In order to classify, regulate and restrict the locations of uses and locations of buildings designated for specific areas; and to regulate and determine the areas of yards, courts and other open spaces within or surrounding such buildings, property is hereby classified into districts as prescribed in this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13)

Except where specifically shown by dimension or otherwise on the zoning map, the boundaries of districts are lot or property lines; the centerlines of streets, alleys, or such lines extended; railway right-of-way lines, natural boundary lines such as watercourses, and the municipal corporate limits of the City of Monroe. The board of adjustment shall decide questions concerning the exact location of any district boundary.

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13)

(a)

No building, structure, or land shall hereafter be used or occupied and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.

(b)

No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered:

(1)

To exceed the height;

(2)

To accommodate or house a greater number of families;

(3)

To occupy a greater per centage of lot area;

(4)

To have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards, or other open spaces than herein required, or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this ordinance.

(c)

No part of a yard, open space, off-street parking or loading space required, in connection with any building shall be included as part of the like requirements for any other building.

(d)

No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this ordinance shall be reduced in size or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein except where to do so would lead to lots that are less non-conforming than prior to the resubdivision. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this ordinance shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13)

All land within the corporate limits of the City of Monroe is hereby divided into the following base zoning districts:

R-1 Single-family residential district;

R-2 Single-family attached residential district;

R-3 Medium density residential district;

R-4 High density residential district;

RMH Manufactured home district;

B-1 Neighborhood mixed-use district;

B-2 Neighborhood business district;

B-3 General business/commercial district;

CBD Central business district;

B-4 Heavy commercial district;

I-1 Commercial/industrial business park district;

I-2 Heavy industrial/manufacturing district;

C Campus district;

RF Riverfront district;

OS Open space/recreation district.

(1)

If, in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance and statutes, changes are made in district boundaries or other matter portrayed on the official zoning map, such changes shall be made on this official zoning map quarterly after the amendment has been approved by the city council, and attached to this ordinance. Each such quarterly change of the map shall be dated, signed, and certified. However, amendments shall become effective when adopted by the council.

No change of any nature shall be made in this official zoning map or matter shown thereon except in conformity with the procedure set forth in this ordinance. Any unauthorized changes of whatever kind, by any person or persons, shall be considered a violation of the ordinance and punishable under section 37-121 of this ordinance.

The official zoning map, which shall be located in Monroe in the planning and zoning department shall be the final authority as to the current zoning status of land, buildings, and other structure in the city. The planning and zoning director or his/her designee shall keep the map.

(2)

Classification of annexed territory. All areas taken into the city limits of the City of Monroe shall be classified in the zoning district of the City of Monroe that is consistent with the pertinent elements of the City of Monroe Comprehensive Plan, adjacent zoning classifications, adjacent uses, and the proposed use. The appropriate city zoning shall be determined by the planning and zoning director of the City of Monroe or his/her designee before adoption of an annexation ordinance by the city council of the City of Monroe.

However, the said areas taken into the city may be classified as any district set forth in section 37-33 provided that:

a.

Application be made to the planning and zoning commission by an owner with the area to be annexed for whatever other classification or classifications that may be desired; and

b.

A public hearing shall have been held by the planning and zoning commission meeting the requirements of section 37-130 hereof; and

c.

The planning and zoning commission recommends approval of a district classification or classifications requested to the city council; and

d.

The city council approves by ordinance the district classification approved by the planning and zoning commission.

e.

If the planning and zoning commission and city council do not act upon the application within ninety (90) days from date of the application, it shall be deemed denied.

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13)

The boundaries of each zoning district are to be indicated upon the official zoning map as approved by the city council of the City of Monroe. Said map and subsequent amendments thereto shall be considered as a part of this code.

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13)

The following essential services may be permitted, erected, constructed, altered, or maintained in any zoning district (See subsection 37-130(e)):

(1)

Traffic signals, fire hydrants, and similar equipment and accessories.

