Van Meter City Zoning Code

   1.   The multiple-family residence district is intended to be basically residential in character, designed to:

      A.   Stabilize and protect the essential characteristics of the district.

      B.   Promote a suitable environment for family life.

      C.   Permit certain commercial uses of a character unlikely to develop general concentration of traffic.

   2.   Permitted Uses.

      A.   Any and all uses permitted under the R-2 classification.

      B.   Multi-family dwellings including row dwellings consisting of at least three and not more than six dwelling units in an attached, continuous row, and condominium dwellings consisting of at least three but not more than 12 dwelling units in one building or attached structure. Further, for row dwelling units (RDU) and condominium dwelling units (CDU) to qualify as a permitted use under the terms and provisions of this classification, each dwelling unit shall have separate facilities for gas, electricity, sewerage and water.

      C.   Private clubs, lodges, or veterans organizations, excepting those holding beer permits or liquor licenses.

      D.   Boarding houses.

      E.   Hospitals, clinics, nursing and convalescent homes, excepting animal hospitals and clinics.

      F.   Office of a doctor, dentist, osteopath, chiropractor, optometrist or similar profession.

      G.   Professional offices including but not limited to the following: law, engineering, architecture, accounting, bookkeeping, and similar uses.

   3.   Accessory Uses.

      A.   Accessory uses permitted under the R-2 classification.

      B.   Storage garages, where the lot is occupied by a multi-family dwelling.

      C.   Beauty parlor and barber shop when conducted as a home occupation solely by resident occupants in their place of abode and provided that not more than one-quarter of the area of one floor shall be used for that purpose. An indirectly lighted sign of not over one square foot in area and attached flat against the building shall be permitted.

      D.   One sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area which identifies and describes the property on which it is located. Moving, flashing, or rotating illuminated signs shall not be permitted.

   4.   Area Regulations.

      A.   Lot Area. The minimum lot area shall be as follows:

 

 

      B.   Lot Width. The minimum lot width shall be as follows:

 

 

      C.   Yard Width. The minimum yard widths shall be as follows

 

 

      D.   Building Height. The maximum building height shall be three stories, with the principal building height maximum of 35 feet.

      E.   Emergency Access. There shall be at least a 10-foot width of unobstructed access to all sides of the structure from the nearest street in order to permit police, fire, and ambulance emergency access.

      F.   Minimum Dwelling – Dimensions. Neither the minimum overall width dimension nor the overall depth dimension of a single family dwelling shall be less than 20 feet.