Louisville City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1154
Density and Dimensional Regulations
1154.01 CREATION OF NEW LOTS.
(a) Minimum Lot Requirements. Lots shall be arranged and designed to meet all zoning requirements of the district in which they are located and are appropriate to the location of the subdivision, as specified in subsection (b) (Lot Standards Matrix).
(1) Effect of on-site sewage treatment system. Lots that are not served by a public sanitary sewer shall meet the area requirements established by the Stark County Board of Health if a greater area is required than specified herein.
(2) Frontage along public street.
A. No building site shall be created that does not front on a public street, except for planned unit developments which contain privately owned streets maintained by a owners' association.
B. Flag Lots. An application for the creation of a lot that has less than the specified lot frontage along a public street shall require a variance. If such "flag lot" is approved, the front setback shall begin at the point from a line parallel to the street where the lot satisfies the minimum specified lot frontage requirement.
(3) Lot shape. No lot may be created that is so narrow or otherwise so irregularly shaped that it would be impracticable to construct on it a building that could be used for purposes that are permissible in that zoning district, and could satisfy any applicable setback requirements for that district.
(4) Lot depth to width ratio. The average depth of a lot shall not exceed three and one-half times its average width.
(Ord. 09-20. Passed 6-22-09.)
(b) Lot Standards Matrix.
District | Type of Building | Minimum Lot Size | Minimum Lot Frontage | Minimum Lot Width at Building Line |
F-P | All | 3 acres | 150 ft. | 200 ft. |
A-1 | All | 5 acres | 50 ft. | 100 ft. |
P-CD | See Chapter 1156 (Planned Conservation Development District) | |||
R-1 | Single-Family | 12,000 s.f. | 50 ft. | 80 ft. |
R-2 | Single-Family | 10,000 s.f. | 50 ft. | 80 ft. |
Two-Family | 15,000 s.f. | 100 ft. | ||
R-3 | Single-Family | 10,000 s.f. | 50 ft. | 80 ft. |
Two-family | 15,000 s.f. | 100 ft. | ||
Multifamily | 18,000 s.f. for first three units plus 5,000 s.f. for each additional unit | 120 ft. | ||
B-1 | All | None | None | None |
B-2 | All | One-half acre | 100 ft. | 100 ft. |
B-3 | All | None | None | None |
B-4 | All | None | 50 ft. | 50 ft. |
B-5 | All | None | 50 ft. | 50 ft. |
I-1 | All | One-half acre | 80 ft. | 100 ft. |
I-2 | All | One-half acre | 100 ft. | 100 ft. |
PGMI | All | 5 acres | 200 ft. | 200 ft. |
(Ord. 11-54. Passed 12-19-11; Ord. 17-03. Passed 1-23-17.
(c) Double Frontage or Reversed Frontage Lots.
(1) General restriction. Double frontage or reversed frontage lots shall be prohibited except where they are deemed necessary by the Planning Commission to provide separation of residential development from traffic arteries or to overcome unusual topographic conditions.
(2) Planting screens or fences. The Planning Commission may require planting screens or fences where reverse frontage lots abut a major arterial street or between a major arterial thoroughfare and marginal access street, provided that such planting screens or fences shall not constitute a safety hazard. A plan of proposed planting screens or fences shall be submitted for approval with the Final Plat.
(d) Variable Lot Size Development Option. As a Conditional Land Use option in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts, an applicant may apply to the Planning Commission for a Variable Lot Size Development subject to the following requirements:
(1) Each variable lot size development shall consist of a minimum of three (3) acres.
(2) Overall density requirements of the zoning district or districts within which the project is located shall not be exceeded.
(3) The average net area of all lots within a Variable Lot Size Development shall not be less than the minimum lot size specified in Section 1154.01(b) for the district in which the development is located, provided that no individual lot shall be less than the following minimum lot size:
District | Type of Building | Minimum Lot Size |
R-1 | Single-family | 8,000 s.f. |
R-2 | Single-family | 6,000 s.f. |
Two-family | 10,000 s.f. | |
R-3 | Single-family | 6,000 s.f. |
Two-family | 10,000 s.f. | |
Multifamily | 15,000 s.f. for first three units plus 2,000 s.f. for each additional unit |
(4) Unless otherwise specified during subdivision review, minimum yard and frontage requirements for each lot in a variable lot development may be reduced in proportion to the total reduction in lot size below the standard zoning requirements for the zone in which the lot is located.
