Socorro City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIV
Development Standards
§ 250-14.1 General development standards.
All lots, tracts, buildings and structures in the City shall be developed in accordance with this article and other related provisions of this chapter. All development standards of this chapter shall apply to each lot, tract, or parcel independent of all other lots, tracts, or parcels.
§ 250-14.2 Yard and lot standards.
Yards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Zone | Minimum Front Depth (feet) | Minimum Rear Depth (feet) | Minimum Side Width (feet) |
R-1 | 25 | 25 | 10 |
R-2 | 20 | 20 | 5 or 0* |
R-3 | 20 | 15 | 5 or 0* |
R-4 | 20 | 15 | 5 or 0* |
C-1 | 20 | 15 | 5 or 0* |
C-2 | 15 | 15 | 5 or 0* |
M-1 | 15 | 15 | 5 or 0* |
RA | 40 | 40 | 20 |
RR | 25 | 25 | 10 |
Lots | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Zone | Minimum Area** | Minimum Width (feet) | Maximum Height (feet) |
R-1 | 8,000 square feet | 70 | 26 |
R-2, single-family | 6,000 square feet | 60 | 26 |
R-2, multiple-family* | 2,500 square feet/unit | 60 | 35 |
R-3, single-family | 5,000 square feet | 50 | 35 |
R-3, multiple-family | 1,250 square feet/unit | 50 | 35 |
R-4, single-family | 5,000 square feet | 50 | 26 |
R-4, multiple-family | 1,250 square feet/unit | 50 | 35 |
C-1 | 5,000 square feet | 50 | 35 |
C-2 | 5,000 square feet | 60 | 35 |
RA | 3 acres | 100 | 35 |
RR | 1/2 acre | 100 | 26 |
NOTES: | |
|---|---|
* | Minimum lot area for multiple-family dwellings is the same for a single-family dwelling within the same zone. |
** | If a lot is not served by the municipal wastewater collection system, Environment Department minimum lot area requirements shall apply. |
§ 250-14.3 Residential districts: additional provisions and exceptions.
The following provisions shall apply to all development in a residential zoning district:
A.
Setback exceptions.
(1)
A minimum side yard setback of zero feet in a residential district only, provided all the following requirements are met:
(2)
The minimum setback distance shall be maintained for both front yards of a corner lot. A lesser setback for one front yard of a triple-frontage lot shall be considered upon application to the Commission for a variance.
(3)
New dwellings may be erected as close to a front property line as the average distance established by existing dwellings on that side of the block, provided the lots on the same side of the block are 50% developed.
(4)
An addition to a main dwelling shall be permitted as an extension of existing building lines which have nonconforming setbacks. Setbacks for such addition shall be the same as the main dwelling.
(5)
There shall be a minimum setback of 7 1/2 feet for two-story buildings.
(6)
There shall be a minimum setback of one foot for each foot in height of any building, other than a single- or two-family dwelling, abutting an R-1 or R-2 District.
B.
Front-yard parking. Parking shall conform to the requirements of § 250-12.2A of this chapter.
[Amended 7-7-2014 by Ord. No. 14-05-19]
C.
Minimum distance between structures. There shall be no less than 10 feet between buildings or structures located on the same lot, tract, or parcel.
D.
Easement encroachments. There shall be no permanent structures located on easements without written approval of the City Council.
§ 250-14.4 Commercial and manufacturing districts: additional provisions and exceptions.
The following provisions shall apply to all development in a commercial or manufacturing district:
A.
Setback exceptions.
(1)
A zero-foot side yard shall be permitted only when: a building on the abutting side is at least five feet from the property line; or both buildings share a common wall on the side property line; or when the abutting property is undeveloped. Otherwise, a five-foot setback is required.
(2)
There shall be a minimum setback of one foot for each foot in height of any building abutting a residential zoning district. There shall be at least a minimum distance of 30 feet maintained between any residential dwelling and any commercial or industrial structure.
(3)
There shall be a minimum setback of 7 1/2 feet for two-story buildings.
B.
Minimum distance between structures. There shall be no less than 10 feet between buildings or structures located on the same lot, tract, or parcel.
C.
Private streets. All undedicated streets or private drives shall be a minimum of 24 feet in width.
D.
New commercial and manufacturing buildings shall construct and maintain trash enclosures.
[Added 10-19-2015 by Ord. No. 15-08-17]
§ 250-14.5 Mobile home parks (MHPs), mobile home subdivisions (MHSs) and recreational vehicle parks (RVPs): additional provisions and exceptions.
The following provisions shall apply to all MHPs, MHSs and RVPs:
A.
Standards.
Minimum Development Area (acres) | Minimum Space Area (square feet) | Maximum Density (per acre) | Maximum Height (feet) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MHP | 2 | 3,000 | 12 | 26 | |
MHS | |||||
R-2 Zone | 5 | 6,000 | 6 | 26 | |
Other Zones | 5 | 5,000 | 8 | 26 | |
RVP | 2 | 1,250 | 20 | 26 | |
Minimum Distance (feet) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum Width of Lots or Spaces (feet) | MH to MH | MH to Main Building | MH to Accessory Building | ||
MHP | 30 | 14 | 15 | 10 | |
MHS | |||||
R-2 Zone | 50 | 20 | 20 | 10 | |
Other Zones | 50 | 15 | 15 | 10 | |
RVP | 20 | 15 | 15 | 10 | |
Yard Setbacks (feet) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Minimum Front Depth | Minimum Rear Depth | Minimum Side Width* | ||
MHP | 15 | 10 | 10 (main entrance side) | |
MHS | ||||
R-2 Zone | 20 | 20 | 5 (nonentrance side) | |
Other Zones | 20 | 15 | 5 | |
RVP | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
NOTE: | |
|---|---|
* | Whichever is greater, minimum distances between MH and other structure or minimum side width, shall govern. |
B.
