Rawlins City Zoning Code

This title is established as an ordinance establishing specified land use zones, and to regulate therein buildings and structures according to their construction and the nature of and the extent of their use, and the nature and extent of the uses of the land, in the incorporated area of the City of Rawlins, Wyoming, hereinafter referred to as the City, and providing for the administration and enforcement of the provisions provided in this title.

(Ord. No. 9-89(part))

This title shall be known and may be cited as "The Rawlins Zoning Ordinance of 1989."

(Ord. No. 9-89(part))

The zoning ordinance codified in this title is adopted for the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the community, and to further the following related and more specific objectives:

A.

To guide and regulate orderly growth, development and redevelopment of the city in accordance with a comprehensive plan of long-term objectives, principles and standards deemed beneficial to the interests and welfare of the people;

B.

To protect the established character and the social and economic well-being of both private and public property;

C.

To promote, in the public interest, the utilization of land for the purposes for which it is most appropriate;

D.

To secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers, and to provide adequate light, air and convenience of access;

E.

To prevent overcrowding of land or buildings, and to avoid undue concentration of population;

F.

To lessen and, when possible, to prevent traffic congestion on public streets and highways;

G.

To conserve the value of buildings and to enhance the value of land throughout the city.

(Ord. No. 9-89(part))

Except as provided in this title, no building or structure or part thereof and no lot or part thereof shall hereafter be used, except in conformity with the use regulations prescribed in this title. Any existing use that does not conform to the use regulations prescribed in this title shall be deemed a nonconforming use, except that uses granted as the result of an approved special use permit by the recommendation of the Planning & Zoning Commission with final approval by the Rawlins City Council pursuant to Chapter 19.56 shall be deemed conforming uses.

(Ord. No. 9-89(part))

Except as provided in this title, no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered, enlarged or rebuilt except in conformity with the lot dimension, yard coverage, height and density regulations prescribed in this title. Any building or structure that does not conform to such regulations, deemed in this title a nonconforming structure, irrespective of the use to which it is put. Variances granted by the Board of Adjustment pursuant to Chapter 19.76 on grounds of practical difficulties or unnecessary hardship, not self-imposed, the extent of their use, and the nature and extent of the uses of the land, in the incorporated area of the City of Rawlins, Wyoming, hereinafter referred to as the City, and providing for the all the administration and enforcement of the provisions provided in this title.

(Ord. No. 9-89(part); Ord. No. 9-00(part))

In accordance with the state statutes, this title shall not prevent any use or occupancy reasonably necessary to the extraction or production of the mineral resources in or under any lands subject thereto. However, prior to actual extraction of the mineral, the area shall be properly zoned, and all other applicable requirements of this zoning ordinance shall be met.

(Ord. No. 9-89(part))

A.

Nothing in this title shall be taken to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way impair or interfere with any provisions of law or ordinance or regulations, existing or as may be adopted in the future. Nor is it intended by this title to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants or other agreements between the parties. Where this title imposes a greater restriction upon the heights of buildings or structures or premises, lots or land, or upon the heights of buildings, structures or requires larger lots, yards, courts or other open spaces than imposed or required by other provisions of law, ordinance or regulation, or by such easements, covenants or agreements, the provisions of this title shall control.

B.

Whenever the provisions of any other law or ordinance or regulations impose a greater restriction than this title, the provisions of the other law or ordinance or regulations shall control.

C.

No provisions contained in this title shall be construed as justifying the encroachment of any building or structure within any street lines now or hereafter laid down or officially mapped.

(Ord. No. 9-89(part))

Temporary parking of a single occupied Recreational Vehicles for any church or residence shall be permitted in all areas of the City of Rawlins for not longer than thirty (30) days and only when permits with site plans have been obtained with the Community Development Department. The recreational vehicle will need to maintain a ten (10) foot separation from any other structure. No more than two (2) thirty (30) day extension per calendar year shall be permitted. Such parking is only allowed on property owned by the homeowner or organization and shall not be allowed on City streets or alleys.

(Ord. No. 06-02, 7-10-2001; Amd. No. 06-2002, 7-10-2001; Ord. No. 08-2009, 9-1-2009)

A Recreational Vehicle may not be used as an accessory building or for any purpose other than the use intended by the manufacturer.

(Ord. No. 08-2009, 9-1-2009)