This title shall be known and officially cited as the IOWA CITY ZONING CODE. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005)

The provisions of this title shall be applicable to all property within the corporate limits of the city of Iowa City as provided by chapter 414, code of Iowa. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005)

   A.   Generally: The provisions of this title are intended to implement the city of Iowa City's comprehensive plan in a manner that promotes the health, safety, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the citizens of Iowa City.

   B.   Specifically: The provisions of this title are specifically intended to:

      1.   Conserve and protect the value of property throughout the city;

      2.   Encourage the most appropriate use of land and foster convenient, compatible and efficient relationship among land uses;

      3.   Provide the opportunity for a variety of housing types to meet the needs of the city's population;

      4.   Promote the economic stability of existing and future land uses that are consistent with the comprehensive plan and protect them from intrusions by incompatible land uses;

      5.   Lessen congestion in the streets and promote safe and effective access to property;

      6.   Prevent the overcrowding of land;

      7.   Avoid undue concentration of population; and

      8.   Conserve open space and protect natural, scenic, and historic resources. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005)

   A.   In interpreting and applying the provisions of this title, such provisions shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public safety, health, convenience, order, prosperity and general welfare.

   B.   This title is not intended to interfere with, abrogate or annul any easements, covenants or other agreements between parties, except if this title imposes a greater restriction, this title shall control.

   C.   In case of any inconsistency between the text of this title and any heading, drawing, table, figure, or illustration, the text shall control.

   D.   If the provisions of this title are inconsistent with those of the state or federal government, the more restrictive provision will control to the extent permitted by law.

   E.   If the provisions of this title are inconsistent with one another or if they conflict with provisions found in other adopted ordinances, resolutions, or regulations of the city, the provision that is more specific to the situation will control. When regulations are equally specific or when it is unclear which regulation to apply, the more restrictive provision will control.

   F.   Whenever reference is made to a resolution, ordinance, statute, regulation, or document, it shall be construed as a reference to the most recent edition of such regulation (as amended), resolution, ordinance, statute, regulation or document, unless otherwise specifically stated.

   G.   Whenever a provision appears requiring the head of a department or another officer or employee of the city to perform an act or duty, that provision shall be construed as authorizing the department head or officer to delegate that responsibility to others over whom they have authority.

   H.   The applicable standards of this Title apply so as to not require stating the phrase “and all applicable standards” throughout this Title. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005; amd. Ord. 21-4866, 11-16-2021)

   A.   Unless otherwise specifically indicated, lists of items or examples that use terms such as "including", "such as", or similar language are intended to provide examples, not to be exhaustive of all possibilities.

   B.   Words in the present tense include the future tense. The reverse is also true. Words in the singular include the plural. The reverse is also true, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.

   C.   The words "shall", "shall not", "must", "must not", "will", "will not", and "may not" are mandatory. The word "may" is permissive. The word “should” is advisory and identifies guidance provided by the City in implementation of these standards.

   D.   Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following conjunctions shall be interpreted as follows:

      1.   “And” indicates that all connected items or provisions apply;

      2.   “Or” indicates that the connected items or provisions may apply; and

      3.   “Either/or” indicates that the connected items or provisions apply singly but not in combination. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005; amd. Ord. 21-4866, 11-16-2021)

Except as otherwise provided in this title, the use of premises and structures in the city shall be in accordance with the minimum standards hereinafter established:

   A.   No use shall be established nor shall any structure be installed, converted, enlarged, reconstructed or structurally altered, except in conformity with the regulations and standards of this title.

   B.   No land shall be used or divided, and no structure shall be occupied, constructed, installed, converted, enlarged, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered until:

      1.   All applicable review and approval procedures have been followed;

      2.   All applicable approvals have been obtained; and

      3.   All required permits or authorizations to proceed have been issued.

   C.   The lot area required for one structure or use under this title cannot be used to meet the requirements for another structure or use.

   D.   Every use established or structure installed or structurally altered shall be located on a "lot" as defined in this title. The number of principal uses and structures permitted on a lot shall be as follows:

      1.   In RS zones and the RNS-12 zone, there shall not be more than one principal use or building per lot, except as permitted through a board of adjustment approval of a special exception to establish or expand an educational facility or religious/private group assembly use.

      2.   In all other zones, there may be more than one principal use, building or structure on a lot.

      3.   In the RR-1 zone, there shall not be more than one principal dwelling per lot.

   E.   Except as specifically allowed by this title, no use permitted as a special exception under this title shall be established or enlarged except as permitted by the board of adjustment. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005)

The boundaries of the various zoning districts, hereinafter referred to as "zones", are shown on the zoning map, said map made a part of this title by reference and on file in the offices of the city clerk and the department of planning and community development. Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of zones as shown on the zoning map, the following rules apply.

   A.   Where the boundaries of the zones are along streets and alleys, they shall be construed to be along the centerlines of such streets and alleys.

   B.   Where boundaries of the zones are not clearly indicated on the map and where the property has been or may hereafter be divided into blocks and lots, the boundaries of the zones shall be construed to be the nearest lot lines.

   C.   Where the zones designated on the zoning map are bounded approximately by lot lines, the lot lines shall be construed to be the boundaries of the zones. The intent of this provision is that no lot shall be divided by a zone boundary.

   D.   In separate tracts not subdivided and for unsubdivided property, the zoning boundary lines on the map shall be determined by use of the scale on the map.

   E.   Where boundaries cannot be determined using the subsections A through D of this section, the zoning code interpretation panel shall interpret the zone boundaries. (Ord. 05-4186, 12-15-2005)