(2)

Gas, electric, communication, water supply, and transmission/distribution systems.

(3)

Elevated or underground water storage tanks.

(4)

Storm water and sanitary sewer collection and disposal systems.

(5)

Utility poles, wires, mains, drains, pipes, conduits and cables reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by public utilities, municipal or other governmental agencies for the public health, safety and welfare.

(6)

Streets.

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13)

(a)

R-1 single-family residential district. The purpose and intent of the R-1 single-family residential district is to provide for the location and grouping of low-density, single-family residences with accompanying accessory uses that are protected from the adverse impacts of incompatible nonresidential land uses.

(b)

R-2 single-family attached residential district. The purpose of the single-family attached residential district is to provide for a variety of single-family housing opportunities, at development densities compatible with adjoining single-family detached neighborhoods, which are protected from the adverse impacts of incompatible non-residential land uses.

(c)

R-3 medium density multi-family residential district. The purpose and intent of the R-3 medium density multi-family residential district is to provide for the location and grouping of a variety of single-family and small-scale multi-family residential options while maintaining a single-family neighborhood character.

(d)

R-4 high density multi-family residential district. The purpose and intent of the R-4 high density multi-family residential district shall be to provide moderate to high-density residential neighborhoods for individual buildings on individual lots or for more than one (1) building on one (1) lot. The R-4 district shall accommodate single-family attached dwellings that have common walls, including townhouses, condominiums, congregate and cluster developments as well as multi-family structures ranging in type from triplexes to apartment buildings.

(e)

RMH manufactured home district. The RMH manufactured housing community district is intended to promote orderly planned development of manufactured housing and related accessory uses. Regulations are designed to preserve and protect the residential character of the district and to ensure compatibility with adjacent districts.

Key: P = Permitted Use; Cm = Conditional Use Permit, minor; C = Conditional Use Permit, major; (blank) = Not Permitted

Key: SFD = Single-Family Detached; SFA = Single-Family Attached; 2F = Two-Family; MF = Multi-Family

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 11,933, 5-14-19; Ord. No. 12,276, 10-28-25; Ord. No. 12,277, 10-28-25)

(a)

B-1 neighborhood mixed use district. This district is intended for limited-sized professional and business offices in close proximity to purely residential uses. Moderate density multiple-family residential is permitted. The district is not commercial in character; however, certain limited commercial uses are permitted.

(b)

B-2 neighborhood business district. The purpose of a B-2 neighborhood business district is to provide for the location and grouping of sites for small-scale office, professional services, and retail establishments to support adjacent residential neighborhoods. This district includes establishments that conduct all business operations within an enclosed facility, and which have a limited impact on adjacent residential areas especially in terms of lighting, signage, traffic, odor, noise, and hours of operation. Permitted uses in this district shall be no larger than ten thousand (10,000) square feet in gross floor area.

(c)

B-3 general business/commercial district. The B-3 general business/commercial district is intended to provide sufficient space in appropriate locations for a wide variety of commercial and miscellaneous service activities, generally serving a wide area and located along major arterials. The B-3 district is intended for medium to large-scale, auto or pedestrian-oriented commercial uses and strip commercial developments that require significant parking.

(d)

CBD central business district. The CBD central business district is representative of the core downtown business and retail area. The intent of the district is to recognize the unique and historic character of downtown and the pedestrian orientation of the neighborhood by combining residential uses with commercial, service and office establishments. Lot sizes, setbacks, parking and landscaping requirements shall be more flexible to address the characteristics of an area substantially developed as a commercial district with smaller lots and greater development densities than newer areas of the city.

(e)

B-4 heavy commercial district. The regional commercial district is intended to accommodate a wide variety of commercial and retail uses, as well as offices, businesses and personal services that serve the needs of the community and the region. The intent is to provide for large-scale commercial uses that are typically land intensive and are not well suited to being located in neighborhoods or the central business district. These districts are best located along major arterial streets and highway intersections.