Storage units. Storage units with a minimum volume of 300 cubic feet and a maximum volume of 600 cubic feet are required for each MHL. Such storage units may be placed adjacent to the MH or on the setback line.
C.
Mobile home park (MHP) permissible dwellings. Permissible dwellings within MHPs are mobile homes (MHs), trailers, or recreational vehicles.
D.
Private streets. Undedicated streets or private drives within a MHP, MHS or RVP shall be a minimum of 28 feet in surface width, not including curb and gutter if installed. Streets shall be paved with asphalt, concrete, double-penetration chip seal, or other appropriate surface as approved by the City.
E.
Easement encroachments. Structures, mobile home spaces, or recreational vehicle spaces shall not be located within easements without written approval of the City Council.
§ 250-14.6 Landscaping and erosion control.
The landscaping standards stated in Article X of this chapter shall apply to most developments and improvements. For those developments not subject to the landscaping standards stated in Article X, properties shall either be maintained in their natural vegetative state or, if disturbed, yard grass or other measures shall be taken to control water and wind erosion.
§ 250-14.7 Telecommunications facilities and antennas.
[Amended 11-5-2001]
A.
Intent. The intent of this section is:
(1)
To provide a uniform and comprehensive set of standards for the development of commercial wireless telecommunications facilities and the installation of antennas.
(2)
To protect and promote health, safety, community welfare, and the aesthetic quality of the City of Socorro.
(3)
To protect the visual character of the City from the potential adverse effects of telecommunications facility development.
(4)
To protect the environmental resources of the City of Socorro.
(5)
To ensure that a competitive and broad range of telecommunications services and a high-quality telecommunications infrastructure are provided to serve the community.
(6)
To create and preserve telecommunications facilities that will serve as an important and effective part of Socorro's emergency response network.
(7)
To promote collocated, concealed, and visually unobtrusive wireless telecommunications facilities.
B.
Installation of any and all cellular antennas, towers or other telecommunications facilities in any zone shall constitute a special use and shall receive final approval from the City Council following the procedure set forth in § 250-5.5.
C.
Restrictions.
(1)
Height restrictions by zone. (Note: For the purpose of this amendment, variance to height restrictions must be addressed with the special use permit.)
Zone | Height Restriction (feet) | |
|---|---|---|
R-1 | 26 | |
R-2 | 26 | |
R-3 | 26 | |
R-4 | 26 | |
C-1 | 26 | |
C-2 | 26 | |
RR | 26 | |
RA | 26 | |
M-1 | 150 |
(2)
All height restrictions are subject to the provisions of this chapter and state, federal and/or FAA regulations.
D.
Construction standards.
E.
Setbacks. The minimum setback from any property line for a telecommunications tower or antenna shall be equal to the height of the tower or antenna.
F.
Lighting. Only security lighting or lighting required by state and/or federal law is permitted. Lighting shall be in compliance with Article XV of this chapter.
G.
Signage. The only signage permitted is that which is required by state or federal law.
H.
Telecommunications equipment buildings or cabinets. These cabinets or buildings shall not exceed 400 square feet in gross floor area and shall not exceed 12 feet in height. Setbacks shall be in compliance with the setbacks for the zoning district in which the facility is located.
I.
Collocation. No cellular antenna or tower shall be permitted unless the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer or his/her designee determines, upon applicant's demonstration, that there exists a need for a new tower and that alternatives to the construction of a tower have been exhausted.
J.
Abandonment. All wireless telecommunications facilities which are not in use for six consecutive months shall be removed by the owner. This removal shall take place within three months of the end of such six-month period. Upon removal, the site shall be renegotiated to blend with the existing surrounding vegetation.
K.
Application requirements:
(1)
A detailed site plan.
(2)
An inventory of existing towers, owned by the applicant, and located within the boundaries of the City of Socorro or within 1,000 feet of the City boundary.
(3)
Evidence of collocation plans.
(5)
Photographs of similar sites or computer-generated photos of what the site will look like when complete.
(6)
A landscape plan compatible with the surrounding area.
L.
Exclusions. The following facilities shall be exempt from the provisions of this section:
(1)
Any towers or commercial antennas that were in existence prior to the date of adoption of this section.
(2)
Emergency services wireless telecommunications facilities used exclusively for police, fire and operation of the City utilities.
(3)
Any antenna used for AM, FM, or TV broadcasting.
(4)
Any antenna or tower used exclusively for licensed operation in the amateur radio service.
§ 250-14.8 Drainage, grading and site plans.
A.
Drainage, grading, and site plans shall be required for all developments over one acre or as otherwise required in this chapter. The Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer will require that the plans and associated information be prepared by a registered civil engineer.
B.
On-site retention of all drainage created by a development may be required by the City Council upon recommendation by the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer and the Commission.
§ 250-14.9 Development in flood hazard areas.
All development in flood hazard areas as designated on the City of Socorro Special Flood Hazard Area Boundary Maps or as otherwise designated by the Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer shall conform to the requirements set forth in Chapter 151, Flood Damage Prevention, of the Socorro City Code. The Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer shall require building pads and related construction to be raised or filled above the flooding danger level. The Zoning Administrator/Code Enforcement Officer shall also issue flood hazard development permits and shall maintain all records for public inspection and purchase of copies.