Stratford City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XI
Accessory Uses and Structures; Fences and Hedges; Swimming Pools
§ 590-90 Accessory uses and structures.
[Amended 5-12-2009; 10-12-2021]
A.
Principal use to be present. An accessory use or structure in any zoning district shall not be established prior to the principal use or structure being present or under construction. Any accessory use or structure shall conform to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located, except as specifically otherwise provided.
B.
Placement restrictions in residential districts. An accessory use or structure in a residential district may be established subject to the following regulations:
(1)
Accessory building number limits. In any residential district, in addition to the principal building, a detached garage or attached garage and one additional accessory building may be placed on a lot.
(2)
Total attached and/or detached storage square footage cannot exceed that of the main floor dwelling space of the primary residence. Accessory buildings attached to the primary residence may not exceed 1,000 square feet.
(3)
Attached accessory buildings. All accessory buildings which are attached to the principal building shall comply with the yard requirements of the principal building.
(4)
Detached accessory buildings.
(a)
No detached accessory building shall occupy any portion of the required street yard, and no detached accessory building shall be located within three feet of any other accessory building or lot line. Larger accessory use buildings may be permitted following issuance of a conditional use permit. An accessory building shall not be nearer than 10 feet to the principal structure unless the applicable building code regulations in regard to one-hour fire-resistive construction are complied with. In no event can the accessory uses or structures be forward of the front line of the principal structure.
(b)
Exception. In residential zoning districts, where the primary structure is placed behind the required front setback, one detached accessory building may be placed in the street yard, but never within the front setback area. The footprint of a street yard accessory building may not exceed the footprint of the primary structure.
C.
Use restrictions in residential districts. Accessory uses or structures in residential districts shall not involve the conduct of any business, trade or industry, except for home occupations as defined herein, and shall not be occupied as a dwelling unit.
D.
Placement restrictions in nonresidential districts. An accessory use or structure in a business or manufacturing district may be established in the rear yard or side yard and shall not be nearer than three feet to any side or rear lot line.
E.
Reversed corner lots. When an accessory structure is located on the rear of a reversed corner lot, it shall not be located beyond the street yard required on the adjacent interior lot to the rear or nearer than three feet to the side line of the adjacent structure.
F.
Landscaping and decorative uses. Accessory structures and vegetation used for landscaping and decorating may be placed in any required yard area. Permitted structures and vegetation include flagpoles, ornamental light standards, lawn furniture, sundials, birdbaths, trees, shrubs and flowers and gardens.
G.
Temporary uses. Temporary accessory uses such as real estate sales field offices or shelters for materials and equipment being used in the construction of the permanent structure, with a two-month maximum time limitation, may be permitted by the Zoning Administrator.
[Amended 2-14-2023]
H.
Garages in embankments in street yards. Where the mean natural grade of a street yard is more than eight feet above the curb level, a private garage may be erected within the street yard, provided that:
I.
Outdoor lighting. Outdoor lighting installations shall not be permitted closer than three feet to an abutting property line and, where not specifically otherwise regulated, shall not exceed 15 feet in height and shall be adequately shielded or hooded so that no excessive glare or illumination is cast upon the adjoining properties.[1]
J.
Lawn accessories. Walks, drives, paved terraces and purely decorative garden accessories such as pools, fountains, statuary, flagpoles, etc., shall be permitted in setback areas but not closer than three feet to an abutting property line other than a street line.
K.
Retaining walls. Retaining walls may be permitted anywhere on the lot; provided, however, that no individual wall shall exceed six feet in height, and a terrace of at least three feet in width shall be provided between any series of such walls, and provided further that along a street frontage no such wall shall be closer than three feet to the property line.
L.
Storage containers. Storage containers may be permitted subject to the following regulations:
[Added 2-14-2023]
(1)
Commercial, industrial, and rural development zones: annual permit required for each storage container. The permit shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator. The permit application shall be submitted to the Village Clerk, together with a fee established by the Village Board of Trustees.
