Purpose. The purpose of the R-1 Residential Suburban District is to provide for a wide variety of residential building types at a density in character with the existing suburban neighborhoods in the Town, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an energy-independent and secure community, enhance community resilience, and to accommodate the lifestyles and housing needs of a diverse population.

Permitted uses:

Permitted with site plan approval:

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the R-1 Residential Suburban District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Mapped public infrastructure. Where there is shown on a map officially adopted by the Town of Geneva a future street, bicycle and pedestrian path or any other public infrastructure, the yard setback area or areas of a lot that would be affected by said future street, bicycle and pedestrian path or any other public infrastructure shall be increased to include the area reserved for any such future infrastructure.

Purpose. The purpose of the R-2 Residential Rural District is to provide for a wide variety of residential building types at a density in character with the rural or semirural nature of the location, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an energy-independent and secure community, and to enhance community resilience.

Permitted uses:

Permitted with site plan approval:

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the R-2 Residential Rural District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Mapped public infrastructure. Where there is shown on a map officially adopted by the Town of Geneva a future street, bicycle and pedestrian path or any other public infrastructure, the yard setback area or areas of a lot that would be affected by said future street, bicycle and pedestrian path or any other public infrastructure shall be increased to include the area reserved for any such future infrastructure.

Purpose. The purpose of the R-3 Residential Lakefront District is to provide for a wide variety of residential building types on historically smaller lots and at a density and scale in character with the existing pattern of development, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an energy-independent and secure community, and to enhance community resilience.

Permitted uses:

Permitted with site plan approval:

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the R-3 Residential Lakefront District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Mapped public infrastructure. Where there is shown on a map officially adopted by the Town of Geneva a future street, bicycle and pedestrian path or any other public infrastructure, the yard setback area or areas of a lot that would be affected by said future street, bicycle and pedestrian path or any other public infrastructure shall be increased to include the area reserved for any such future infrastructure.

Purpose. The purpose of the Residential Medium Density District is to provide for a wide variety of residential building types at a density typically found in an Upstate New York village setting, to accommodate the lifestyles and housing needs of a diverse population and household types, in a compact, walkable neighborhood, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an energy-independent and secure community, and to enhance community resilience.

Permitted uses:

Permitted with site plan approval:

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the Residential Medium Density District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Mapped public infrastructure:

Purpose. The purpose of the Residential High Density District is to provide for a wide variety of residential building types to accommodate the lifestyles and housing needs of a diverse population and household types, in a compact, walkable neighborhood, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an energy-independent and secure community, and to enhance community resilience.

Permitted uses:

Permitted with site plan approval:

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the R-5 Residential High Density District:

Building mass and articulation. The following standards shall apply to the exteriors of any congregate care facility, multifamily dwelling, or structure containing assisted living units:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Mapped public infrastructure:

Purpose. The purpose of the Town Center Mixed-Use District is to foster the redevelopment of properties within the district in a manner that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote an energy-independent and secure community, enhance community resilience, and create a high-quality public realm and streetscape, a mix of compatible uses in a variety of building types, and a high-quality urban residential environment for those desiring such a lifestyle.

Permitted uses:

Site plan approval. All construction involving more than 120 square feet of floor area, except for construction involving the renovations to or conversion of existing interior space, or as part of routine property maintenance, shall be subject to site plan approval.

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the Town Center Mixed-Use District:

Building mass and articulation. The following standards shall apply to the exteriors of all buildings:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Buffer requirement. Where the Town Center Mixed Use District abuts a residential medium density district or a residential high density district, there shall be a vegetated buffer area conforming to the standards set forth in § 165-40 not less than 15 feet in width, planted with trees and shrubs spaced in a manner that will result in a continuous visual screen along the property boundary abutting the residential parcel.

Mapped public infrastructure:

Purpose. The purpose of the Town Center Arterial District is to foster the redevelopment of commercial properties within the district in a manner that will create a high-quality public realm and streetscape, and a mix of compatible uses in a variety of building types, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote an energy-independent and secure community, and enhance community resilience.

