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Vienna City Zoning Code

ARTICLE III

- APPLICATION OF REGULATIONS

Sec. 82-71. - Use.

No building, structure or land shall be erected and no existing building or structure or any part thereof shall be reconstructed or moved, nor shall any land, structure or building be used or altered except in conformity with the regulations specified in this chapter for the district in which it is located.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-21)

Sec. 82-72. - Height and density.

(a)

No building or structure shall be erected, constructed or altered to:

(1)

Exceed the height limits;

(2)

House a greater number of families or occupy a smaller lot area per family; or

(3)

Have narrower or smaller front or side yards;

than are required in this chapter.

(b)

Height limits of this chapter shall not apply to structures not intended for human occupancy such as church spires, flagpoles, chimneys, monuments, radio or television towers or aerials, water towers or similar structures. The height limits shall apply to signs and billboards.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-22)

Sec. 82-73. - Lot area and reduction of lot size.

No lot, even though it may consist of one or more adjacent lots in the same ownership as of the adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter was derived, shall be reduced in size so that lot width or size of yards or lot area per family or any other requirement of this chapter is not maintained, except as otherwise specified in this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-23)

Sec. 82-74. - Space provisions.

No part of a yard or other open space or any part of the off-street parking or loading space required about any building for the purpose of complying with the provisions of this chapter shall be included as a part of the yard or other open space or off-street parking or loading space required for another building.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-24)

Sec. 82-75. - Public street frontage.

No building shall be erected on a lot that does not abut for at least 25 feet on a public street.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-25)

Sec. 82-76. - Corner lots.

The side yard setback requirement for corner lots shall be the same as the front yard requirements for adjoining lots on the same street.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-26)

Sec. 82-77. - One principal building on a lot.

Only one principal building and its customary accessory buildings shall hereafter be erected on any one lot.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-27)

Sec. 82-78. - Vision clearance.

No sign, hedge or other obstacle to vision between the height of two and ten feet shall be placed within 20 feet of any street intersection right-of-way lines.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-28)

Sec. 82-79. - Front yard setback of dwellings.

The front yard setback requirement of this chapter for dwellings shall not apply on any lot where the average setback of existing buildings located wholly or in part within 100 feet on each side of any lot within the same block and zoning district and fronting on the same side of the street is less than the minimum required setbacks of the adjoining buildings, but in no case shall the setback be less than 15 feet from the street right-of-way upon which that lot fronts.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-29)

Sec. 82-80. - Nonconforming uses.

A nonconforming use shall include any building, structure or use of land existing at the time of adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter was derived but not in conformity with its use regulations and provisions. Any nonconforming uses may be continued but shall not be:

(1)

Changed to another nonconforming use;

(2)

Extended or enlarged except in conformity with this chapter;

(3)

Reestablished after discontinuance for one year; and

(4)

In order for a nonconforming use to be rebuilt, altered or repaired after damage has exceeded 50 percent of its assessed value for city tax purposes, the nonconforming use shall be presented to the board of appeals by the zoning official, whereupon a hearing shall be set to determine whether there is cause to grant a variance.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-30)

Sec. 82-81. - Off-street automobile parking.

At least one off-street parking space not less than nine feet in width and 20 feet in length with vehicular access to a public street shall hereafter be provided for:

(1)

Each dwelling unit on a residential lot;

(2)

Each mobile home space in a developed mobile home park;

(3)

Each 250 square feet of total floor area for a retail commercial establishment, if on-street parking is not adequate;

(4)

Each two employees at maximum employment on a single shift for any industrial activity;

(5)

Each two employees at a gasoline service station, plus one space for each service bay; and

(6)

One and one-half automobile spaces shall be provided for each unit in a multifamily dwelling.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-31)

Sec. 82-82. - Off-street loading space.

At least one off-street loading space not less than ten feet in width and 25 feet in length with vehicular access to a public street shall hereafter be provided for each retail business and for industrial use in addition to the required number of off-street parking spaces.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-32)

Sec. 82-83. - Site and development plan.

For all zoning approvals except for single-family and agricultural uses, a site and development plan shall be required. Three copies of the plan shall be submitted to the zoning officer with sufficient information to determine its compliance with the requirements of this chapter. The plan should include such things as parking, landscaping, utilities, proposed uses, drainage, signs, etc.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-33)

Sec. 82-84. - Signs, numbers and surface areas.

