Willcox City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
81 RU, RURAL ZONING DISTRICTS
17.81.010 Purpose.
A. RU (Rural) zoning districts are established to achieve the following purposes:
1. To preserve the character of areas designated as "rural;"
2. To encourage those types of nonresidential and non-agricultural activities which serve local needs or provide a service and are compatible with rural living;
3. To preserve the agricultural character of those portions of the incorporated city capable of resource production;
4. To provide space for people, minimize traffic congestion, and preserve the existing rural environment of unincorporated areas of the county situated outside of existing communities;
5. To provide recreational support services that are compatible with rural living; and
6. To protect the quality of the natural environment as it relates to safeguarding the health, safety and welfare of the people within the incorporated area.
(Ord. NS271, § 2(Exh. B), 2006)
17.81.020 Division of RU zoning districts.
A. The RU (rural) zoning districts shall be further divided into the following density districts, which are so designated on the official zoning map, and subject to the regulations herein:
1. RU-36
2. RU-18
3. RU-10
4. RU-4
5. RU-2
(Ord. NS271, § 2(Exh. B), 2006)
17.81.030 Permitted principal uses.
A. The following uses shall be permitted in all RU zoning districts, provided that they conform to the applicable site development standards for such uses set forth below, and meet any other requirements for such uses found in these regulations, such as off-site road and drainage improvements.
1. All single and multiple-household dwellings.
2. Mobile home or manufactured home parks subject to the maximum densities in section 17.88.090.
3. Utility installations, other than electrical generation plants, regional sewage treatment plants, solid waste landfills or incinerators.
4. Churches or places of religious worship.
5. Enclosed veterinary clinics or animal hospitals.
6. Riding stables, commercial, on a minimum site of ten acres.
7. Emergency vehicle stations.
8. Residential care homes.
9. Bed and breakfast inn.
10. Grocery stores and agriculture-related retail sales (sales area not to exceed 2,000 square feet of total area, including any outdoor storage).
11. Day care facilities.
12. Wireless communications facilities at a maximum height of 30 feet.
(Ord. NS271, § 2(Exh. B), 2006)
17.81.040 Site development standards.
A. All uses permitted in RU zoning districts shall conform to the following minimum site development standards:
1. Minimum Site Area and Maximum Density.
a. The minimum site area and maximum density are as follows:
District
| Minimum Site Area
| Maximum Density
|
RU-36 | 36.0 acres | One dwelling per 36.0 acres |
RU-18 | 18.0 acres | One dwelling per 18.0 acres |
RU-10 | 10.0 acres | One dwelling per 10.0 acres |
RU-4 | 4.0 acres | One dwelling per 4.0 acres |
RU-2 | 2.0 acres | One dwelling per 2.0 acres |
2. Maximum Height.
a. Principal and accessory structure 30 feet above grade.
b. Wall or fence to meet requirements of chapter 17.14, fences, walls and screening devices.
3. Setbacks, Principal and Accessory Structures/Uses.
District
| Front Setback
| Side Setback
| Rear Setback
|
RU-36 | 100 feet | 50 feet | 75 feet |
RU-18 | 75 feet | 50 feet | 75 feet |
RU-10 | 50 feet | 25 feet | 50 feet |
RU-4 | 50 feet | 25 feet | 50 feet |
RU-2 | 25 feet | 10 feet | 25 feet |
4. Maximum Site Coverage-25 percent.
5. Distance Between Buildings.
a. Except as otherwise provided in these regulations, the minimum distance between principal structures shall be 15 feet; ten feet for multiple-household structures. Nothing herein shall prevent permanent attachment of structures.
6. Screening.
a. Whenever a non-residential use abuts a residential zoning district, the developed area of the non-residential site shall be screened with a six-foot-high solid screen. The zoning inspector may defer the screening if the abutting residentially zoned property is not yet developed. Screening is not required in areas abutting typical agricultural uses in the RU (rural) areas.
(Ord. NS271, § 2(Exh. B), 2006)
17.81.050 Permitted accessory uses.
A. Accessory uses are permitted in RU zoning districts provided they are customarily incidental to an established permitted principal use. Accessory structures may exceed the size of the principal structure, unless otherwise stated, provided that all other site development standards are met. For residential uses, the following additional accessory uses and buildings shall be permitted:
1. Recreational vehicles (RVs) are allowed as follows:
a. Storage of no more than two RVs on a parcel (no permit is required).
b. Temporary occupancy of one RV in conjunction with a permitted principal use up to six months in a calendar year (a temporary use permit is required; stays of 15 consecutive days or less do not require a permit).
c. Temporary occupancy of RVs in conjunction with the construction of a non-residential or residential permitted principal use (a temporary use permit is required).
2. Rooms in the principal dwelling for rent paying visitors, not exceeding two such persons per dwelling unit (no permit is required).
3. Home occupations.
(Ord. NS271, § 2(Exh. B), 2006)
17.81.060 Other permitted uses.
A. The following rural uses will be allowed without the establishment of a permitted principal use:
1. Fences (setbacks do not apply; permit required).
2. Well houses, permanently affixed (setbacks apply; no permit required).
3. One out-building, permanently affixed, and corrals/pens (setbacks apply; permit may be required).
(Ord. NS271, § 2(Exh. B), 2006)
17.81.070 Special uses.
A. Any of the following uses may be permitted as a special use in an RU zoning district, subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code:
1. Guest Lodging.
2. Recreational vehicle parks.
3. Welfare and charitable services.
4. Zoos and other animal exhibits
5. Animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, and animal husbandry services.
6. Indoor and outdoor recreational facilities
7. Firearms, skeet, archery or trap shooting ranges, indoor.
8. Fairgrounds and outdoor amusement parks.
9. Gasoline/service stations.
10. Convenience stores.
11. Restaurants, bars, taverns and nightclubs
12. Contract construction services.
13. Airports and flying fields, including private landing areas.
14. Manufacturing, wholesaling, warehousing, distribution, or storage of agriculture-related products.
15. Manufacturing, wholesaling, warehousing, distribution and storage of products, activity area not to exceed 2,000 square feet.
16. Wholesaling, warehousing, distribution or storage of propane.
17. Motion picture production sites/studios.
18. Meat cutting or butchering operations.
19. Retail sales, rentals, or accessory storage of materials, merchandise, supplies and equipment.
20. Civic, social, fraternal or business associations.
21. Educational services.
22. Personal and professional services.
23. Hospitals.
24. Health clinics.
25. Repair services.
26. Recycling centers.
27. Cultural, historic and nature exhibits.
28. Residential care institutions.
29. Offender rehabilitation facilities.
30. Group quarters.
31. Funeral and crematory services.
32. Golf courses.
33. Agricultural processing services.
34. Wireless communications facilities exceeding 30 feet in height.
35. Cemeteries.
36. Slaughterhouses and meat packing plants.
37. Day care establishments.
38. Commercial plant nurseries.
39. Bed and breakfast establishment.
(Ord. NS271, § 2(Exh. B), 2006)
