Mentor City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1157
Residential Districts
1157.01 SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS.
In R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 zones there shall not be more than one main use or one single family residence on each recorded lot.
(1969 Code 150.201)
1157.02 ACCESSORY USES IN SINGLE FAMILY ZONES.
The following accessory uses may be permitted in C-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4,R-5 and RVG zones provided that they do not alter the character or intent of the zoning districts:
(a) Attached living quarters for servants or family members when no form of consideration is charged;
(b) Detached living quarters on lots in excess of one acre, provided that such quarters are occupied only by temporary guests when no form of consideration is charged, or servants employed solely on the premises;
(c) Family Child Care Home;
(d) Child day care centers on the premises of and associated with an operating institution or community service activity, such as churches houses of worship, public and private schools.
(Ord. 24-O-072. Passed 3-18-25.)
1157.03 EXCEPTIONS TO RESIDENTIAL FLOOR AREA REQUIREMENTS.
The required floor area for single family buildings as set forth in Chapter 1155 may be reduced provided that the reduced floor area shall not be less than the average floor area of the nearest ten single family dwellings fronting on the same street.
(1969 Code 150.203)
1157.04 SCREENING REQUIRED IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES.
Where residential uses are proposed adjacent to arterial highways, railroads or other features as determined by the Commission or Administrator, screening shall be required to minimize the impact of such facilities on the residential use. Said screening may be by means of plantings, landscaped earthen mounds, solid fencing, walls or similar means. The specific nature and dimensions of said screening shall be as approved on the site plan. Provisions shall be made for the maintenance of said screening and such provisions shall be approved by the Administrator.
(1969 Code 150.204)
1157.05 SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO MOBILE HOME DISTRICTS.
(a) In addition to the requirements of this chapter, mobile home parks shall comply with the standards of the Ohio Department of Health as set forth in the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 3701-27 of the Administrative Code.
(b) Travel trailers shall not be used as dwellings in a mobile home park.
(1969 Code 150.205)
1157.06 SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO R-10 ZONES.
(a) Within R-10 projects there shall be provided recreation or park areas equal to not less than five percent (5%) of the total development acreage. The recreation or park area may include common open space. Where possible, the recreation or park area shall be located centrally for accessibility to all residents of the development. Park equipment shall be provided in types which include activities for all age groups of residents in the development. The developer shall consult with the Administrator in formulating the recreation or park development plan.
(b) One parking space shall be provided for each ten (10) dwelling units, for the expressed use of parking recreational vehicles unless deed restrictions and covenants prohibit the parking of such vehicles or equipment within the development.
(c) For all R-10 projects there shall be filed with the Administrator a perpetual maintenance plan for the privately owned recreation, park, open space, parking, and street areas. Such plan shall set forth the maintenance responsibility and, if such responsibility is in the form of common ownership or a property owner association, shall set forth the method of financing the maintenance program. Such perpetual maintenance plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Law Director and the Administrator prior to approval of final site plans.
(1969 Code 150.206)
1157.07 SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATIVE TO RVG VILLAGE GREEN ZONES. (REPEALED)
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Former Section 1157.07 was repealed by Ordinance 20-O-062, passed August 18, 2020.)
1157.08 KEEPING OF HORSES.
Horses may be kept in residential zones provided that:
(a) There shall not be more than one horse per acre of land;
(b) Only mares and/or geldings shall be kept;
(c) The minimum acreage on which horses may be kept shall be 2-1/2 acres;
(d) Such land shall be fenced so as to securely confine said animals;
(e) Any building used in connection with the keeping of horses shall be located at least 50 feet from any property line.
(1969 Code 150.208)
1157.09 SIDE YARD SETBACKS.
The side yard set back for lots of less than 80 feet in width which exist at the time of adoption of this Zoning Code shall be a minimum of five feet provided that the sum of both side setbacks shall be a minimum of 15 feet.
(1969 Code 150.209)
1157.10 HOSPITALS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
Hospitals shall be permitted uses in residential zones provided that the following criteria are met:
(a) There shall be a minimum of 250 feet of frontage on an arterial street as defined in Section 1105.01
.
(b) All buildings and structures shall be landscaped and/or fenced and so arranged as to be consistent with the predominately residential character of the district;
(c) The Planning Commission finds the site plan and general architectural plan to be appropriate for the area in design, location of facilities, use of the site, and impact on the neighborhood. In reaching such determination, the Commission may require appropriate conditions and/or safeguards.
(1969 Code 150.210)
1157.11 MAXIMUM LOT COVERAGE.
In any R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 or R-5 district, the maximum area of any lot covered by structures, including accessory structures, shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total lot area. (1969 Code 150.211)
1157.12 TELEVISION DISH ANTENNAS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES.
Television Dish Antennas shall be permitted accessory structures in residential districts provided that:
(a) There shall be a limit of one dish per lot;
(b) Dishes shall be located behind the dwelling unit and at least ten (10) feet from any side and rear property line;
(c) The maximum height of any dish and support structure shall be twelve (12) feet;
(d) The maximum diameter of a dish shall be ten (10) feet;
(e) There shall be no message or advertising on the dish.
(1969 Code 150.212)
1157.13 RADIO ANTENNAS.
The main supporting structure of antennas for the transmission and/or reception of radio, television or other electromagnetic radiation in any residential district shall be located behind the line described by the front of the primary dwelling structure, or the front setback line, whichever is greater, and shall have a minimum setback of 10 feet from any property line, provided that structures more than 40 feet in height above grade shall have a minimum setback of 10 feet plus one additional foot for every two feet in height above 40 feet. Supporting structures directly attached to the primary dwelling may have a side or rear setback of five feet, provided they do not exceed 40 feet in height above grade. The height of such structures, including antennas and appurtenances, shall not exceed 60 feet above grade; unless approved by the Planning Commission. All antenna elements, supporting structures, guy wires, and all other physical portions of the antenna system shall remain within the property boundary lines.
