This chapter, in pursuance of the authority granted by the general assembly of the state in Act 186 of the 1957 Acts of Arkansas, shall be known as the "zoning ordinance" and may be cited as such.

(Code 1983, § 28-1; Ord. No. K-286, § 1(art. I, § 1), 11-21-1988)

The zoning regulations set forth in this chapter are enacted to implement the land use portion of the comprehensive development plan for the city and to promote, in accordance with present and future needs, the safety, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare of the citizens of the city as, and to provide for efficiency and economy in the process of development for the appropriate and best use of land, for the use and occupancy of buildings, for healthful and convenient distribution of population, for good civic design and arrangement, and for adequate public utilities and facilities.

(Code 1983, § 28-2; Ord. No. K-286, § 1(art. I, § 2), 11-21-1988)

(a)

For the purposes stated in section 50-2, the city has been divided into zone districts in which the regulations contained in this chapter will govern lot coverage; the height, area, bulk, location, and size of buildings; open space and the uses of land, buildings, and structures. In interpreting and applying the provisions of this zoning chapter, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare.

(b)

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no land shall be used and no building, structure, or improvement shall be made, erected, constructed, moved, altered, enlarged, or rebuilt which is designed, arranged, or intended to be used or maintained for any purpose or in any manner except in accordance with the requirements established in the district in which such land, building, structure, or improvement is located, and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter relating to any or all districts.

(c)

No proposed plat of any new subdivision of land shall hereafter be considered for approval by the city planning commission unless the lots within such plat equal or exceed the minimum size and area regulations specified in the applicable land use zoning district of this chapter.

(Code 1983, § 28-3; Ord. No. K-286, § 1(art. I, § 3), 11-21-1988)

Nothing in this chapter shall require any change in previously approved plans, construction, or designated use of a building at the time of the adoption of the ordinance from which this zoning chapter is derived. Any change in such plans, construction or designated use of a building shall comply with the provisions of this chapter. Nothing herein contained shall require any change in plans, construction, or designated use of a building for which a building permit has been issued within 30 days prior to the adoption of this chapter, provided construction is started on said building within 60 days after adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived.

(Code 1983, § 28-4; Ord. No. K-286, § 1(art. I, § 4), 11-21-1988)

(a)

A lot of record in any zoning district is defined as:

(1)

A lot shown on a recorded subdivision plat filed before August 15, 1988; or

(2)

A parcel of vacant land that was under separate ownership and on a plat of record at the time of adoption of the ordinance from which this section derives, where no adjoining land fronting on the same street was under the same ownership on the said date and has continued unchanged in size from that date.

(b)

A lot of record may be used as a building site even though such lot or parcel fails to meet the minimum requirements for lot area, lot width, or both, that are generally applicable to lots in the zoning district. However, any said lot of record located within any residential zoning district within the city limits may only be used for purposes of constructing a single-family detached residential dwelling unit. On any such lot or parcel, the side yard requirements of this chapter shall be complied with if said requirements do not reduce the net buildable worth of the lot below 35 feet. If the side yard requirements would reduce the net buildable width of the lot below 35 feet, then the side yard requirements shall be reduced so that:

(1)

Any interior side yard requirement shall not exceed ten percent of the width of the lot, or five feet, whichever is greater; and

(2)

Any exterior side yard requirement shall not exceed 20 percent of the width of the lot or five feet, whichever is greater. On any such lot or parcel, the front and rear yard requirements or building setbacks shall not reduce the net buildable depth of the lot below 50 feet. If the front and rear yard requirements would reduce the net buildable depth below 50 feet, then front and rear yard requirements shall be reduced so that:

a.

Any front yard requirement shall not exceed 25 percent of the depth of the lot; and

b.

Any rear yard requirement shall not exceed 20 percent of the depth of the lot, or 20 feet, whichever is greater.

(Code 1983, § 28-5; Ord. No. K-286, § 1(art. I, § 5), 11-21-1988; Ord. No. 4-2019, § 1, 2-19-2019)

The lot or yard areas required by this this chapter for a particular building or use at the time of adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, or later constructed or established, shall not be diminished and shall not be included as part of the required lot, open space, or yard area of any other building or use. If the lot, open space, or yard areas required by this chapter for a particular building or use are diminished below requirements, the continued existence of such building or use shall be deemed a violation and punished as provided in this chapter.

(Code 1983, § 28-6; Ord. No. K-286, § 1(art. I, § 6), 11-21-1988)