For the purpose of this chapter the use and location of signs will be controlled in the following manner:

(1)

In residential districts no more than one on-site sign will be allowed for nonresidential use. This sign shall not exceed four square feet in area and shall not be illuminated in any manner. The sign shall not be located within any required yard setback area unless attached to the building.

(2)

In commercial, industrial and agricultural districts, on-site signs will be allowed. These signs when illuminated will be arranged so as not to reflect light into residential areas. Such on-site signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, shall not exceed 20 feet in height, shall have only one ground pole per lot, and all other signs shall required a variance. All signs, except in the downtown area, shall have a minimum of a 15-foot setback unless attached to a building.

(3)

All signs shall be designed to be harmonious with the surrounding structures and uses.

(4)

These signs are expressly prohibited in all districts: Illuminated sequential, flashing, blinking, or oscillating signs, whether permanent or portable, with the exception of signs providing time and temperature.

(5)

The total sign area of all signage on any one lot shall not exceed 200 square feet. A double-faced sign shall be considered a single sign. However, signage designed for pedestrian viewing only, such as under canopy signage or small directional signs, shall not be included in calculating the maximum allowable sign area per lot.

(6)

Roof signs shall not be permitted.

(7)

Nothing contained in this section shall apply to interstate signs and shall not be in conflict with chapter 14, article IV. of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Vienna.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-34; Ord. of 9-22-03, §§ 1, 2)

Sec. 82-85. - Mobile home parks.

In mobile home parks, the following standards shall apply:

(1)

Each trailer space shall provide a minimum area of 3,000 square feet.

(2)

No trailer shall be nearer than 15 feet from any neighboring trailer or interior road or nearer than 30 feet from an adjacent property line.

(3)

A buffer in accordance with section 82-88 shall be required.

(4)

One refuse collection station shall be provided for each 20 families or fraction thereof.

(5)

Water and sanitary facilities shall be connected to each trailer, as required by the state health department.

(6)

A recreation area shall be developed for each park at a ratio of 20,000 square feet per five-acre park.

(7)

Paved interior roadways shall be provided with adequate access to each trailer space and public street. Interior roadways shall have a pavement of not less than 16 feet.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-35)

Sec. 82-86. - Utility facilities.

Utility, water and sanitary facilities shall be connected to each new dwelling, building and/or structure as required by the state health department.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-36)

Sec. 82-87. - Permanent foundations required.

All dwelling units, including mobile homes, shall be required to have permanent foundations and underpinned.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-37)

Sec. 82-88. - Buffering and fencing.

For all uses where a site and development plan is required under section 82-83, a buffer area shall be required. The buffer shall be in a five-foot-wide area and shall be at least eight feet in height. The buffer may be in the form of walls, fences or landscaping. The buffer may be required along the front, side and rear yard lines if necessary.

(Code 1980, § 6-4-38)

Sec. 82-100. - Loft dwellings; restrictions.

Loft dwellings shall be subject to the following restrictions:

(1)

All window treatments visible from the exterior of the commercial building must be off-white colors, with no signs, drawings, or photographs incorporated therein. No articles shall hang from the outside of the windows or be placed above or lateral to the windows such as, but not limited to, awnings or canopies, unless design and color are approved by the Vienna Historic Preservation Commission as to those loft dwellings within the designated historic district.

(2)

No exterior television, radio or other electronic receiving device antennae or satellite reception dishes or discs shall be permitted unless such device is less than 36 inches in diameter, located on the roof in such a way as is not visible from any public street; cable connectors shall be permitted and located at the rear of the exterior of the commercial establishment.

(3)

Clothing shall not be permitted to hang for any purpose on the exterior of the subject building.

(4)

All window air conditioning and/or heating units shall not be visible from any public street.

(5)

No recreation, entertainment, public gathering, or placement of furniture shall be allowed on the sidewalks along the exterior of buildings where loft dwellings are permitted.

(6)

Parking. Each residential unit of the loft dwelling shall have its own off-street parking with direct access to a public street.

(Ord. of 9-23-13(2))

Sec. 82-101. - Photovoltaic solar energy production facilities; restrictions and conditions.