(5) Review of a Variable Lot Size Development Option subdivision by the Planning Commission will include consideration of the variable lot sizes as a condition for approval of the subdivision. Subdivision approval and variable lot size approval may take place concurrently.
(6) Upon approval of the Variable Lot Size Development Option, such lots shall be placed on the subdivision map and filed with the City Zoning Inspector. At the time of filing, the approved lot lines shall become binding to each lot as they appear on the final subdivision map.
1154.02 REQUIRED YARDS AND OPEN SPACES.
Building setback lines, maximum lot coverage, and minimum usable open space shall not be less than required in this section or regulations applicable to a specified land use.
(a) General Yard Standards Matrix.
Side Yard Minimum Width | |||||||
District | Building Type | Front Yard Minimum Depth | One Side | Min. Total for Both Sides | Rear Yard Minimum Depth | Maximum Impervious Surface Lot Coverage | Minimum Usable Open Space |
F-P | All | 50 ft. | 25 ft. | 50 ft. | 50 ft. | -- | -- |
A-1 | All | 40 ft. | 15 ft. | 30 ft. | 40 ft. | 40% | -- |
P-CD | See Chapter 1156 (Planned Conservation Development District) | ||||||
R-1 | 1 story: | 40 ft. | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 40 ft. | 40% | -- |
2 story: | 40 ft. | 10 ft. | 25 ft. | 40 ft. | 40% | -- | |
R-2 | All | 40 ft. | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 40 ft. | 40% | -- |
R-3 | S-F: | 40 ft. | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 40 ft. | 50% | 30% of the actual lot area |
2-F: | 40 ft. | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 40 ft. | 50% | ||
M-F: | 50 ft. | 15 ft. | 30 ft. | 40 ft. | 40% | ||
B-1 | All | 50 ft. | 15 ft | 30 ft. | 25 ft. | -- | -- |
B-2 | All | 50 ft. | 25 ft. | 50 ft. | -- | -- | -- |
B-3 | All | None | None | None | -- | -- | |
B-4 | All | 50 ft. | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 10 ft. | -- | -- |
B-5 | All | 50 ft. | 10 ft. | 20 ft. | 25 ft. | -- | -- |
I-1 | All | 40 ft. | 25 ft. | 50 ft. | 25 ft. | 75% | -- |
I-2 | All | 50 ft. | 25 ft. | 50 ft. | 25 ft. | 75% | -- |
PGMI | All | 50 ft. | 25 ft. | 50 ft. | 50 ft. | 50% | 15% of total lot area |
(Ord. 17-03. Passed 1-23-17.)
(1) Exceptions for accessory structures and uses.
A. A detached accessory building or structure shall not exceed one story or 18 feet in height, shall be located behind the rear line of the principal building, shall not be nearer than four feet in any lot line, provided that where the side yard abuts upon a side street, such accessory building shall not extend nearer to the side street lot line than the main portion of the principal building, and in no case shall the entrance door to a garage be less than 20 feet from any street lot line. No more than two (2) accessory structures shall be permitted on a residential lot/parcel. (Ord. 25-33. Passed 7-2-25.)
B. Accessory buildings may be built within five (5) feet of an alley.
(Ord. 17-03. Passed 1-23-17.)
(2) Measurement of setbacks.
A. No space which, for the purpose of a building, has been counted or calculated as part of a side yard, rear yard, front yard or other open space required by these regulations may by reason of change in ownership or otherwise, be counted or calculated to satisfy the yard or other open space requirement of or for any other building.
B. Where an I-District abuts but is separated from an R District by a street the width of the street may be considered as part of the required setback.
