West Haven City Zoning Code
O-1 ZONE
OPEN SPACE
§ 157.370 PURPOSE AND INTENT.
The Open Space Zone is specifically intended to encourage the preservation of:
(A) A natural environment in an otherwise urban setting;
(B) To hold for future generations open space in which plants and animals can be protected and studied;
(C) To inhibit erection of unnecessary buildings on a floodplain, on areas of severe slope, areas of fault line, and rock slides;
(D) To provide suitable areas for recreation and relaxation; and
(E) To alleviate stream pollution.
(Prior Code, § 28.02) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992)
§ 157.371 PERMITTED USES.
(A) Agriculture;
(B) Botanical or zoological garden;
(C) Cemeteries;
(D) Conservation areas; botanical or zoological;
(E) Fishing ponds; private or public;
(F) Golf courses, except miniature golf courses;
(G) Horse raising; provided it is conducted in a pasture of at least five acres in size and with a maximum density of two horses per acre;
(H) Private parks, playgrounds, or recreation areas;
(I) Public parks, public recreation grounds, and associate buildings, but not including privately-owned commercial amusement businesses;
(J) Public service buildings; and
(K) Wildlife sanctuaries.
(Prior Code, § 28.04) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992)
§ 157.372 CONDITIONAL USES.
(A) Golf driving ranges in conjunction with a golf course; and
(B) Main and accessory buildings, and uses customarily incidental to any permitted use.
(Prior Code, § 28.06) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992)
§ 157.373 SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
Site Development
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Requirements
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Site Development
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Requirements
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Building height | |
Maximum | 2 1/2 stories or 35 ft. |
Minimum | 1 story |
Minimum lot area | 5 acres |
Minimum lot width | 300 ft. |
Minimum yard setbacks for structures | |
Front | 30 ft. |
Rear | 30 ft. |
Side | 20 ft. each side |
(Prior Code, § 28.08) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992)
§ 157.374 SIGN REGULATIONS.
(A) Development signs;
(B) Directional signs;
(C) Flat signs;
(D) Freestanding signs;
(E) Identification and information signs;
(F) Temporary signs; and
(G) Wall signs.
(Prior Code, § 28.10) (Ord. 2-92, passed - -1992)
§ 157.375 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, outbuildings, 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) All tractor trailers on an agricultural, residential, or commercial parcel shall be licensed and registered with the state and must be actively used. 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, § 28.12) (Ord. 29-2021, passed 7-21-2021)
§ 157.376 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; and
(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, § 28.12.10) (Ord. 29-2021, passed 7-21-2021)