To carry out the purpose of this Zoning Code, the City is hereby divided into different zoning district classifications as follows:

   A   Agricultural District

   R   Residential District

   R-1   Residential District

   R-M   Residential District

   B   General Business District

   B-1   Local Business District

   I   Light Industrial District

   I-1   Heavy Industrial District

   The boundaries of the districts are hereby established and designated upon a map, to be known as the “Zoning Map of the City of Ventura, Iowa,” and which map, with all its designations and information, is hereby made a part of this chapter as if the same were fully set forth herein. The Zoning Code and Zoning Map are on file in the office of the City Clerk. † 10

   All property which is annexed to the City subsequent to the effective date of the Zoning Code shall be placed in the “R” Residential District unless the annexation ordinance temporarily places the land in another district. Within one year following annexation, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall evaluate and recommend a permanent district classification to the City Council.

   Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of districts as shown on the Zoning Map, the following rules shall apply:

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

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

   3.   Boundaries indicated as approximately following City Limits shall be construed as following such City Limits.

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

   5.   Boundaries indicated as approximately following the centerlines of streams, rivers, canals, lakes or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such centerlines.

   6.   Boundaries indicated as parallel to or extensions of features indicated in Subsections 1 through 5 above shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the map shall be determined by the scale of the map.

   7.   Where physical or cultural features existing on the ground are at variance with those shown on the map or in other circumstances not covered by Subsections 1 through 6 above, the City Council shall interpret the district boundaries.

   The Agricultural “A” District is intended to provide areas in which agriculture and related uses are encouraged and prime agricultural land will be preserved. The following regulations apply in the “A” District:

   1.   Permitted Uses. Within any “A” Agricultural District, as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following uses are permitted:

      A.   Farms, including the usual farm buildings and structures.

      B.   Truck gardens.

      C.   Nurseries.

      D.   Cemeteries, provided that after public notice and public hearing by the City Council, the establishment of such use shall meet the approval of the Council.

      E.   Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to the above uses.

      F.   No building from which a large amount of smoke, dust, odor, gas or noise will be emitted during the processing, treating or storage of materials shall be erected until the location of same has been approved by the Council after report by the Commission.

   2.   Conditional Uses. The following uses are subject to conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment:

      A.   Mining and extraction of minerals or raw materials.

      B.   Transient enterprises, such as carnival, circus, rides and shows.

      C.   Veterinary establishments.

      D.   Home occupations.

      E.   Single unit dwellings.

      F.   Public and private recreational uses such as parks, trails, golf courses, hunting and fishing areas, and wildlife preserves.

      G.   Other uses such as above when there is clear evidence that such uses will not seriously affect the value and character of the surrounding uses.

   3.   Bulk Regulations.

      A.   Height. Airport height regulations will prevail, if applicable.

      B.   Yard Requirements. No building shall be erected within 50 feet of any property line, highway or street line.

      C.   Minimum Lot Width - Non-farm Dwellings: 150 feet. Other permitted uses: 200 feet.

   The Residential “R” District is intended to provide for the single- and two-family dwelling needs of the community. The following regulations apply in the “R” District:

   1.   Permitted Uses. Within the “R” District, as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following uses are permitted:

      A.   Single- or two-family dwellings; nothing herein shall prohibit the serving of meals, the renting of rooms, or both, to four or fewer persons not members of the family there residing, provided there is no display of advertising. Not more than two families may occupy a dwelling in these districts.

      B.   Public playgrounds and parks.

      C.   Accessory buildings, including one private garage, and accessory uses customarily incident to any of the above uses not involving the conduct of business.

      D.   Real estate signs, announcements and bulletin boards, as provided in Chapter 169 of this Code of Ordinances.

   2.   Conditional Uses. The following uses are subject to conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment:

      A.   Municipal, State or Federal buildings.

      B.   Churches, schools, public libraries or public museums.

      C.   Home occupations.

      D.   Truck gardens, horticultural nurseries and green houses for the propagation of plants only, provided there is no display of advertising or of plants other than growth.

      E.   Nursery schools and day care centers.

      F.   Other uses such as above when there is clear evidence that such uses will not seriously affect the value and character of the surrounding uses in the district.

