In order to classify, segregate and regulate the use of land, buildings and structures according to the provisions of this title, the Town is hereby divided into the following land use zones:

Table 13.08.110. Zone and Use Designations

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.1.01, 9-4-2019)

This title shall consist of the text herein and, as though contained herein, that map identified as "The Official Zoning Map" as approved by the Town Council. Said map shall contain the signatures of the Mayor and Town Clerk/Treasurer as verification of the approval of the Town Council. The map shall be kept on file at the office of the Town Clerk/Treasurer. This title and all of its provisions shall be read and interpreted in light of the contents of said map. In cases where there may be conflicts of interpretation between the map and the text of this title, the text of this title shall prevail.

Figure 1. Town of Rockford Official Zoning Map

View the printable version here.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.1.02, 9-4-2019)

Changes in the boundaries of the zones shall be made by adopted ordinance of the Town Council, including a revised zoning map and descriptive text. At the time of amendment, these adopted changes shall become a part of this title. In adopting zone boundary changes, the procedures described in RMC ch. 13.36 shall be followed.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.1.03, 9-4-2019)

In interpreting the boundaries of any zone on the zoning map, the following rules shall apply:

1. Where zone boundary lines are indicated as approximately following public right-of-way or lot lines, such lines shall be determined to be the boundaries of the zone;
2. Where a zone boundary line divides an unsubdivided property, unless the location of the boundary is indicated by dimensions, the boundary line shall be determined by measurement on the map utilizing the scale appearing on the map;
3. Any lands located within a public right-of-way which has been vacated shall acquire the zoning classification of the property to which it reverts;
4. When a lot is subdivided and recorded resulting in the bisection of said lot by an existing zone boundary line, the zone boundary line shall be considered as following the lot line, effectively placing the entire lot into the classification previously applied to the major portion of the lot;
5. When a zone boundary line equally bisects a lot, the total lot shall acquire the most restrictive use classification and requirements of that zone classification;
6. When a zone boundary line bisects a lot and this boundary line parallels or approximately parallels the street on which the lot fronts, the total lot shall acquire the same zone classification as the front portion of the lot.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.1.04, 9-4-2019)

1. In the case of a land use application sought but not appearing as permitted, conditionally permitted or prohibited by this title, the Town Clerk/Treasurer shall have authority to:
   1. Determine the appropriate use category among existing designations and permit conditions.
   2. Seek a determination from the Town Council on appropriate use category.
2. Such determinations shall be recorded and amended to this title.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.1.05, 9-4-2019)

Any property other than the right-of-way of a street or alley that is not designated as zoned shall be deemed to be zoned Single-Family Residential/Open Space (RO).

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.1.06, 9-4-2019)

The combined building footprint of all accessory permanent structures in residential zoning districts shall be:

1. Up to 1,000 square feet for parcels up to 10,000 square feet in size; or
2. Up to ten percent of the lot size for parcels greater than 10,000 square feet in size.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(1), 9-4-2019)

Accessory dwelling units shall comply with the provisions of RMC ch. 13.20, art. II.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(2), 9-4-2019)

A caretaker's residence is limited to custodial, maintenance, management, or security of a commercial property and is only allowed accessory to another permitted use on site.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(3), 9-4-2019)

Cottages shall comply with the provisions of RMC ch. 13.20, art. III.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(4), 9-4-2019)

Duplex dwelling units shall comply with the provisions of RMC ch. 13.20, art. II.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(5), 9-4-2019)

Industrial accessory dwelling units shall comply with the provisions of RMC ch. 13.20, art. II.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(6), 9-4-2019)

Townhouse dwelling units shall comply with the provisions of RMC ch. 13.20, art. VI.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(7), 9-4-2019)

Manufactured homes on individual lots shall comply with the provisions of RMC ch. 13.20, art. IV.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(8), 9-4-2019)

Manufactured home parks shall comply with the provisions of RMC ch. 13.20, art. V.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(9), 9-4-2019)

1. A pool permit shall be required, and a fee paid for installation of a private or quasi-public inground pool having a capacity of a minimum of 5,000 gallons.
2. The pool must follow all required building setbacks.
3. Temporary fencing is required during excavation.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(10), 9-4-2019)

1. Recreational vehicles shall not be used as permanent or temporary dwelling units in any residential zone, except as permitted pursuant to RMC ch. 13.20, art. II.
2. Guests may park and/or occupy a recreational vehicle while visiting the occupants of a dwelling unit located on the same lot for not more than 30 days in one consecutive 12-month period.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(11), 9-4-2019)

1. Appliance sales/service. Retail appliance sales may be accessory in the Light Industrial Zone (LI), only if manufactured and/or assembled on the premises.
2. Bakery, retail. Retail bakeries in the Light Industrial Zone (LI) are limited in floor area to ten percent of the gross leasable floor area (GLFA) of the building, not to exceed 1,000 square feet.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(M)(12), 9-4-2019)

1. The utility company shall secure the necessary property or right-of-way to assure for the property construction, continued maintenance, and general safety to the property adjoining the public utility local distribution facility.
2. The facilities shall be compatible with the surrounding uses either by distance, landscaping, buffering, screening, or design, as determined by the Town Manager or designee.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(L)(1), 9-4-2019)

1. The utility company shall secure the necessary property or right-of-way to assure for the property construction, continued maintenance, and general safety to the property adjoining the public utility transmission facility.
2. All support structures for electric transmission lines shall have their means of access located a minimum of ten feet above ground.
3. The facilities shall be compatible with the surrounding uses either by distance, landscaping, buffering, screening, or design, as determined by the Town Manager or designee.
4. The height of any structure above ground shall not exceed 125 feet.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(L)(2), 9-4-2019)

