A.

Purpose. This zoning classification is the least of the non-manufactured housing zones. This zoning classification should be applied in areas of the city to conserve neighborhood character and value and buildings. It is not intended that this zoning district be the subject of major alterations except for a possible re-classification in minor areas for a less restrictive residential use for reasonable adjustment necessary for orderly development of vacant lots or the gradual transition from other districts.

B.

Use regulations. In the "SF" Single Family District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be hereafter erected, reconstructed, altered or enlarged, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except for one or more of the following uses.

a.

Permitted uses.

1.

Single-family dwellings.

2.

Hobbies or crafts, as an accessory use.

3.

Temporary building to be used for construction purposes only, and which shall be removed upon completion or abandonment of construction work or removed upon request of the administrative official. Permits shall be issued for such temporary buildings for a period of six months only, with a renewal clause for similar period.

4.

Family day care homes (12 children or less).

5.

Group homes as provided under state and federal law.

6.

Antennae and towers not exceeding the maximum height allowed in the district (see paragraph C.2 below), antennae attached to existing structures and not increasing the overall height of the existing structure by more than ten feet, and dish antennae not exceeding one meter in diameter. Except for satellite dish antennae, no antennae or support structure shall be located within the required front, side or rear yard setback. To protect traffic safety and community appearance, no satellite dish antennae or support structure shall be located within the required front [yard] or second front yard setback, unless the zoning board of adjustment finds that such an encroachment is necessary to prevent impairment of installation, maintenance or reception and that a traffic sight restriction is not created.

7.

Parks, playgrounds, community buildings and other public recreational facilities, owned and/or operated by the municipality or other public agency.

8.

Public buildings, including libraries, museums, police and fire stations.

9.

Schools, public, elementary or high schools.

10.

Schools, private, with curriculum equivalent to that of a public elementary or high school.

b.

Conditional uses.

1.

Farms, truck gardens, orchards or nurseries for the growing of plants, shrubs and trees, provided no retail or wholesale business sales offices are maintained on the premises, and provided that no obnoxious fertilizer is stored upon the premises, and no obnoxious soil or fertilizer processing is conducted thereon.

2.

Uses customarily incident to any of the above uses when situated in the same dwelling and when not involving the conduct of a business or industry, except for home occupations as heretofore defined, such as the office of a physician, surgeon, dentist, or art gallery.

3.

Real estate sales office for property located within the subdivision in which it is located. Sales offices shall require payment of an annual permit fee, to be established by the city council. Use of a sales office shall cease within 30 days of the sale of the last parcel within the subdivision. Field offices for the sale or rental of real estate shall be removed upon request of the building inspector. Sales offices shall not be used for the sale of property outside of the subdivision in which it is located.

4.

Any typically permitted secondary or accessory uses allowed in the district in the absence of the principal use, if after consideration of the layout, configuration and relationship to existing subdivisions and neighborhoods, the administrative official determines that re-platting of the principal and secondary lots into a single lot is not possible or desirable.

5.

Utility facilities.

6.

Antennae and towers exceeding the maximum height in the district and dish antennae exceeding one meter in diameter, in order to protect community appearance from the negative visual effects of proliferation of large antennae. Conditional use permits shall be acted upon within 90 days of receipt of application. Persons aggrieved by a decision on a satellite dish antenna application may appeal to the Federal Communications Commission. Any new towers must also comply with the conditions of section 90-16 M.

7.

Subsidiary dwelling.

8.

Churches.

9.

Bed and breakfasts.

10.

Beauty and flower shops.

c.

Special exception uses.

1.

Special exception uses authorized by the board of adjustment under the provisions of section 90-19.

C.

Height and area regulations. In the "SF" One-Family District, the height of buildings, the minimum dimensions of lots and yards, the minimum lot area, and the minimum floor space per family shall be as follows:

1.

Floor space: The main residence shall contain a minimum of 1,000 square feet of livable floor space, exclusive of garage, porches and breezeways, and incidental storage area or a minimum of 880 square feet for residences built under the HOME grant program.

2.

Height: No building hereafter erected, reconstructed, altered, or enlarged shall exceed three and one-half stories nor shall it exceed 35 feet.

3.

Front yard: There shall be a front yard of not less than 25 feet, or the front yard indicated on a city-approved subdivision plat as filed in the Karnes County Plat Records, whichever is greater. Corner lots shall have a minimum side yard of 15 feet on the second front yard, the yard generally parallel to the street with the greatest frontage, unless reversed frontage is approved by the administrative official. If a building line shown on a city-approved subdivision plat as filed in the Karnes County Plat Records is greater than 15 feet, then the platted building line shall be required on the second front yard. Garage doors and gates meant for vehicle use shall be located no closer than 20 feet from the right-of-way.

4.

Rear yard: There shall be a rear yard having a depth of not less than 20 feet. The building inspector may authorize encroachments of up to 20 square feet for fireplaces and/or bay windows that do not restrict access for public safety and/or adjacent property.

5.

Side yard: All lots shall have a minimum side yard of five feet.

6.

Width of lot: The width of a lot shall have a minimum of 60 feet at the building line, provided that where a lot of record and in separate ownership at the time of the passage of this chapter has width less than herein required, this chapter shall not prohibit the erection of a single-family dwelling.

7.

Lot area: The minimum area of a lot shall be 7,000 square feet.

8.

Maximum lot coverage: The maximum portion of the lot area, which may be covered by the main building and all accessory buildings, shall not exceed 40 percent.

( Ord. No. 13-6 , §§ 1, 2, 7-9-2013)