River Oaks City Zoning Code
SECTION 16
"C-3" COMMERCIAL DISTRICT.
A.
PURPOSE.
This is the least restricted commercial zoning district normally reserved for areas that provide the greatest number and mix of retail and commercial uses. This district is reserved for areas of adequate size and location so that its broad range of high intensity land uses will not cause or create nuisances to adjoining zoning districts. It is intended that this zoning district be served by major thoroughfares and be of such size that all parking and traffic maneuvering can take place on the commercial site. It is expressly intended that no residential dwelling be erected in this commercial district and existing dwellings will remain as nonconforming uses.
B.
USE REGULATIONS.
In the "C-3" Commercial District, no buildings or land shall be used and no buildings shall be erected, reconstructed, altered, or enlarged except for one or more of the following uses:
1.
Any use permitted in the "C-2" Commercial District.
2.
Adult entertainment facilities.
3.
Automobile, motorcycle, truck, and trailer sales or rental areas.
4.
Automobile laundry (carwash) and steam cleaning subject to the following restrictions:
a.
All automobile laundry and steam cleaning uses shall be completely within a building having not less than two sides;
b.
Vacuuming facilities may be outside the building, but shall not be in the front yard and shall not be closer than 25 feet from single-family residential districts;
c.
The building surfaces shall be faced with masonry, porcelainized steel, baked enamel steel or other material equal in durability and appearance;
d.
The building shall not be less than 100 feet from single-family residential districts;
e.
The building set back shall be not less than 30 feet from the property line;
f.
Any lights used to illuminate the area shall be directed away from adjacent residential properties.
5.
Boat sales, service and repair;
6.
Body Piercing and Tattoo Studios
7.
Cigar and Tobacco Stores (including retail establishments primarily selling Vape or Vaping devices).
8.
Farm implement sales and service.
9.
Garages, storage only.
10.
Garages, public, for repairs or storage facilities for automobiles provided:
a.
Such facilities and activities are maintained within a building;
b.
Painting or body or fender repairs shall be conducted in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; and
c.
No bay door or overhead door shall face any residential district when located less than 100 feet from the residential district.
11.
Massage Establishment.
12.
Laundry and Washaterias.
13.
Mini Warehouse Retail or wholesale sales, offices, manufacturing, fabrication, service, repair, or any other type of commercial or business enterprise is expressly prohibited from or within a mini warehouse. Storage of hazardous and flammable materials as designated by the Fire Marshal is expressly prohibited.
14.
Pawn Shop - (with the change in ownership before a new commercial certificate of occupancy will be approved for a Pawn Shop; outside storage areas where merchandise is kept even when closed and when visible to the public requires that first a screening device constructed of metal, wood, vinyl, masonry or other code-approved screening type materials not less than six feet nor greater than eight feet in height shall be placed around the storage area.)
15.
Financial Institutions including check cashing businesses, payday advance/loan businesses, car title loan businesses and automated teller machines.
16.
Recreational vehicle storage.
17.
Retail Tire Shops.
18.
Sales of second-hand merchandise (with outside display or storage).
19.
Oil and gas well drilling and production.
The term shall also include uses or businesses which, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, are substantially similar to any of the above-listed uses or businesses, even if the use or business does not expressly fall within the definition from the City's Zoning Ordinance. If a use or business is new or unlisted in the City's Zoning Ordinance it is presumed to be a commercial use under this Ordinance until otherwise classified as provided in Chapter 14, Exhibit A, Zoning Ordinance." |
C.
ACCESSORY USES.
In addition to those accessory uses specifically authorized in Section 22 of the Ordinance, any use may be established as an accessory use to a permitted use when it complies with the conditions for an accessory use as defined in this Ordinance.
D.
DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS.
In the "C-3" Commercial District, the following development regulations shall be applicable to all uses:
1.
Floor Space.
No limit on floor space for shops, stores, or businesses.
2.
Height.
No portion of a building or structure which is located within 100 feet of property zoned for a single-family residential use or occupied as a single-family residence shall exceed two and one-half stories, nor shall it exceed 35 feet. No portion of a building or structure in excess of 100 feet from property zoned for a residential use or occupied as a residence shall exceed three and one-half stories or 45 feet.
3.
Front Yard.
Where the side of a "C-3" zoned lot abuts on property zoned for a single-family residential use or occupied as a single-family residence, there shall be a front yard of a size not less than the front yard required for the residential property. Where the side of the "C-3" zoned lot does not abut property zoned for a residential use or occupied as a residence, there shall be a front yard of not less than 25 feet, or the front yard indicated on a city-approved plat as filed in the Tarrant County Plat Records, whichever is greater. Corner lots shall have a minimum side yard of 15 feet on the second front yard, the yard generally parallel to the street with the greatest frontage, unless reversed frontage is approved by the zoning administrator. If a building line shown on a city-approved plat as filed in the Tarrant County Plat Records is greater than 15 feet, then the platted building line shall be required on the second front yard.
4.
Rear Yard.
There shall be a rear yard of not less than 20 feet.
5.
Side Yard.
Where the side yard abuts upon the side of a residentially-zoned lot, there shall be a side yard of not less than 10 feet, otherwise no side yard for a commercial building shall be required, but if provided, it shall not be less than three feet.
6.
Width of Lot.
The width of a lot shall be a minimum of 70 feet at the building line, provided that where a platted lot in separate ownership at the time of the passage of this Ordinance has less width than 70 feet, this Ordinance shall not prohibit its use for commercial purposes as long as the commercial use meets all other development regulations.
7.
Site Plan.
An approved site plan shall be required as a prerequisite for the granting of "C-3" Commercial District and for the issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy for new construction and expansions amounting to 50 percent or more of the existing main structure in all "C-3" Commercial Zoning Districts. The site plan shall contain the information required by Section 25 of this Ordinance and may be amended in accordance with the procedures of Section 25.
E.
DISTRICT RESTRICTIONS.
1.
Screening.
In the event that development in this district abuts or adjoins property zoned for a residential use or occupied as a residence, a screening device constructed of metal, wood, vinyl or masonry not less than six feet nor greater than eight feet in height shall be placed along the abutting or adjoining property line.
2.
Lighting and Noise.
Any lighting visible from outside the site shall be designed to reflect away from adjacent residential properties and shall not interfere with traffic safety. No noise, odor, or vibration shall be emitted such that constitutes a nuisance by substantially exceeding the general level of noise, odor or vibration emitted by uses adjacent to or immediately surrounding the site. Such comparisons shall be made at the boundaries of the site.
3.
Trash.
Outdoor storage of trash receptacles shall be at the side or rear of the site and shall be totally encircled or screened by a fence constructed of masonry eight feet in height.
4.
Maintenance of Fence.
The owner or manager of the property zoned "C-3" shall maintain the fence in a safe and clean condition.
5.
Nonconforming Uses.
See Section 28.
(Ordinance 1394-2023 adopted 11/28/2023)