1. Wind turbine support towers require the approval of a conditional use permit pursuant to RMC ch. 13.28, art. VI.
2. The tower base shall be enclosed by a fence that is at least six feet in height and has a locking gate.
3. The tower shall have a locking trap door, or the climbing apparatus shall stop 12 feet above the ground.
4. The tower collapse or blade impact area shall lie completely within the applicant's property or within an adjacent property for which the applicant has secured and recorded easements for all property in the tower's impact area.
5. Before issuance of a conditional use permit, the applicant shall demonstrate compliance with all the applicable requirements of the FCC, FAA, and that any required navigation easements can be satisfied.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 3.9.01(L)(3), 9-4-2019)

The Town Center Overlay District, containing two zones mapped as Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2) on the official zoning map, will protect and enhance the unique character of the Town center while fostering an environment that is safe, inviting and business-friendly. The Town Center Overlay District fosters the recommendations of the 2004 Rockford Main Street Project and incorporates them into the Town's regulatory framework.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.01, 9-4-2019)

The Town Center Overlay District's development standards apply to that area defined by boundaries established under RMC ch. 13.08, art. II. Provisions of underlying zones within Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2) apply unless otherwise specified in the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.02, 9-4-2019)

Boundaries for Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2) are delineated on the official zoning map.

Figure 4. Town Center Overlay Map

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.03, 9-4-2019)

1. Storefronts and building facades are essential components of a viable, attractive, and pedestrian friendly environment in the Town.
2. The following standards apply to development in Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2):
   1. At street level along primary rights-of-way, storefronts shall have clear glass windows covering no less than 35 percent of the building story surface area.
   2. Above the first floor level of multi-story buildings on facades facing primary rights-of-way, buildings shall feature individual punched or framed windows covering no less than 25 percent of the building story surface area.
   3. Above the first floor level of multi-story buildings on facades facing primary rights-of-way, buildings may not feature horizontally joined or banded (ribbon) windows extending across more than 25 percent of the facade width.
   4. At the street level along primary rights-of-way over required glass windows, storefronts shall feature continuous, permanent awnings overhanging no less than four feet of adjacent sidewalk. If conditions preclude awnings, or if preferred by the developer, owner-maintained street trees, as approved by the Town Council as to type and location, may be substituted.
   5. At the street level along primary rights-of-way, storefronts shall feature and maintain at least one accessible entrance.
      
      Figure 2. Building elevation showing window and canopy options in the Town Center Overlay District. This sketch provides greater glass percentages than actually required.
      

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.04, 9-4-2019)

1. Building footprints shall be developed closer and occupy more property frontage along rights-of-way in Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) than in Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2).
2. The following standards shall apply:
   1. New buildings are to be built next to or on street frontages. The street frontage is where the property line meets the primary street.
   2. Buildings shall be built to a ten-foot maximum measured in a straight line from the right-of-way to the building in Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1).
   3. 80 percent of frontage build-to line shall be occupied by a building in Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1).
   4. Buildings shall be built to a 20-foot maximum measured in a straight line from the right-of-way to the building in Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2).
   5. 60 percent of frontage build-to line shall be occupied by a building in Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2).
      
      Figure 3. Build-to line regulations offer flexibility while still supporting the Town's main street context. Here, several variations are presented, all meeting build-to line criteria.
      

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.05, 9-4-2019)

The following lighting standards apply in both Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2):

1. Exterior lighting shall be focused on site and away from neighboring properties, utilizing fixtures with baffles or cut-off shields as necessary. Lighting standards pursuant to RMC ch. 13.12, art. VI also apply.
2. On-site light poles shall be between ten and 20 feet in height, as measured from the ground surface where the pole is placed to the highest point of the light pole, including the fixture.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.06, 9-4-2019)

The following standards shall apply to building and canopy signs within Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2):

1. Window signs shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the total first-floor window area.
2. Hanging or awning signs shall not extend to less than seven feet above the walking surface of access areas or along primary rights-of-way.
3. Sign materials shall be durable and of high quality.
4. Temporary signs are allowed pursuant to RMC ch. 13.12, art. II.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.07, 9-4-2019)

The following standards apply to monument and freestanding signs in Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2):

1. Heights for signs on separate poles shall not exceed 15 feet in height. Height shall be measured from ground level of the pole to the top of the sign or pole, whichever is highest.
2. Monument signs shall not exceed six feet in height in Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2), as measured from level grade to the top of the sign.
3. Sign lighting shall be focused and directed upon the sign surface.
4. Signs shall be compatible with the character of the Town. Compatibility shall be determined, upon review, by the Town Council.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.08, 9-4-2019)

Parking areas should be accessible, safe, and coordinated with the overall pedestrian-oriented character of the Town Center Overlay District. The following standards for off-street parking shall apply to properties within Town Center Zone 1 (TC-1) and Town Center Zone 2 (TC-2):

1. Off-street parking shall be accessed via alleys where feasible.
2. No off-street parking shall be located between a structure and a street.
3. Off-street parking shall be located behind buildings. If this is not feasible, parking may be located to the side of buildings, retaining all other requirements of RMC ch. 13.12, art. IV.
4. Pedestrian entrances to buildings shall be directly visible from parking areas or building access signs shall be posted to direct pedestrian movement to building entrances.
5. Off-street parking areas shall have no less than one footcandle of illumination per square foot, as measured at the parking surface.

(Ord. No. 19-03, § 2.2.09, 9-4-2019)

State law reference—Off-street parking, RCW 35.27.550--35.27.600.