Occoquan City Zoning Code
R-3 DISTRICT
§ 157.080 STATEMENT OF INTENT.
The R-3 District consists of areas in which residential development is likely to take the form of dwellings designed to accommodate more than two families, such as two-family or duplex dwellings, or townhouse projects. When possible, these higher density dwellings shall be built as unified projects rather than on a lot-by-lot basis. This district further consists of open areas which shall be preserved for use as parks and recreation property to ensure a healthful family environment in an area of high population density. This district shall not be spotted with business or commercial uses.
(1998 Code, § 66-111) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017)
§ 157.081 USES PERMITTED.
Structures to be maintained or erected or land to be used shall be restricted to one or more of the following uses.
(A) Uses permitted by right. Uses permitted by right are as follows:
(1) Detached single-family dwellings;
(2) Duplex dwellings;
(3) Townhouse development;
(4) Rooming houses and boardinghouses, operated by a resident and occupant;
(5) Home business occupations conducted by a resident and occupant, as an accessory use, subject to the issuance of a home occupation certificate in accordance with § 157.010;
(6) Homestay, as an accessory use;
(7) Professional offices within detached single-family dwellings, operated by a resident and occupant;
(8)
[Reserved];
(9)
Temporary seasonal display, subject to the following conditions: display must be accessory to the principal use of the property; and display may not be present for more than 45 days;
(10) Public utilities, including poles, lines, distribution transformers, pipes, meters, or other facilities necessary for the provision and maintenance of public utilities, including water and sewerage facilities;
(11) Private or public recreation facilities; events shall be scheduled to complete all activity before or as near to 11:00 p.m., as practical; and
(12) Accessory dwelling, one unit per lot.
(B) Uses permitted by special exception permit approved by Town Council. Uses permitted by special exception permit approved by Town Council are as follows:
(1) Bed and breakfast;
(2) Child care facilities;
(3) Professional offices within townhouse dwellings, operated by a resident and occupant; and
(4) Private club facilities.
(1998 Code, § 66-112) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017; Ord. O-2024-03, passed 9-17-2024)
Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 157.082 SIGNS PERMITTED.
§ 157.083 AREA REGULATIONS.
(A) Residential lots containing or intended to contain detached single-family dwellings shall have a minimum lot area of 6,000 square feet.
(B) Residential lots containing or intended to contain duplex dwellings shall have a minimum lot area of 12,000 square feet.
(C) The average lot width for any group of townhouses shall be at least 20 feet. At least 40% of the total area of any townhouse project, including area on individual lots, shall be devoted to landscaped open space. Preservation of desirable natural vegetation may substitute for landscape plantings upon approval of the Town Council. The maximum number of attached units in any one group or series shall be eight. No townhouse lot shall be arranged or developed in such a way as to necessitate vehicles backing out onto any public street. Individual townhouse lots may front on private streets, provided there is an access easement to a publicly maintained street. Individual townhouse lots shall be platted outside of any private streets or common parking areas. Private streets shall be constructed in accordance with § 156.068(B). The provisions of this division (C) may be modified by the Town Council as part of the approval of a rezoning or special use permit.
(D) The minimum lot area for any multifamily structure shall be at least 10,000 square feet, and the minimum width shall be 100 feet. Not more than 16 multifamily units may be established per acre. At least 30% of the land area in any project shall be devoted to landscaped open space.
(1998 Code, § 66-114) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 157.084 SETBACK REGULATIONS.
(A) Single-family dwellings within the R-3 District shall be located 25 feet or more from any public street right-of-way that is 50 feet or more in width, or 60 feet or more from the centerline of any public street right-of-way less than 50 feet in width. This shall be known as the setback line.
(B) Duplex and townhouse dwellings shall be set back at least 25 feet from the public or private street right-of-way; except that when parking is provided in the rear or side of a unit, the setback from a public or private street right-of-way or easement shall be a minimum of ten feet. In all cases, a minimum front yard of ten feet shall be required; and such front yard shall not be encumbered by common parking areas, private streets, travel ways, or sidewalks other than the entrance walk to the individual unit or parking spaces for the individual unit. No more than two abutting attached units shall have the same setback. Minimum setback variations shall be two feet.
(C) Multifamily dwellings shall be set back at least 25 feet from street right-of-way or the private street portion of access easements, whichever is closer.
(D) The setback regulations in this section shall not apply in the Old and Historic Occoquan District.
(1998 Code, § 66-115) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 157.085 FRONTAGE REGULATIONS.
The front of a corner lot shall be deemed to be the shorter of the two sides fronting on streets.
(1998 Code, § 66-116) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017)
§ 157.086 YARD REGULATIONS.
(A) Side.
(1) The minimum side yard for detached single-family dwellings shall be ten feet on each side.
(2) The minimum side yard for duplex dwellings shall be ten feet on each side.
(3) For townhouse lots, there shall be no side yard required except for end units, which shall have a minimum ten-foot side yard for each end unit.
(4) Multifamily dwellings shall have a minimum side yard on each side of at least 25 feet.
(5) Decks are not permitted in the minimum side area.
(6) Side yards within the Old and Historic Occoquan District shall be exempt.
(B) Rear. Each main building shall have a rear yard of at least 20 feet, of which no more than ten feet may be occupied by an uncovered deck.
(C) Closeness. No accessory building shall be closer than five feet to any lot line.
(1998 Code, § 66-117) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017) Penalty, see § 10.99
§ 157.087 HEIGHT REGULATIONS.
(A)
Buildings may be erected up to 35 feet in height from the average of the finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls.
(B) Public or semipublic buildings, such as a school, library, or hospital, may be erected to a height of 60 feet from grade, provided that required front, side, and rear yards shall be increased one foot for each foot in height over 35 feet.
(C) Spires, belfries, cupolas, monuments, water towers, chimneys, flues, flagpoles, television antennas, and radio aerials are exempt.
(D) Parapet walls may be up to four feet above the height of the building on which the walls rest.
(E) [Reserved].
(F) The height limitations contained in this section may be modified as part of the approval of a special use permit or rezoning.
(1998 Code, § 66-118) (Ord. passed 9-5-2017; Ord. O-2024-03, passed 9-17-2024)
Penalty, see § 10.99