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Ligonier City Zoning Code

AUTHORIZED USES

§ 156.035 PRIMARY USES.

   (A)   A PRIMARY USE is the principal use of the land authorized in the districts established by or under § 156.020 above. Primary uses are authorized in the districts established by or under § 156.020 above as shown by an "X" in the table in § 156.041 below.
   (B)   Where the use is designated for the district with an "S", the use is permitted in that district only if a special use has been approved under § 156.112 below.
(Ord. 614, passed 2-22-1999)

§ 156.036 ACCESSORY USES.

   (A)   An ACCESSORY USE is a subordinate use which is incidental to that of the primary use, has a reasonable relationship to the primary use, and is a use other than human occupancy.
   (B)   Accessory uses such as the following are authorized in all districts subject to the provisions of any and all recorded restrictive covenants running with the land:
Bird baths and bird houses accessory buildings*
Curbs*
Driveways*
Fences* **
Hedges**
Lamp posts
Mail boxes
Name plates
Private swimming pools enclosed by a 6-foot high fence or 6-foot vertical enclosure integral with an above ground pool*
Retaining walls
Trees, shrubs, plants and flowers
Walks
* Improvement location permit required
** Provided that, in any residence district, orna-mental fences and hedges shall not exceed six feet in height in the side yards, or as provided in § 156.061 below. Hedges shall not exceed three feet in the required front yard. Fences or walls are not permitted in any front yard.
 
(Ord. 614, passed 2-22-1999)

§ 156.037 NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES.

