Somers City Zoning Code
ARTICLE III
Residential Districts
§ 214-3.1 Purposes.
A.
The Residential A and Residential A-1 Zoning Districts are intended to recognize and support the predominant rural and agricultural character of Somers and provide for residential use and development in these areas appropriate to the environmental characteristics of the land (such as soil types, terrain, and infrastructure capacity) and the character of the area.
B.
The Residential A-2 Zoning District is intended to recognize the smaller lot sizes in the centers of Somers and Somersville and provide for residential use and development in these areas appropriate to the environmental characteristics of the land (such as soil types, terrain, and infrastructure capacity) and the character of the area.
C.
Certain nonresidential uses may be allowed in the residential zoning districts when the Zoning Commission finds, based on information presented, that such uses will be appropriate for the proposed location in accordance with the standards contained in these regulations.
Somers  | Somersville  |
Residential  | Agricultural  |
§ 214-3.2 Principal uses and structures.
ZPNR | Permitted; zoning permit not required |
ZP | Permitted with zoning permit (from Zoning Enforcement Officer) |
SPA | Permitted with site plan approval (from Zoning Commission) |
SUP | Permitted with special use permit approval (from Zoning Commission) |
X | Not permitted in this district |
Use | Residential A | Residential A-1 | Residential A-2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A. | Residential | |||
(1) | One single-family detached dwelling per lot, except no lot shall be occupied for residential purposes unless it has the required frontage on a Town-approved or state-approved street | ZP | ZP | ZP |
(2) | Two-family building, provided that there shall be at least 80,000 square feet of contiguous buildable area and at least 300 feet of frontage | X | ZP | ZP |
(3) | Age-restricted housing subject to the requirements of Section 214-6.5 of these regulations | X | SUP | SUP |
(4) | X | Approval by Planning Commission | Approval by Planning Commission | |
B. | Open Space | |||
(1) | Open space | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR |
(2) | Parks and playgrounds | SUP | SUP | SUP |
C. | Agricultural | |||
(1) | Farm/agriculture | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR |
(2) | Water harvesting for commercial purposes | SUP | SUP | SUP |
(3) | Commercial horse farm subject to the requirements of Section 214-6.3B of these regulations | X | SUP | X |
(4) | Greenhouse operations and nurseries, provided that any on-premises sales are limited to products raised on the premises | X | SUP | X |
D. | Institutional | |||
(1) | Convalescent or nursing home or home for the aged | X | SUP | SUP |
(2) | Place of worship or religious institution | SUP | SUP | SUP |
(3) | Nonprofit institution | X | SUP | SUP |
(4) | Private museum | X | SUP | SUP |
(5) | Governmental uses and public service uses, such as firehouse, library, etc. | SUP | SUP | SUP |
(6) | Public or private school (not including business or trade schools), nursery, dancing school or riding school, conservatory for music or other arts | X | SUP | SUP |
E. | Recreational | |||
(1) | Golf course or country club | X | SUP | X |
(2) | Golf center | X | SUP | X |
(3) | Public or quasi-public camp, provided that a minimum boundary buffer of 50 feet shall be provided to camping areas | X | SUP | X |
(4) | Membership club, outdoor recreation provided that the property shall contain at least 400 square feet of land per member | X | SUP | X |
(5) | Commercial swimming club | X | SUP | X |
F. | Utility/Infrastructure | |||
(1) | Public utility lines, substations and buildings in accordance with Section 214-6.10 of these regulations | SUP | SUP | SUP |
(2) | Wireless telecommunications in accordance with Section 214-8.3 of these regulations | X | See Section 214-8.3 | See Section 214-8.3 |
G. | Other | |||
(1) | Cemetery, provided that a minimum boundary buffer of 20 feet shall be provided to burial plots | X | SUP | SUP |
(2) | Adaptive reuse of an existing structure on a state highway in accordance with Section 214-6.7 of these regulations | X | SUP | SUP |
§ 214-3.3 Accessory uses and structures.
A.
Accessory parking of vehicles.