Permitted uses:

Site plan approval. All construction involving more than 120 square feet of floor area, except for construction involving the renovations to or conversion of existing interior space, or as part of routine property maintenance, shall be subject to site plan approval.

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the Town Center Arterial District:

Building mass and articulation. The following standards shall apply to the exteriors of all buildings:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Buffer requirement. Where the Town Center Arterial District abuts a residential medium density district or a residential high density district, there shall be a vegetated buffer area, conforming to the standards set forth in § 165-40 and not less than 15 feet in width, planted with trees and shrubs spaced in a manner that will result in a continuous visual screen along said boundary.

Mapped public infrastructure:

Purpose. The purpose of the AG Agricultural District is to protect the agricultural land resources and the character of rural areas of the Town of Geneva, promote the wise stewardship of the soil and water resources of the Town, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote an energy-independent and secure community, enhance community resilience, and to promote the long-term economic viability of the agricultural sector.

Right to farm. Within the AG Agricultural District, the practice of agriculture is determined to be the preeminent land use, and any agricultural practice determined to be a sound agricultural practice by the New York State Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets pursuant to Article 25-AA, § 308, of the Agriculture and Markets Law, including but not limited to practices necessary for on-farm production, preparation and marketing of agricultural commodities, such as the operation of farm equipment; proper use of agricultural chemicals and other crop protection methods; direct sale to consumers of agricultural commodities or foods containing agricultural commodities produced on-farm; and the construction and use of farm structures, shall not constitute a private nuisance.

Permitted uses:

Permitted with site plan approval:

Permitted by special use permit:

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the density and lot standards for any lot in the AG Agricultural District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Additional requirements for agricultural commerce and agricultural tourism.

Purpose. The purpose of the General Business District is to promote new business development in appropriate locations within the Town and to foster the redevelopment of commercial properties within the district in a manner that will create a high-quality public realm and streetscape and a mix of compatible uses in a variety of building types, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote an energy-independent and secure community, and enhance community resilience.

Permitted uses:

Permitted with site plan approval. All construction involving more than 120 square feet of floor area, except for construction involving the renovations to or conversion of existing interior space, or as part of routine property maintenance, shall be subject to site plan approval.

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the General Business District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Buffer requirement. Where the General Business District abuts any residential zoning district or the AG-Agricultural District, there shall be a vegetated buffer area conforming to the standards set forth in § 165-40 and not less than 15 feet in width, planted with trees and shrubs spaced in a manner that will result in a continuous visual screen along the property boundary abutting the residential parcel. See Town of Geneva’s Site Design and Development Criteria adopted by the Town Board on July 9, 2019, as amended, Appendix H-12.0 through 12.5, incorporated herein.[1]

Mapped public infrastructure:

Purpose. The purpose of the General Industrial District is to promote a vibrant local economy through the development of manufacturing and food processing industries in appropriate locations within the Town, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote an energy-independent and secure community, and enhance community resilience.

Prohibited uses. In the General Industrial District, no manufacturing use nor any trade, industry, use or purpose that is noxious or offensive by reason of the emission of odor, dust, smoke, toxic or noisome fumes, radiation, gas, noise, vibration or excessive light or any combination of the above which is dangerous and prejudicial to the public health, safety and general welfare shall be permitted.

Permitted uses:

Site plan approval. All construction, except for construction involving the renovations to or conversion of existing interior space, or as part of routine property maintenance, shall be subject to site plan approval.

