Portsmouth City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1133
Districts
1133.01 INTRODUCTION TO DISTRICTS.
(a) Establishment of the Zoning Map.
(1) The City is divided into distinct geographic areas, known as districts, as shown on the Zoning Map, which, together with all explanatory matter thereon, is adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Zoning Code.
(2) Districts are intended to promote compatible land uses within a defined geographic area by establishing limitations on the use, placement, and scale of structures within the district.
(3) The Zoning Map shall be the final authority as to the current district status of lots in the City and any structures built upon such lots.
(4) No changes of any nature shall be made to the Zoning Map or matter shown thereon except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Zoning Code. Any unauthorized change of whatever kind by any person or persons shall be considered a violation of this Zoning Code.
(5) The Zoning Map shall be maintained in an accurate manner and available to the public at the City's offices and online at http://www.sciotocountyengineer.org/oneview/.
(b) List of Districts. The City includes the following districts:
(1) Rural District (R)
(2) Hillside Neighborhood District (HN)
(3) Traditional Neighborhood District (TN)
(4) Downtown District (D)
(5) Corridor District (C)
(6) University District (U)
(7) Medical District (M)
(8) Industrial Flex District (IF)
(9) Parks and Open Space District (P)
(c) Compliance with Regulations. Specific standards are applicable to each district are set forth in this chapter. Additional applicable development standards are included elsewhere in the Zoning Code, such as use-specific standards in Chapter 1135 and generally applicable standards in Chapter 1137.
(d) Illustration of Dimensional Standards. Below are illustrative graphics indicating the measures of lot frontage, front setback, side setback, rear setback, lot area, and impervious coverage. These dimensional terms are also defined in the Glossary, Chapter 1143.
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(a) Purpose. The Rural District intends to promote rural character and geological stability through large lots and low-intensity uses.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 20 ft. min. |
Side Setback | 20 ft. min. |
Rear Setback | 40 ft. min. |
Structure Height | 40 ft. max. |
Impervious Coverage | 30% max. |
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(c) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. No lot may have more than one principal use.
(In the list below, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use-specific standards in Chapter 1135.)
Agricultural
• Agriculture
• Neighborhood Agriculture
Industrial
• Artisan Manufacturing
Institutional
• Government Services
• Religious Place of Worship
• School (C)
Lodging
• Small Lodging (A)
Parking
• Large Surface Parking (A)
• Small Surface Parking (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Conservation Recreation
• Medium Outdoor Recreation
• Recreational Lodging
• Small Outdoor Recreation
Residential
• Dwelling
Services
• Air Transport Services (C)
• Animal Care
• Automotive Services
• Family Care Services
• Professional Services
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)
1133.03 HILLSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT (HN).
(a) Purpose. The Hillside Neighborhood District intends to support low-density residential development compatible with steep topography.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 20 ft. min. |
Side Setback | 20 ft. min. |
Rear Setback | 30 ft. min. |
Structure Height | 35 ft. max. |
Impervious Coverage | 40% max. |
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(c) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. No lot may have more than one principal use.
(In the list below, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use-specific standards in Chapter 1135.)
Agricultural
• Agriculture
• Neighborhood Agriculture (A)
Industrial
• Artisan Manufacturing
Institutional
• Government Services (C)
• Religious Place of Worship (C)
• School (C)
Parking
• Small Surface Parking (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Conservation Recreation
• Small Outdoor Recreation
Residential
• Dwelling
Services
• Animal Care
• Family Care Services
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)
1133.04 TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRICT (TN).
(a) Purpose. The Traditional Neighborhood District intends to support medium- density residential uses in well-connected, walkable neighborhoods.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 8 ft. min.; 30 ft. max. |
Side Setback | 3 ft. min. |
Rear Setback | 30 ft. min. |
Structure Height | 35 ft. max. |
Impervious Coverage | 65% max. |
(c) Parking Location. No parking area may be situated closer to the front lot line than any front-facing exterior wall of any principal structure(s) on the same lot, except in the case of through-lots. If the parking area is located on a lot that does not contain a principal structure, refer to the parking area regulations in Section 1137.03 (b).
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(d) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. No lot may have more than one principal use.
(In the list below, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use-specific standards in Chapter 1135.)
