Lexington City Zoning Code
Complete index of all zoning chapters, sections, and subsections
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DEFINITIONS
Sections
- Sec. 1-1. - Adoption.
- Sec. 1-2. - Short title.
- Sec. 1-3. - Purpose.
- Sec. 1-4. - Interpretation.
- Sec. 1-5. - Conflict of ordinance.
- Sec. 1-6. - Plans and construction in progress.
- Sec. 1-7. - Separability.
- Sec. 1-8. - Planning commission.
- Sec. 1-9. - Planning unit and jurisdiction.
- Sec. 1-10. - Staff.
- Sec. 1-11. - Definitions.
ARTICLE 3
GENERAL ZONE REGULATIONS
Sections
- Sec. 3-1. - Application of zone regulations.
- Sec. 3-2. - Conversion of structures.
- Sec. 3-3. - Sight triangles for traffic visibility.
- Sec. 3-4. - Agricultural land use exemptions.
- Sec. 3-5. - Fallout shelters.
- Sec. 3-6. - Workforce and affordable housing bonuses.
- Sec. 3-7. - General regulations for cemetery protection.
- Sec. 3-8. - General regulations for vehicle repairs accessory to a residential use.
- Sec. 3-9. - Parking and storage of business vehicles, trailers, equipment and materials in residential zones.
- Sec. 3-10. - General regulations for operation of a home office or home occupation.
- Sec. 3-11. - General regulations for operation of a home-based business.
- Sec. 3-12. - General regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
- Sec. 3-13. General regulations for Short Term Rentals (STRs).
ARTICLE 4
NON-CONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES AND LOTS
Sections
- Sec. 4-1. - Definitions.
- Sec. 4-2. - Intent.
- Sec. 4-3. - Regulation of non-conforming uses.
- Sec. 4-4. - Regulation of non-conforming structures.
- Sec. 4-5. - Regulation of non-conforming lots.
- Sec. 4-6. - Repairs and maintenance.
- Sec. 4-7. - Conditional uses are not non-conforming uses.
- Sec. 4-8. - Parking non-conformities.
ARTICLE 5
ADMINISTRATION, ENFORCEMENT AND VIOLATIONS
Sections
- Sec. 5-1. - Administration and enforcement.
- Sec. 5-2. - Permits required for construction, demolition, and location of structures.
- Sec. 5-3. - Compliance with other codes, statutes and regulations.
- Sec. 5-4. - Permit application requirements and procedures.
- Sec. 5-5. - Certificate of occupancy required.
- Sec. 5-6. - Structures and uses to be as provided in zoning permits, building permits, plans and certificates of occupancy.
- Sec. 5-7. - Complaints regarding violations.
- Sec. 5-8. - Penalties for violations.
- Sec. 5-9. - Civil citations and civil penalties.
ARTICLE 6
AMENDMENTS
Sections
- Sec. 6-1. - Application for Zoning Map Amendment.
- Sec. 6-2. - Application for zoning ordinance text amendment.
- Sec. 6-3. - Pre-application conference for text amendments and zone map amendments.
- Sec. 6-4. - Commission procedure.
- Sec. 6-5. - Forwarding of the planning commission's action to the urban county council.
- Sec. 6-6. - Action by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council on Zoning Map Amendments.
- Sec. 6-7. - Conditions to granting a zone map amendment.
- Sec. 6-8. - Action by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council on text amendments.
ARTICLE 8
SCHEDULE OF ZONES1
Sections
- Sec. 8-1. - Agricultural Rural (A-R) Zone.
- Sec. 8-2. - Agricultural Buffer (A-B) Zone.
- Sec. 8-3. - Agricultural-Natural Areas (A-N) Zone.
- Sec. 8-4. - Agricultural Urban (A-U) Zone.
- Sec. 8-5. - Single-Family Residential (R-1A) Zone.
- Sec. 8-6. - Single-Family Residential (R-1B) Zone.
- Sec. 8-7. - Single-Family Residential (R-1C) Zone.
- Sec. 8-8. - Single-Family Residential (R-1D) Zone.
- Sec. 8-9. - Single-Family Residential (R-1E) Zone.
