Seven Hills City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 909
Residential R Zoning District
909.01 ZONING DISTRICT PURPOSE.
(a) The Residential (R) zoning district is established to provide areas for low density single-family detached dwellings on individual lots and to discourage incompatible nonresidential uses in single-family residential neighborhoods.
(b) The provisions of this chapter shall be controlling over any inconsistent or different requirements or provisions of all other Sections of the Seven Hills Planning and Zoning Code and Subdivision Regulations.
(Ord. 03-2025. Passed 2-11-25.)
909.02 LAND USES.
(a) Permitted and Conditional Uses. A building or land use within an "R" zoning district shall be permitted or conditionally permitted only for the purposes set forth in the Land Use Chart found in Section 907.06.
(b) Accessory Uses. Accessory uses, buildings or other structures customarily incidental to any permitted or conditionally permitted use in an "R" zoning district may be established, erected or constructed; provided, that such accessory use shall comply with the building setback, height, lot coverage and any other applicable standards as provided for in this Zoning Code.
(Ord. 03-2025. Passed 2-11-25.)
909.03 REVIEW PROCEDURE.
(a) Subdivision Plat Review Procedure for Single-Family Structures. New subdivision development for all single-family dwellings shall comply with the regulations and procedures for subdivision platting design and review as set forth in Chapters 933 and 935 and satisfy all other applicable requirements within this Zoning Code.
(1) Existing Lot Development. All new residential single family-dwelling structures proposed for an existing lot(s) and requiring no further subdivision, lot split or lot consolidation shall follow the application and review requirements for a Building Permit and satisfy all applicable requirements within this Zoning Code.
(Ord. 03-2025. Passed 2-11-25.)
909.04 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR THE RESIDENTIAL (R) DISTRICT.
(a) Minimum Livable Floor Area.
(1) The minimum dwelling unit area requirement for a dwelling shall be one thousand six hundred fifty thousand (1,650) square feet.
(2) The calculation of minimum livable floor area shall be exclusive of garages, cornices, eaves, gutters, porches, breeze ways, balconies, terraces, outside enclosures or basements not meeting the ingress/egress requirements of the building.
(b) Maximum Building Height. The maximum number of stories for a detached single-family dwelling building shall be two-stories with an overall maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet from ridge line to lowest grade adjacent to the building.
(c) Minimum Lot Area. The minimum lot area shall be fifteen thousand seven hundred fifty (15,750) square feet.
(d) Minimum Lot Width (Frontage). A lot shall have a minimum lot frontage width of ninety (90) feet as measured at the right-of-way line, except as provided below.
(1) Lots on a Curvilinear Street. A lot with frontage on a curvilinear street may maintain a width less than ninety (90) feet provided that on lots with the side lines converging to the street, the lot width shall be ninety (90) feet measured seventy-five (75) feet from the center line of the street, and on lots with the side lines diverging from the street the lot width shall be ninety (90) feet measured one hundred and five (105) feet from the center line of the street.
(2) Pre-Zoning Lots. The minimum lot frontage width may be less than ninety (90) feet on any lot that was separately owned, or to any lot in a recorded subdivision that was on record and on which buildings were erected prior to July 6,1944.
(e) Minimum Yard Setback. The following minimum yard setbacks shall apply to the principal structure. Accessory use and structure setback standards are provided in Chapter 919.
(1) Front Yard Setback. The minimum front yard setback for a principal building shall be fifty (50) feet.
(2) Side Yard Setback.
A. No principal building shall be erected less than fifteen (15) feet from any other principal building on an adjacent lot.
B. No interior side yard, on the side on which a garage is located, shall be less in width than five (5) feet at any point, and the interior side yard of the other side of the principal building shall be not less than ten (10) feet at any point; provided, however, that where circumstances and the location of existing structures make it practical to do so, the Building Commissioner may authorize the reverse of this arrangement ( i.e. ten (10) feet on the garage side and five (5) feet on the other side).