   (A)   Intent.
      (1)   Within the districts established by this chapter or by amendments that may later be adopted, there may exist:
         (a)   Nonconforming lots;
         (b)   Nonconforming structures;
         (c)   Nonconforming uses of land;
         (d)   Nonconforming uses of land and structures in combination; and
         (e)   Nonconforming characteristics of use.
      (2)   These were lawful before this chapter was passed or amended, but they are prohibited, regulated or restricted under the terms of this chapter or may be prohibited, regulated or restricted under future amendments hereto, it is the intent of this chapter to permit these nonconforming uses or structures to continue until they are removed, abandoned or discontinued but not to encourage their survival. It is further the intent of this chapter that nonconforming uses or structures shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as grounds for adding other structures or uses which are prohibited elsewhere in the same district. Note: Illegal uses existing at the time this chapter is enacted shall not be validated by virtue of its enactment.
      (3)   Whenever a nonconforming use or structure has been discontinued or abandoned for a period of 12 months or more, the discontinuance shall be considered as an intent to abandon the structure or use. Any future use of the property shall conform to the provisions of this chapter.
      (4)   The provisions of this chapter shall also apply to structures and uses which become nonconforming due to any zoning reclassification, annexation or other inclusion.
      (5)   An applicant or owner claiming the existence of a nonconforming use or structure shall bear the burden of supplying the Administrator with adequate documentation verifying that the use or structure is a legal nonconforming use or structure.
   (B)   Incompatibly of nonconforming uses. Nonconforming uses are declared by this chapter to be incompatible with permitted uses in the districts in which the use is located. A nonconforming use of a structure, a nonconforming use of land, or a nonconforming use of a structure and land in combination shall not be extended, expanded or enlarged upon passage of this chapter.
   (C)   Avoidance of undue hardship. To avoid undue hardship, nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require a change in the plans, construction or designated use of any building or development on which actual construction was lawfully begun prior to the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter and upon which actual building construction has been carried on diligently. Where demolition or removal of an existing building has been substantially begun preparatory to rebuilding, the demolition or removal shall be deemed to be actual construction, provided that the work shall be carried on diligently. ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION is hereby defined as work done which is beyond the preparation stage and into that stage where the changes or additions are made permanent.
   (D)   Single nonconforming lots of record. Note: This section shall apply only to single-family residences. In any district in which single-family dwellings are permitted, a single-family dwelling and customary accessory buildings may be erected on any single lot of record after the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter notwithstanding limitations imposed by other provisions of this chapter. The lots must be in separate ownership or included in a subdivision of record in the office of the County Recorder at the time of passage of this chapter. This provision shall apply even though the lots fail to meet the requirements for area or width, or both, that are generally applicable in the district, provided that yard dimensions and requirements other than those applying to area or width, or both, of the lots shall conform to the regulations for the district in which the lots are located. Also, see § 156.057(C) below. Variances of requirements listed in §§ 156.055 through 156.072 of this chapter, other than lot area or lot width shall be obtained only through action of the Board of Zoning Appeals as provided in § 156.113 below.
   (E)   Nonconforming lots of record in combination. If two or more lots or a combination of lots and portions of lots with continuous frontage in single ownership are of record at the time of passage or amendment of this chapter and if all or part of the lots with no buildings do not meet the requirements established for lot width and area, the lands involved shall be considered to be an undivided parcel for the purposes of this chapter and no portion of the parcel shall be used or sold in a manner which diminishes compliance with the lot width and area requirements established by this chapter, nor shall any division of any parcel be made which creates a lot with width or area below the requirements stated in this chapter.
   (F)   Nonconforming uses of land. Where, at the time of adoption of this chapter, lawful uses of land exist which would not be permitted by the regulations imposed by this chapter, the uses may be continued so long as they remain otherwise lawful, provided:
      (1)   No nonconforming uses shall be enlarged or increased, nor extended to occupy a greater area of land than was occupied at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter;
      (2)   No nonconforming uses shall be moved in whole or in part to any portion of the lot or parcel other than that occupied by the uses at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter;
      (3)   If any such nonconforming uses of land are discontinued or abandoned for a period of 12 months or more (except when government action impedes access to the premises), any subsequent use of the land shall conform to the regulations specified by this chapter for the district in which the land is located; and
      (4)   No additional structure not conforming to the requirements of this chapter shall be erected in connection with the nonconforming use of land.
   (G)   Nonconforming structures. Where a lawful structure exists at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter that could not now be built under the terms of this chapter, such structure may be continued so long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following provisions:
      (1)   No such nonconforming structure may be enlarged or altered in a way which increases its nonconformity, but any structure or portion thereof may be altered to decrease its nonconformity.
      (2)   Should the nonconforming structure or nonconforming portion of structure be destroyed by any means to the extent of more than 50% of the fair market value of the building immediately prior to the damage, it shall not be reconstructed except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
      (3)   Should the structure be moved for any reason for any distance whatever, it shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the district in which it is located after it is moved.
   (H)   Nonconforming uses of structures or of structures and land in combination. If a lawful use involving individual structures, or if a structure and land in combination, exists at the effective date of adoption or amendment of this chapter that would not now be allowed in the district under the terms of this chapter, the lawful use may be continued so long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following provisions.
      (1)   No existing structure devoted to a use not permitted by this chapter in the district in which it is located shall be enlarged, extended, constructed, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered except in changing the use of the structure to a use permitted in the district in which it is located.
      (2)   A nonconforming use may be extended throughout any parts of a building which were manifestly arranged or designed for the use at the time of adoption or amendment of this chapter, but no such use shall be extended to occupy any land outside the building.
      (3)   Any structure, or structure and land in combination, in or on which a nonconforming use is superseded by a permitted use, shall thereafter conform to the regulations for the district, and the nonconforming use may not thereafter be resumed.
      (4)   When a nonconforming use of a structure, or structure and land in combination is discontinued or abandoned for 12 months or more, the structure or structure and land in combination, shall not thereafter be used except in conformity with the regulations of the district in which it is located.
      (5)   Where nonconforming use status applies to a structure and land in combination, removal or destruction of the structure shall eliminate the nonconforming status of the land.
   (I)   Repairs and maintenance. On any nonconforming structure or portion of a structure containing a nonconforming use, work may be done in any period of 12 consecutive months on ordinary repairs, or on repair or replacement of non-bearing walls, fixtures, wiring or plumbing, to an extent not exceeding 10% of the current replacement cost of the nonconforming structure and market value of real estate, or nonconforming portion of the structure, whichever the case may be, provided that the cubic content existing when it became nonconforming shall not be increased. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the strengthening or restoring to a safe condition of any building or part thereof declared to be unsafe by any official charged with protecting the public safety, upon order of the official. If a nonconforming structure or portion of a structure containing a nonconforming use becomes physically unsafe or unlawful by reason of physical condition, it shall not thereafter be restored, repaired or rebuilt except in conformity with the regulations of the district in which it is located.
(Ord. 614, passed 2-22-1999)

§ 156.039 HOME OCCUPATIONS.