Key: P = Permitted Use; Cm = Conditional Use Permit, minor; C = Conditional Use Permit, major; (blank) = Not Permitted

Key: SFD = Single-Family Detached; SFA = Single-Family Attached; 2F = Two-Family; MF = Multi-Family

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 11,519, 10-28-14; Ord. No. 11,549, 3-10-15; Ord. No. 11,584, 6-23-15; Ord. No. 11,642, 1-12-16; Ord. No. 11,644, 1-26-16; Ord. No. 11,757, 2-28-17; Ord. No. 11,758, 2-28-17; Ord. No. 11,805, 9-26-17; Ord. No. 11,828, 2-27-18; Ord. No. 11,848, 4-24-18; Ord. No. 11,883, 10-23-18; Ord. No. 11,925, 3-26-19; Ord. No. 11,964, 11-12-19; Ord. No. 11,993, 5-26-20; Ord. No. 12,197, 9-26-23; Ord. No. 12,276, 10-28-25; Ord. No. 12,277, 10-28-25)

(a)

I-1 Industrial business park district. The purpose of the I-1 industrial business park district is to permit the development of commercial and industrial uses on individual lots or within commercial or industrial parks, including buildings, roadways, storage yards, loading areas, parking facilities, open space, landscaping, utilities, and storm water management facilities. Whenever possible, uses shall be planned as a unified development with individual buildings and lots integrated into an overall harmonious design. The industrial business park district shall also protect commercial and industrial development against intrusive uses that are incompatible with it.

(b)

I-2 Heavy industrial district. The I-2 heavy industrial district establishes locations within Monroe for existing and future medium to heavy intensity industrial uses. The I-2 district is intended for use by large manufacturing operations, heavy equipment facilities, construction and maintenance yards, fuel businesses and other basic intensive industrial activities normally found in an urban environment. Hazardous uses shall require environmental impact analyses and public review.

Key: P = Permitted Use; Cm = Conditional Use Permit, minor; C = Conditional Use Permit, major; (blank) = Not Permitted

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 11,584, 6-23-15; Ord. No. 11,704, 8-9-16; Ord. No. 11,757, 2-28-17; Ord. No. 11,883, 10-23-18)

(a)

C campus district. The C institutional campus district is intended for large educational or medical campus developments to facilitate an orderly and efficient regulation process for these types of uses. The district establishes a process that is flexible enough to accommodate evolving changes and expansions in campus plans, and creates the proper transitions between campus activities and adjacent neighborhoods. Within the district, development will proceed in accordance with an approved campus master plan that relates to the adjacent districts, the community as a whole, and the needs of the institution.

(b)

RF riverfront district. The purpose of the RF riverfront district is to establish development standards that will enhance redevelopment opportunities along the Ouachita River. The district is intended to encourage and promote the revitalization of the waterfront area, to protect and preserve appropriate areas for public use, and to maintain the unique characteristics of the area.

(c)

OS open space/recreation district. The purpose of the OS open space recreation district is to provide a classification for parks located within neighborhoods; large regional parks and recreation facilities; and greenway corridors that provide connections between neighborhoods and public amenities such as cultural centers and large parks. OS districts may serve both active and passive recreation needs, and includes waterfront recreational activities. OS districts may also include certain ancillary commercial activities such as performance venues and concessions.

Key: P = Permitted Use; Cm = Conditional Use Permit, minor; C = Conditional Use Permit, major; (blank) = Not Permitted

Key: SFD = Single-Family Detached; SFA = Single-Family Attached; 2F = Two-Family; MF = Multi-Family

(Ord. No. 11,443, 11-12-13; Ord. No. 11,564, 4-28-15; Ord. No. 11,703, 8-9-16; Ord. No. 11,816, 12-27-17; Ord. No. 11,829, 2-27-18)