(1)
On a residential property, parking or storage of motor vehicles is allowed as follows:
Type of Vehicle | Outside | Inside | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
(a) | Registered passenger-type vehicle (including antique, dealer, combinations, etc.) | Permitted | Permitted | |
(b) | Registered commercial-type vehicle | Outside storage requires approval of special use permit (from Zoning Commission) | Inside storage of one vehicle per lot is permitted, provided that vehicle is less than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating | |
(c) | Farm vehicles on a farm | Permitted but such vehicles shall not be kept in front of any residence or within the front yard setback | No limit | |
(d) | Unregistered vehicle | Limited to two such vehicles, except that storage of one additional vehicle may be allowed for 30 days when: | Permitted | |
° | Such vehicle is for sale; | |||
° | Prior notification is given to the ZEO of the dates of such storage; and | |||
° | Such storage does not recur for another six months | |||
(e) | Trailers, camping trailers, recreational vehicles, boats, and the like | Storage in the rear or side yard, provided that: | Permitted | |
° | No unit shall be used for sleeping, living, cooking or for carrying on a business in any district except as provided elsewhere in these regulations. | |||
° | Screening shall be provided for any such unit, when stored, to substantially reduce the visibility of the unit from the street and from nearby properties | |||
B.
General provisions for accessory uses/structures.
Accessory uses, buildings, and structures customarily incidental to any use permitted herein are allowed, provided that such accessory structures shall not include any advertising signs, signboards or posters, except as allowed by Section 214-7.1 of these regulations.(1)
Accessory buildings shall not be located in the front yard of any lot unless located in the rear half of the lot.
(2)
Accessory buildings less than 200 square feet in area and less than 10 feet in height may be located to within 10 feet of side or rear lot lines when located in the rear half of any lot and when located at least 50 feet from a principal residence on an abutting property.
(3)
A barn, stable or garage may be erected to the same height limits as a principal building.
(4)
An accessory building, including those attached to a main building by means of a breezeway or a roofed passageway or other connection, shall not be used for residential purposes, except as may be specifically provided elsewhere in these regulations.
(6)
Accessory buildings housing farm animals shall be located as follows:
(7)
Accessory buildings on a farm for other than housing farm animals shall be at least 100 feet from all property lines.
(8)
Accessory buildings to a proposed main building may be erected on a then-vacant residential lot, if so placed as not to interfere with the eventual practicable and conforming location of the principal building.
(9)
Any accessory building or structure with a footprint larger than the footprint of the principal building on the property shall:
C.
Provisions for specific accessory uses/structures.
ZPNR | Permitted; zoning permit not required |
ZP | Permitted with zoning permit (from Zoning Enforcement Officer) |
SPA | Permitted with site plan approval (from Zoning Commission) |
SUP | Permitted with special use permit approval (from Zoning Commission) |
X | Not permitted in this district |
Use/Structure | Residential A | Residential A-1 | Residential A-2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) | Parking/Storage-Related | |||||
(a) | Private garage for motor vehicles | ZP | ZP | ZP | ||
(b) | Noncommercial greenhouse, storage shed or boathouse | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(c) | One temporary storage structure up to 8 feet by 8 feet by 16 feet for up to 30 days in any calendar year when located on the driveway | X | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(2) | Home-Based-Business-Related | |||||
(a) | Home office in accordance with Section 214-6.2A of these regulations | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(b) | Minor home occupation in accordance with Section 214-6.2B of these regulations | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(c) | Tea room in accordance with Section 214-6.2C of these regulations | X | SUP | X | ||
(d) | Bed-and-breakfast in accordance with Section 214-6.2D of these regulations | X | SUP | SUP | ||
(e) | Professional office in accordance with Section 214-6.2E of these regulations | X | SUP | SUP | ||
(f) | Group day-care home in accordance with Section 214-6.2F of these regulations | X | SUP | SUP | ||
(3) | Recreation-Related Facilities | |||||
(a) | Noncommercial swimming pool or tennis court, provided that it complies with yard setbacks for accessory structures | ZP | ZP | ZP | ||
(4) | Animal-Related | |||||
(a) | Personal kennel | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(b) | Commercial kennel on a parcel containing at least 3.0 acres of land | X | SUP | X | ||
(c) | Keeping of up to six hens (no roosters) | ZP | ZP | ZP | ||
(d) | Horses and ponies for pleasure only in accordance with Section 214-6.3A of these regulations | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(e) | Horses and ponies for commercial purposes in accordance with Section 214-6.3B of these regulations | X | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(5) | Agriculture-Related | |||||