   In order to qualify as a home occupation, the proposed use must comply with all of the following:
   (A)   The home occupation shall be operated only by residents of the dwelling; no outside employees shall be permitted;
   (B)   The home occupation must be incidental and secondary to the principal use of the dwelling as a residence, and shall not change the residential character of the structure or immediate area;
   (C)   The home occupation shall be conducted entirely within the dwelling unit or permitted accessory structure;
   (D)   No equipment or process of the home occupation shall be used which creates noise, vibration, glare, fumes or odors; involves the disposal of waste into a septic system or public sewer system other than normal household waste; involves open storage of any materials; involves any material or process which is combustible, toxic or otherwise impairs or endangers the public health, safety, welfare and morals; or in any way disrupts normal residential uses. No equipment or process shall be used which creates any visible or audible interference with any radio, television or other communication receiving or transmission system;
   (E)   The home occupation shall not occupy more than 20% of the gross floor area of a dwelling unit or 25% of a permitted accessory structure, but not both, including any space used for storage for the home occupation. All storage related to the home occupation shall be contained within the dwelling unit or accessory structure;
   (F)   The home occupation shall not display or create any external evidence of the operation of the occupation.
   (G)   No structural alterations shall be made to the dwelling to accommodate the home occupation. No separate entrances or building additions shall be added for the use of the home occupation;
   (H)   A home occupation shall be permitted as a special use in a single-family, two-family or multiple-family dwelling unit. See table in § 156.041 below.
   (I)   To avoid negative impacts on the character of the surrounding neighborhood, clients or customers are not permitted to come to the home and the address of the home may not be used in any advertising, except for advertising such as printed literature or business cards; and
   (J)   No retail sales shall be permitted on the property.
(Ord. 614, passed 2-22-1999)

§ 156.040 ADULT BUSINESSES.

   (A)   In addition to all the other limitations and provisions contained in this chapter, adult businesses shall:
      (1)   Not be located within 1,000 feet of any property zoned for any residential use (R1, R2, R3, R4 or R5);
      (2)   Not be located within 500 feet of any property permitted for use as a religious institution, or public or private school containing any grade of kindergarten through grade 12;
      (3)   Not be located within 500 feet of any city park; and
      (4)   Not be located within 500 feet of any another adult business established through a special use permit, or a pre-existing nonconforming use which is an adult business. However, more than one adult business may be located on the same parcel of property so long as it meets the other provisions of this section and the other provisions of this chapter.
      (5)   The applicant shall have certified all distance measurements by a land surveyor registered by the state, who shall certify that there are no residential properties, public or private schools with grade kindergarten through twelfth grade, city park, another adult business established through a special use permit, or a preexisting nonconforming use which is an adult business within the distances stated above.
   (B)   In addition to all other procedures listed above, the petitioner for a special use permit for an adult business shall send notice to not only the abutting property owners, but the applicant shall send notice by certified mail, return receipt requested to all property owners of property within 1,000 feet of the property requested for a special use permit for an adult business. A list of all the property owners shall be given to the Advisory Plan Commission at the time of filing the application. Should the petitioner fail to comply with the notice requirements herein, before the second regular meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals following the date the petition is filed, the petition shall be withdrawn by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
   (C)   The distances provided in divisions (A) and (B) above shall be measured by following a straight line, without regard to intervening buildings, structures or other obstacles, from the nearest point of the property upon which the proposed use is to be located, to the nearest point of the property or land use district boundary line from which the proposed land use is to be separated.
(Ord. 614, passed 2-22-1999)

§ 156.041 TABLE OF DISTRICT USAGE.

