In order to classify, regulate and restrict the locations of uses and locations of buildings designated for specific areas; and to regulate and determine the areas of yards, courts and other open spaces within or surrounding such buildings, property is hereby classified into districts as prescribed in this Article.

A.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets, highways, or alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines.

B.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines.

C.

Boundaries indicated as approximately following city limits shall be construed as following such city limits.

D.

Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines shall be construed to be midway between the main tracks.

E.

Boundaries indicated as following shorelines shall be construed to follow such shorelines, and in the event of change in the shoreline shall be construed as moving with the actual shoreline; boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streams, rivers, canals, lakes, or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such lines.

F.

Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in subsections A through E above shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the official zoning map shall be determined by the scale of the map.

G.

Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the official zoning map, or in other circumstances not covered by subsections 1 through 6 above, the board of adjustment shall interpret the district boundaries.

H.

Where a district boundary line divides a lot that was in single ownership at the time of passage of this Ordinance, the Board of Adjustment may permit, as a special exception, the extension of the regulations for either portion of the lot into the remaining portion of the lot.

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 structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located.

A.

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 structurally altered unless in conformity with all of the regulations herein specified for the district in which it is located

B.

No building or other structure shall hereafter be erected or altered:

1.

To exceed the height;

2.

To accommodate or house a greater number of families;

3.

To occupy a greater percentage of lot area;

4.

To have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, side yards, or other open spaces than herein required, or in any other manner contrary to the provisions of this Ordinance.

C.

No part of a yard, open space, off-street parking or loading space required, in connection with any building shall be included as part of the like requirements for any other building.

D.

No yard or lot existing at the time of passage of this Ordinance shall be reduced in size or area below the minimum requirements set forth herein except where to do so would lead to lots that are less nonconforming than prior to the resubdivision. Yards or lots created after the effective date of this Ordinance shall meet at least the minimum requirements established by this Ordinance.

The following essential services may be permitted, erected, constructed, altered, or maintained in any zoning district:

A.

Traffic signals, fire hydrants, and similar equipment and accessories.

B.

Gas, electric, communication, water supply, and transmission/distribution systems.

C.

Elevated or underground water storage tanks.

D.

Stormwater and sanitary sewer collection and disposal systems.

E.

Utility poles, wires, mains, drains, pipes, conduits and cables reasonably necessary for the furnishing of adequate service by public utilities, municipal or other governmental agencies for the public health, safety and welfare.

F.

Streets and sidewalks.

A.

R-1 Residential Estate. The purpose and intent of the R-1 residential estate district is to maintain the character of very low-density single-family neighborhoods in the City, which are zoned residential but in which the majority of the home sites are historically larger than R-2 performance standards require.

B.

R-2 Single-Family Residential. The purpose and intent of the R-2 single-family residential district is to provide for the location and grouping of low-density, single-family residences with accompanying accessory uses that are protected from the adverse impacts of incompatible nonresidential land uses.

C.

R-3 Single- and Two-Family Residential. The purpose of the R-3 single-family attached residential district is to provide for a variety of single- and two-family housing opportunities, at development densities compatible with adjoining single-family neighborhoods that are protected from the adverse impacts of incompatible non-residential land uses.

D.

R-4 Multi-Family Residential. The purpose and intent of the R-4 multi-family residential district is to provide moderate- to high-density residential neighborhoods for individual buildings on individual lots or for more than one (1) building on one (1) lot. The R-4 district shall accommodate single-family attached dwellings that have common walls, including townhouses, condominiums, congregate and cluster developments as well as multi-family structures ranging in type from doubles to apartment buildings.

E.

RB Residential Business. The Residential Business (RB) district is intended for limited-size professional and business offices in close proximity to primarily residential uses. The district is principally residential in character and businesses and residential shall maintain an appearance that is in accordance with the architectural/traditional style of the district. Normal working hours are restricted to 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Key: P = Permitted Use; SE = Special Exception; (blank) = Not Permitted

^a  Not to exceed four (4) attached dwellings.

^b  Not to exceed eight (8) attached dwellings.

^c  Townhouse developments shall have a minimum lot width of thirty (30) feet.

^d  A five (5) foot rear or side yard is required except where a nonresidential use abuts a residential use. In this case the minimum yard requirement is ten (10) feet.

^e  Applicable to residential lots six thousand (6,000) square feet or greater.

