Springfield City Zoning Code
TITLE ONE
Introductory Standards.
1101.01 TITLE.
This Part shall be known and may be cited as the "Zoning Code of the City of Springfield, Ohio", or as the "Zoning Code".
1101.02 EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Zoning Code shall become effective on Date1 2025.
(1 Placeholder for effective date.)
1101.03 PURPOSE AND INTENT.
This Zoning Code is being enacted for the following reasons:
(a) To promote and protect the public health, safety, comfort, and welfare of the residents of the City of Springfield;
(b) To protect the property rights of all individuals by assuring the compatibility of uses and practices within districts;
(c) To facilitate the provision of public utilities and public services;
(d) To provide for mixed use corridors and promote walkability;
(e) To promote and enhance existing neighborhoods;
(f) To produce affordably priced housing;
(g) Lower barriers to development and redevelopment;
(h) To promote safe streets where all modes are welcomed and safe; and
(i) To achieve the goals of the City of Springfield's Charter, the Ohio Revised Code, or under common law rulings.
1101.04 APPLICABILITY.
(a) Interpreted as Minimum Requirements. In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this Zoning Code shall be held to be minimum requirements (unless a maximum standard is established).
(b) Compliance Required. No building, structure, or land shall hereafter be used or occupied, and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or altered, except in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.
1101.05 SEVERABILITY.
Should any article, section, or provision of this Zoning Code be declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of this Zoning Code as a whole, or any part this Zoning Code other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.
1101.06 CONFLICTING PROVISIONS.
(a) Repeal and Effect of Repeal. All Zoning Resolutions, maps, or parts thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Zoning Code are hereby repealed. Except as expressly provided in this Zoning Code, such repeal shall not affect or impair any act done, offense committed or right accrued, or liability, penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred prior to the time such repeal takes effect; the same may be enjoyed, asserted, enforced, prosecuted, or inflicted, as fully and to the same extent as if such repeal had not been affected.
(b) Conflict with State or Federal Regulations. If the provisions of this Zoning Code are inconsistent with those of the state or federal government, the more restrictive provision will control, to the extent permitted by law.
(c) Conflict with other City Regulations. If the provisions of this Zoning Code are
inconsistent with one another, or if they conflict with provisions found in other adopted ordinances, regulations of the City, or any proffers or conditions of approval, the more restrictive provision will control unless otherwise expressly stated.
(d) Conflict with Private Agreements and Covenants. This Zoning Code is not intended to interfere with, abrogate, or annul any easement, covenant, deed restriction, or other agreement between private parties. The City does not enforce private covenants.
1102.01 RULES OF INTERPRETATION.
(a) All references in this Zoning Code to other regulations or manuals refer to the most current version and citation for those regulations or manuals, unless expressly indicated otherwise. When the referenced regulations or documents have been repealed and not replaced by other regulations or manuals, requirements within this Zoning Code for compliance are no longer in effect.
(b) Illustrations, diagrams, and flowcharts are included in this Zoning Code to illustrate the intent and requirements of the text. In the case of a conflict between the text and any illustration, diagram, or flowchart, the text controls.
(c) Section headings are provided for ease of use and organization and shall not be interpreted as regulatory.
1103.01 OVERVIEW.
The following Section describes how information and regulations of this Zoning Code are presented. They provide a guide to the naming convention for zoning districts and a step-by-step guide for how to navigate and find information in the Zoning Code.
1103.02 DISTRICTS.
To classify, regulate and restrict the use and location of buildings designed for specified uses; to regulate the bulk of buildings; to regulate and determine the area and yards surrounding buildings; and to regulate and limit the density of population, the city is divided into zoning districts.
1103.03 ZONING MAP.
(a) The boundaries of zoning districts are hereby established as shown on the Zoning Map of Springfield, Ohio, herein referred to as the "map." The map shall be and is hereby made a part of this code. The map and one (1) reproduction shall both be dated and certified to be true and correct by the President of the Commission. The map shall be placed and remain on file in the City Clerk's office in the form provided at the time of the passage of this code. One (1) certified true reproduction shall be maintained in the office of the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
(b) Subsequent amendments to the map shall be recorded by filing the amending ordinances together with schematic maps diagramming the effect of the amendments on the original map. The original map shall not be altered.
(c) The Community Development Department shall from time to time produce a consolidated map reflecting all current changes, but this map and all reproductions of this map will only be for reference and convenience and will not be regarded as a part of this code.