C. The half width of an alley abutting the side line of a lot may be considered as part of the yard required on that side.
(3) Rear Yard Setback. The minimum rear yard setback for a principal building shall be the greater of the following:
A. Fifteen percent (15%) of the depth of the lot; or
B. Fifty (50) feet.
(Ord. 03-2025. Passed 2-11-25.)
909.05 PERMITTED PROJECTIONS INTO REQUIRED YARDS.
(a) The following are permitted projections into required yards, subject to the height and lot coverage regulations of set forth in this Chapter.
(1) Architectural features extending not more than (1) foot into a required yard.
(2) Awnings and canopies extending not more than two (2) feet into a required yard.
(3) Ground mounted or building mounted exterior air conditioner units may extend into the side yard or rear yard area provided that no portion of the unit or appurtenances thereto extend more than forty-eight (48) inches from the exterior building wall.
(4) Chimneys projecting no more than two (2) feet into a required yard.
(5) Eaves, gutters or downspouts projecting no more than sixteen (16) inches into a required yard.
(6) Walls and fences subject to the regulations set forth in Section 931.04.
(7) Patios and decks may extend into the rear yard area only.
(8) Permitted signs.
(Ord. 03-2025. Passed 2-11-25.)
909.06 SITE DESIGN GUIDELINES.
(a) Site Design Guidelines Purpose and Application. The Purpose of these residential site design guidelines is to define the criteria that will guide the design of residential dwelling lots and developments that will achieve long term quality in site layout contributing to stable community property values while providing a cohesive residential character and appeal. These site design guidelines shall apply to both individual property development and multiple lot development via a subdivision plat review, as applicable, in the Residential (R) zoning district.
(b) Driveways and Walkways.
(1) All driveways and walkways shall be constructed of concrete, asphalt, decorative stamped concrete or brick pavers. Asphalt shall not be used as a top coat for any existing non-asphalt driveway or walkway.
(2) The minimum driveway setback from any side or rear property line shall be five (5) feet.
(3) No driveway or other hard-surfaced vehicular area shall cover more than thirty-five percent (35%) of the front yard area or thirty-five percent (35%) of the rear yard area.
(c) Paved Patios. Paved patios must be set back the same distance from the side lot line as the main structure or the required set back and twenty (20) feet from the rear property line and shall not cover more than thirty-five percent (35%) of required rear yard.
(d) Landscaping. All single-family dwelling lots shall be landscaped with a combination of trees, shrubs and grass. All lot area landscaping must be completed within one hundred twenty (120) days of the dwelling being occupied.
(e) Repair or Replacement of Permitted Yard Features. Any fence, including any fencing along anyone lot line, any qualifying wall under this Zoning Code Chapter and other permitted yard structure or landscape feature that is in need of repair or replacement, or which is repaired or replaced, to an extent of fifty percent (50%) or more shall conform to the applicable provisions of this Zoning Code.
(f) Utility Standards. All utilities, including cable television, telephone, gas and electrical systems shall be constructed underground within the R zoning district, provided that the appurtenances to these systems may be located above ground but shall be effectively screened.
(g) Gas and Oil Wells. No gas or oil well shall hereafter be drilled within five hundred (500) feet of any residence except in accordance with the terms of a special permit to be issued by Council. (Ord. 03-2025. Passed 2-11-25.)
909.07 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GUIDELINES.
(a) Architectural Design Guidelines Purpose and Application. The purpose of these architectural design guidelines is to define the criteria that will guide homeowners, builders and architects as they design new dwellings and dwelling additions that will achieve long term community quality. The ultimate result will be to sustain property values while maintaining a cohesive residential character and appeal. These architectural design guidelines shall apply to both new individual property development and new multiple lot development via a subdivision plan review, as applicable, in the "R" zoning district.
(b) Roofs.