(Ord. No. 2913, 6-6-17; Ord. No. 2939, 9-5-17; Ord. No. 2940, 9-5-17; Ord. No. 2988, 7-17-18; Ord. No. 2995, 9-4-18; Ord. No. 3162, 7-6-21; Ord. No. 3245, 11-15-22; Ord. No. 3257, 1-17-23; Ord. No. 3293, 8-15-23)

A.

B-1 Neighborhood Business. The B-1 neighborhood business district is intended for limited-sized professional and business offices in close proximity to purely residential uses. Moderate density multiple-family residential is permitted. The district is not commercial in character; however, certain limited commercial uses are permitted. Normal working hours are restricted to 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

B.

C-1 General Commercial. The C-1 general commercial district is intended to provide sufficient space in appropriate locations for a wide variety of commercial and miscellaneous service activities, generally serving a wide area and located along major arterials.

C.

C-2 Heavy Commercial. The C-2 heavy commercial district is intended to accommodate a wide variety of commercial and retail uses, as well as offices, businesses and personal services that serve the needs of the community and the region. The intent is to provide for large-scale commercial uses that are typically land intensive and are not well suited to being located in neighborhoods or the central business district. These districts are best located along major arterial streets.

D.

CBD Downtown Business District. The CBD downtown business district is representative of the core central business and retail area. The intent of the district is to recognize the unique and historic character of downtown and the pedestrian orientation of the neighborhood by combining residential uses with commercial, service and office establishments. Lot sizes, setbacks, parking and landscaping requirements shall be more flexible to address the characteristics of an area substantially developed as a commercial district with smaller lots and greater development densities than newer areas of the city.

¹  Normal working hours for uses in Table 5.3 in the B-1 district are restricted to 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Key: P = Permitted Use; SE = Special Exception; (blank) = Not Permitted

^a  No rear or side yard is required except where there is a separation between buildings. In this case the minimum yard requirement is five (5) feet.

^b  A five (5) foot rear or side yard is required except where a nonresidential use abuts a residential use. In this case the minimum yard requirement is ten (10) feet.

^c  Applicable to residential lots six thousand (6,000) square feet or greater.

Key: SF = Single-family; 2F = Two-family; 3F = Three-family; 4F = Four-family; MF = Multi-family

(Ord. No. 2772, 3-17-15; Ord. No. 2804, 10-6-15; Ord. No. 2913, 6-6-17; Ord. No. 2940, 9-5-17; Ord. No. 3162, 7-6-21; Ord. No. 3245, 11-15-22; Ord. No. 3247, 12-6-22; Ord. No. 3272, 4-18-23; Ord. No. 3293, 8-15-23; Ord. No. 3326, 2-6-24)

A.

LI Light Industrial. The purpose of the I-1 light industrial district is to permit the development of commercial and industrial uses on individual lots or within commercial or industrial parks, including buildings, roadways, storage yards, loading areas, parking facilities, open space, landscaping, utilities, and stormwater management facilities. Whenever possible, uses shall be planned as a unified development with individual buildings and lots integrated into an overall harmonious design. The light industrial district shall also protect commercial and industrial development against intrusive uses that are incompatible with it.

B.

HI Heavy Industrial. The I-2 heavy industrial district establishes locations for existing and future medium- to heavy-intensity industrial uses. The I-2 district is intended for use by large manufacturing operations, heavy equipment facilities, construction and maintenance yards, fuel businesses and other basic intensive industrial activities normally found in an urban environment. Hazardous uses shall require environmental impact analyses and public review.

Key: P = Permitted Use; SE = Special Exception; (blank) = Not Permitted

(Ord. No. 2805, 10-6-15; Ord. No. 2940, 9-5-17; Ord. No. 3162, 7-6-21; Ord. No. 3326, 2-6-24; Ord. No. 3334, 3-19-24)

A.

OS Parks and Open Space. The purpose of the OS parks and open space district is to provide a classification for parks located within neighborhoods; large regional parks and recreation facilities; and greenway corridors that provide connections between neighborhoods and public amenities such as cultural centers and large parks. OS districts may serve both active and passive recreation needs, and includes waterfront recreational activities. OS districts may also include certain ancillary commercial activities such as performance venues and concessions.

B.