(a) | Livestock on a farm when kept in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices as determined by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(b) | Roadside stand for sale of agricultural produce, provided that at least 4 parking spaces are available | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(c) | Building housing animals other than horses and ponies in accordance with Section 214-3.3B(7) | ZP | ZP | ZP | ||
(d) | Manure storage in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices as follows: | |||||
[1] | Up to 2 cubic yards (2 CY) | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
[2] | Between 2 CY and 16 CY, provided that such material shall be stored at least 100 feet from any property line | ZPNR | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
[3] | If more than 16 CY or if between 2 CY and 16 CY and stored less than 100 feet from any property line | SUP | SUP | SUP | ||
(e) | A building or dormitory on a farm to house farm workers at an active farm, provided that: | |||||
[1] | Such farm employs at least 6 workers at any given time during the year, including seasonal or otherwise | X | ZP | ZP | ||
[2] | The number of workers housed shall not exceed 2 workers per cultivated acre, and such cultivated acreage must be within the Town of Somers and owned by the applicant | X | ZP | ZP | ||
[3] | Before construction or use of any such facility, adequate documentation shall be submitted to demonstrate that the above criteria are met and will be maintained | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(f) | Building(s) on a farm for storing and/or processing of agricultural products produced on the premises | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(g) | Building(s) on a farm for storage and repair of motor vehicles and/or equipment for operation of such farm | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(h) | Farm brewery, farm winery and/or farm distillery accessory to a farm and in accordance with Section 214-6.12 | SUP | SUP | SUP | ||
(6) | Residential-Related | |||||
(a) | Accessory apartment in accordance with Section 214-6.4 of these regulations | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(b) | Use of an existing dwelling as a boardinghouse for up to 3 boarders or roomers, provided that the dwelling shall be occupied by the owner as his or her principal residence during any such rooming or boarding occupancy | X | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(7) | Other | |||||
(a) | Satellite receivers and antennas (less than 1 meter in diameter) | X | ZPNR | ZPNR | ||
(b) | Mobile homes for emergency housing or storage for up to 6 months necessitated by natural disaster or similar occurrence | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(c) | Temporary trailer in accordance with Section 214-6.9A of these regulations | X | See Section 214-6.9A | See Section 214-6.9A | ||
(d) | School bus shelters in accordance with Section 214-6.9B of these regulations | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(e) | Nonprofit events in accordance with Section 214-6.9C of these regulations | X | ZP | ZP | ||
(f) | Special events for commercial operations in accordance with Section 214-6.9D of these regulations | X | SUP | SUP | ||
(g) | Outdoor wood-burning furnaces in accordance with Section 214-6.13 of these regulations | SUP | SUP | SUP | ||
(h) | Antenna structures operated by licensed amateur radio operators: | |||||
[1] | When not located in the front yard | ZP | ZP | ZP | ||
[2] | If located in the front yard | SUP | SUP | SUP | ||
§ 214-3.4 Area, yard and bulk regulations.
Regulation | Residential A | Residential A-1 | Residential A-2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A. | Density | ||||||
(1) | Maximum density (lots per acre of buildable area on the parcel) | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.70 | |||
B. | Lot Area/Frontage | ||||||
(1) | Minimum lot area (square feet) | 40,000 | 40,000 | 20,000 (sewer) 40,000 (septic) | |||
(2) | Minimum contiguous buildable area (square feet) | 40,000 | 40,000 | 20,000 | |||
(3) | Minimum lot frontage (feet) | 175 | 175 | 125 | |||
C. | Setbacks - Buildings/Structures | ||||||
(1) | Minimum front setback (feet) | 175 | 175 | 175 | |||
(a) | Principal structure | 50 | 50 | 50 | |||
(b) | Accessory structure greater than 200 square feet (but not permitted in front yard unless in rear half of lot) | 50 | 50 | 50 | |||
(c) | Accessory structure up to 200 square feet (but not permitted in front yard unless in rear half of lot) | 50 | 50 | 50 | |||
(2) | Minimum side setback (feet) | ||||||
(a) | Principal structure | 25 | 25 | 15 | |||
(b) | Accessory structure greater than 200 square feet | 25 | 25 | 15 | |||
(c) | Accessory structure up to 200 square feet | 25 | 25 | 10 | |||
(3) | Minimum rear setback (feet) | ||||||
(a) | Principal structure | 40 | 40 | 40 | |||
(b) | Accessory structure greater than 200 square feet | 25 | 25 | 25 | |||
(c) | Accessory structure up to 200 square feet | 25 | 25 | 10 | |||
D. | Setbacks - Parking Area | ||||||
(1) | Minimum side setback (feet) | 10 | 10 | 5 | |||
(2) | Minimum rear setback (feet) | 10 | 10 | 10 | |||
E. | Building Height | ||||||
(1) | Maximum height: primary building | 35 feet 2.5 stories | 35 feet 2.5 stories | 35 feet 2.5 stories | |||
(2) | Maximum height: accessory building | 20 feet 2.0 stories | 20 feet 2.0 stories | 20 feet 1.5 stories | |||
F. | Lot Coverage | ||||||
(1) | Maximum lot coverage | 25% | 25% | 25% | |||