Rawlins City Zoning Code

The purpose of this district is to provide for useable open space, convenience, accessibility, utility and services, in areas planned for residential development within the city. Density control through variable land area per unit requirements permit a variety of housing types to fit varying needs throughout the city.

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

"Single family residence" means a dwelling designed for one (1) family occupancy. A manufactured home, when constructed to the most current applicable building standards at the time of placing, placed on a permanent foundation, located in a residential zone and converted to real property prior to occupancy, shall be considered a single-family residence.

1.

The following are requirements for single-family manufactured residential construction:

a.

The structure shall have a pitched roof, with a slope of not less than a nominal three (3) inch vertical rise for each twelve (12) inches of horizontal run; and

b.

Roof material shall consist of nonreflective material customarily used for conventional dwelling including, but not limited to, asbestos shingles, fiberglass shingles, shake shingles, wood shingles, composition shingles, or tile materials. Roof materials shall not include flat or corrugated sheet metal except for manufactured metal roof panels; and

c.

Have a roof or roof and gutter combination overhang of not less than eight inches measured from the vertical side of the home; and

d.

Have siding and skirting material consisting of wood or wood products, stucco, brick, rock, horizontal lap steel or aluminum or horizontal lap vinyl; and

e.

Structure must be placed on a permanent foundation and have a perimeter wall not less than 6" thick which extends below the frost line and 8" above ground level. The permanent foundation must have intermediate supports as required by the manufacturer's foundation design. An insulated wall, not less than R-11, is required to seal the gap between the single-family residence and the perimeter wall.

f.

Structure shall be a minimum of twenty-four (24) feet along the widest part of the structure's shortest axis; or

g.

The foundation for a manufactured single-family residence not complying with Subsection e must be submitted under seal and signature of a Wyoming Professional Registered Engineer. A foundation designed so signed and sealed may be approved upon appropriate review.

h.

Other conventionally constructed dwelling not meeting the above listed conditions as approved by the Community Development director.

2.

The following are requirement for single family residence construction located in an R-MH zone, where the structure is located on a privately owned lot outside of an approved mobile home park and is less than twenty-four (24) feet along the widest part of the structure's shortest axis (structures greater than twenty-four (24) feet along the widest part of the structure's shortest axis must comply with Paragraph 1):

a.

The structure shall have a pitched roof, with a slope of not less than a nominal three (3) inch vertical rise for each twelve (12) inches of horizontal run; and

b.

Roof material shall consist of nonreflective material customarily used for conventional dwelling including, but not limited to, asbestos shingles, fiberglass shingles, shake shingles, wood shingles, composition shingles, or tile materials. Roof materials shall not include flat or corrugated sheet metal except for manufactured metal roof panels; and

c.

Have a roof or roof and gutter combination overhang of not less than eight inches measured from the vertical side of the home; and

d.

Have siding and skirting material consisting of wood or wood products, stucco, brick, rock, horizontal lap steel or aluminum or horizontal lap vinyl; and

e.

Structure must have tie downs and foundation blocking as required by the manufacturer;

f.

Structure shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet along the widest part of the structure's shortest axis;

g.

Other conventionally constructed dwelling not meeting the above listed conditions as approved by the Community Development director.

(Ord. No. 09-00, 9-5-2000)

A.

Residential dwelling unit development as specified in Tables 19.24.020A and 19.24.020B for each zoning subclassification. Multiple dwelling units on one lot or parcel shall only be permitted in areas with the subclassifications of R-TH and R-MF; all density requirements in Table 19.24.020A must be met. Mobile homes will be allowed only in areas with the subclassification of R-MH:

B.

Crop and garden uses;

C.

Churches, Sunday school and cemeteries;

D.

Public parks and playgrounds;

E.

Public schools;

F.

Buried underground utility lines and facilities and overhead electrical transmission lines only if they only serve the city of Rawlins.

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

Table 19.24.020A
MINIMUM LOT AREA AND DENSITIES

Table 19.24.020B
MINIMUM YARD REQUIREMENTS AND SETBACKS

*Mobile Home Parks

(Ord. No. 3B-95, 3-7-1995)

The following uses are permitted subject to the Planning & Zoning Commission's recommendation pursuant to Chapter 19.56:

A.

Planned unit development, mobile home parks pursuant to 19.60;

B.

Preschools, day care for more than seven children;

C.

