Accessory uses are allowed with permitted uses that have already been built or are under construction and are subject to the following criteria:

1. A.
   The use or structure is subordinate to the primary use and serves the primary use or the principal structure;
2. B.
   The accessory use is subordinate in area, extent and purpose to the primary use served;
3. C.
   The accessory use contributes to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants of the primary use;
4. D.
   The accessory use shall be located within the same zoning district as the primary use; and
5. E.
   Accessory uses located in residential districts shall not be used for commercial purposes other than ancillary to the permitted home occupations.

Effective on: 2/25/2015

Accessory Buildings/Structures are allowed in conjunction with principal structures that have already been built and are subject to the following criteria:

1. A.
   General

   1. 1.
      Accessory buildings, with the exception of carports, may encroach into required yards according to each zoning districts permitted encroachment allowances.
   2. 2.
      No accessory building may be constructed upon a lot until the construction of the principal structure has been commenced, unless the accessory building is necessary for the material storage and construction of the principal structure, and only when approved by the Planning Director.
   3. 3.
      No accessory building may be used unless the principal structure is also being used, as permitted in 4.6.2(B).
   4. 4.
      No accessory structure shall exceed the height of the principal structure to which it is accessory.
2. B.
   Single-Family and Two-Family Residential Uses

   1. 1.
      A lot being used for residential purposes may have no more than one shed, workshop or similar type of accessory building per dwelling unit. An unattached garage, carport, and/or an accessory dwelling unit shall be exempt from the per lot accessory building/structure calculation.
   2. 2.
      Accessory buildings may not exceed twenty-five (25%) percent of the gross floor area of the first floor of the principal structure, with exception of accessory dwelling units as otherwise provided within this Subchapter.
   3. 3.
      Carports are permitted in A, SF-E, SF-S, SF-R, SF-MU, 2-F, and MH zoning districts. If permitted by right or by an architectural waiver, single-family and two-family residential accessory carports shall comply with the following standards. Carports structurally integrated into the residence’s initial building plan and architecturally consistent with the principal structure’s design are permitted, but must also meet the following standards.

1. a.
   Shall contain a paved surface underneath and leading to the carport structure.
2. b.
   Shall meet all building setbacks applicable to the principal structure.
3. c.
   Pre-fabricated metal carports shall not be permitted.
4. d.
   Subject property shall not have any covenants, conditions, or restrictions prohibiting carports. If such property has such restriction, but allows for exceptions if permitted by the homeowner’s association architectural review, the Planning Director may consider such request consistent with the provisions stated herein.
5. e.
   Shall consist of similar architectural theme and constructed of materials consistent with the principal structure, including but not limited to support posts and roofing materials.
6. f.
   The carport shall be generally located to the side or rear of the principal structure. A carport shall not be located between the principal structure and the public right-of-way, unless the carport is architecturally integrated into the overall design of the principal structure, and only when approved by the Planning Director.

3. C.
   Multi-family Uses

   1. 1.
      Accessory carports are permitted when structurally integrated in the principal structure or free-standing structures with similar architectural materials and design of the principal structure. Metal roofing shall be permitted.
   2. 2.
      Accessory structures shall comply with the architectural standards of the district consistent with the principal structures.
4. D.
   Commercial and Industrial Uses

Accessory carports and accessory structures are permitted and shall comply with the canopy standards applicable to such zoning districts.

5. E.
   Agricultural Uses

Applicable to the Agriculture/ Conservation (A) zoning district and land in the City’s ETJ subject to non-annexation development agreements pursuant to Section 212.172 and Section 43.035 of the Texas Local Government Code, accessory carports and accessory structures associated with agricultural land uses are permitted and may consist of metal or wood.

Effective on: 2/25/2015

1. A.
   Attached Dwelling Units:

   1. 1.
      An attached dwelling unit shall be permitted provided the owner of the principal structure resides in the principal structure.
   2. 2.
      An attached dwelling unit, including a “casita”, shall be architecturally integrated into the principal structure with an appearance of one cohesive residence, and maintain the principal structure building setbacks.
   3. 3.
      In order to maintain an appearance of a single residential structure, exterior entrances should be limited to a common entryway. Where separate entrances are desired, only one entry point shall face the public street, with the additional entrance architecturally integrated into the design of the structure so that the door does not face, or its visibility is minimized, from view from the public street. Additional access from the attached dwelling unit to the rear yard shall be permitted, provided it is screened from public view.
   4. 4.
      The floor area of the attached dwelling unit shall not be greater in size than half of the first floor’s gross floor living area of the principal structure.
   5. 5.
      A garage for an accessory dwelling unit shall be located adjacent to the principal structure garage to provide an appearance of a cohesive garage. At no time shall garages be permitted on opposite sides of the principal structure unit.
   6. 6.
      An attached dwelling unit shall be considered an extension of a single-family detached structure and therefore shall be subject to the material and design requirements as required in Subchapter 9.