   3.   Bulk Regulations.

      A.   Height. The maximum height of buildings shall not exceed two and one-half stories or 35 feet, except that for public or semi-public buildings, church steeples, towers and spires shall be excluded from these requirements.

      B.   Front Yard. A front yard not less than 40 feet in depth shall be provided on each lot, except whenever 30 percent or more of the frontage on one side of a street in any block has been built up with buildings having a front yard, then the building line of buildings to be erected shall not be less than that of the existing building line of the block as determined by existing buildings.

      C.   Special Front Yards:

         (1)   Double frontage interior lots shall comply with the front yard requirements of each street.

         (2)   On U.S. Highway 18, no buildings shall be erected closer than 70 feet from the centerline of said highway.

         (3)   The front yard depth for a church, school, library or museum erected or structurally altered in an “R” District shall be 30 percent in excess of that specified for the principal buildings in said district.

      D.   Side Yard. A side yard of not less than five feet shall be provided, which side yard shall be increased in width at least three feet for each additional story or fraction thereof that a building exceeds one story in height.

      E.   Special Side Yards.

         (1)   Where the lot abuts the lakeshore, the side yard next to the lake shall have a minimum width of 20 feet, measured from the lakeshore line.

         (2)   The required minimum width of side yards for a church, school, library or museum shall be 50 percent in excess of that specified for the principal buildings in said district.

      F.   Corner Side Yard. No side yard adjacent to the street shall be less than the front yard requirement for the lot. No accessory building on a corner lot shall project beyond the setback line of the lots in the rear.

      G.   Rear Yard. A rear yard of not less than 20 feet shall be provided. An accessory building may occupy not more than 35 percent of a required rear yard.

      H.   Special Rear Yards.

         (1)   For those lots whose lake frontage shall be considered a rear yard, such rear yard shall be a minimum of 20 feet in depth as measured from the lakeshore line. Accessory buildings such as boat houses which do not extend more than three feet above the natural ground surface may be built abutting the lakeshore line.

         (2)   Where the rear of any lot abuts a railroad right-of-way, no rear yard is required.

      I.   Minimum Lot Area. The minimum lot area shall be 8,712 square feet.

      J.   Minimum Lot Width. The average minimum lot width shall be 66 feet.

   4.   Parking Requirements. Parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 168 of this Code of Ordinances.

   The Residential “R-1” District is intended to provide for the single- and two-family dwelling needs of the community. The following regulations apply in the “R-1” District:

   1.   Permitted Uses. Within the “R-1” District, as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following uses are permitted:

      A.   Any use permitted in the “R” District.

   2.   Conditional Uses. The following uses are subject to conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment:

      A.   Any use listed as a conditional use in the “R” District.

   3.   Bulk Regulations.

      A.   Height. Same as “R” District.

      B.   Front Yard. A front yard of not less than 25 feet in depth shall be provided on each lot.

      C.   Special Front Yards. Same as “R” District.

      D.   Side Yard. Same as “R” District.

      E.   Special Side Yards. Same as “R” District.

      F.   Corner Side Yard. Same as “R” District.

      G.   Rear Yard. Same as “R” District.

      H.   Special Rear Yards. Same as “R” District.

      I.   Minimum Lot Area. Same as “R” District.

      J.   Minimum Lot Width. Same as “R” District.

   4.   Parking. Parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 168 of this Code of Ordinances.

   The Residential “R-M” District is intended to provide for the residential needs of a higher density than is allowed in the “R” or “R-1” Residential Districts. The following regulations apply in the “R-M” District:

   1.   Permitted Uses. Within the “R-M” District, as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following uses are permitted:

      A.   Any use permitted in the “R” and “R-l” Districts.

      B.   Multiple dwellings.

      C.   Accessory buildings and uses customarily incidental to any of the above uses, including storage garage, where the lot is occupied by a multiple dwelling. If a storage garage is not a part of the main building, it shall be located not less than 60 feet from the front lot line and not less than five feet from any side street line.

   2.   Conditional Uses. The following uses are subject to conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment:

      A.   Any use listed as a conditional use in the “R” and “R-1” Districts.

      B.   Lodging houses and boarding houses.

      C.   Nursing, rest or convalescent homes.

      D.   Group homes or halfway (rehabilitation) houses.

   3.   Bulk Regulations.

      A.   Height. The maximum height of building shall not exceed three stories or 45 feet, unless approved by the Board of Adjustment. For public and semi-public buildings, church steeples, towers and spires shall be excluded from these requirements.