(2)
Residential zones: Storage containers shall not be permitted in any residential zone.
(3)
Appeals. Any person feeling aggrieved by the refusal of the Zoning Administrator to issue a permit for the storage container may appeal such refusal to the Village Clerk within 20 days after such refusal to issue such permit is made. The appeal will be addressed at the next regular meeting of the Village Board of Trustees. The applicant or applicant's representative must be present for the Village Board to review the request.
§ 590-91 Outside storage of firewood.
A.
No person shall store firewood in the street yard on residentially zoned property, except that firewood may be temporarily stored in the street yard for a period of 30 days from the date of its delivery.
B.
Firewood should be neatly stacked and may be stacked not closer than three feet to any lot line and not higher than six feet from grade, except adjacent to a fence where firewood can be stacked against the fence as high as the fence. "Fence" as used in this subsection shall not include hedges and other vegetation.
C.
All brush, debris and refuse from processing of firewood shall be promptly and properly disposed of and shall not be allowed to remain on the premises.
E.
Not more than 20% of the side and rear yard may be used for storage of firewood at any one time.
§ 590-92 Fences and hedges.
[Amended 6-13-1995]
A.
Fence defined. For the purpose of this section, "fence" is herein defined as an enclosed barrier intended to prevent ingress or egress. A fence may consist of vegetation, wood, stone, metal or plastic or other building materials as approved by the Director of Public Works. The term "fence" shall include plantings, such as hedges and shrubbery. "Residential fence" is hereby defined as any fence erected in a residential district or located in any zoning district on a residential use property. No fence shall be constructed of unsightly or dangerous materials which would constitute a nuisance.
[Amended 6-13-2006]
B.
Fences categorized. Fences shall be categorized into five classifications:
(1)
Boundary fence. A fence placed on or within three feet of the property lines of adjacent properties.
(2)
Protective fence. A fence constructed to enclose a hazard to the public health, safety and welfare.
(3)
Architectural or aesthetic fence. A fence constructed to enhance the appearance of the structure or the landscape.
(4)
Hedge. A row of bushes or small trees planted close together which may form a barrier, enclosure or boundary.
(5)
Picket fence. A fence having a pointed post, stake, pale or peg laced vertically with the point or sharp part pointing upward to form a part of the fence.
C.
Height of fences regulated.
(1)
Except for swimming pool fences, a fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery may be erected, placed, maintained or grown along a lot line on residentially zoned property or adjacent thereto pursuant to Subsection D to a height not exceeding six feet above the ground level, except that no such fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery which is located in a required street or corner side yard shall exceed a height of three feet. Where such lot line is adjacent to a nonresidentially zoned property, there shall be an eight-foot limit on the height of a fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery along such lot line.
(2)
No fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery shall be erected, placed, maintained or grown along a lot line on any nonresidentially zoned property, adjacent to a residentially zoned property, to a height exceeding eight feet.
(3)
In any residence district, no fence, wall, hedge or shrubbery shall be erected, constructed, maintained or grown to a height exceeding three feet above the street grade nearest thereto within 25 feet of the intersection of any street lines or of street lines projected.
D.
Setback for residential fences. Fences in or adjacent to a residential property shall have a minimum three-foot setback but shall not extend into the front setback area.
[Amended 6-14-2022]
E.
Security fences. Security fences are permitted on the property lines in all districts except residential districts but shall not exceed 10 feet in height and shall be of an open type similar to woven wire or wrought iron fencing.
F.
Prohibited fences. No fence shall be constructed which is of a dangerous type of construction or which conducts electricity or is designed to electrically shock or which uses barbed wire; provided, however, that barbed wire may be used in industrially zoned areas if the devices securing the barbed wire to the fence are 10 feet above the ground and project toward the fenced property and away from any public area, and further provided that electric and barbed wire fencing is permitted when the parcel is used and occupied for farming or grazing purposes or zoned as agricultural.
[Amended 8-12-2008; 1-11-2011]
G.