Hospitals;

D.

Public utilities limited to above ground structures including sewage treatment and water supply facilities, sanitary landfill, substations, distribution and regulator stations and overhead transmission lines serving areas other than Rawlins;

E.

Membership facilities;

F.

Boarding or lodging house as defined in 19.08.080;

G.

Nursing home/convalescent center;

H.

Repealed;

I.

The keeping of not more than one horse for the private use of each member of the family living on the premises so long as such horses are not kept or housed within fifty feet of any street or highway so long as the lot has at least ten thousand square feet of area for each horse;

J.

Major home occupations, subject to the conditions imposed by Chapter 19.40;

K.

Residential professional offices.

L.

Assisted Living Facility.

(Ord. No. 2-91(part); Ord. No. 9-89(part); Ord. No. 3B-95, 3-7-1995; Amd. No. 09-2000, 9-5-2000; Res. No. 05A-2013, 5-7-2013)

Accessory uses in the R district shall be as follows:

A.

Customary accessory structures and uses:

i.

May consist of detached garages, tool or storage sheds, playhouses, accessory dwelling units, hot tubs, spas, gazebos and recreational courts.

a.

Shipping containers are not acceptable accessory structures.

ii.

Fences, pursuant to Section 19.40.050;

iii.

Signs, pursuant to Chapter 19.48;

iv.

Private swimming pools, pursuant to Section 19.40.140;

v.

Minor home occupation, pursuant to section 19.40.190.

vi.

Access driveway, pursuant to section 19.40.

B.

Minor home occupations, subject to the conditions imposed by Chapter 19.40 and obtaining the required permit from the community development office.

C.

Garage sales, provided that:

i.

No property may be offered for sale which has not been owned and used by the occupant of the premises or the co-participants in "neighborhood" garage sales. Neighborhood garage sales are allowed only if occupant of the premises receives no profit or commission from sale of other participant's property.

ii.

No garage sales shall be conducted for longer than three days' duration;

iii.

Garage sales may be conducted between the hours of seven-thirty (7:30) AM & nine-thirty (9:30) PM only;

iv.

Goods may not be stored outside during non-sale hours.

a.

Posting of private signs, pursuant to section 9.12.100 through .170.

(Ord. No. 5A-97, 5-20-1997; Amd. of 6-17-2014; Ord. No. 07B-2014, 7-15-2014)

A.

Minimum lot area and density for lots with either a public, or state approved community water supply and sewage treatment system are shown in Table 19.24.020A.

B.

Minimum yard requirements, lot size, and setbacks are shown in Table 19.24.020B for main buildings.

C.

Encroachment for Purposes of Energy Conservation. Modifications of existing structures for the purpose of energy conservation may encroach up to twenty-five percent of the required setback. Such encroachment shall be addition of improvements such as solar collectors, attached solar greenhouses, vestibules or foyers. Under no circumstances may the improvement constitute habitable room. Solar Access is located in Chapter 19.47 within this code.

D.

Accessory Building Conformance Requirements.

i.

All other structures shall be incident only to the primary residential structure on the lot; the accessory structure shall not exceed one hundred twenty five percent (125%) of the lot footprint of the residence, and the width or length of the residence.

ii.

The total footprint of all accessory structures shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the total yard.

iii.

An accessory structure shall maintain the following separation from other structures on the lot or any adjacent lot with the table listed below.

TABLE R302.1(1)
EXTERIOR WALLS

iv.

Accessory structures allowed one (1) foot from the property line:

a.

Structure: shall not be secured by permanent foundation.

b.

Structure: shall be less than 200 square feet.

c.

Structure: shall not be allowed over any public or utility easement.

d.

Private non-permeable driveways or parking pads are exempted from the 120 square foot requirement.

v.

Any accessory structure over 200 square feet shall have a permanent foundation.

vi.

Accessory structures shall not be allowed within a front yard, except doghouses, playhouses, or any non-permanent structure less than twenty (20) square feet.

vii.

Accessory structures may be allowed within side yards when the distance from the side yard property line to the primary structure is equal to or greater than the distance from the rear property line to the primary structure.

a.

Structures located in the side yard shall maintain all required setbacks.

b.

Front setback of side yard structures shall be greater than the primary structure.

viii.

The exterior design and material of the accessory building shall be compatible with and complimentary to the residence and the neighborhood. No reflective, bright or galvanized materials will be allowed, colored metal panels are acceptable for siding and roof applications.

ix.