      B.   Front Yard. Same as “R-1” District, except wherever 30 percent or more of the frontage on one side of a street in any block has been built up with buildings having a front yard, then the building line of buildings to be erected shall not be less than that of the existing building line of the block as determined by existing buildings.

      C.   Special Front Yards. Same as “R” District.

      D.   Side Yard. Same as “R” District.

      E.   Special Side Yards. Same as “R” District.

      F.   Corner Side Yard. The side yard on the street side shall be not less than 25 feet.

      G.   Rear Yard. A rear yard of not less than 25 feet shall be provided. An accessory building may not occupy more than 35 percent of a required rear yard.

      H.   Special Rear Yards. Same as “R” District.

      I.   Minimum Lot Area. The minimum lot area for single-family dwelling units shall be 8,712 square feet. The minimum lot area for two-family dwelling units shall be 3,000 square feet per unit. The minimum lot area for three-family and larger dwelling units shall be 2,000 square feet per family.

      J.   Minimum Lot Width. Same as “R” District.

   4.   Parking. Parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 168 of this Code of Ordinances.

   The General Business “B” District is intended to provide for the orderly and planned development of the general business needs of the community.

   1.   Permitted Uses. Within the “B” District, as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following uses are permitted.

      A.   Any use permitted in the “R”, “R-1” and “R-M” Districts.

      B.   Retail business and service establishments.

      C.   Offices.

      D.   Hotels and motels.

      E.   Municipal, state or federal buildings.

      F.   Clubs, lodges, community centers and taverns.

      G.   Banks or financial institutions.

      H.   Accessory buildings or uses customarily incidental to any of the uses set out in this section.

      I.   Gasoline filling station provided that any entrance or exit for vehicles is located greater than 50 feet from any residential district or greater than 200 feet of any existing assembly hall, theater, public library, church, public or denominational or private school, public playground, community building, hospital, children’s or elderly peoples home or similar institution.

   2.   Conditional Uses. The following uses are subject to conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment:

      A.   Any use listed as a conditional use in the “R”, “R-1” and “R-M” Districts, unless such use is a permitted use listed above.

   3.   Bulk Regulations.

      A.   Height. The maximum height of buildings shall not exceed three stories or 45 feet.

      B.   Front Yard. There are no front yard requirements, except that when the District adjoins a residence district within the same block, then that residence district front yard requirements shall apply to that portion of the “B” District within that block.

      C.   Special Front Yards. On U.S. Highway 18, no building shall be erected closer than 70 feet from the centerline of said highway.

      D.   Side Yard. There are no side yard requirements, except where the district adjoins any residential district, in which case the adjacent side yard shall be a minimum of ten feet.

      E.   Special Side Yard. Where the lot abuts the lakeshore, the side yard next to the lake shall have a minimum width of 20 feet, measured from the lakeshore line.

      F.   Corner Side Yard. Same as “R” District.

      G.   Rear Yard. There are no rear yard requirements, except where the district adjoins any residential district, in which case the adjacent rear yard shall be a minimum of 20 feet.

      H.   Special Rear Yard. Where the lot abuts the lakeshore, structures which extend three feet or more above the natural ground surface may not be constructed within 20 feet of the lakeshore line, unless said structure is located 100 feet or more from an “R” District, as measured along the lakeshore.

      I.   Accessory Buildings. In the “B” District, no storage or accessory buildings shall be placed closer to the lakeshore line than the rear building line or closer than five feet from any side lot line.

      J.   Minimum Lot Area. None.

      K.   Minimum Lot Width. None.

   4.   Parking. Parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 168 of this Code or Ordinances.

   The Local Business “B-1” District is intended to provide for the local business needs of the community.

   1.   Permitted Uses. Within the “B-1” District, as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following uses are permitted:

      A.   Any use permitted in the “R”, “R-1” and “R-M” Districts.

      B.   Offices.

      C.   Personal services.

      D.   Municipal, State or Federal buildings.

      E.   Small retail establishments.

      F.   Banks or financial institutions.

      G.   Accessory buildings or uses customarily incidental to any of the uses set out in this section.

   2.   Conditional Uses. The following uses are subject to conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment:

      A.   Any use listed as a conditional use in the “R”, “R-1” and “R-M” Districts, unless such use is a permitted use listed above.

