Johnston City Zoning Code

The restrictions, regulations, standards and guidelines in this Chapter for land use and development shall apply to the following Zoning Districts within the City:

Effective on: 5/1/2023

The following statements specify the intents of the Special Zoning Districts established within the City:

1. 1.
   Agriculture Reserve District. The intent of the A-R District is to provide for the protection and preservation of agricultural land within the incorporated area of the City. This district protects existing agricultural areas that are currently in productive use until such time as these areas are converted to urban land uses and rezoned. This district also includes areas identified in the Comprehensive Plan for long-term agriculture research and testing. As an urban area, intensive agriculture activity is not considered appropriate as these uses would adversely affect adjacent development.
2. 2.
   Conservation District. The intent of the C-D District is to preserve and protect heavily wooded areas, areas of extreme slopes, rivers, stream banks, and flood plains of the City from adverse future development. The C-D district is also intended to provide for and promote social and recreational opportunities within public parks.
3. 3.
   Government Facility District. The intent of the G-F District is to support and coordinate the continued development and expansion of major state- and federally-owned public facilities. This district recognizes that the City has no jurisdiction over land owned by these governmental entities. This district is not intended to apply to any property not owned by a state or federal agency.
4. 4.
   Planned Unit Development District. The intent of a PUD District is to provide for the development or redevelopment of land under the control of and in accordance with a Master Plan that allows flexibility from the strict provisions of the Zoning Ordinance in order to encourage:

   3. C.
      Innovations in development to provide for a greater variety in tenure, type, design and siting of structures.
   4. D.
      Higher standards of site and building design.
   5. E.
      The redevelopment of obsolete or substandard land uses where present development standards cannot be met.
   6. F.
      The preservation and enhancement of desirable site characteristics, such as existing vegetation, natural topography and geologic features, and the prevention of soil erosion.
   7. G.
      The creative use of land which allows a phased and orderly transition of land from one activity to another.
   8. H.
      A more efficient use of land resulting in smaller networks of utilities and streets thereby lowering housing costs and public investments.
   9. I.
      A more desirable and creative environment than might be possible through the strict application of zoning and subdivision regulations of the City.
   10. J.
       A development pattern in harmony with the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.
   11. K.
       Clear and identifiable benefits to the City that were achieved through the flexibilities granted and that would otherwise not have been achievable using the standard zoning.

Effective on: 5/1/2023

1. 1.
   General Provisions

   1. A.
      Any use of buildings and structures on land within the G-F District shall be permitted when the land is owned by a state or federal agency. In the event that land within the G-F district is owned by a person or entity other than a state or federal agency the uses of the property shall be the same as those of the A-R District.
   2. B.
      When a property is located within the boundaries of one (1) or more overlay districts, the most restrictive use provision among the overlay and base zoning districts shall apply.
   3. C.
      All uses are subject to any other applicable provision of this Ordinance and any other Chapter of this Code of Ordinances including but not limited to the following:

      1. 1.
         Off-Street Parking and Loading. See CHAPTER 180.
      2. 2.
         Landscaping and Open Space requirements. See CHAPTER 181.
      3. 3.
         Buffer requirements. See CHAPTER 182.
      4. 4.
         Architectural standards. See CHAPTER 185.
      5. 5.
         Sign regulations. See CHAPTER 187.
      6. 6.
         Site Plan requirements. See CHAPTER 190.
2. 2.
   Use Tables

   1. A.
      Table 171.1 Principal Uses and Table 171.2 Accessory Uses list land uses and indicate whether they are permitted, permitted with standards, permitted with Site Plan Review, special, temporary, or prohibited in each zoning district. The tables also include references to whether additional use specific standards are applicable to that use. The following definitions shall be referenced when using Tables 171.1 and 171.2.

      1. 1.
         Permitted Use - a “P” in a cell of the use table indicates that the land use is allowed by right in the zoning district.
      2. 2.
         Permitted with Standards Use – a “PS” in a cell of the use table indicates that the land use is allowed in the zoning district as long as certain use-specific standards as described in Chapters 176 and 177 are met.
      3. 3.
         Site Plan Review – an “SPR” in a cell of the use table indicates that the land use is allowed in the zoning district only upon approval of a Site Plan Review as described in CHAPTER 190 LAND USE PROCEDURES and in compliance with any use-specific standards identified in Chapters 176 and 177.
      4. 4.
         Special Use – an “S” in a cell of the use table indicates that the land use is allowed in the zoning district only upon approval of a Special Use Permit as described in CHAPTER 190 LAND USE PROCEDURES and in compliance with any use-specific standards identified in CHAPTER 176 and 177.
      5. 5.
         Temporary Use – a “T” in the cell of the use table indicates that the land use is a temporary use. These uses are regulated by the procedures and standards listed in CHAPTER 178 TEMPORARY USES.
      6. 6.
         Prohibited Use – a blank cell in the use table indicates that the land use is prohibited in that zoning district.
   2. B.
      In the event a proposed use is not listed in the use table, the Zoning Administrator shall make a determination if the use is consistent by type, intensity, physical characteristics, style, size, and purpose with any use listed in Tables 171.1 and 171.2.

      1. 1.
         If found to be consistent with a listed use, the proposed use shall be treated the same as the listed use.
      2. 2.
         If the proposed use is not found to be consistent with any listed use, the Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, or property owner may request an amendment to this Chapter to provide for the proposed use.
   3. C.
      Table 171.1 Principal Uses

Effective on: 5/1/2023

1. 1.
   Lot Dimensions

   1. A.
      All lot dimension standards listed in this Section are subject to the exemptions listed in CHAPTER 167 Introduction to Zoning Districts.
   2. B.
      Table 171.3 establishes the minimum lot area and lot width requirements for each zoning district.

Effective on: 5/1/2023

Unless expressly stated within the PUD approval documents, PUD districts shall meet the standards established in this Section and throughout the Zoning Ordinance.

1. 1.
   Classifications; Permitted Uses

   PUD may consist of a mix of land uses including residential, commercial, and limited industrial, provided such Planned Unit Development is compatible with the Comprehensive Plan of the City. The exact permitted land uses within a PUD shall be set forth within the PUD Master Plan.

2. 2.
   Development Standards

   1. A.
      A PUD District shall consist of at least five (5) acres.
   2. B.
      The land uses shall be permitted in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan of the City.
   3. C.
      The density of the PUD shall not be in excess of the density permitted by the Comprehensive Plan.
   4. D.
      Lot and site dimension standards shall be set forth within the PUD Master Plan.

Effective on: 5/1/2023