Northampton City Zoning Code
SECTION 5
Use Regulations
§ 350-5.1 Applicability of use regulations.
Except as provided in this chapter, no building, structure, or land shall be used except for the purposes permitted in the district as described in this article. Any use not listed shall be construed to be prohibited. Uses permitted by right, by special permit, or by a variance shall be subject to all other provisions of the Ordinance.
§ 350-5.2 Table of Use Regulations.
A.
The Table of Use Regulations is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Any use which is accessory to a principal use allowed under the Table of Use Regulations shall be allowed only in connection with the bona fide operation of a principal use allowed under the Table of Use Regulations, and subject to the provisions of § 350-5.3 where applicable.
C.
See also:
(1)
Dimension and density regulations: § 350-6.0.
(2)
Sign requirements: § 350-7.0.
(3)
Parking and loading regulations: § 350-8.0.
(5)
Special Conservancy (SC): § 350-13.
(6)
Water Supply Protection District: § 350-15.
(7)
(Reserved)
(8)
Farms, Forests and Rivers District: § 350-17.
(9)
Industrial Park: § 350-19.
§ 350-5.3 Accessory uses.
Any use which is accessory to a principal use allowed by right shall be allowed only in connection with such allowed principal use. Any use which is accessory to a principal use allowed by special permit, and which is not specifically included in the original special permit, shall be allowed only after issuance of a new special permit. Cessation of a principal use shall require cessation of any accessory use which is not otherwise allowed as a principal use. The Building Commissioner shall be responsible for determining what uses are principal and what uses are accessory. The following shall be limitations on certain specific accessory uses:
A.
The keeping of farm animals, to include all farm animals and exotics, and a related private stable, for personal use, is permitted as an accessory use in accordance with the following conditions:
(1)
The minimum acreage required for keeping any farm or exotic animal, except as described below, shall be 30,000 square feet for the first animal and 15,000 square feet for each additional such animal. Animals under six months not to be counted for acreage requirements.
(2)
The minimum acreage required for keeping sheep, goats, llama, rabbits, or poultry, except as allowed under household pets, shall be 30,000 square feet for up to three animals and 10,000 square feet for each additional such animal. Animals under six months not to be counted for acreage requirements. (The requirements for these animals are less stringent than other farm animals because these animals have less environmental impact.)
(3)
The location of any stable shall be not less that 100 feet from any street lot line and not less than 30 feet from any other lot line.
(4)
There must be adequate fencing to contain all farm animals at least 20 feet from all property boundaries at all times, except when animals are being directly supervised by and under control of a person.
(5)
Stables, corrals and yards shall be properly drained and reasonably free from excessive odor, dust, and mud, so as not to create a nuisance or health hazard to the community or to surrounding property owners, from an air or drainage pollution standpoint. Maintenance of the stable and property used in the keeping of animals shall conform to all health and wetland regulations.
B.
The keeping of household pets for personal use is permitted as an accessory use for animals commonly considered household pets, including:
(1)
Dogs.
(2)
Cats.
(3)
Fish.
(4)
Birds (parrots, parakeets, doves, pigeons, etc.).
(5)
Six or fewer rabbits.
(6)
Six or fewer adult female chickens or up to three ducks per parcel or per structure in the case where multiple residential structures exist on one condominium parcel. Additional chicks and ducklings are not subject to this limit. All of the following standards apply:
(a)
Fowl must be maintained on the subject premises.
(b)
Coop and run areas shall be regularly maintained to control dust and odor and not constitute a nuisance or safety hazard.
(c)
Coops shall be located at least four feet from property boundaries, and no coop may be sited closer than 10 feet to an existing residential structure on an abutting parcel.
(d)
All stormwater runoff from the coop, run and compost areas shall be contained on site.
(e)
On-site slaughtering is prohibited.