West Haven City Zoning Code
R-4 ZONE
RESIDENTIAL MODERATE TO HIGHER DENSITY
§ 157.180 PURPOSE AND INTENT.
To provide for areas in appropriate locations where quiet, higher density residential neighborhoods may be established and protected. The regulations of this Zone are designed to promote compatible land uses consistent with a suburban environment enjoyed by residents within the Zone. With proper controls that ensure the integrity of the Zone, alternate forms of residential living are provided for by allowing flexibility in housing type, preference, and cost.
(Prior Code, § 10.12.010) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992)
§ 157.181 PERMITTED USES.
(A) Accessory uses and buildings (only behind homes);
(B) Dwellings, single-family;
(Prior Code, § 10.12.020) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992; Ord. 36-2019, passed 11-6-2019; Ord. 28-2020, passed 7-1-2020)
§ 157.182 CONDITIONAL USES.
(A) Churches (temporary churches held in the open area or in tents, or in temporary structures excluded);
(B) Day care centers and preschools, whether held within a residence or in a separate facility;
(C) Golf courses, public or privately owned, whether or not operated as a business;
(D) Planned dwelling groups with a maximum of two dwellings;
(E) Public parks and/or playgrounds; also, privately owned playgrounds and recreational grounds or parks not operated as a business, in whole or in part, and to which no admission charge is made; and
(F) Schools, public or privately owned.
(Prior Code, § 10.12.030) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992; Ord. 36-2019, passed 11-6-2019)
§ 157.183 BUILDING LOT REQUIREMENTS.
(A) Density. There shall be no more than four building lots per acre contained within the boundaries of each phase of every subdivision or planned unit development; except when previously completed phases of the same development have sufficiently low density so that the average is still four building lots per acre or less.
(B) Lot area.
(1) There shall be a minimum of 8,000 square feet for single family in each lot.
(2) For buffer areas, there shall be a minimum of 12,500 square feet for single-family in a lot if the lot is adjacent to an A-1 or R-1 Zone. There shall be a minimum of 12,500 square feet for single family in a lot if the lot is adjacent to an A-2 or R-2 Zone. There shall be a minimum of 8,000 square feet for single-family in a lot if the lot is adjacent to a R-2.5 Zone.
(C) Lot width. Minimum lot width shall be 65 feet. The average lot width of all lots is 72 feet. Only 25% of the lots can have a 65-foot lot width.
(Prior Code, § 10.12.040)
(D) Acreage requirement. For the purpose of application of the requirements of this section, R-4 Zone, one acre is 43,560 square feet and one-half acre is 21,780 square feet.
(Prior Code, § 10.12.090)
(Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992; Ord. 36-2019, passed 11-6-2019; Ord. 28-2020, passed 7-1-2020)
§ 157.184 LOCATION OF STRUCTURES.
(A) Dwellings.
(1) Front setback. Twenty-two feet from front line for garages, 15 feet for the home;
(2) Side setback. Six feet minimum each side, 15 feet minimum for side fronting on a street. A setback variance can be given by the Planning Commission for odd-shaped lots; and
(3) Rear setback. The rear lot line must average 20 feet.
(B) (1) Detached accessory buildings and garages.
(Prior Code, § 10.12.050) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992; Ord. 36-2019, passed 11-6-2019; Ord. 28-2020, passed 7-1-2020; Ord. 18-2022, passed 9-7-2022; Ord. 15-24, passed 5-15-2024)
§ 157.185 MAXIMUM STRUCTURE HEIGHT.
Main buildings or structures shall be 35 feet.
(Prior Code, § 10.12.060) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992; Ord. 36-2019, passed 11-6-2019)
§ 157.186 OFF-STREET PARKING.
§ 157.187 PERMITTED SIGNS.
§ 157.188 REGULATIONS FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE UNITS, CONTAINERS, AND STRUCTURES.