(1969 Code 150.213)
1157.14 MODEL HOMES.
A newly constructed home may be used as a model home for the builder provided that the following criteria are met.
(a) The model home shall be located within a platted subdivision in which other homes are to be constructed by the same builder.
(b) The site shall provide adequate area for off-street parking.
(c) The use of the new home as a model shall cease after two years or at such time as the builder ceases to have lots on which to build in the subdivision, whichever occurs first, except that the Planning Commission may extend the permitted time upon the showing of need by the builder.
(1969 Code 150.214)
1157.15 BUILDING FEATURE PROJECTIONS.
Definitions:
For purposes of this section, a projection is a building feature which extends outside of the enclosing walls of a building. Building features may project into required front, rear and side yards of a dwelling, but shall not project more than set forth in the following schedule:
Max. Projection | |||
Projection Building Features | FRONT YARD | SIDE YARD | REAR YARD |
(a) Architectural features | |||
(1) A belt course, chimney, balconies, cornices, sills and bay window | 2 ft. | 2 ft. | 2 ft. |
(2) Awnings | 4 ft. | 3 ft. | 4 ft. |
(3) Eaves without gutters | 3 ft. | 3 ft. | 3 ft. |
(4) Floor overhang | 2 ft. | 0 ft. | 2 ft. |
(5) Floor overhang including eaves with or without gutters | 5 ft | 0 ft. | 4 ft. |
(b) Entrance building features: | |||
(1) A stoop, platform, landing, patio or attached deck (no enclosure) | 4 ft. | 3 ft. | 50% of required rear yard setback |
(2) Enclosed porch or entry | 0 ft. | 0 ft. | 0 ft. |
(c) Steps or ramps which are necessary for access to a permitted building | 25% of required front setback | As regulated by subsection (d) | 50% of required rear yard setback |
(d) All building projections listed above shall be located a minimum distance of 3 ft.from any side property line. No building projection shall be permitted to encroach into any basemented area including but not limited to drainage, sanitary, or general utility easements.
(1969 Code 150.215)
1157.16 HOME OCCUPATIONS.
(a) Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose of this Zoning Code to maintain and preserve the residential character of its neighborhoods and to further promote the public health, safety and welfare through the regulation of home occupations. It is further the intent of this Zoning Code to allow limited non-residential uses in residential structures which are compatible with the residential character of their surrounding neighborhood. A home occupation per this Zoning Code is considered an accessory use which is any occupation or business activity that is incidental and subordinate to the residential use of the dwelling unit and is conducted from the property without any adverse effect upon the surrounding neighborhood, including the principal use of the home for providing supervision, personal care services and habilitation services to individuals under license issued by the State of Ohio.
(b) Home Occupation as a Permitted Use. A home occupation shall be permitted as an accessory use in residential districts but subject to the following performance standards:
(1) Only family members who reside at the premises may participate in the home occupation as an employee, excepting home occupations delivering supervision, personal care services and habilitation services to individuals under license issued by the State of Ohio.
(2) The use shall be conducted entirely within the confines of the dwelling unit. No storage of goods, materials or products shall be permitted in garages or accessory structures.
(3) The proposed use shall not occupy more than 10 percent of the floor area of the dwelling unit, excepting home occupations delivering supervision, personal care services and habilitation services to individuals under license issued by the State of Ohio. Basements, porches, and garages shall not be included in calculating permitted area.
(4) No equipment, process, materials or chemicals shall be used which produce audible noises, obnoxious odors, vibrations, glare, fumes, hazardous waste and electrical interference which is detectable to normal sensory perception outside the structure. Materials or chemicals which may be a potential fire hazard are not permitted.
(5) Signage shall not be permitted nor shall newspaper advertisements indicate the address of the business.
(6) No on-site sale of goods or services shall be permitted.
(7) No vehicle repair or servicing shall be permitted.
(8) No mechanical repair or servicing shall be permitted.
(9) Deliveries to the dwelling unit shall be limited to a one per day by private courier services such as United Parcel Service (UPS). No semi- freight carrier deliveries shall be permitted.
(10) No exterior alterations or building additions to accommodate the use shall be permitted excepting home occupations delivering supervision, personal care services and habilitation services to individuals under license issued by the State of Ohio.
(11) Vehicles displaying business name or advertising shall not be parked/stored on site except within a fully enclosed garage.
(12) Operators of home based businesses shall file a permit with the Department of Planning and Development to review compliance with the minimum performance standards.
(13) Permitted home occupations are subject to periodic, unannounced inspections and review by the Administrator to insure compliance with all sections of this Zoning Code.
A zoning permit for a "home occupation" shall be issued by the Administrator and will be required prior to operation of any home based business in conformance with this section. A single one time zoning permit fee as per Section 1129.04 shall be charged.
Requests for home occupation permits which do not meet the performance standards as listed above may submit applications for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and are subject to procedures and requirements per Chapter 1135.
(1969 Code 150.216; Ord. 18-O-075. Passed 9-4-18.)
1157.17 VEHICLE SALES.
The selling of used or previously owned vehicles from residential property is permitted and subject to the following restrictions:
(a) The total number of vehicles for sale during any 12-month period is limited to two (2).
(b) Vehicles for sale must be titled to the current resident or landowner of the property upon which the vehicle is displayed.
(c) A single vehicle for sale may be displayed for a maximum two-week period.
(1969 Code 150.217)