C Campus District. The C campus district is intended to recognize the presence and importance of large-scale educational, medical, and research and development facilities in the City; to facilitate their development; and to coordinate their features with those of their neighbors and the community as a whole. This approach is applicable to institutions that have multi-block common ownership of lands, have developed a long-range master site plan, and thereby have developed a campus support system of parking, loading and materials handling, decentralized support facilities reducing campus congestion, and an interconnected street system within.

Key: P = Permitted Use; SE = Special Exception; (blank) = Not Permitted

(Ord. No. 3092, 9-22-20; Ord. No. 3162, 7-6-21)

A.

Purpose. The purpose of the planned development overlay is to allow design flexibility for a large-scale unified development sites that encourage creative land development, environmental sensitivity and a mixture of building types and uses.

B.

General standards for planned developments.

1.

The site of the planned development must be under common ownership and/or unified control. If here are two (2) or more owners, the application for the planned development must be jointly filed by all owners.

2.

The Ordinance establishing an overlay for a planned development may grant exceptions to the regulations contained in this Ordinance including, but not limited to, use, density, area, bulk, yards, off-street parking and loading, and signs to achieve the objectives of the proposed planned development. Such exceptions must be consistent with the procedures of this Article and Section 310 (Planned Developments) of this Ordinance.

3.

The following criteria represent the objectives of a planned development overlay as outlined by the City of Thibodaux:

a.

Environmentally sensitive design that is of a higher quality than would be possible under the regulations otherwise applicable to the property.

b.

Diversification in the uses permitted and variation in the relationship of uses, open space and the setbacks in developments intended as cohesive, unified projects.

c.

Functional and beneficial uses of open space areas.

d.

Preservation of natural features of a development site such as ponds, lakes, bayous, streams, wetlands, animal habitats, etc.

e.

Creation of a safe and desirable living environment for residential areas characterized by a unified building and site development program.

f.

Rational and economically sound development in relation to public services.

g.

Efficient and effective pedestrian and traffic circulation, both within and adjacent to the development site.

h.

Creation of an architectural variety of housing and nonresidential structures compatible with surrounding neighborhoods to provide greater housing choice, affordability and proximity to necessary services and amenities.

C.

Planned development exceptions from district regulations. The underlying zoning district regulations apply, unless an exception is granted as part of the overlay approval process.

1.

Exceptions to district regulations may be granted when such exceptions do not negatively affect the value and enjoyment of surrounding property, the provision of municipal services, or the flow of traffic.

2.

To be granted an exception to the underlying district regulations, the applicant must demonstrate a substantial benefit to the City, which may include, but is not limited to, superior design characteristics, enhanced amenities within the development, and a commitment to the appropriate use of sustainable design techniques. The following design characteristics and amenities are provided as a guide for consideration as to whether to grant an exception to district requirements. The following are items provide a guide but are not an exclusive list of requirements. Additional design characteristics as public benefits and amenities not listed below may also be considered.

a.

Enhanced design characteristics including mixed-use development, circulations systems that utilized traffic calming techniques and pedestrian-oriented environments.

b.

Community amenities including plazas, public parks and other areas to congregate, outdoor seating, public art, and pedestrian and transit facilities.

c.

The use of sustainable design and architecture, such as the use and/or incorporation of green roofs, white roofs, bio-swales, solar panels, wind turbines and other energy efficient design concepts, new building technologies, and/or Leadership in Energy Efficiency Design (LEED) or LEED-equivalent structures.

d.

Preservation of natural areas.

e.

Historic preservation.

f.

Adaptive reuse of historic structures.

g.

Additional open space and recreational amenities such as ball fields, playgrounds, dog parks, natural water features and conservation areas.

h.

Additional public infrastructure improvements (in addition to the minimum requirements).

i.

Affordable housing.

j.

Senior housing set-asides.

k.

Provision of accessible dwelling units with accessible features beyond what is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or any other applicable codes.

D.

Traditional Neighborhood Planned Development (TND) standards.

1.

Purpose. The purpose of a traditional neighborhood planned development (TND) is to encourage mixed-use, compact development that is sensitive to the environmental characteristics of the land and facilitates the efficient use of services. A TND diversifies and integrates land uses within close proximity to each other and provides for the daily recreational and shopping needs of the residents. A traditional neighborhood development reflects the following characteristics:

a.

It is designed for human-scale;

b.

Provides a mix of uses, including residential, commercial, civic and open space uses in close proximity to one another within the neighborhood;

c.