(A) Temporary storage units, containers, or structures will not be allowed in this Zone except for temporary new construction sites with a valid current building permit issued by the city. Temporary storage units, containers, or structures must be removed within 30 days of completion, or abandonment of construction or permit expiration, whichever comes first.
(B) Temporary storage units, containers, or structures may be used for moving and are allowed on a hard surface in a Residential Zone for up to 14 days for the outgoing resident and an additional 14 days for the incoming resident.
(C) Temporary storage units, containers, or structures may be used for remodeling projects in established neighborhoods for a period of up to 120 days if placed in the driveway of a residence and up to six months if placed behind a home, solid fence, outbuilding, or other obstruction as to obscure the view of the unit, container, or structure from the road. A valid current building permit is required.
(D) Permanent use of these temporary storage units, containers, or structures shall not be allowed in any Residential or Agricultural Zone on lots of less than one acre. One storage unit may be allowed per acre with a land use permit, which shall include a site plan and any required building permits. A temporary storage unit, container, or structure shall be placed on a hard surface such as gravel, road base, concrete, or asphalt. Note, the maximum number of temporary storage units, containers, or structures is one unit per two acres, then one per additional acre with a conditional use permit. The storage container must be placed behind a home, solid fence, outbuilding, or other obstruction as to obscure the view of the unit, container, or structure from the road.
(E) The city has no obligation or responsibility to research and enforce an applicant’s property’s existing private covenants, conditions, or restrictions prohibiting the use of temporary, or permanent use of storage units, containers, or structures. It is the exclusive responsibility of a property owner to research and have full knowledge and understanding of those private covenants, conditions, or restrictions that run with, and are attached to, his or her property. By submitting an application to the city for a permanent or temporary storage unit, container, or structure, the applicant is certifying that he or she has full knowledge and understanding of those private covenants, conditions, or restrictions that run with his or her property and have a full understanding of whether those items prohibit the use of temporary or permanent storage units, containers, or structures.
(F) (1) All tractor trailers on an agricultural, residential, or commercial parcel shall be licensed and registered with the state and must be actively used.
(2) Trailers not involved in a construction project that remain in a fixed location over 30 days shall be subject to fines, impoundment, and removal by the city.
(Prior Code, § 10.12.100) (Ord. 23-2020, passed 6-17-2020; Ord. 29-2021, passed 7-21-2021)
§ 157.189 ENFORCEMENT AND FINES.
(A) Enforcement and fines. Upon a determination that a violation exists, the Code Enforcement Officer, or his or her designee, will contact the owner and shall require such owner to halt, eradicate, destroy, remove, or otherwise cure the violation within 48 hours, or such later time the Code Enforcement Officer, or his or her designee, may determine.
(B) Pre-existing conditions. In the instance of an existing storage unit, container, or structure that has been established for a permanent use, the owner shall have a pre-existing right, shall be a legally nonconforming use, and shall not be required to come into compliance with the new requirements adopted July 21, 2021. The following conditions do, however, apply to any such unit(s) as of the adoption of the original ordinance on April 10, 2020:
(1) Residential and Agriculture Zones. Temporary storage units, containers, or structures shall not be allowed in any Residential or Agricultural Zone on lots of less than one acre. The storage container must be placed behind a home, solid fence, outbuilding, or other obstruction as to obscure the view of the unit, container, or structure from the road.
(2) Commercial and Manufacturing Zones. A temporary storage unit, container, or structure shall not be allowed in any Commercial or Manufacturing Zone on lots of less than one acre. It must be placed on a hard surface such as gravel, road base, concrete, or asphalt, and made to look like the main structure on the property, including the use of similar building materials and colors.
(C) Temporary storage units. If the temporary storage unit, container, or structure is moved or otherwise modified, the property owner would have to comply to all requirements under the current ordinance.
(Prior Code, § 10.12.100.0100) (Ord. 23-2020, passed 6-17-2020; Ord. 29-2021, passed 7-21-2021)