Permitted by special use permit:

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the General Industrial District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Buffer requirement. Where the General Industrial District abuts any residential zoning district or the AG-Agricultural District, there shall be a vegetated buffer area conforming to the standards set forth in § 165-40 and not less than 15 feet in width, planted with trees and shrubs spaced in a manner that will result in a continuous visual screen along the property boundary abutting the residential parcel. See Town of Geneva’s Site Design and Development Criteria adopted by the Town Board on July 9, 2019, as amended, Appendix H-12.0 through 12.5, incorporated herein.[1]

Mapped public infrastructure:

Purpose. The purpose of the Light Industrial District is to promote the development of light industry and food processing industries in appropriate locations within the Town, and to tap the research and technology innovation generated by regional institutions of higher education, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote an energy-independent and secure community, and enhance community resilience.

Permitted uses:

Site plan approval. All construction, except for construction involving the renovations to or conversion of existing interior space, or as part of routine property maintenance, shall be subject to site plan approval.

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the Light Industrial District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Buffer requirement. Where the Light Industrial District abuts any residential zoning district or the AG-Agricultural District, there shall be a vegetated buffer area conforming to the standards set forth in § 165-40 not less than 15 feet in width and planted with trees and shrubs spaced in a manner that will result in a continuous visual screen along the property boundary abutting the residential parcel. See Town of Geneva’s Site Design and Development Criteria adopted by the Town Board on July 9, 2019, as amended, Appendix H-12.0 through 12.5, incorporated herein.[1]

Mapped public infrastructure:

Purpose. Within the Town of Geneva along the west side of New York State Route 14, south of the City of Geneva and Town of Geneva line, there is a spectacular view of Seneca Lake. The purpose of the Lake View Overlay District special use corridor is to permit business activity within zones that are R-1 Residential Suburban, R-2 Residential Rural and AG Agricultural in a manner that will enhance the use of land along the west side of Route 14 but also will be compatible in an area that is used for residence. The careful integration of limited commercial uses within these areas will ensure the enjoyment of the lake and the land by both residents of the Town as well as visitors to the Town, ensure that the entrance to the Town and the City of Geneva will be enhanced, and protect and maintain the integrity of the existing residential and agricultural uses in the area.

Permitted uses. In addition to any use permitted within the underlying R-1 Residential Suburban, R-2 Residential Rural or AG Agricultural Zoning Districts, the following uses are permitted upon receipt of site plan approval and a special use permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, subject to the requirements set forth in § 165-79:

District extents. The Lake View Overlay District shall be located only within a corridor that is bounded by the western boundary of New York State Route 14 on the east; the southern boundary of Snell Road on the north; the boundary line separating the Town of Geneva and the Town of Benton on the south; and on the west a line that is 2,000 feet westerly from the western boundary of New York State Route 14.

Prohibited uses:

Permitted accessory uses:

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the Lake View Overlay District:

Parking requirements. See §§ 165-54 to 165-58 of the Code for the parking requirements for specific uses listed above.

Buffer requirement. Where any development listed in § 165-19B above abuts any residential parcel, there shall be a vegetated buffer area conforming to the standards set forth in § 165-40 not less than 15 feet in width, planted with trees and shrubs spaced in a manner that will result in a continuous visual screen along the property boundary abutting the residential parcel.

Additional design and operating standards:

Purpose. The purpose of the Conservation Overlay District (C-1) is to protect vulnerable natural resources such as stream corridors, steep ravine and gully slopes and the water quality of Seneca Lake from the adverse impacts of development in such locations.

Permitted uses. Any use permitted within the underlying zoning district; however, such uses shall be subject to site plan review.

District extents. The Conservation Overlay District shall be applied to all lands located within 50 feet of the shoreline of any designated stream, and all lands adjacent to said stream where the slopes exceed 15%, as shown on the officially adopted Zoning Map of the Town of Geneva. Final determination of any Conservation Overlay District boundary shall be verified in the field by the designated Town official.

Permitted accessory uses. Any accessory use permitted within the underlying zoning district; however, such uses shall be subject to site plan review.

Lot area and yard requirements. The following dimensions are the minimum standards for any lot in the Conservation Overlay District:

Parking requirements. Parking requirements shall be the same as those of the underlying zoning district.