(1) All roofs shall maintain a minimum of 8/12 pitch design. Roof slopes of a lesser pitch, if in keeping with the architectural style and appropriately designed in terms of proportions and scale, may be considered by the Planning Commission on a case-by-case basis taking into account the existing roof design of surrounding dwellings. All dwellings with covered front porch gables and garages with gabled roofs shall have a minimum 6/12 pitch.
(2) Roofing material shall be asphalt/fiberglass architectural type shingles (no tab), metal, slate or composite slate roofs.
(3) All roof vents, plumbing stacks and flashing shall closely match the color of the surrounding dwelling materials and be located behind the main ridge line.
(4) Building additions must use a reverse gable roof with a similar pitch to the original building roof.
(5) The minimum overhang for a soffit shall be sixteen (16) inches.
(c) Garages. Two (2) car enclosed garages shall be attached to their respective dwelling structure.
(1) No carports shall be permitted.
(d) Foundation Walls. All foundation walls above grade facing the street must be faced with brick, brick impressions or stone.
(e) Exterior Building Materials for a Dwelling. Each front building wall face of a dwelling shall utilize one, or more, of the following exterior building materials: brick, stone, or individual cultured stone materials. All other building wall faces shall contain one, or more, of the following exterior building materials: brick, stone, individual cultured stone, cement siding products, or vinyl siding.
(1) Glass is a permitted exterior material, however, for the purpose of determining the amount of required exterior material to use, all windows and other glass features on a building wall face shall be excluded from the calculation.
(2) Continuing masonry veneers around corners is required.
(3) Additions to an existing dwelling or the re-facing or other reconstruction of an existing dwelling may utilize exterior materials that are not permitted if those prohibited materials are currently used on the dwelling. The use of prohibited exterior materials shall be in the same proportion as used on the current dwelling.
(f) Exterior Building Materials for an Accessory Building. An accessory building shall utilize one, or more, of the following exterior building materials: brick, stone, individual cultured stone, cement siding products, or vinyl siding. Pre-manufactured accessory buildings are exempt from these exterior building material requirements.
(g) Windows. Each building wall face of a dwelling shall contain a minimum of two (2) operable windows unless otherwise approved by the Building Commissioner.
(h) Satellite Dishes. Television satellite dishes, or similar receivers, in excess of 18" in diameter or in excess of eighteen inches by twenty inches (18" x 20") for oval receivers are not permitted. No satellite dish visible from the street is permitted.
(1) Ground Mounted Satellite Dish. A ground mounted satellite dish may be placed in a side yard or rear yard.
(2) Screening Required. Any ground mounted satellite dish partially or fully viewable from any public or private street shall be fully screened with vegetation or other suitable screening method approved by the Building Commissioner.
(3) Yard Setback. Any ground mounted satellite dish shall be set back a minimum of ten (10') feet from any side yard line or real yard line.
(i) Chimneys. All exterior wood burning chimneys shall be constructed of masonry materials except for a direct vent or vent-less fire box which may be the same material as the sides or rear of the dwelling structure.
(j) Exterior Door Materials and Styles.
(1) Exterior Dwelling Doors. Exterior dwelling doors are focal points and should be protected with sufficient roof overhangs or by front porches at the main entry door. Wood, insulated metal and quality hardboard materials are acceptable. A variety of door styles are encouraged.
(k) Porches and Landings.
(1) Front porches or steps and landings are not permitted to be made of wood.
(2) Replacement front landings must be constructed in the same manner as the original landing.
(l) Exterior Lighting.
(1) All light sources shall be white (no colored lights) and no spill-over of light shall occur on neighboring properties.
(2) The maximum permitted foot candle reading measured at grade along any common property line with another residential land use or zoning district shall not exceed.0.5 foot candles measured at five (5) feet at the property line.
(3) Lighting shall be adequately shielded to conceal glare.
(Ord. 03-2025. Passed 2-11-25.)