North Liberty City Zoning Code
168.02 RESIDENTIAL
DISTRICTS.
1. RS Districts Defined.
(Ord. 2023-26 – Jan. 24 Supp.)
B. RS-4 Single-Unit Residence District. The RS-4 District is intended to provide and maintain low-density single-unit residential neighborhoods. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RS-4 District.
C. RS-6 Single-Unit Residence District. The RS-6 District is intended to provide for and maintain moderate density single-unit residential neighborhoods. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RS-6 District.
D. RS-7 Single-Unit Residence District. The RS-7 District is intended to provide for and maintain moderate to high-density single-unit residential neighborhoods. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RS-7 District.
E. RS-8 Single-Unit Residence District. The RS-8 District is intended to provide for and maintain moderate to high-density single-unit residential neighborhoods. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RS-8 District. The use of the RS-8, Single-Unit Residence District shall be limited to the existing RS-8 Districts within the City, primarily designated as the original town of North Liberty bounded by Zeller Street, Dubuque Street, Penn Street, and Stewart Street. The use of the RS-8 Zoning District for any new development within the City is discouraged as being incompatible with the desired design standards for the City.
F. RS-9 Single-Unit Residence District. The RS-9 District is intended to provide for and maintain high-density single-unit residential neighborhoods. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RS-8 District.
2. RD Districts Defined.
A. RD-8 Two-Unit Residence District. The RD-8 District is intended to allow for attached single-unit dwellings joined together on a common boundary line with a common wall between the units. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RD-8 District.
B. RD-10 Two-Unit Residence District. The RD-10 District is intended to allow for attached single-unit dwellings joined together on a common boundary line with a common wall between the units. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RD-10 District.
3. RM Districts Defined.
A. RM-8 Multi-Unit Residence District. The RM-8 District is intended to provide and maintain medium-density, multiple-unit housing residential neighborhoods with a maximum residential density of 8 units/acre. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RM-8 District.
B. RM-12 Multi-Unit Residence District. The RM-12 District is intended to provide and maintain medium-density, multiple-unit housing residential neighborhoods with a maximum residential density of 12 units/acre. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RM-12 District.
C. RM-14 Multi-Unit Residence District. The RM-14 District is intended to provide and maintain medium-density, multiple-unit housing residential neighborhoods with a maximum residential density of 14 units/acre. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RM-14 District.
D. RM-21 Multi-Unit Residence District. The RM-21 District is intended to provide and maintain high-density, multiple-unit housing residential neighborhoods with a maximum residential density of 21 units/acre. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the RM-21 District.
(Ord. 2025-10 – Aug. 25 Supp.)
4. R-MH Residential Manufactured Home District Defined. The R-MHP District is intended to accommodate manufactured home parks, which are areas containing manufactured home sites arranged on a large tract, typically under single ownership, and designed to accommodate manufactured homes. Limited non-residential uses that are compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods may be permitted in the R-MH District.
A. RS Districts.
Table 168.02-A Dimensional Standards SF = Square Feet,
’
= Feet | ||||||
RS-3 | RS-4 | RS-6 | RS-7 | RS-8 | RS-9 | |
Table 168.02-A Dimensional Standards SF = Square Feet,
’
= Feet | |||||||
RS-3 | RS-4 | RS-6 | RS-7 | RS-8 | RS-9 | ||
Bulk | |||||||
Minimum Lot Area | 15,000 SF | 10,000 SF | 7,000 SF | 6,000 SF | 5,000 SF | 4,500 SF | |
Minimum Frontage | 50’ | 40’ | 35’ | 35’ | 35’ | 35’ | |
Minimum Lot Width | 100’ | 80’ | 70’ | 60’ | 60’ | 40’ | |
Maximum Building Height | 35’ | 35’ | 35’ | 35’ | 35’ | 35’ | |
Setbacks | |||||||
Minimum Required Front Yard | 25’ | 25’ | 25’ | 20’ | 20’ | 20* | |
Minimum Required Corner Side Yard | 25’ | 25’ | 25’ | 20’ | 20’ | 25’ | |
Minimum Required Side Yard | 10’ | 10’ | 8’ | 5’ | 5’ | 5’ | |
Minimum Required Rear Yard | 30’ | 30’ | 30’ | 25’ | 25’ | 25’ | |
*Garage doors facing a public street shall be setback a minimum of 25’. | |||||||
(Ord. 2024-09 – Aug. 25 Supp.)