(3) Corner lot traffic visibility. No obstruction to view in excess of two (2) feet in height shall be placed on any corner lot within a triangular area formed by the street right-of-way lines and a line connecting them at points thirty (30) feet from the intersection of the street lines, except that trees are permitted which are pruned at least eight (8) feet above the established grade of the roadway so as not to obstruct clear view by motor vehicle drivers.
(4) Projections into yard areas.
A. Every part of a required yard shall be open to the sky unobstructed, except for accessory buildings in a rear yard and except for the ordinary projections of skylights, sill, cornices, and ornamental features projecting not to exceed twelve (12) inches.
1. This requirement shall not prevent the construction of fences not exceeding six (6) feet in height except on that portion of lots within thirty (30) feet of the intersection of two or more streets.
2. Terraces, uncovered porches, platforms and ornamental features which do not extend more than three (3) feet above the level of the ground (first) story may project into a required side yard, provided these projections are at least two (2) feet from the adjacent lot line.
3. The ordinary projections of chimneys or flues are permitted into the required side, rear, and front yards.
B. An open unenclosed porch or a paved terrace may project into the front yard for a distance not to exceed ten (10) feet.
(b) Minimum Setback Requirements for Nonresidential Yards Adjoining Any Residential District. Where a nonresidential or multi-family land use adjoins any residential district, the following minimum setbacks and landscaping requirements shall apply to the adjoining yard(s).
District | Front Yard Minimum Depth | Side Yard Minimum Width | Rear Yard Minimum Depth |
R-3 | 50 ft. | 50 ft. if adjacent to an R- 1 Zone 30 ft. if adjacent to an R- 2 Zone | 50 ft. if adjacent to an R- 1 or R-2 Zone |
B-1 | Equal to the most restrictive setback applicable to the adjacent R District | 50 ft. * | 50 ft. |
B-2 | Equal to the most restrictive setback applicable to the adjacent R District | 50 ft. * | 50 ft. |
B-3 and B-4 | Equal to the front yard requirements of the adjacent R District* | 50 ft. * | 50 ft. * |
B-5 | 50 ft. | 50 ft. * | 50 ft.* |
I-1 | 100 ft. | 75 ft. ** | 75 ft. ** |
I-2 | 100 ft. | 100 ft. ** | 100 ft. ** |
PGMI | 75 ft. | 50 ft. | 50 ft. |
* The area abutting the residential boundary shall be properly landscaped to be harmonious with surrounding residential uses and maintained in a neat and orderly manner. See § 1132.03(h)(9). | |||
** The area abutting the residential boundary, to a depth of fifty (50) feet, shall be landscaped and maintained so as to minimize any undesirable visual effects of an industry on adjacent residential uses; the balance of the yard area shall be used for open space or vehicular parking. See §1132.03(h)(9). | |||
(Ord. 11-54. Passed 12-19-11; Ord. 17-03. Passed 1-23-17.)
(c) Yards Adjacent to a Major Thoroughfare. Where a yard in an Industrial District is adjacent to a major thoroughfare, the following minimum yard shall be required:
District | Minimum Front Yard Depth | Minimum Side Yard Width or Rear Yard Depth |
I-1 | 75 ft. | 75 ft. |
I-2 | 100 ft. | 100 |
(d) Average Front Yard Setback Option in Residential (R) Districts. In any R district where the average depth of at least two (2) existing front yards on lots within two hundred (200) feet of the lot in question and within the same block front is less or greater than the least front yard depth prescribed elsewhere in these regulations, the required depth of the front yard on such lot may be modified. In such cases, this shall not be less than the average depth of such existing front yards on the two lots immediately adjoining, or, in the case of a corner lot, the depth of the front yard on the lot immediately adjoining. However, the depth of the front yard on any lot shall not be less than twenty-five (25) feet and need not exceed one hundred (100) feet.
(e) Flexible Front Yard Setback Development Option. As a Conditional Land Use option, an applicant for a subdivision in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts may apply to the Planning Commission for a Flexible Setbacks Development Option.
(1) The front yard setbacks in a residential subdivision may be varied to allow an average setback of thirty-five feet throughout the subdivision and meeting the following requirements:
(2) The minimum front yard setback allowed will be twenty-five (25) feet.
