The purpose of the Z2 Sub-Urban District is to provide space for a limited range of primarily residential lot sizes, limited neighborhood commercial uses and public park spaces in areas planned as walkable neighborhoods that are or soon will be served by a full range of public services.

(Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010)

Permitted forms and functions, which are identified in section 12-8-3, table 2 of this title, are those that are allowed by right within Mason City. New development or redevelopment will require a site plan drawn to scale showing that all zoning standards in chapter 16 of this title have been met. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. 2017 Code)

No more than one (1) principal building shall be allowed per zoning lot. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010)

Conditional forms and functions, which are identified in section 12-8-3, table 2 of this title, are those that must be reviewed and approved by the board for potential impact on neighboring properties. All conditional forms and functions shall conform to the standards set forth in section 12-5-5 of this title. New development or redevelopment shall be reviewed according to chapter 7 of this title to show compliance with all development standards identified herein. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. 2017 Code)

   A.   Location: Accessory buildings shall be located in the rear yard. A detached accessory garage may be located in a side yard if all other accessory building setbacks and bulk requirements are met.

   B.   Cumulative Area:

      1.   On zoning lots of up to two (2) acres in area, accessory buildings shall not occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of the rear yard but in any case, up to six hundred (600) square feet (cumulative) shall be allowed as a minimum. Accessory buildings shall not exceed a cumulative area of more than one thousand two hundred (1,200) square feet measured at the exterior dimensions of the ground floor.

      2.   On zoning lots greater than two (2) acres, cumulative total area shall not exceed two thousand four hundred (2,400) square feet measured at the exterior dimensions of the ground floor.

      3.   On any lot, a maximum of two (2) buildings measuring no more than eighty (80) square feet each, such as garden sheds, playhouses, or storage or maintenance sheds, shall not be considered as part of the overall accessory building square foot calculation.

      4.   Exception: Agricultural buildings serving a farm on a lot of ten (10) acres or more shall not be counted towards the cumulative area requirement, but shall conform to all other accessory building requirements.

   C.   Architectural Style And Building Materials: The architectural style and building materials of all accessory buildings within the Z2 District shall be compatible with those of the principal building on the lot.

   D.   Conditional Use Permit: An application for a conditional use permit as set forth in section 12-5-5 of this title may be submitted to request an increase in accessory building size, but in no case shall the total building area occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of the rear yard. (Ord. 11-09, 8-16-2011; amd. 2017 Code)

Any development, lot of record or structure legally operated prior to July 1, 2010, shall be considered a permitted use and legally conforming within this zoning district. Any redevelopment or addition to a development, lot of record or structure shall be required to conform to the forms and functions and development standards found within this zoning district. Any change in form or function shall conform to permitted and conditional form and function standards as described in this zoning district. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010)

   A.   Infill And Conversion:

      1.   Introduction of new duplex, side yard/zero lot line house and two-flat building types, including conversion of an existing freestanding home to two (2) or more dwelling units shall be limited to corner lots and shall require compliance review according to chapter 7 of this title.

      2.   Placement of a corner store form and function shall be limited to one (1) corner store per one-fourth (1/4) mile radius (pedestrian shed) as measured on a scaled, aerial photograph or plat map.

      3.   Placement of a corner office form and function shall be limited to one (1) corner office per one-fourth (1/4) mile radius (pedestrian shed) as measured on a scaled, aerial photograph or plat map.

   B.   New Development Or Subdivision:

      1.   For new development or subdivisions less than or equal to five (5) acres in size, side yard or split yard building dispositions may constitute one hundred percent (100%) of the lots.

      2.   For new development or subdivisions greater than five (5) acres in size, side yard or split yard building dispositions shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total lots.

   C.   Residential Driveways:

      1.   Residential driveways serving front and side loading attached and detached garages accessed from the street shall be no wider than twenty six feet (26') at the property line and located in the first and second tier except when the lot is located on a corner, it may be located in the third tier.

      2.   Residential driveways serving attached and detached garages accessed from an alley shall be no wider than twenty two feet (22') at the property line.

      3.   One (1) driveway maximum shall be allowed per zoning lot; however, one (1) additional driveway may be approved by the City Engineer.

   D.   Accessory Dwellings: Accessory dwellings in the Z2 District shall meet the following standards in addition to required building codes:

      1.   Limited to one (1) accessory dwelling per lot;

      2.   If freestanding or within a detached accessory building, located in the third tier of the lot;

      3.   Contain at least four hundred (400) and no greater than eight hundred (800) gross square feet in total area;

      4.   Be designed in a compatible style and constructed of the same materials as the primary dwelling; and

      5.   Either freestanding, located within a detached garage, or located within the principal structure, provided that there is direct access between the accessory dwelling unit and the primary dwelling unit. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. 2017 Code; Ord. 22-3, 3-1-2022)

See section 12-8-3, "Zoning Form And Function Table", of this title. (Ord. 14-1, 1-7-2014)

   TABLE 1

   Z2 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Primarily detached, single-family residential, open lawns, corner store, neighborhood and community parks, greenways, on and off street trails, interconnected streets and multilane thoroughfares with sidewalks.

   A.   Building Configuration:

 

 

   B.   Building Disposition: (See section 12-8-4, table 3 of this title.)

 

 

   C.   Lot Occupation:

 

 

   D.   Setbacks; Principal Building:

 

 

   E.   Setbacks; Accessory Building:

 

 

   F.   Parking/Trash Placement: (See also section 12-8-5, "General Parking Provisions", of this title.)

 

(Ord. 12-07, 9-4-2012; amd. 2017 Code; Ord. 20-10, 11-3-2020)