Agricultural
• Neighborhood Agriculture (A)
Industrial
• Artisan Manufacturing
Institutional
• Government Services (C)
• Religious Place of Worship
• School (C)
Parking
• Small Surface Parking (A)
• Structured Parking (C) (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Conservation Recreation
• Indoor Recreation or Leisure (C)
• Large Outdoor Recreation (C)
• Medium Outdoor Recreation
• Restaurant or Bar
• Small Scale Outdoor Recreation
Residential
• Dwelling
Retail
• Large Retail (C)
• Small Retail
Sales
• Automotive Sales (C)
• Commercial Sales (C)
Services
• Animal Care (C)
• Automotive Services (C)
• Car Rental Services
• Commercial Services (C)
• Family Care Services
• General Personal Services
• Professional Services
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)
1133.05 DOWNTOWN DISTRIT (D).
(a) Purpose. The Downtown District promotes the development of medium-to-high- density residential and commercial uses in walkable, highly connected neighborhoods.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 0 ft. min. |
Side Setback | 0 ft. min. |
Rear Setback | 30 ft. min. |
Structure Height | 100 ft. max.; elevator or stair penthouses may exceed the height limit by 12 ft. if set back at least 20 ft. from roof edge |
Impervious Coverage | N/A |
(c) Parking Location. No parking area may be situated closer to the front lot line than any front- facing exterior wall of any principal structure(s) on the same lot, except in the case of through-lots. If the parking area is located on a lot that does not contain a principal structure, refer to the parking area regulations in Section 1137.03(b).
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(d) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. More than one principal use per lot is permitted.
(In the list below, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use- specific standards in Chapter 1135.)
Industrial
• Artisan Manufacturing
• Small Light Industrial
Institutional
• Arts, Science, and Cultural
• Government Administration
• Government Services
• Religious Place of Worship
• School
Lodging
• Large Lodging
• Small Lodging (A)
Parking
• Large Surface Parking (A)
• Small Surface Parking (A)
• Structured Parking (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Conservation Recreation
• Indoor Recreation or Leisure
• Restaurant or Bar
• Small Outdoor Recreation
Residential
• Cooperative Dwelling
• Dwelling
Retail
• Large Retail
• Small Retail
Sales
• Automotive Sales
• Commercial Sales
Services
• Animal Care
• Automotive Services
• Car Rental Services
• Commercial Services
• Family Care Services
• General Personal Services
• Ground Transport Services
• Professional Services
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)
1133.06 CORRIDOR DISTRICT (C).
(a) Purpose. The Corridor District promotes commercial and residential uses surrounding the U.S. Route 52 and U.S. Route 23 corridors.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 5 ft. min. |
Side Setback | 0 ft. min. |
Rear Setback | 0 ft. min. for a rear yard that abuts only non-residential uses; 40 ft. min. for a rear yard that abuts a residential use |
Structure Height | 60 ft. max. |
Impervious Coverage | 75% max. |
(c) Parking Location. No parking area may be situated closer to the front lot line than any front- facing exterior wall of any principal structure(s) on the same lot, except in the case of through-lots. If the parking area is located on a lot that does not contain a principal structure, refer to the parking area regulations in Section 1137.03(b).
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(d) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. More than one principal use per lot is permitted.
Agricultural
• Neighborhood Agriculture (A)
Industrial
• Artisan Manufacturing
• Heavy Industrial (C)
• Large Light Industrial (C)
• Small Light Industrial
Institutional
• Arts, Science, and Cultural
• Government Administration
• Government Services
• Religious Place of Worship
• School
Lodging
• Large Lodging
• Small Lodging (A)
Parking
• Large Surface Parking (A)
• Small Surface Parking (A)
• Structured Parking (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Conservation Recreation
• Indoor Recreation or Leisure
• Large Outdoor Recreation
• Medium Outdoor Recreation
• Restaurant or Bar
• Small Outdoor Recreation
Residential
• Dwelling
Retail
• Large Retail
• Small Retail
Sales
• Automotive Sales
• Commercial Sales
Services
• Addiction Treatment Facility
• Animal Care
• Automotive Services
• Car Rental Services
• Commercial Services
• Emergency Medical Care
• Family Care Services
• General Personal Services
• Ground Transport Services
• Professional Services
NOTES. In the use list, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use-specific standards in Chapter 1135.
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)
1133.07 UNIVERSITY DISTRICT (U).
(a) Purpose. The University District promotes a mix of residential, commercial, and institutional uses within and surrounding the campus of Shawnee State University.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 0 ft. min. |
Side Setback | 0 ft. min. |
Rear Setback | 20 ft. min. when abutting a lot outside of the University District; 0 ft. min. when abutting a lot within the University District. |
Structure Height | 100 ft. max. |
Impervious Coverage | 75% max. |
(c) Parking Location. No parking area may be situated closer to the front lot line than any front- facing exterior wall of any principal structure(s) on the same lot, except in the case of through-lots. If the parking area is located on a lot that does not contain a principal structure, refer to the parking area regulations in Section 1137.03(b).
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(d) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. More than one principal use per lot is permitted.
Agricultural
• Agriculture
• Neighborhood Agriculture (A)
Industrial
• Artisan Manufacturing
• Small Light Industrial
Institutional
• Arts, Science, and Cultural
• Government Administration
• Government Services
• Religious Place of Worship
• School
Lodging
• Large Lodging
• Small Lodging (A)
Parking
• Large Surface Parking (A)
• Small Surface Parking (A)
• Structured Parking (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Conservation Recreation
• Indoor Recreation or Leisure
• Large Outdoor Recreation
• Medium Outdoor Recreation
• Restaurant or Bar
• Small Outdoor Recreation
Residential
• Cooperative Dwelling
• Dwelling
Retail
• Large Retail
• Small Retail
Services
• Air Transport Services (C)
• Animal Care
• Automotive Services
• Car Rental Services
• Commercial Services
• Emergency Medical Care
• Family Care Services
• General Personal Services
• Ground Transport Services
• Professional Services
NOTES: In the use list, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use-specific standards in Chapter 1135.