Provides a variety of housing types and sizes to accommodate households of all ages, sizes and incomes;

d.

Incorporates a system of relatively narrow interconnected streets with sidewalks and bikeways that offer multiple routes for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and provides for the connections of those streets to existing and future developments;

e.

Incorporates environmental features into the design;

f.

Provides well-configured squares, plazas, landscaped areas, and parks woven into the pattern of the neighborhood; and

g.

Incorporates architecture and landscaping that respond to the unique character of the City of Thibodaux.

2.

Minimum development size.

a.

The minimum size generally considered appropriate for a TND is one hundred (100) contiguous acres for a vacant site or forty (40) acres in an area that can be categorized as infill or an extension of the existing urban pattern. The property is considered contiguous even if separated by a public roadway.

b.

To allow for gradual development of a TND, a partial site of less than the minimum number of acres may be considered for approval, so long as the project shows an integrated design for at least the minimum size and the potential to meet the minimum acreage requirements.

3.

Design overview.

a.

A TND is divided into at least two distinct areas, and each type of area has different land use and site development regulations. A TND must have one (1) Neighborhood Center areas (also referred to as a Town Center or Village Center) and at least one (1) mixed residential area. A TND may also include a neighborhood edge area, civic spaces, and parks and/or green spaces.

b.

A neighborhood Center areas serves at the focal point of the TND, containing retail, commercial, civic, and/or public services to meet the daily needs of community residents. A Neighborhood Center is pedestrian-oriented and is designed to encourage pedestrian movement. A square is generally required in a Neighborhood Center area, with retail and commercial uses generally be located adjacent. The Neighborhood Center uses may include retail establishments, restaurants, offices, banks, hotels, post office, government offices, churches, community centers and attached residential dwellings.

c.

A Mixed Residential area includes a variety of residential land uses, including single-family, duplex, townhouse, and multi-family. Residential scale retail and commercial uses are permitted within Mixed Residential areas, with strict architectural and land use controls. Retail and commercial uses in a Mixed Residential area are required to blend into the residential character of the neighborhood. A Mixed Residential area includes open spaces including squares, small parks, and greenways, and promotes pedestrian circulation through well-designed streetscapes. Mixed Residential uses include single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, apartments, offices, restaurants, neighborhoods scale retail, and civic uses.

d.

The Neighborhood Edge area is the least dense portion of the TND, with larger lots and greater setbacks than the rest of the development. Only single-family dwellings are permitted in the Neighborhood Edge, and may be most appropriate along the perimeter of the neighborhood and/or along areas that adjoin existing or platted low-density housing.

e.

Large offices, low-impact manufacturing and industrial uses that are not appropriate for a Neighborhood Center or a Mixed Residential Area, but which serve the local residents may be located in specified districts.

f.

Civic uses that are oriented to the general public are permitted in Neighborhood Center and Mixed Residential areas. These uses are essential components of the social and physical fabric of a TND. Special attention should be paid to the location of government offices, libraries, museums, schools, churches, and other prominent public buildings to create focal points and landmarks for the community. The locations of these major public uses are designated on the Development Plan at the time of approval for a TND>

g.

Open space is also a significant part of a TND. Formal and informal open spaces are required. These areas serve as areas for community gatherings, landmarks, and as organized elements for the neighborhood. Open space includes squares, plazas, greens, parks, and trails or greenways.

h.

A TND is designed to be pedestrian oriented. To accomplish this goal, street pattern and design is used to reduce vehicle travel speeds and encourage pedestrian activity. An interconnected network of street is required, which may be smaller than in conventional development and more varied in size and form to controls traffic and give character to the neighborhood.

4.

Use standards.

a.

Mixed Residential uses of the following types can occur anywhere in the TND. For infill development, the mix of residential uses may be satisfied by existing residential uses adjacent to the TND by including some or all of the following:

i.

Single-family detached dwellings, including manufactured homes;

ii.

Single-family attached dwellings, including duplexes and townhouses;

iii.

Multi-family dwellings including senior housing;

iv.

Accessory dwelling units;

v.

Special needs housing such as group homes and assisted living facilities.

b.

Mixed use areas of commercial, residential, civic and open space uses should be within approximately one half mile or a fifteen (15) minute walk of all existing or proposed purely residential areas. Individual businesses should not exceed six thousand (6,000) square feet. Commercial uses may include the following:

i.