   (A)   X = Primary Use.
   (B)   S = Special Use.
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
RESIDENTIAL USE
Dwelling, Single-Family
Single-family, detached (1)
X
X
X
X
Manufactured home, Type I(1)
X
X
X
X
Manufactured home, Type II (1)(2)
X
Manufactured home. Type III (1)(2)
X
Manufactured home park or subdivision
X
Dwelling, Two-Family
Accessory apartment
X
S
S
Duplex
S
X
S
Dwelling, Multi-Family
Apartment building (3 or more units in building)
X
S
Garden apartment
X
X
Triplex
X
X
Quadruplex
X
X
Townhouse
X
X
Residential apartments on the ground floor of a building
X
Extended Care Facilities
Children's home
S
S
S
X
S
Group home
S
S
S
X
S
Hospital
X
X
Intermediate care facility
X
Nursing home or extended care facility
X
Lodging Establishments
Bed and breakfast; home stay
S
S
S
Hotel, motel, inns
X
X
AGRICULTURAL USE
Agriculture building
X
Artificial lake of 3 or more acres
S
X
Commercial greenhouse or nursery
S
X
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
AGRICULTURAL USE Cont'd
Commercial facility for breeding and raising non-farm fowl and animals
S
Farm, confinement feeding
X
Farm equipment, sales, service and repair
X
X
S
Farm, general
X
Hay, grain and feed stores
X
X
S
Landscaping, lawn and garden services
X
Sales barn for livestock resale
S
INDUSTRIAL USE
Agricultural equipment mfg.
X
Brick, refractories or other clay products
X
Brewing and distilling
X
X
Ceramic pottery mfg. or similar business
X
X
X
Central dry cleaning/laundry facility
X
X
X
Chemicals manufacturing, except noxious
X
X
Chemicals mfg., noxious
X
Communication relay tower
S
Dairy or creamery
X
X
X
Electrical receiving and transforming station
X
X
X
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
INDUSTRIAL USE Cont'd
Electronics, instruments and industrial machinery mfg.
X
X
Explosives manufacturing, storage or use
S
Feed mill, grain elevators, flour mill
X
X
X
Food and kindred products processing/manufacturing
X
X
Fuel storage and distribution, local
X
X
S
Fuel storage and distribution, regional
X
X
Furniture and wood products manufacturing
X
X
X
Glass and stone products mfg.
X
X
Junkyard
S
Leather products mfg.
X
X
Leather processing, tannery
X
Liquid fertilizer storage and distribution
S
S
Machine shops: buffing, metal anodizing, galvanizing, plating and/or polishing shops
X
X
X
Manufactured home construction facility
X
Metal casing and fabrication
X
Metal molding and plastic molding and extrusion
X
X
X
Metal products mfg., except foundry and drop hammer
X
X
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
INDUSTRIAL USE Cont'd
Metal foundry and drop hammer work
X
Mineral extraction, borrow pit, topsoil removal and storage areas
S
Paper products processing and manufacturing
X
X
Petroleum bulk storage and distribution facility
S
Petroleum fuel refinery
X
Plastic and rubber molding
X
X
Ready-mix concrete, plaster or asphalt manufacturing
X
Recycling facility with outdoor storage
X
Recycling facility without outdoor storage
X
X
S
Sawmill or planing mill for processing timber or lumber
X
Scrap metal yard
S
Slaughter house
S
Textile and apparel mfg.
X
X
Tire or rubber manufacturing
X
Tobacco products mfg.
X
X
Tool and/or die shop
X
X
X
Transportation equipment manufacturing
X
Truck terminal or truck yard
X
X
Utility service yard
X
X
X
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
INDUSTRIAL USE Cont'd
Warehouse (storage)
X
X
X
Welding shop
X
X
X
Wholesale business
X
X
X
PUBLIC FACILITIES USE
Airport
S
Bus station
X
X
X
Church or temple
S
S
S
S
S
S
Commercial sanitary fill, commercial compost facility, refuse dump, garbage disposal plant, trash transfer station
S
Commercial sewage disposal plant
S
Governmental offices
X
X
X
Day care center
S
S
S
S
S
Day care (home service)
S
S
S
S
Penal or correctional institution
S
Police station or fire station
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
Public library or museum
S
X
Public park
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Public or private swimming pool
S
S
S
S
Parking lot or parking garage
S
S
S
Post office
S
X
School; public, parochial, private
S
S
S
S
Telephone exchange or public utility substation
X
X
X
X
S
Trade or business school
S
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
BUSINESS USE Cont'd
Appliances
Electric appliance service and sales
X
X
X
Radio, TV and music service and sales
X
X
X
Satellite dish sales and service
X
X
X
Other similar uses
X
X
X
Automobile Service
Automatic car wash
X
X
X
Car wash
X
X
X
Automobile sales and service
X
X
X
RV and camper sales and service
X
X
X
Automobile parts sales
X
X
X
Automotive repair, minor
X
X
X
Automotive repair, major
X
X
X
Gasoline station, with repair
X
X
X
Gasoline station without repair
X
X
X
Other similar uses
X
X
X
Clothing Services
Dressmaking shop
X
X
X
Dry cleaning, laundry establishment, laundromat
X
X
X
Millinery shop
X
X
X
Self-service laundry
S
X
X
X
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
BUSINESS USE Cont'd
Clothing Services Cont'd
Shoe repair shop
X
X
X
Tailor and pressing shop
X
X
X
Other similar uses
X
X
X
Food Sales and Service
Baker - retail
X
X
X
Dairy - retail
X
X
X
Delicatessen
X
X
X
Drive-in
X
X
Fast-food restaurant
X
X
Grocery, including convenience store
X
X
X
Meat market
X
X
X
Restaurant, w/o alcoholic beverage
X
X
X
Restaurant, with alcoholic beverage
X
S
X
Roadside food sales stand
S
S
S
Wholesale produce terminal
S
S
S
Other similar uses
S
S
Personal, Business and Professional Services
Barber shop
X
X
X
Beauty shop
X
X
X
Business and professional services
X
X
X
Financial institutions
X
X
X
Health spa or fitness center
X
X
X
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
BUSINESS USE Cont'd
Personal, Business and Professional Services Cont'd
Professional offices
X
X
X
Tanning salon
X
X
Other similar uses
X
X
X
Recreation
Adult businesses (subject to restrictions in § 156.040 above)
S
Bait sales
X
X
Bar, tavern
S
Billiard room
X
X
X
Bowling alley
X
X
Campground
S
S
Country club and golf course
S
Dancing, aerobics or gymnastics studio
X
X
X
Lodge or private club
X
X
X
S
Night club
S
Commercial recreation facility
X
X
Private recreation facility
S
S
Private camp
S
Riding stable and trails
S
Roller or ice skating rink
X
X
Theater, indoor
X
S
X
Theater, outdoor
S
Video rental store
X
X
X
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
BUSINESS USE Cont'd
Retail Sales
Antique shop
X
X
X
Apparel shop
X
X
X
Building materials or garden supply store
X
X
Camera/photography store
X
X
X
Department or variety store
X
X
X
Drugstore
X
X
X
Flower shop
X
X
X
Furniture store
X
X
X
Gift shop
X
X
X
Hardware store
X
X
X
Hobby, toy or craft store
X
X
X
Jewelry store
X
X
X
Liquor store
X
S
X
Luggage and leather store
X
X
X
Newsdealer
X
X
X
Office supplies store
X
X
X
Optical goods store
X
X
X
Pet store
X
X
X
Record shop
X
X
X
Sewing/piece goods store
X
X
X
Stationery and book store
X
X
X
Sporting goods
S
S
S
Used merchandise or consignment store
X
X
X
 