- Sec. 8-10. - Townhouse Residential (R-1T) Zone.
- Sec. 8-11. - Mixed Low Density Residential (R-2) Zone.
- Sec. 8-12. - Planned Neighborhood Residential (R-3) Zone.
- Sec. 8-13. - Medium Density Residential (R-4) Zone.
- Sec. 8-14. - High Density Residential (R-5) Zone.
- Sec. 8-15. - Professional Office (P-1) Zone.
- Sec. 8-16. - Neighborhood Business (B-1) Zone.
- Sec. 8-17. - Downtown Business (B-2) Zone.
- Sec. 8-18. - Downtown Frame Business (B-2A) Zone.
- Sec. 8-19. - Lexington Center Business (B-2B) Zone.
- Sec. 8-20. - Corridor Business (B-3) Zone.
- Sec. 8-21. - Wholesale and Warehouse Business (B-4) Zone.
- Sec. 8-22. - Light Industrial (I-1) Zone.
- Sec. 8-23. - Heavy Industrial (I-2) Zone.
- Sec. 8-24. - University Research Campus (P-2) Zone.
- Sec. 8-25. Corridor Node (CN) Zone.
ARTICLE 9
GROUP RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
Sections
- Sec. 9-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 9-2. - Where required.
- Sec. 9-3. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 9-4. - Detached buildings defined.
- Sec. 9-5. - Review and approval.
- Sec. 9-6. - Group residential projects minimum design standards.
- Sec. 9-7. - Group residential projects in the infill and redevelopment area.
- Sec. 9-8. Cottage housing project.
ARTICLE 10
MOBILE HOME PARK M-1P ZONE
Sections
- Sec. 10-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 10-2. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 10-3. - Conditional uses permitted when authorized by the board of adjustment.
- Sec. 10-4. - Prohibited uses.
- Sec. 10-5. - Structures accessory to mobile homes.
- Sec. 10-6. - Maximum height.
- Sec. 10-7. - Locational standards.
- Sec. 10-8. - Minimum design standards.
- Sec. 10-9. - Access roads and parking.
- Sec. 10-10. - Landscaping.
- Sec. 10-11. - Procedure.
- Sec. 10-12. - Mobile homes in other zones.
- Sec. 10-13. - Enlargement of existing parks.
- Sec. 10-14. - Compliance with other law.
ARTICLE 12
COMMERCIAL CENTER B-6P ZONE
Sections
- Sec. 12-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 12-2. - Types of shopping centers.
- Sec. 12-3. - Principal permitted uses.
- Sec. 12-4. - Accessory uses.
- Sec. 12-5. - Conditional uses.
- Sec. 12-6. - Prohibited uses.
- Sec. 12-7. - Locational standards.
- Sec. 12-8. - Minimum design standards.
- Sec. 12-9. - Design guidelines for "big-box" retail establishments.
- Sec. 12-10. - Procedure.
ARTICLE 13
HISTORIC PRESERVATION1
Sections
- Sec. 13-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 13-2. - Application regulations.
- Sec. 13-3. - Definitions.
- Sec. 13-4. - Historic preservation commission.
- Sec. 13-5. - Board of architectural review.
- Sec. 13-6. - Designation of zones protected by H-1 overlays.
- Sec. 13-7. - Certificates of appropriateness.
- Sec. 13-8. - Compliance with other codes, statutes and regulations.
ARTICLE 14
EXCLUSIVE USE ZONES
Sections
- Sec. 14-1. - Findings of fact.
- Sec. 14-2. - Purposes and objectives.
- Sec. 14-3. - Establishment of exclusive use zones.
- Sec. 14-4. - Regulations in exclusive use zones.
- Sec. 14-5. - Procedures and standards for approval of exclusive use zone.
- APPENDIX 14A. - EXCLUSIVE USE ZONE I (EX-1) LANDFILLS
- Sec. 14A-1. - Findings of fact.
- Sec. 14A-2. - Purpose and objectives.
- Sec. 14A-3. - Establishment of Exclusive Use Zone I (EX-1) for landfills.
- Sec. 14A-4. - Planning for the landfill.