Fences to be replaced. All fences shall be maintained and kept safe and in a state of good repair, and the finished side or decorative side of a fence shall face adjoining property.
H.
Temporary fences. Fences erected for the protection of planting or to warn of construction hazard, or for similar purposes, shall be clearly visible or marked with colored streamers or other such warning devices at four-foot intervals. Such fences shall comply with the setback requirements set forth in this section. The issuance of a permit shall not be necessary for temporary fences as described herein, but said fences shall not be erected for more than 45 days.
I.
Nonconforming fences and hedges. Any fence or hedge existing on the effective date of this chapter and not in conformance with this section may be maintained, but any alteration, modification or improvement of said fence shall comply with this section.
[Amended 1-11-2011]
§ 590-93 Swimming pools.
A.
Definition. A private or residential swimming pool is an outdoor structure containing a body of water in a receptacle or other container having a depth for water at any point greater than 1 1/2 feet located above or below the surface or ground elevation, used or intended to be used solely by the owner, operator or lessee thereof and his family, and by friends invited to use it, and includes all structural facilities, appliances and appurtenances, equipment and other items used and intended to be used for the operation and maintenance of a private or residential swimming pool.
B.
Exempt pools. This section shall not apply to the following:
[Amended 3-9-2004[1]]
(1)
Storable swimming or wading pools having a dimension of 18 feet or less and a wall height of 42 inches or less and which are constructed in such a way as to be readily disassembled for storage and reassembled to original integrity.
(2)
Storable swimming or wading pools with nonmetallic inflatable walls regardless of dimension.
C.
Permit required. Before work is commenced on the construction or erection of private or residential swimming pools or on any alterations, additions, remodeling or other improvements, an application for a swimming pool building permit to construct, erect, alter, remodel or add must be submitted in writing to the Zoning Administrator. Plans and specifications and pertinent explanatory data should be submitted to the Zoning Administrator at the time of application. No work or any part of the work shall be commenced until a written permit for such work is obtained by the applicant. A fee as set by the Village Board shall accompany such application.[2]
D.
Construction requirements. In addition to such other requirements as may be reasonably imposed by the Zoning Administrator, the Zoning Administrator shall not issue a permit for construction as provided for in Subsection C unless the following construction requirements are observed:[3]
(1)
All materials and methods of construction in the construction, alteration, addition, remodeling or other improvements and pool installation shall be in accord with all state regulations and codes and with any and all ordinances of the Village now in effect or hereafter enacted.
(2)
All plumbing work shall be in accordance with all applicable ordinances of the Village and all state codes. Every private or residential swimming pool shall be provided with a suitable draining method, and in no case shall waters from any pool be drained into the sanitary sewer system or onto lands of other property owners adjacent to that on which the pool is located on in the general vicinity.
(3)
All electrical installations, including lighting and heating but not limited thereto, which are provided for, installed and used in conjunction with a private swimming pool shall be in conformance with the state laws and Village ordinances regulating electrical installations.
E.
Setbacks and other requirements.
(1)
Private swimming pools shall be erected or constructed on rear or side lots only and only on a lot occupied by a principal building. No swimming pool shall be erected or constructed on an otherwise vacant lot. A lot shall not be considered vacant if the owner owns the contiguous lot and said lot is occupied by a principal building.
(2)
No swimming pool shall be located, constructed or maintained closer to any side or rear lot line than is permitted in this chapter for an accessory building, and in no case shall the waterline of any pool be less than six feet from any lot line.
F.
Fence.
(1)
Pools within the scope of this section which are not enclosed with a permanent building shall be completely enclosed by a fence of sufficient strength to prevent access to the pool. Such fence or wall shall not be less than six feet in height and so constructed as not to have voids, holes or openings larger than four inches in one dimension. Gates or doors shall be kept locked while the pool is not in actual use.
(2)
The pool enclosure may be omitted where portable pools are installed above ground and have a raised deck around the entire pool perimeter with an attached enclosed railing a minimum of 36 inches high on the top.