2. B.
   Detached Dwelling Units:

1. A.
   A detached dwelling unit shall be permitted provided the owner of the principal structure resides in the principal structure.
2. B.
   A detached dwelling unit shall generally be located behind the rear façade of the principal structure and comply with the accessory building setback encroachments provided in Section 4.2.4 D. of this Subchapter. A detached dwelling unit, including a detached “casita” may be considered in front of the principal structure if the unit maintains the principal building setbacks, is architecturally integrated into the design of the principal structure to appear as one single residential structure, and is integrated as a component of a private courtyard.
3. C.
   A minimum 10-ft building separation shall be provided between the principal structure and a detached dwelling unit as measured from the footprint of each unit, unless each structure is connected via a “breezeway” or similar connected roofline. If the minimum building separation cannot be met, an alternative fire protection measure approved by the Building Official may be considered.
4. D.
   At no time shall a detached accessory dwelling unit have a separate water or wastewater meter, or be allowed to be subdivided from the principal lot. A detached accessory dwelling unit may be assigned a “Unit B” or similar type of assignment for emergency service purposes.
5. E.
   The detached dwelling unit floor area shall not be greater in size than half of the first floor’s gross floor living area of the principal structure.
6. F.
   A detached dwelling unit shall be considered an extension of a single-family detached structure and therefore designed with a cohesive architectural appearance as the principal structure, including but not limited to material type, material percentages, and general design. Nothing provided herein shall exempt the detached dwelling unit from complying with the material requirements provided in Subchapter 9.1 for a single-family detached structure.

3. C.
   Accessory Dwelling Unit in Non-Residential Zoning

One accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted in a nonresidential district, except the General Industrial (GI), only as required for the conduct or support of the operation of the nonresidential use such as the provision of custodial or security services, management or other essential service. The dwelling shall be located in the same building as the primary use and shall not be less than 600 square feet

Effective on: 2/25/2015

A home occupation is that accessory use of a dwelling that constitutes all or some portion of the livelihood of a person or persons living in the dwelling. Home occupations are subject to the following limitations:

1. A.
   The primary business operations must be conducted entirely within a dwelling unit, with exception that minor fabrication or incidental storage of materials shall be allowed in an accessory building or workshop.
2. B.
   They must employ only members of the immediate family of a resident of the dwelling unit.
3. C.
   They may not have a separate exterior entrance for the business
4. D.
   The home occupation shall not generate customer related vehicular traffic in excess of three vehicle trips per twenty four (24) hour day in the residential neighborhood.
5. E.
   No equipment or materials associated with the home occupation shall be displayed or stored where visible from anywhere off the premises.
6. F.
   A home occupation shall not be advertised by any signs on the premises, nor shall the street address of the home occupation be advertised through signs, billboards, television, radio, or newspapers.
7. G.
   In home day cares must not provide care for more than six children, who are not related by blood or marriage, or legal wards or foster children of the attendant adult.  This use is subject to regulation by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services.
8. H.
   The occupation shall not be a hazard to persons or property and may not produce external noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odor, heat, glare, fumes, electrical interference or waste run-off outside the dwelling unit or on the property surrounding the dwelling unit.
9. I.
   A bed and breakfast is subject to the following additional regulations:

1. A.
   A bed and breakfast shall be considered an accessory use to a single-family dwelling, in which no more than two (2) guests of the bed and breakfast may occupy a guest bedroom on the property overnight.
2. B.
   The bed and breakfast shall be on the same site as an occupied building, maintain a residential appearance, and be the permanent residence of the proprietor.
3. C.
   A guest bedroom, not located within the principal building, shall comply with the accessory dwelling unit requirements provided within this Subchapter.
4. D.
   Each bed and breakfast establishment is permitted to a maximum of four (4) total guest bedrooms and common bathrooms within the principal building and/or accessory dwelling, excluding one (1) bedroom for the property owner.
5. E.
   One (1) smoke alarm shall be provided in each guest bedroom along with a fire extinguisher visible and be accessible to guests. One (1) smoke alarm shall be provided along the associated hallway leading to the guest bedroom.
6. F.
   Cooking facilities such as a stove, counter-top burner, oven, microwave, hotplate, electrical griddle, toaster oven, or crock pot are not allowed in individual rooms.