- Sec. 14A-5. - Site location standards.
- Sec. 14A-6. - Site design standards.
- Sec. 14A-7. - Site operational standards.
- Sec. 14A-8. - Completed landfill.
- Sec. 14A-9. - An additional requirement for sanitary landfills: a contract with the Urban County Government.
- Sec. 14A-10. - Definitions.
ARTICLE 15
GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR HEIGHTS, YARDS, WALLS, FENCES, PROJECTIONS, ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND INFILL/REDEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION1
Sections
- Sec. 15-1. - Heights.
- Sec. 15-2. - Yards.
- Sec. 15-3. - Yard requirements adjoining a more restrictive zone.
- Sec. 15-4. - Walls and fences.
- Sec. 15-5. - Projections.
- Sec. 15-6. - Location, height and size of accessory buildings.
- Sec. 15-7. - General regulations for infill and redevelopment construction.
- Sec. 15-8. - General regulations for location, height and size of satellite dish antennas.
ARTICLE 16
GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR VEHICULAR USE AREAS1
Sections
- Sec. 16-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 16-2. - General regulations for parking and loading and pedestrian areas.
- Sec. 16-3. - Minimum design and maintenance requirements for parking areas.
- Sec. 16-4. - Professional Office, or Business (except B-2B) Zone automobile parking area as a conditional use in R-3, R-4 or R-5 zone.
- Sec. 16-5. - Parking, loading and unloading areas in residential zones.
- Sec. 16-6. - Vehicular use area, pedestrian facilities, and loading and unloading areas permitted in nonresidential and mixed-use zones.
- Sec. 16-7. - Parking, loading and unloading areas permitted in required front or side street side yard in zones other than residential zones.
- Sec. 16-8. - Special access, surface, and location requirements for garages, parking lots, automobile service stations, and vehicle sales lots.
- Sec. 16-9. - Stacking area.
- Sec. 16-10. - Effect of pedestrian-oriented business district.
- Sec. 16-11. - Parking structures.
- Sec. 16-12. - Bicycle parking and storage.
- Sec. 16-13. - Loading and unloading areas.
- Sec. 16-14. - Parking demand mitigation studies.
- Sec. 16-15. Commercial access standards.
- Sec. 16-16. Solid waste access standards.
ARTICLE 17
SIGN REGULATIONS1
Sections
- Sec. 17-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 17-2. - Scope.
- Sec. 17-3. - Exempt signs.
- Sec. 17-4. - Signs not requiring a permit.
- Sec. 17-5. - Nonconforming signs.
- Sec. 17-6. - Penalties for violation.
- Sec. 17-7. - Permit requirements.
- Sec. 17-8. - General requirements.
- Sec. 17-9. - Prohibited signs in all zones.
- Sec. 17-10. - Appeals.
- Sec. 17-11. - Signs permitted by specific zone.
- Sec. 17-12. - Advertising on interstate highways.
- Sec. 17-13. - Landmark and district identification signs.
- Sec. 17-14. - Maintenance standard.
- Sec. 17-15. - Enforcement.
- Sec. 17-16. - Substitution clause.
- Sec. 17-17. - Severability clause.
- Sec. 17-18. - Definitions.
ARTICLE 19
FLOODPLAIN CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION1
Sections
- Sec. 19-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 19-2. - Definitions.
- Sec. 19-3. - Notification.
- Sec. 19-4. - Warning and disclaimer of liability.
- Sec. 19-5. - Lands to which this Article applies.
- Sec. 19-6. - Interpretation of the flood hazard boundaries.
- Sec. 19-7. - Standards applicable to all special flood hazard areas and post-development floodplains.
- Sec. 19-8. - Special permit uses.
- Sec. 19-9. - Procedures and standards for issuing special permits.
- Sec. 19-10. - Appeal from decision of the Urban County Engineer.
- Sec. 19-11. - Floodplain variances.
- Sec. 19-12. - Commissioner of public works responsibilities.
- Sec. 19-13. - Areas of alluvial soils.
- Sec. 19-14. - Non-conforming uses.
- Sec. 19-15. - Existing structures not non-conforming.
