Strafford City Zoning Code
ARTICLE I
General Provisions
Section 400.005 Short Title.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
These regulations constitute and may be referred to as "The City of Strafford Zoning Ordinance".
Section 400.010 Purpose.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
In order to promote the health, safety, morals, and the general welfare of the City of Strafford, Missouri, this Chapter divides the City into districts to regulate and restrict the height, number of stories, size of buildings and other structures, the percentage of lot that may be occupied, the size of the yards, courts and other open spaces, the density of population, the preservation of features of historical significance, the location and use of buildings, structures and land for trade, industry and residence or other purposes; and the erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair or use of buildings, structures or land.
B.
These regulations are made with consideration of the character of the district and its suitability for particular uses and with a view of conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the City of Strafford.
Section 400.015 Authority.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
These regulations are made in accordance with the City of Strafford Comprehensive Plan and with Chapter 89, RSMo., and amendments thereto and are designed to:
1.
Lessen congestion in the streets.
2.
Secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers.
3.
Promote health and general welfare.
4.
Provide adequate light and air.
5.
Prevent the overcrowding of land.
6.
Avoid undue concentration of population.
7.
To preserve features of historical significance.
8.
Facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewer, schools, parks, and other public requirements.
B.
Whenever any provision of this Chapter refers to or cites a Section of Chapter 89, RSMo., and that Section is later amended or superseded, the Chapter shall be deemed amended to refer to the amended Section or the Section that most nearly corresponds to the superseded Section.
Section 400.020 Relationship To Existing Zoning and Subdivision Regulations.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
To the extent that the provisions of this Chapter are the same in substance as the previously adopted provisions that they replace in the City's Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, they shall be considered as continuations thereof and not as new enactments unless otherwise specifically provided. In particular, a situation that did not constitute a lawful, non-conforming situation under the previously adopted Zoning Ordinance does not achieve lawful non-conforming status under this Chapter merely by the repeal of the Zoning Ordinance.
Section 400.025 No Use or Sale of Land or Buildings Except in Conformity With Chapter Provisions.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
Subject to Article IX of this Chapter (Non-Conforming Situations), no person may use, occupy, or sell any land or buildings or authorize or permit the use, occupancy, or sale of land or buildings under his control except in accordance with all of the applicable provisions of this Chapter.
B.
For purposes of this Section, the "use" or "occupancy" of a building or land relates to anything and everything that is done to, or on, or in that building or land.
Section 400.030 Responsibility.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
Any user of this Code understands and agrees as to having read the contents before submitting an application for any permit or plans for any development. It is the responsibility of all applicants to meet the requirements of this Code. Failure to meet the requirements is one (1) reason for denial of application.
Section 400.035 Sections Severable.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
If any Section, Subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this Chapter is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Chapter.
Section 400.040 Classes of Districts.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
For the purpose of these regulations, the City of Strafford, Missouri, is divided into the following districts in accordance with a "Zoning Map", included herein and made a part by reference:
1.
Residential districts.
d.
"R-3" Multi-Family Residential District (up to twelve (12) dwelling units per acre). All uses permitted in "R-1" and "R-2", and multi-family units. If units are individually owned (example town houses), zero (0) lot lines are permitted on the shared side(s) with approval of the Board of Aldermen. See Article XII, Section 400.535.
2.
Commercial and business districts.
a.
"NC" Neighborhood Commercial. The Neighborhood Commercial District is designed to accommodate commercial development on a scale that is less intensive than the permitted "GC" District. A lesser intensity of development is achieved through setback, height, and minimum lot size requirements that are more restrictive than those applicable to the "GC" zone. The "NC" District may provide a transition in some areas of the City. See Article XIII, Section 400.540.
Section 400.045 Zoning Map.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
Said districts are bounded and defined as shown on a map entitled "Zoning Map — Strafford, Missouri" and adopted as part of these regulations. The "Zoning Map" shall be available for inspection and examination by members of the public at all reasonable times as that of any other public record.
Section 400.050 Interpretation.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
Where uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries of any of the aforesaid districts on the Zoning Map, the following rules apply:
1.
Where district boundary lines are indicated as approximately following streets and alleys, highways or railroads, such boundaries shall be construed as following the centerlines thereof.
2.
Where district boundary lines are indicated as approximately following lot lines, or section lines, such line shall be construed to be said boundaries.
3.
Where a district boundary line divides a lot, or unsubdivided property, and the dimensions are not shown on the Zoning Map, the location of such boundary shall be as indicated upon the Zoning Map using the scale appearing on such map.
4.
Where an issue is addressed in more than one (1) code, regulation or ordinance, the most restrictive ordinance or regulation applies.
Section 400.055 Conformity Required.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall be unlawful to use any land or building for any purpose other than is permitted in the district in which such land or building is located. No building shall hereafter be erected, reconstructed, relocated or structurally altered to cover a greater percentage of lot area than permitted to accommodate or have smaller yards, courts or open spaces than permissible under the limitations set forth herein for the district in which such building is located.
B.
No part of a yard, or other open space required about any building, existing or hereafter provided for a building or use and necessary to meet or partially meet the requirements of this regulation, shall be included as part of a yard or other open space required for another building.
C.
No lot, held under one (1) ownership at the effective date of this regulation, shall be reduced in dimension or area in relation to any building thereon so as to be smaller than that required by this regulation; if already less, the dimensions or area shall not be further reduced.
D.
No building shall hereafter be erected, reconstructed, relocated or structurally altered on any lot or parcel unless such lot or parcel faces a publicly dedicated street or right-of-way or a private street or right-of-way approved under the provisions of this Chapter. Where a building is in existence, no such required dedicated street or right-of-way or approved private street or right-of-way shall be vacated so as to eliminate the required access to a publicly dedicated street or right-of-way.
Section 400.060 Regulations Generally.
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
Except as hereinafter specifically provided:
1.
No land shall be used except for a purpose permitted in the district in which it is located.
2.
No building shall be erected, converted, enlarged, reconstructed, moved or structurally altered, nor shall any building be used, except for a use permitted in the district in which such building is located, or to exceed the height limit herein established for the district in which such building is located, except in conformance with the off-street parking and loading regulations of the district in which such building is located, and in no case shall there be more than one (1) main building on one (1) lot except as specifically provided hereafter.
3.
The minimum yards, parking spaces, and open spaces, including lot area per family, required by this Chapter for each and every building existing at the time of passage of this Chapter or for any building hereafter erected shall not be encroached upon or considered as part of the yard or parking space or open space required for any other building, nor shall any lot area be reduced below the requirements of this Chapter for the district in which such lot is located.
Section 400.065 Fees. [1]
[Ord. No. 659 §1, 5-2-2011]
A.
Reasonable fees sufficient to cover the costs of administration, inspection, publication of notice, and similar matters may be charged to applicants for approved use permits, sign permits, preliminary plat approval, conditional use permits, subdivision plat approval, zoning amendments, variances and other administrative relief.
B.
All fees related to an independent engineering review prior to issuance of a construction permit are the responsibility of the applicant/developer.
[1]
Editor's Note: The most recent Fee Schedule for Planning and Development fees was adopted 12-5-2022 by Ord. No. 968. Said schedule is held on file in the City offices.