Accessory buildings' total height shall not exceed twenty-five (25') feet being measured pursuant to Section 19.08.220.

x.

All accessory buildings with a pitched roof shall have a pitch of at least a three (3) inch vertical rise for each twelve (12) inches of horizontal run; flat roof is acceptable.

xi.

Detached garages shall not exceed twenty-five feet (25') in height.

a.

Permitted accessory dwelling units may be attached or detached from the primary residential structure and shall consist of a mother-in-law suite, carriage house, granny flat or similar type secondary residential structures. Mobile homes and trailers are not acceptable secondary residential structures.

xii.

All requirements within this code are to operate in conjunction with Section 19.40.020, except wherein any conflict in requirement shall be superseded by the provisions stated within this code. Setbacks are to follow table listed below for future home development.

E.

Accessory Buildings Setbacks.

i.

Side Yard Structures. Front setbacks for structures located in the side yard shall not be less than the primary structure for all residential zones.

ii.

F.

Maximum building height, twenty-five (25) feet;

G.

Open space (private): In all residential zones, not less than thirty (30) percent of the lot or parcel shall be reserved and improved as open space for the use of occupants.

(Ord. No. 9-89(part); Ord. No. 3B-95, 3-7-1995; Ord. No. 07b-02, 7-16-2002; Ord. No. 19.24.050, 7-18-2002; Amd. of 6-17-2014; Ord. No. 07B-2014, 7-15-2014)

Use of land in this district shall also conform to the off-street parking and other provisions of Chapter 19.44.

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

A.

Site plan approval is required for all permitted uses pursuant to Chapter 19.44.

B.

Site plan approval is required for all special permit uses pursuant to Chapter 19.56.

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

A.

In zones designated R-TH and R-MH, individual dwellings constructed as part of a series of dwellings, all of which are either attached to the adjacent dwelling or dwellings by party walls, or are located immediately adjacent thereto with no visible separation between walls or roof may be individually owned if so indicated on a subdivision plat setting forth the area of individual ownership. The lots so created shall be subject to all the provisions of the Rawlins subdivision regulations.

B.

Where common areas, private roads or common open spaces are provided, a homeowner's association to maintain such improvements shall be required to be established and to remain as long as the property remains in such ownership.

C.

Building setback requirements shall be specified in Table 19.24.020B, and shall be determined from the boundaries of the proposed development.

D.

The lot area per dwelling unit and lot width shall be not less and coverage shall be no greater than indicated in Tables 19.24.020A and 19.24.020B of these regulations.

(Ord. No. 9-89(part); Ord. No. 3B-95, 3-7-1995)

A.

The side yard setback may be reduced to zero in appropriate zones, as shown in Table 19.24.020A on one side of the lot provided that:

i.

The minimum side yard setback for such adjacent lot is not less than twelve feet or that if the lot adjacent to the side yard already has a main building constructed on it that the side yard setback for such adjacent construction is not less than twelve feet; and

ii.

The opposite side yard setback for which the zero side yard is proposed is not less than twelve feet and is perpetually maintained free and clear from any obstructions or construction other than a maximum three-foot eave projection, normal landscaping, removable patio covers which may extend to no more than five feet from the side yard property line, or garden walls or fences crossing the setback provided they are equipped with a gate, and may not exceed six feet in height; and

iii.

A minimum four-foot wide irrevocable maintenance and drainage easement which is covenanted to run with the land is provided on the adjacent lot for which a zero side yard is established in order to maintain the wall of the structure located at the zero side yard setback. In addition, no construction other than that described in Section 19.24.100(A)(2) shall be allowed within the twelve-foot adjacent side yard. No fences or other permanent structure shall be permitted in such an easement. Such easement shall be recorded at the Carbon County clerk's office; and

iv.

No portion of the dwelling unit or architectural features shall project over any property line except a roof overhang may penetrate the easement on the adjacent lot a maximum of twenty-four inches, but the roof shall be so designed that any water runoff from the dwelling placed on the lot line is limited to the easement area. No openings, windows, doors, etc., may open towards the reduced side yard; and

v.

The zero-side yard does not encroach a public or private right-of-way; and

vi.

Construction of structures on the lot shall meet requirements of the codes of the city of Rawlins; and

vii.

