3)(a)); or
Figure 152.033(F)(3)(a): Fence with 90-Degree Cut-off
(b) The fence shall cut off at a minimum of a 45-degree angle from that point on the rear lot line of the corner lot which intersects with the front building line of the adjacent lot, to the side lot line of the corner lot. (See Figure 152.033(F)(3)(b) in next column.)
(4) Fences shall be installed so as not to interfere or impede the flow of surface drainage.
(5) In no instance shall a fence obstruct the visibility of motorists.
Figure 152.033(F)(3)(b): Fence with 45-Degree Cut-off
(6) Temporary fences for construction sites, snow or for purposes of crowd control or security at special events must comply with sight triangle provisions (Figure 152.033(C)) but are otherwise exempt from all provisions of this DO.
(7) The use of barbed wire or electric fencing shall be prohibited in all zoning districts, except as follows:
(a) Barbed wire. Barbed wire may be used in:
1. AG - Agricultural Districts when livestock are present;
2. M - Manufacturing Districts, when five feet above grade and at the top of the fence;
3. B - Business Districts, in conjunction with special use permits for outside storage;
4. Surrounding a detention or retention area in any district; and
5. When approved by variances or comprehensive planned developments.
(b) Electric fences. Above-grade electric fences, appropriately signed with warning signs installed above grade, may be permitted in the Agricultural District when livestock are present.
(8) It is recommended that fences not be erected or installed in easements. However, if a fence is installed within an easement, the authority with easement rights shall not be responsible for the re-installation of the fence due to the authority’s exercising its easement rights.
(9) For private tennis courts, swimming pools or ballfield backstops, no fence shall exceed eight feet in height unless the fence is at least 15 feet from all property lines. In all cases, no fence shall exceed 12 feet in height, unless it is part of a public ballfield backstop, tennis court, pool or the like.
(10) Fence height shall be measured from the nearest grade of an adjacent property for fences located within ten feet of a property line. For fences set back farther than ten feet from a property line, the fence height shall be measured from the lowest elevation at the base of the fence. Ornamental post caps shall be excluded from the calculation of fence height.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 1-3.4, passed 1-4-2010; Ord. 12-3343, passed 1-23-2012; Ord. 15-3505, passed 11-16-2015; Ord. 20-3625, passed 12-21-2020)
§ 152.034 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
Noise, glare, vibration, odor and the like shall be regulated according to standards established by the State Pollution Control Board of the Environmental Protection Agency, as may be amended from time to time.
(Ord. 10-3277, § 1-3.5, passed 1-4-2010)