Mason City City Zoning Code

   A.   Purpose: The purpose of the Z1 Agricultural District is to provide areas in which agriculture and related uses are supported and natural ecosystems, woodlands, wetlands, prairies, etc., are preserved to prevent soil erosion, protect water quality and support biodiversity and natural habitats.

   B.   Premature Development Restricted: In order to avoid leapfrog development or large tract fragmentation, premature subdivision standards and area development concept plans ("ghost platting") will be required for all developments within the Z1 Zoning District. See section 11-1-5 of this Code for premature subdivision standards and ghost platting requirements. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. 2017 Code)

   A.   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 shall be reviewed according to chapter 7 of this title to show compliance with all development standards identified herein.

   B.   No more than two (2) single-family dwelling units shall be allowed per zoning lot. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. 2017 Code)

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. In all cases, all new development and redevelopment within Mason City shall require compliance review according to chapter 7 of this title. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. 2017 Code)

Accessory buildings shall not exceed a cumulative total area of more than four thousand (4,000) square feet measured at the exterior dimensions of the ground floor. The following shall not be considered as part of the cumulative accessory building calculation:

   A.   Farm operation buildings.

   B.   Structures or buildings such as garden sheds, playhouses, or storage or maintenance sheds measuring no more than one hundred twenty (120) square feet. (Ord. 11-3, 2-15-2011; 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 the Z1 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 the Z1 Zoning District. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010)

   A.   New Subdivision: Refer to section 11-1-5, "Criteria For Subdivisions In Undeveloped Areas", of this Code.

   B.   Accessory Dwellings:

      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.

   C.   Bed And Breakfast: Bed and breakfasts in the Z1 District shall be comprised of a converted freestanding house, provided the conversion meets applicable Building Codes. Customer parking shall be located in the second or third tier.

   D.   Restaurant: Restaurants in the Z1 District shall be comprised of a converted freestanding house or farm structure, provided the conversion meets applicable Building Codes. Customer parking shall be located in the second or third tier. Parking shall be provided for a retail function per section 12-8-5, table 4 of this title and landscaped per section 12-16-5 of this title.

   E.   Small Religious Assembly: Small religious assembly in the Z1 District shall meet the following standards:

      1.   Limited to congregational assembly, small meeting and Sunday school with supportive storage, kitchen and office functions;

      2.   Weekday, full time educational functions are prohibited;

      3.   Parking shall be located in the side yard area of the second tier and all of the third tier;

      4.   Parking shall be limited to a maximum of one parking space per two (2) seats plus three (3) staff parking spaces;

      5.   Parking shall be set back a minimum of ten feet (10') from all applicable property lines; and

      6.   Parking lots shall be landscaped per section 12-16-5 of this title.

   F.   Agritourism: Agritourism forms and functions shall meet the following standards:

      1.   No Interference: New agritourism forms and functions shall be located, designed and operated so as not to interfere with normal agricultural practices on and off site.

      2.   Rural Theme: Agritourism shall incorporate a rural theme in terms of building style and design. New agritourism uses involving new structures shall complement or enhance rather than detract from the rural environment.

      3.   Compliance: Agritourism activities shall comply with all relevant local, State and Federal requirements related to public health, building/construction standards, safety, health and welfare.

      4.   Building Scale: Allowed non-agricultural agritourism uses and activities located on land with an agricultural or residential form or function shall be consistent with the size, scale and intensity of the existing agricultural form or function of the property and the existing buildings on the site. Nonagricultural forms or functions shall not be located outside the general area already developed for buildings and residential forms or functions.

      5.   Parking: Vehicular access and customer parking shall be provided on site so that vehicles are not required to back onto public roads. Parking lots shall be constructed in conformance with section 12-8-5 of this title and landscaped per section 12-16-5 of this title. Impervious surfaces shall be minimized to the greatest extent possible. Use of pervious paving in parking areas is encouraged. (Ord. 10-003, 1-19-2010, eff. 7-1-2010; amd. Ord. 19-2, 3-5-2019; Ord. 22-3, 3-1-2022)

See section 12-8-3, table 2, "Zoning Form And Function Table", of this title. (Ord. 14-1, 1-7-2014)

   TABLE 1

   Z1 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Primarily agricultural with related residential and scattered wetlands, woodlands, on and off street trails and two-lane highways.

   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: For an accessory dwelling unit, see section 12-16-24.

 

 

   F.   Parking Provisions: (See 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; Ord. 25-12, 11-4-2025)