B. RD and RM Districts.
Table 168.02-B Dimensional Standards SF = Square Feet, DU= Dwelling Unit, ' = Feet | |||||||
RD-8 | RD-10 | RM-8 | RM-12 | RM-14 | RM-21 | ||
Bulk (Prior to Subdividing into DU Individual Lots) | |||||||
Minimum Lot Area
|
10,000 SF
|
9,000 SF
|
21,780 SF
|
21,780 SF
|
21,780 SF
|
21,780 SF | |
Minimum Frontage
|
40'
|
35'
|
75'
|
50'
|
50'
|
50' | |
Minimum Lot Width
|
100'
|
80'
|
100'
|
80'
|
80'
|
80' | |
Maximum Building Height
|
35'
|
35'
|
40'
|
40'
|
45'
|
65' | |
Maximum Density | -- | -- | 8 DU/Acre | 12 DU/Acre | 14 DU/Acre | 21 DU/Acre | |
Setbacks (Prior to Subdividing into Individual DU Lots)
| |||||||
Minimum Required Front Yard
|
25'
|
25'
|
25' *
|
25' *
|
25' *
|
25' ***
| |
Minimum Required Corner Side Yard
|
25'
|
25'
|
25' *
|
25' *
|
25' *
|
25' ***
| |
Minimum Required Side Yard
|
8'
| 5'
| 5' if that side yard abuts RM District, otherwise 15'
| 5' if that side yard abuts RM District, otherwise 15'
| 5' if that side yard abuts RM District, otherwise 15'
| 10' **
| |
Minimum Required Rear Yard | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' ** | |
Bulk (After Subdividing into Individual DU Lots) | |||||||
Minimum Lot Area
|
5,000 SF | 4,500 SF | 1,500 SF | 1,500 SF | 1,500 SF | 1,500 SF | |
Minimum Frontage
|
25' | 20' | 10' | 10' | 10' | 10' | |
Minimum Lot Width
|
50' | 40' | 15' | 15' | 15' | 15' | |
Maximum Building Height
|
35' | 35' | 40' | 40' | 40' | 40' | |
Setbacks (After Subdividing into Individual DU Lots) | |||||||
Minimum Required Front Yard | 25' | 25' | 25' * | 25' * | 25' * | 25' * ** | |
Minimum Required Corner Side Yard | 25' | 25' | 25' * | 25' * | 25' * | 25' * ** | |
Minimum Required Side Yard (Between Units) | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | 0' | |
Minimum Required Side Yard (at the End of Units) | 8' | 5' | 5' if that side yard abuts RM District, otherwise 15' | 5' if that side yard abuts RM District, otherwise 15' | 5' if that side yard abuts RM District, otherwise 15' | 10' ** | |
Minimum Required Rear Yard | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' | 30' ** | |
* Townhouses may reduce setback to a minimum of 20 except when garage doors face a public street. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there shall be a minimum setback of 20 to any sidewalk or street edge ** One foot of additional setback is required for every one-foot of building height above 45 | |||||||
C. R-MH District.
Table 168.02-C Dimensional Standards SF = Square Feet, ' = Feet | |||
Manufactured Home Park | Manufactured Home Site | ||
Bulk | |||
Minimum Lot Area | 10 acres | 5,500 SF | |
Minimum Frontage | 400' | 35' | |
Minimum Lot Width | 500' | 50' | |
Maximum Building Height | -- | 35' | |
Minimum Separation Distance | -- | 10' as measured between the walls of manufactured homes | |
Setbacks | |||
Minimum Required Front Yard | 25' | 20' | |
Minimum Required Corner Side Yard | 25' | 20' | |
Minimum Required Side Yard | 25' | -- | |
Minimum Required Rear Yard | 25' | 25' | |
(Ord. 2024-09 – Aug. 25 Supp.)
6. District Specific Design Standards.
A. RS-7 Single-Unit Resident District. The RS-7 District shall be subject to the following:
(1) Planned Area Development submittal.
(2) A variety of housing designs are required. A Planning Commission subcommittee will be created to review all elevations of proposed home design before building permits are issued. If the subcommittee does not approve of an elevation, the applicant may appeal to the Commission for final approval.
(3) Alleys are preferred. A homeowners association will be responsible for maintenance of alleys.
(4) One two-inch caliper tree will be required in the front yard of each lot within the RS-7 District.
(5) One two-inch caliper tree will be required in the corner side yard of each lot within the RS-7 District.
(6) A minimum of 25 percent of the development shall be reserved as open space.