(d) If, in the judgment of the City Clerk, the original map becomes sufficiently worn or outdated to justify replacement, the City Commission may direct that a new map be drawn reflecting all the then current amendments. This new map, after inspection by all members of the Commission, may be adopted by ordinance as the new map. One (1) copy of the new map shall be reproduced, dated and certified to be true and correct by the President of the Commission and shall then replace the original map.
1103.04 USING THE CODE.
(a) Step 1: Determine the Zoning District
(1) Obtain the subject property's zoning from the Official Zoning Map hosted on the City's website.
(2) Take note of the zoning of properties abutting the subject property.
(b) Step 2: Find the Development Context
(1) Zoning districts are organized and grouped into district categories according to development context in the Zoning Code.
(2) The first letter of the zoning district naming convention indicates the applicable district category (development context).
(3) The two letters following the hyphen in the zoning district naming convention indicate the summarizing characteristics, nature, or overarching development pattern of the zoning district.
(4) For example, if the subject property is zoned R-LD, the first letter, "R" in the zoning district naming convention indicates the applicable development context - in this case, the Residential district category. The two letters following the hyphen, "LD" in the zoning district naming convention indicates the overarching development pattern - in this case, low density residential development.
(c) Step 3: Understand the Zoning District
(1) Gain further understanding of the subject property's applicable zoning by reviewing the zoning district purpose statement found in TITLE Three - District Standards.
(2) For example, read link (Section 1109.02 Low Density Residential (R-LD) District), for a description of the R-LD district.
(d) Step 4: Identify Use Allowances
(1) To find what uses are allowed on the subject property, select the interactive link to the Table 1104.03.1: Use Table found in subsection (b) of the applicable zoning district.
(2) Once in Table 1104.03.1: Use Table, find whether a use is permitted by-right by staff (stylized as "P"), permitted as a limited use by staff (stylized as "L"), allowed as a conditional use via approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals (stylized as "C"), or prohibited in the applicable zoning district (stylized as blank).
(3) All uses are listed in the first column of Table 1104.03.1: Use Table and the zoning district categories and zoning districts are listed in the first two rows for the next 13 columns.
(4) Allowed primary and accessory and temporary uses and the relevant parking requirements are listed in the first column of Table 1104.03.1: Use Table and zoning districts are listed across the remaining table columns.
(5) Table cell entries for each use indicate whether the use is allowed in the zoning district or allowed subject to specific limitations, and/or subject to a specific review.
(6) The last column of Table 1104.03.1: Use Table references the user to a particular use's applicable use-specific regulations. These regulations are contained within the CHAPTER 1106 - Use-Specific Standards of TITLE Two - Use Standards. In some cases, use limitations reference their applicability to certain zoning districts.
(e) Step 5: Review the Applicable Dimensional Standards
(1) To find out the dimensional standards (setbacks, height, lot size, etc.) on the subject property, review the dimensional standards table provided in subsection (c) of the applicable zoning district.
(f) Step 6: Review the Site Development Standards
(1) Review TITLE Four - Site Development Standards which includes standards that are generally applicable to all new development, regardless of the applicable zoning district.
(2) These standards address parking and loading, landscaping, site lighting, signs, urban design, basic performance standards, and similar standards to ensure development is constructed to the applicable zoning district's intent and scale.
(3) For example, the Parking and Loading chapter provides different parking configurations for certain development types (i.e., residential, commercial, etc.).
(g) Step 7: Understand the Procedural Standards and Enforcement
(1) Review TITLE Five - Procedural Standards to gain an understanding of all development procedures applicable to new development as required by this Zoning Code.
(2) The Title first identifies and summarizes all the review and decision-making bodies and their respective roles pertaining to a given development procedure as established in this Zoning Code.
(3) The Title then describes common steps to all development procedures (i.e., noticing requirements, provision for pre-application conference, etc.), and then describes the steps required for each type of development procedure (i.e., site plan, conditional use permit, rezonings, variances, etc.).
(h) Step 8: Understand When Nonconforming Standards Apply
(1) TITLE Six - Nonconforming Standards contains the rules for nonconforming and compliant uses, structures, signs, and lots.
(2) If a development is nonconforming, any redevelopment or new development must adhere to the standards of this Title.
(i) Step 9: Know the Enforcement Protocol
(1) Finally, TITLE Seven - Enforcement Standards contains general enforcement provisions, including what constitutes a violation of the Zoning Code and the associated penalties.
(j) Step 10: Clarify any Uncertainty with the Definition Title