Photovoltaic solar energy production facilities shall be allowed in all districts as a special exception use and shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(1)

Area of use may not exceed 100 acres on-site with no aggregation of solar collection panels on adjacent properties which exceeds 100 acres; and

(2)

Photovoltaic solar energy production facilities may consist only of solar collection systems in residential districts and may be used for on-site purposes only; and

(3)

Solar energy production facilities shall adhere to the setback and height requirements of the district in which they are located. Ground-mounted systems shall be fenced with "Danger - High Voltage" warning type signs attached to said fencing at intervals of not more than 100 feet; and

(4)

Solar energy production facilities shall be visually screened from abutting residential properties through any one or combination of the following: (1) plantings; (2) existing vegetation; or (3) fencing not to exceed eight feet in height; and

(5)

The manufacturers' or installers' identification, the facility owner's name and contact information, and the appropriate warning signage shall be posted on or near the panels in a clearly visible manner and on the required fencing; and

(6)

All electrical interconnection and distribution lines within the project boundary, except for power lines that leave the project or are within the substation shall be underground unless otherwise determined by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Vienna because of severe environmental constraints; and

(7)

Lighting of the solar energy production facility and accessory structures shall be limited to the minimum lumens required for access or necessary repair and replacement and said lighting shall not be directed at residential structures on abutting property existing as of the date of construction of said facility; and

(8)

Solar panels shall be designed and installed to prohibit sun reflection in such a manner to impede vehicular traffic and any habitable portion of an adjacent or abutting structure. Lighting of the solar energy production facility and accessory structures shall be limited to the minimum lumens required for access or necessary repair and replacement and said lighting shall not be directed in such fashion as to impede vehicular traffic; and

(9)

Professional engineered drawings that clearly illustrate the design of the solar energy production facility shall be submitted as part of the special exception use application package. Manufacturers' drawings for solar collection systems in residential systems may be submitted in lieu of professional engineered drawings. The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Vienna may apply aesthetic consideration when making recommendation to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Vienna for approval or disapproval; and

(10)

Any solar energy production facility that has not been in use for its original purpose for a period of 180 days as determined by records of the production facility owner, property owner, or City of Vienna shall be deemed to be abandoned. The solar energy production facility owner and/or the property owner shall have 90 days to remove the abandoned solar energy system and any appurtenant structures or to reactivate the solar energy system; and

(11)

The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Vienna may, in its discretion, recommend to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Vienna to waive any of the above-listed conditions or may recommend that additional and appropriate conditions and safeguards in conformity with this Ordinance be prescribed in order to mitigate the impact of the use to surrounding uses and to otherwise protect public health, safety and general welfare. Violation of each such condition and safeguard, when made a part of the terms under which the conditional use is granted, shall be deemed a violation of this section. Each day such violation occurs shall be considered a separate and distinct violation of this section.

(12)

Ground-mounted accessory solar panels.

a.

Ground-mounted accessory solar panels shall only be permitted in the rear and side yard in the commercial zoned districts, and in the rear yard only of residential zoned districts.

b.

Ground-mounted solar panels located on the ground or attached to a framework located on the ground shall not exceed eight feet in height above the ground.

c.

Ground-mounted solar panels shall meet the setback as required for in the districts in which they are located.

d.

The total coverage of a lot with ground-mounted solar panels cannot exceed 20 percent lot coverage.

e.

Ground-mounted systems shall be screened from any adjacent property that is residentially zoned or used for residential purposes. The screen shall consist of plant materials which provide a visual screen. In lieu of a planting screen, a decorative fence meeting requirements of the zoning ordinance may be used.

f.

The manufacturers' or installers' identification and appropriate warning signage shall be posted on or near the panels in a clearly visible manner.

(13)

Roof-mounted solar panels.

a.

Roof-mounted solar panels shall be located only on rear or side-facing roofs as viewed from any adjacent street.

b.

A roof-mounted system may be mounted on a principal building or accessory building.

c.

A roof-mounted system, whether mounted on the principal building or accessory building, shall be subject to the maximum height regulations specified for building within the underlying zoning district.

d.

In no instance shall any part of the roof-mounted system extend beyond the edge of the roof.

e.

The panels shall not be located within three feet of any peak, eave or valley of the roof to maintain pathways of accessibility.

f.

The manufacturers' or installers' identification and appropriate warning signage shall be posted on or near the panels in a clearly visible manner.

(14)

Historic district overlay. Solar energy production facilities are allowed in the historic district overlay; are subject to the above regulations and the Vienna Historic District Guidelines. A certificate of appropriateness from the Vienna Historic Preservation Commission is required prior to permitting.

(Ord. of 9-23-13(3); Ord. of 8-25-14)