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
Districts in Which Permitted
R1
R2
R3
R4
R5
GB
CB
I1
I2
I3
A
CD
BUSINESS USE Cont'd
Miscellaneous
Auction house
X
X
Boat sales, service and storage
X
X
Building trades contractors
X
X
Clinic
X
X
Home occupation (subject to restrictions in § 156.039 above)
S
S
S
S
S
S
Equipment rental store
X
X
Flea market
S
S
Kennel, boarding
S
Manufactured home sales
X
X
Mortuary/funeral home
X
S
X
Office building
X
X
X
Photographic studio
X
X
X
Phone utility
Private cemetery
S
Public cemetery or crematory
X
X
S
Radio and TV broadcasting and related services
S
S
S
Shopping center
X
X
Self-service storage facility
S
Veterinary hospital, including boarding
X
X
 
   (C)   Footnotes. That special use for this usage shall, in addition to any other conditions imposed by the Board of Zoning Appeals, include the following conditions:
      (1)   Condition of repairs: it will be stipulated that manufactured homes shall be considered a "building or structure" and subject to any unsafe Building Code, either heretofore adopted by the city, or henceforth adopted, together with any amendments thereto; and
      (2)   When permanent foundations are not provided, the structure shall contain skirting, which is in new or presentable condition and which conceals all plumbing, anchors and stands underneath the home.
(Ord. 614, passed 2-22-1999; Ord. 617, passed 6-14-1999; Ord. 631, passed 2-14-2000; Ord. 661, passed 8-8-2002; Ord. 688, passed 2-23-2004; Ord. 694, passed 11-8-2004; Ord. 722, passed 9-25-2006; Ord. 721, passed 11-27-2006; Ord. 870-2015, passed 9-14-2015; Ord. 890-2016, passed 9-26-2016; Ord. 924-2018, passed 9-24-2018)