Restaurants, both full-service and fast food without drive-throughs;

ii.

Retail uses;

iii.

Gas stations;

iv.

Art studios and galleries;

v.

Personal services;

vi.

Adult and child day care centers;

vii.

Offices, including medical and dental uses;

viii.

Financial institutions;

ix.

Accommodations such as bed & breakfasts and small hotels;

x.

Clubs and social organizations

xi.

Residential uses including single-family, multi-family, senior and special needs housing, and live/work units with retail below and housing above.

xii.

Civic uses may include municipal offices, fire stations, libraries, museums, community meeting facilities, post offices, places of worship, educational facilities, and philanthropic institutions.

xiii.

Open spaces including parks, recreational facilities, and playgrounds.

c.

At least five percent (5%) of the gross acreage of the TND must be open space. Open space uses identified below should be incorporated in the TND as appropriate. Large outdoor recreation areas should be located at the periphery of neighborhoods rather than in central locations.

i.

Environmental corridors or greenways;

ii.

Protected natural areas;

iii.

Community parks;

iv.

Streams, ponds and other water bodies;

v.

Stormwater retention/detention facilities;

vi.

Outdoor recreation facilities including playgrounds, ball fields and courts.

5.

Development units. The number of residential dwelling units and the amount of nonresidential development, excluding open space, shall be determined as follows:

a.

In areas devoted to mixed residential uses:

i.

The number of single-family attached and detached units shall be 5—8+ dwelling units per net acre.

ii.

The number of multi-family units shall be 15—40 dwelling units per acre.

iii.

Accessory dwelling units shall be permissible in addition to the number of dwelling units authorized under this section.

b.

In mixed-use areas;

i.

The number of single-family and multi-family dwelling units permitted shall be calculated the same as above plus an additional number of units not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the amount permitted above.

ii.

All dwelling units constructed above commercial uses shall be permissible in addition of the number of dwelling units authorized under this section. However, the total number of dwelling units shall not be increased by more than ten (10) dwelling units or ten percent (10%), whichever is greater.

iii.

The total ground floor areas of nonresidential development uses, including off-street parking areas, shall not exceed thirty-three percent (33%) of the total development.

6.

Lot and block standards.

a.

Street layouts should provide for perimeter blocks that are generally in the range of two hundred (200) to four hundred (400) feet deep by four hundred (400) to eight hundred (800) feet long. A variety of lot sizes should be provided to facilitate housing diversity and choice, and to meet the projected requirements of people with different housing needs.

b.

Lot width should create a relatively symmetrical street cross section that reinforces the public space of the street as a simple, unified public area.

c.

Structures in the mixed-use area have no minimum setback. Commercial and civic buildings should abut the sidewalks in the mixed-use areas.

d.

Single-family dwellings shall have a building setback in the front between zero (0) and twenty-five (25) feet.

e.

Provision for townhouse dwellings should be made, provided that a reciprocal access easement is recorded to provide pedestrian access to the rear yard through means other than the principal structure.

7.

Streets and alleys.

a.

The circulation system shall allow for different modes of transportation.

b.

The circulation system shall provide functional and visual links within the residential areas, mixed-use areas, and open space of the TND, and shall be connected to existing and proposed external development. The circulation system shall provide adequate traffic capacity. Provide connected pedestrian and bicycle routes, especially off street bicycle or multi-use paths or bicycle lanes in the streets where required, control through traffic, limit lot access to street of lower traffic volume, and promote safe and efficient mobility through the TND.

c.

Shared parking areas for private and community use shall be encouraged.

E.

Nonresidential Planned Development (NPUD) standards.

1.

Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to provide a mechanism for encouraging the coordinated development of large tracts of land into employment centers focused on business, industry and office related activities, or the coordinated redevelopment of large-scale retail/service complexes such as shopping centers and office complexes. It is intended that where such developments are permitted, they shall be so located in relation to major streets and surrounding land uses as to ensure adequate traffic carrying capacity and a high level of compatibility with, and protection for surrounding land activities.

2.

Minimum Size for Non-Residential PD. The minimum size generally considered appropriate for non-residential planned developments is ten (10) acres. Absent unique or special topographic constraints or other exceptional circumstances affecting the property, creation of a planned development is not justified for development of tracts of less than ten (10) acres since conventional zoning regulations should provide for adequate development.