The building permit application is accompanied by proof of adjacent lot(s) or land ownership and/or a deed showing the granting of a four-foot easement from adjacent property owner(s) along the common line designated for zero side yard, along with proof of the recording of such deed and a signed statement of ownership and affidavit that the landowners have been informed of the zero-lot line proposal.

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

A.

The side setback may be reduced to two feet in appropriate zones on one side of the lot provided that:

i.

The minimum side yard setback for the adjacent lot is not less than twelve feet, or that if the lot adjacent to that side yard already has a main building constructed on it that the said yard setback for such adjacent construction is not less than twelve feet; and

ii.

The opposite side yard setback for which the reduced side yard is proposed is not less than twelve feet and is perpetually maintained free and clear from any obstructions or construction other than a maximum three-foot eave projection, normal landscaping, removable patio covers which may extend to no more than five feet from the side yard property line, or garden walls or fences crossing said setback provided they are equipped with a gate, and may not exceed six feet in height; and

iii.

A minimum two-foot-wide irrevocable maintenance and drainage easement which is covenanted to run with the land is provided on the adjacent lot for which a reduced side yard is established in order to maintain the wall of the structure located at the reduced side yard setback. In addition, no construction other than that described in subdivision 2 of this subsection shall be allowed within the twelve-foot adjacent side yard. No fences or other permanent structure shall be permitted in such an easement. Such easement shall be recorded at the Carbon County clerk's office; and

iv.

No portion of the dwelling unit or architectural features shall project over any property line except a roof overhang may penetrate the easement on the adjacent lot a maximum of twelve inches, but the roof shall be so designed that any water runoff from the dwelling placed on the lot line is limited to the easement area. No openings, windows, doors, etc., may open towards the reduced side yard; and

v.

The reduced side yard does not abut a public or private right-of-way; and

vi.

Construction of structures on the lot shall meet requirements of the codes of the city of Rawlins, Wyoming; and

vii.

The building permit application is accompanied by proof of adjacent lot(s) or land ownership and/or a deed showing the granting of a two-foot easement from the adjoining property owner(s) along the common line designated, along with proof of the recording of such deed and a signed statement of ownership and that the landowners have been informed of the zero-lot line proposal.

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

A.

Either the front or rear yard setback may be reduced in appropriate zoning as shown in Table B provided that:

i.

The dwelling on the lot, and adjacent lots meet the requirement for and setbacks in that zone as shown in Table 19.20.020B and the required front yard shown is kept perpetually free of encroachment; and

ii.

The dwelling unit is constructed in accordance with the side setback exception allowed in the zero side yard or reduced side yard setback sections of this ordinance; and

iii.

Construction of structures on the lot shall meet requirements of the codes of the city of Rawlins, Wyoming; and

iv.

The building permit is to be issued for a building in a subdivision for which zero lot line and reduced front and rear setbacks have been recorded on the plat; or

v.

The building permit application is accompanied by a signed, notarized affidavit(s) of the adjacent property owner(s) directly to the rear stating their ownership and that they have approved the reduced rear or front yard proposal and the applicant shows proof of filing of the notice of acceptance at the Carbon County clerk's office.

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

A.

Whenever a building permit for zero lot line or reduced side yard single family unit has been approved, an unattached garage may also be erected on the property conforming to the setbacks established for the main building under the following conditions:

i.

No unattached garage will be allowed on the same lot where an attached garage has already been constructed.

ii.

No unattached garage shall be closer than six feet to any main building on the same lot.

iii.

No unattached garage shall be closer than twelve feet to any building on another lot.

iv.

Other accessory buildings must be placed within general accessory setbacks established for the zone.

v.

All architectural restrictions which apply to the main building shall also apply to unattached garage.

vi.

At least forty percent of the lot shall remain as open space for the use of the residents.

B.

Unattached garages must be constructed according to general accessory building setback requirements for the zone if they do not conform to section 19.24.110(A).

C.

No unattached garage shall encroach upon side yard requirements in 19.24.090(A)(2).

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

If a zero side yard or a reduced front or rear yard setback is approved by the zoning officer, the minimum lot size required in the sub-district shown in Table 19.24.020A may be applied upon application for a building permit.

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

Zero lot line and reduced side yard regulations area intended to promote infill and allow for accommodation of irregular lots in existing subdivisions. As such these regulations apply only to subdivisions platted to January 1, 1987.

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