Saint John City Zoning Code
Art. IX
Development Standards, §§ 24-441—24-460
Sec. 24-441. Metal and post building construction prohibition.
Metal building construction and post building construction is prohibited in all commercial zoning districts. However, when a building is a secondary use to a primary building use, said building, although the same may be of metal or post building construction, shall be faced with brick and the roof shall be composed of standing rib (standing seam) or asphalt shingle. Accessory uses and buildings such as sheds and garages must be constructed of brick unless granted a waiver by the Plan Commission during the development plan review process. Further, this section shall not apply to any residential zoning districts, where metal and post building construction is prohibited.
Sec. 24-442. Masonry and roof requirements.
All sides of any buildings on any subdivided lot within a C1, C2, C3, C4, TC, BP, PB, Route 41 overlay and Route 231 overlay zoning districts shall be completely faced on all sides with uniform face brick and the roof shall be composed of standing rib (standing seam) or asphalt shingle. Any person seeking to use another material not specified herein shall request a waiver from this section during the development plan review process. For purposes of this section, "face brick" is defined as a substance, with a minimum of a three and one-half (3½) inch depth, made from natural cut stone or clay molded into oblong rectangle shapes and fired in a kiln.
Sec. 24-443. Height exceptions.
Chimneys, elevator bulkheads, fire towers, water towers, spires, and municipal owned structures are hereby excepted from the height regulations of this chapter.
Sec. 24-444. Impervious surface requirements.
The maximum area of impervious surface per lot area shall be determined in accordance with the following table:
Zoning Designation | Maximum % of Impervious area |
Detached Single Family | 50% |
Townhouse, Duplex, Multi-family | 60% |
Retail or Commercial | 70% |
Office | 65% |
Industrial | 60% |
Business Park District | 50% |
Route 41 | 65% |
Route 231 | 65% |
Sec. 24-445. Production activity.
Activity within enclosed buildings. All fabrication, manufacturing, live entertainment, sales and consumption of food and beverage, processing or production shall be undertaken substantially within enclosed buildings unless approved by a use variance by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Sec. 24-446. Protection of shoreland and watercourses.
The purposes of this section are to prevent and control water pollution; protect spawning grounds, fish and aquatic life, and to preserve shore cover and natural beauty. The provisions of this section shall apply to the shore lands of all navigable waters. All lakes, ponds, or flowages of one-half (½) acre or more shall be considered navigable for the purposes of this chapter and rivers and streams shall be considered navigable for the purpose of this chapter if they are indicated as "continuous" on the United States Geological Quadrangle Survey Maps. Watercourses of less than three (3) acres shall provide a sixty-foot set back from the water and watercourses of three (3) acres or more shall provide a seventy-five-foot set back from the water.
Sec. 24-447. Refuse.
(a) Property owners shall be responsible for keeping such property free of refuse, debris, trash, and garbage. Property owners shall be responsible to mow their properties regularly so that the height of the grass and/or vegetation does not exceed ten (10) inches.
(b) All commercially zoned property (C-1, C-2, C-3, & C-4) and any commercial, institutional, or special exception uses in any residential zoning district shall provide an opaque enclosure for all refuse and recycling containers that is of sufficient height to completely conceal the refuse and/or recycling containers. All such enclosures shall be made of the same material as the primary building located on the zoning lot. Further, the gate on such enclosure shall be constructed of a solid opaque material.
(c) During any site or development plan review or at a public meeting, the St. John Plan Commission may grant a waiver:
(1) From the refuse and recycling enclosure requirement in subsection (b) when the dumpsters are generally concealed from the public road or for those businesses or institutions that are already in existence at the time of the adoption of the ordinance codified herein; and
(2) From the refuse and recycling enclosure building material requirement in subsection (b) for the same building material as the primary building located on the zoning lot after considering the material used to construct the primary building located on the zoning lot and the surrounding area.
(d) That all parcels of commercially zoned property (C-1, C-2, C-3, & C-4) and all parcels for any commercial, institutional, or special exception uses in any residential zoning district shall have a period of six (6) months from date of adoption hereof to comply with these regulations.