   3.   Bulk Regulations.

      A.   Height. The maximum height of buildings shall not exceed two and one-half stories or 35 feet.

      B.   Front Yard. Same as “R-1” District.

      C.   Special Front Yards. Same as “R” District.

      D.   Side Yard. Same as “R” District.

      E.   Corner Side Yard. Same as “R” District.

      F.   Rear Yard. There are no rear yard requirements, except where the district adjoins any residential district, in which case the rear yard requirements of the adjacent residential district shall apply.

      G.   Special Rear Yard. Same as “B” District.

      H.   Minimum Lot Area. Same as “R” District.

      I.   Minimum Lot Width. Same as “R” District.

   4.   Parking. Parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 168 of this Code or Ordinances.

   The Light Industrial “I” District is intended to provide for the light industrial development needs of the community.

   1.   Permitted Uses. Within the “I” District, as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following uses are permitted:

      A.   Any use permitted in the “B” and “B-1” Districts.

      B.   Wholesale and retail trade.

      C.   Service industries.

      D.   Light industries that manufacture, process, store and distribute goods and materials and are, in general, dependent on raw materials refined elsewhere.

      E.   Any other light manufacturing or commercial enterprise which will not produce significant amounts of dust, noise, smoke, odor or objectionable types or amounts of vehicular traffic.

      F.   Accessory buildings or uses customarily incidental to any of the uses set out in this section.

   2.   Conditional Uses. The following uses are subject to conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment:

      A.   Any light manufacturing or commercial enterprise not specifically listed above and which in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator must obtain conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment.

      B.   Sexually Oriented Business.

   3.   Bulk Regulations.

      A.   Height. The maximum height of buildings shall not exceed three stories or 45 feet.

      B.   Front Yard. Same as “R-1” District.

      C.   Special Front Yards. Same as “B” District.

      D.   Side Y   ard. Same as “B” District.

      E.   Special Side Yard. Same as “B” District.

      F.   Corner Side Yard. Same as “R” District.

      G.   Rear Yard. Same as “R-M” District.

      H.   Special Rear Yard. Same as “B” District.

      I.   Minimum Lot Area. None.

      J.   Minimum Lot Width. None.

   4.   Parking. Parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 168 of this Code or Ordinances.

   The Heavy Industrial “I-1” District is intended to provide for the heavy industrial development needs of the community.

   1.   Permitted Uses. Within the “I-1” District, as indicated on the Zoning Map, the following uses are permitted:

      A.   Any use permitted in the “I” District except that no dwelling other than that for a resident watchman or caretaker employed on the premises shall be permitted.

      B.   Grain elevators.

      C.   Railroad freight and passenger stations and grounds.

      D.   Industrial uses which are not in conflict with any Iowa statute or ordinance of the City regulating nuisances.

      E.   Any other industrial or commercial enterprise which is not noxious or offensive due to the emission of odor, gas, dust, smoke, noise, vibration, soot or explosion and not a menace to the public health or safety and which will not substantially or permanently injure the appropriate use of neighboring property.

   2.   Conditional Uses. The following uses are subject to conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment:

      A.   Mining and extraction of minerals and raw materials.

      B.   Salvage yard or junk yard.

      C.   Slaughter houses and stock yards.

      D.   Any industrial use not specifically listed in subsection 1 or this subsection and which in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator must obtain conditional approval of the Board of Adjustment.

   3.   Bulk Regulations.

      A.   Height. Same as “I” District.

      B.   Front Yard. Same as “R-1” District.

      C.   Special Front Yards. Same as “I” District.

      D.   Side Yard. Same as “I” District.

      E.   Special Side Yard. Same as “I” District.

      F.   Corner Side Yard. Same as “I” District.

      G.   Rear Yard. Same as “I” District.

      H.   Special Rear Yard. Same as “B” District.

      I.   Minimum Lot Area. None.

      J.   Minimum Lot Width. None.

   4.   Parking. Parking shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 168 of this Code or Ordinances.