10. J.
    Prohibited Home Occupations. The following home occupations are prohibited:

1. A.
   Barber, beauty, physical training and other personal services;
2. B.
   Animal hospitals, stables or kennels;
3. C.
   Dance studios, schools;
4. D.
   Mortuaries;
5. E.
   Private clubs;
6. F.
   Repair shops;
7. G.
   Restaurants;
8. H.
   Automobile paint or repair shops;
9. I.
   Doctor, dentist, veterinarian or other medically related office; or
10. J.
    Rooming/Boarding House.

Effective on: 2/25/2015

The following requirements apply to all outdoor display and storage in all nonresidential zoning districts. The following are not subject to these requirements: personal or recreational automotive sales (new or used), a florist, garden shop, landscape nursery, or temporary uses, as provided in Subsection 4.7.

1. Outdoor Display (Non-Residential Zoning Districts)

   Outdoor display is the display of items actively for sale and shall adhere to the following standards:

   1. Outdoor display of merchandise shall not occupy any required parking spaces, landscape area, pedestrian accessibility, or fire lane.
   2. Outdoor display shall not extend into public right-of-way or onto adjacent property and must be kept within 15 feet of the principal structure.
   3. Outdoor display shall be displayed in a neat and orderly manner and maintained in a clean, litter-free manner.
   4. Outdoor display may not be located on the roof of any structure.
   5. The outdoor display area shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the square footage of the principal structure or 500 square feet, whichever is less with the following exceptions:
      1. Outdoor home accessory sales are exempt from this requirement.
      2. Passenger vehicle rental - Outdoor display of passenger vehicles for rent is exempt from this requirement.  This does not include vehicles used for moving.
      3. Moving vehicle rental – Rental of vehicles utilized for moving of goods, personal or commercial, are limited to a maximum of four (4) parking spaces for the purposes of outdoor display. All other moving vehicles shall be screened in accordance with the outdoor storage requirements.
   6. All sales of such merchandise shall be consummated indoors, and no cash register or package-wrapping counter shall be located outdoors.
   7. The maximum height of merchandise shall not exceed four (4) feet with the exception of vehicle rental.
   8. Outdoor display is not required to be screened.
   9. Automotive parts and accessories shall not remain outdoors for more than 12 consecutive hours or will otherwise be required to follow the standards for outdoor storage.
   10. Bulk landscape nursery products, including but not limited to, mulch and potting soil, and sand, may be displayed outside; however, it shall be screened so that it is not visible from the public right-of-way and major drive aisles.
2. Outdoor Storage (Non-Residential Zoning Districts)

   Outdoor storage is the storage of products or goods on a temporary to permanent basis.  Passenger vehicle rental is exempt from these requirements.  All other uses providing outdoor storage shall adhere to the following standards:

   1. Outdoor storage areas are allowed for the purpose of storing goods for a nonresidential enterprise. All outdoor storage areas shall meet each required district building setback lines.
   2. The location of outdoor storage areas shall be limited to the side or rear of the primary structure to which the facility belongs and a minimum 4' from the principal building. At no point shall materials be located in front of any portion of the principal building.
   3. A six (6) foot masonry wall is required to screen outdoor storage when the property is located adjacent to property zoned more restrictive than the subject site, or when the storage is visible from a public right of way or major drive aisle. This requirement is in addition to the requirements of Subchapter 11, except where there is conflict, this provision controls.
   4. Outdoor storage shall be prohibited on the roofs of structures.
   5. The outdoor storage area shall not encroach upon the required off-street parking, pedestrian access, fire lanes, and maneuvering areas of the site.
   6. Outdoor storage of equipment and vehicular storage shall be on a paved surface in accordance with the surfacing requirements of Section 10.4.3.
   7. The outdoor storage area is limited to a maximum 1% of the square footage of the principal structure or tenant space, or 100 square feet, whichever is less, within office, retail, commercial zoning districts and the Campus Industrial (CI) district with the following exceptions:
      1. Mini storage facilities, which may provide for outside storage of vehicles (automobiles and recreational vehicles), shall be limited to a maximum area of 25% of the square footage of all structures on-site if the aforementioned screening is provided. For purposes of this definition, a carport as described in Section 4.6.2(D) with opaque screening of the entire height and length of the vehicle contained inside the carport, on all sides visible to an adjoining property and at a minimum of three sides, shall not be classified as open storage of vehicles. A separate structure on the property may be considered screening if the entire extent of the vehicle is not visible from the adjoining property or public right-of-way.
      2. Accessory use of vehicle storage is exempt from the limitation on area as long as all other provisions for outdoor storage are met. For example, trucks utilized for moving, fleet vehicles or vehicles receiving auto repair.

[Ord. # 1435-20-03-10, Amend Sec. 4.6.5, 03/10/2020]

Effective on: 3/10/2020