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)
1133.08 MEDICAL DISTRICT (M).
(a) Purpose. The Medical District is intended to promote mixed-use development within and surrounding Portsmouth’s hospital center.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 10 ft. min. |
Side Setback | 0 ft. min. |
Rear Setback | 20 ft. min. when abutting a lot outside of the Medical District; 0 ft. min. when abutting a lot within the Medical District. |
Structure Height | 100 ft. max. |
Impervious Coverage | 75% max. |
(c) Parking Location. No parking area may be situated closer to the front lot line than any front- facing exterior wall of any principal structure(s) on the same lot, except in the case of through-lots. If the parking area is located on a lot that does not contain a principal structure, refer to the parking area regulations in Section 1137.03(b).
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(d) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. More than one principal use per lot is permitted.
(In the list below, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use-specific standards in Chapter 1135.)
Institutional
• Arts, Science, and Cultural
• Government Administration
• Government Services
• Religious Place of Worship
• School
Lodging
• Large Lodging
• Small Lodging (A)
Parking
• Large Surface Parking (A)
• Small Surface Parking (A)
• Structured Parking (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Indoor Recreation or Leisure
• Restaurant or Bar
• Small Outdoor Recreation
Retail
• Small Retail
Services
• Air Transport Services (C)
• Animal Care
• Commercial Services
• Emergency Medical Care
• Family Care Services
• General Personal Services
• Ground Transport Services
• Professional Services
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)
1133.09 INDUSTRIAL FLEX DISTRICT (IF).
(a) Purpose. The Industrial Flex District intends to promote industrial and other commercial uses along railroad, highway, and river transportation corridors.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 20 ft. min. |
Side Setback | 0 ft. min. for a side yard that abuts only non-residential uses; 40 ft. min. for a side yard that abuts a residential use. |
Rear Setback | 0 ft. min. for a rear yard that abuts only non-residential uses; 40 ft. min. for a rear yard that abuts a residential use. |
Structure Height | 90 ft. max. |
Impervious Coverage | 90% max. |
(c) Parking Location. No parking area may be situated closer to the front lot line than any front- facing exterior wall of any principal structure(s) on the same lot, except in the case of through-lots. If the parking area is located on a lot that does not contain a principal structure, refer to the parking area regulations in Section 1137.03(b).
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(d) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. More than one principal use per lot is permitted.
(In the list below, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use-specific standards in Chapter 1135.)
Adult
• Adult Use
Industrial
• Artisan Manufacturing
• Heavy Industrial
• Large Light Industrial
• Small Light Industrial
Institutional
• Government Services
Lodging
• Small Lodging (A) (C)
Parking
• Large Surface Parking (A)
• Small Surface Parking (A)
• Structured Parking (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Restaurant or Bar
• Small Outdoor Recreation
Retail
• Small Retail
Sales
• Automotive Sales
• Commercial Sales
Services
• Addiction Treatment Facility
• Automotive Services
• Car Rental Services
• Commercial Services
• Ground Transport Services
• Professional Services
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)
1133.10 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT (P).
(a) Purpose. The Parks and Open Space District is intended to promote environmental and recreational wellness through the protection of nature preserves, parklands, and natural resources management areas.
(b) Development Standards.
Front Setback | 20 ft. min. |
Side Setback | 20 ft. min. |
Rear Setback | 40 ft. min. |
Structure Height | 35 ft. max. |
Impervious Coverage | 20% max. |
(c) Parking Location. No parking area may be situated closer to the front lot line than any front- facing exterior wall of any principal structure(s) on the same lot, except in the case of through-lots. If the parking area is located on a lot that does not contain a principal structure, refer to the parking area regulations in Section 1137.03(b).
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(d) Uses. Only the following uses are permitted in this district. More than one principal use per lot is permitted.
(In the list below, "C" indicates a use that is conditionally permitted. "A" indicates a use that may be accessory to a principal use. For more details, see the Comprehensive Use Table and use-specific standards in Chapter 1135.)
Agricultural
• Agriculture
• Neighborhood Agriculture (A)
Institutional
• Arts, Science, and Cultural (C)
• Government Administration
• Government Services
Parking
• Small Scale Surface Parking (A)
• Large Scale Surface Parking (A)
• Structured Parking (A)
Recreation and Leisure
• Conservation Recreation
• Medium Outdoor Recreation
• Recreational Lodging
• Restaurant or Bar
• Small Outdoor Recreation
(Ord. 2022-110. Passed 12-12-22.)