(3) The building setbacks of lots adjacent to existing structures must conform to the setback of the existing structures except in the extension of an existing flexible setback subdivision.
(4) Review of a flexible setback subdivision by the Planning Commission will include consideration of the flexible setbacks as a condition for approval of the subdivision. Subdivision approval and flexible front yard setback approval may take place concurrently.
(5) Upon approval of the flexible front yard setback, such setback lines shall be placed on the subdivision plat and filed with the City Zoning Inspector. At the time of filing, the approved flexible front yard setback lines shall become binding to each lot as they appear on the final subdivision plat.
(f) Zero Lot Line Option in Residential (R) Districts. As a Conditional Land Use option, an applicant for a residential subdivision may apply to the Planning Commission for approval of a Zero Lot Line Option, which may be developed eliminating the side yard requirement and permitting residential dwellings to be built on the side yard lot line of each lot in a subdivision provided the following requirements are met:
(1) The zero lot line option is applicable only to a platted subdivision.
(2) The following yards shall not be zero yards but shall meet the requirements of the district:
A. A front or corner side yard
B. A yard that abuts an alley
C. A yard that abuts a lot having conventional siting with no zero yard
D. A yard that abuts a zero yard on an adjacent lot.
(3) No part of the structure shall project into the adjacent yard.
(4) Each home in the subdivision will be placed as near the right or left lot line as the furthest structural projection will permit. The lot line chosen will be adhered to in groups of several units. within the subdivision to create visual interest.
(5) Lots adjacent to existing structures are eligible for zero lot line only if the lot line furthest from the existing structure is used. If this is not possible, the side yard restrictions of the zone or zones in which the subdivision is being built must be adhered to for all those lots adjacent to existing structures. This does not apply to the extension of an existing zero lot line subdivision.
(6) If an interior side yard is a zero yard, the remaining interior or corner side yard on the lot shall have a minimum width equal to the sum of the normally required widths of both side yards.
(7) Provisions established in the Residential Code of Ohio for One-Two and Three Family dwellings require fire rated construction for an exterior wall a specific distance or less from a lot line. Such construction shall be required only if the distance between such wall and the nearest building wall on the adjacent lot is less than twice the distance from the lot line specified in the applicable Code.
(8) Review of a zero lot line subdivision by the Planning Commission shall include consideration of the zero lot line option as a condition for approval of the subdivision. Subdivision approval and zero lot line approval may take place concurrently.
(9) Upon approval of the zero lot lines, such zero lot lines shall be placed on the subdivision map and recorded by the County Recorder.
(10) At the time of filing, the approved zero lot lines shall become binding to each lot as they appear on the final subdivision map.
(11) The entire subdivision must have an agreement of cooperation between property owners granting permission to enter the property adjacent to the zero lot line for safety purposes and performance of necessary maintenance.
1154.03 CORNER LOTS.
For corner lots, either street may be designated as the front-yard street. The other street will be designated as the side of the structure and subject to all applicable side-yard setback regulations. Additional setback requirements for the side-yard street may be required to ensure that roadway visibility is not impaired. (Ord. 25-54. Passed 10-6-25.)
1154.04 STRUCTURES.
(a) Principal Buildings. No more than one dwelling shall be permitted on any lot unless otherwise specifically stated in these regulations and every dwelling shall be located on a lot having required frontage on a public street.
(b) Dwelling Other Than Main Structure. No residential structure shall be erected upon a lot with another dwelling, except that a two-story garage with living quarters upon the second floor may be permitted provided such quarters are occupied by guests or family members related to those occupying the main structure. (Ord. 25-54. Passed 10-6-25.)
1154.05 RIPARIAN SET BACK.
Purpose: Riparian setbacks control land use activities and new development within certain distances of streams, rivers and creeks. Setting development back maintains the ability of riparian areas to control flooding, limit stream bank erosion, protect habitat, purify ground water, and reduce water pollution. Riparian setbacks protect structures and reduce property damage and threats to watershed residents. (Ord. 25-54. Passed 10-6-25.)