- Sec. 19-16. - Enforcement.
- Sec. 19-17. - Reserved.
ARTICLE 20
OPEN SPACE STANDARDS
Sections
- Sec. 20-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 20-2. - Open space requirements.
- Sec. 20-3. - Vegetated area standards.
- Sec. 20-4. - Vegetated area incentives for green infrastructure.
- Sec. 20-5. - Common area standards.
- Sec. 20-6. - Common area exemption for development near publicly accessible open spaces.
- Sec. 20-7. - Common area signage and shared-use path access.
- Sec. 20-8. - Common area provisions for multi-phase developments and timing.
ARTICLE 21
DEVELOPMENT PLANS
Sections
- Sec. 21-1. - Intent and purpose.
- Sec. 21-2. - Approval of development plan before building permit.
- Sec. 21-3. - Where required.
- Sec. 21-4. - Development plan procedures.
- Sec. 21-5. - Types of development plans.
- Sec. 21-6. - Contents and format of development plans.
- Sec. 21-7. - Amendments to development plans.
- Sec. 21-8. - Relationship to land subdivision regulations.
- Sec. 21-9. Waivers.
ARTICLE 22
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PUD ZONES
Sections
- Sec. 22-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 22-2. - Establishment of Planned Unit Development Zones.
- Sec. 22-3. - Regulations in the Planned Unit Development (PUD) Zones.
- Sec. 22-4. - Creation of Planned Unit Development Zones.
- APPENDIX 22A. - RESIDENTIAL PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD-1) ZONE1
- APPENDIX 22B. LUIGART PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD-2) ZONE
- Sec. 22B-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 22B-2. - Relationship to the comprehensive plan.
- Sec. 22B-3. - Definitions.
- Sec. 22B-4. - Minimum site location.
- Sec. 22B-5. - Permitted uses.
- Sec. 22B-6. - Design standards.
- Sec. 22B-7. - Review procedures.
- Sec. 22B-8. - Applicability of other zoning ordinance and subdivision regulation articles.
- APPENDIX 22C. INDUSTRIAL REDEVELOPMENT PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD-3) ZONE
ARTICLE 23
EXPANSION AREAS ZONING CATEGORIES AND RESTRICTIONS
Sections
- Sec. 23-1. - Purpose.
- Sec. 23-2. - General provisions.
- Sec. 23-3. - Interpretations and definitions.
- APPENDIX 23A. ZONING CATEGORIES AND RESTRICTIONS
- Sec. 23A-1. Purpose.
- Sec. 23A-2. General provisions applicable in all zones.
- Sec. 23A-3. Schedule of zones.
- Sec. 23A-4. Conservation District (CD) Zone.
- Sec. 23A-5. Expansion Area Residential 1 (EAR-1) Zone.
- Sec. 23A-6. Expansion Area Residential 2 (EAR-2) Zone.
- Sec. 23A-7. Expansion Area Residential 3 (EAR-3) Zone.
- Sec. 23A-8. Transition Area (TA) Zone.
- Sec. 23A-9. Community Center (CC) Zone.
- Sec. 23A-10. Economic Development (ED) Zone.
- APPENDIX 23B. EXPANSION AREAS PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
- APPENDIX 23C. EXPANSION AREAS DEVELOPMENT EXACTIONS1
- Sec. 23C-1. Intent.
- Sec. 23C-2. Definitions.
- Sec. 23C-3. Imposition of exactions.
- Sec. 23C-4. Exaction districts established.
- Sec. 23C-5. Computation of the amount of the exaction.
- Sec. 23C-6. Payment of developer exactions.
- Sec. 23C-7. Developer provision of system improvements: calculation of credits against exactions.
- Sec. 23C-8. Use of funds.
- Sec. 23C-9. Exemptions.
- Sec. 23C-10. Developer exaction funds.
- Sec. 23C-11. Refunds.
- Sec. 23C-12. Administrative appeals.
- Sec. 23C-13. Penalty and enforcement.
ARTICLE 24
AGRICULTURAL AND RURAL CORRIDOR OVERLAY ZONES1
Sections
- Sec. 24-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 24-2. - Establishment of Agricultural Overlay Zones and Rural Corridor Overlay Zones.
- Sec. 24-3. - Regulations in overlay zones.
- Sec. 24-4. - Creation of Agricultural Overlay Zones.
- APPENDIX 24A. PARIS PIKE/LEXINGTON ROAD CORRIDOR OVERLAY ZONE2
- APPENDIX 24B. AGRICULTURAL MARKET (AM-1) OVERLAY ZONE
- Sec. 24B-1. Intent.
- Sec. 24B-2. Agricultural markets defined.
- Sec. 24B-3. Principal permitted uses.
- Sec. 24B-4. Accessory uses permitted.
- Sec. 24B-5. Conditional uses.
- Sec. 24B-6. Prohibited uses.
- Sec. 24B-7. Locational standards.
- Sec. 24B-8. Relationship to the comprehensive plan.
- Sec. 24B-9. Site standards.
- Sec. 24B-10. Minimum design standards.
- Sec. 24B-11. Procedure.
ARTICLE 25
TELECOMMUNICATION TOWERS
Sections
- Sec. 25-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 25-2. - Applicability.
- Sec. 25-3. - Definitions.
- Sec. 25-4. - Where permitted.
- Sec. 25-5. - Design standards.
- Sec. 25-6. - Mitigating design standards for cellular antenna towers in residential or agricultural zones.
- Sec. 25-7. - Temporary cellular antenna towers.
- Sec. 25-8. - Uniform application for a cellular antenna tower.
- Sec. 25-9. - Planning commission procedure.
- Sec. 25-10. - Forwarding the commission's action to the public service commission.
- Sec. 25-11. - Existing facilities.
- Sec. 25-12. - Action required in the event of abandonment of cellular tower.
- Sec. 25-13. - Staff review proposals by the applicant.
- Sec. 25-14. - Appeals.
ARTICLE 26
TREE PROTECTION STANDARDS
Sections
- Sec. 26-1. - Purpose.
- Sec. 26-2. - Interpretation and definitions.
- Sec. 26-3. - Applicability of standards.
- Sec. 26-4. - Procedures.
- Sec. 26-5. - Tree canopy standards.
- Sec. 26-6. - Requirements for trees in special locations.
- Sec. 26-7. - Trees adjoining designated historic turnpikes.
- Sec. 26-8. - Approval of Tree Protection Plan (TPP).
- Sec. 26-9. - TPP field adjustments.
- Sec. 26-10. - Utilities.
- Sec. 26-11. - Tree protection during construction.
- Sec. 26-12. - Penalties.
ARTICLE 27
COURTHOUSE AREA DESIGN OVERLAY ZONE
Sections
- Sec. 27-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 27-2. - Application of regulations.
- Sec. 27-3. - Definitions.
- Sec. 27-4. - Court House Area Design Review Board.
- Sec. 27-5. - Designation of the Courthouse Area Design Zone (CA).
- Sec. 27-6. - Authorization Permits.
- Sec. 27-7. - Appeals.
- Sec. 27-8. - Compliance with other codes, statutes and regulations.
ARTICLE 28
MIXED USE ZONING CATEGORIES
Sections
- Sec. 28-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 28-2. - Creation of zones.
- Sec. 28-3. - Mixed use 1: Neighborhood Node Zone (MU-1).
- Sec. 28-4. - Mixed use 2: Neighborhood Corridor Zone (MU-2).
- Sec. 28-5. - Mixed use 3: Mixed use Community Zone (MU-3).
- Sec. 28-6. - Provisions applicable to all mixed use zones.
- Sec. 28-7. Reserved.
ARTICLE 29
NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN CHARACTER OVERLAY ND-1 ZONE
Sections
- Sec. 29-1. - Intent.
- Sec. 29-2. - Application regulations.
- Sec. 29-3. - Overlay district designation criteria.
- Sec. 29-4. - Designation of zones protected by Neighborhood Design Character Overlays.
- Sec. 29-5. - Building permit review process.
- Sec. 29-6. - Compliance with other codes, statutes and regulations.
ARTICLE 30
OUTDOOR LIGHTING