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 uses.

The uses established in established in Table 17-81.A (Permitted Principal Uses) shall be permitted in all RU zoning districts, provided that they conform to the applicable site development standards, and meet any other requirements for such uses found in these regulations, such as off-site road and drainage improvements.

Table 17-81.A: Permitted Uses
Use	Director	Planning Commission	Standard or Specific Use Regulation
Agricultural processing services		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Airports and flying fields, including private landing areas		CUP
Amusement parks, outdoor		CUP
Animal husbandry services		CUP
Associations, business, civic, fraternal and social		CUP
Bars and taverns		CUP
Bed and breakfast establishment		CUP
Bed and breakfast inn	P
Cemeteries		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Churches or places of religious worship	P
Commercial plant nurseries		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Contract construction services		CUP
Corrals and pens	P		Setbacks apply; permit may be required.
Cultural, historical and nature exhibits		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Day care establishments		CUP
Dwellings, all single-household	P
Dwellings, all multiple- household	P
Educational services		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Emergency vehicle stations	P
Fairgrounds		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Fences	P		Setbacks do not apply; permit required.
Funeral and crematory services		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Gasoline/service stations		CUP
Golf courses		CUP
Group quarters		CUP
Guest lodging		CUP
Health clinics		CUP
Home occupations	PA		Accessory
Hospitals		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Hospitals, animal		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Manufactured home parks	P		Subject to the maximum densities in Section 17.88.090
Manufacturing, wholesaling, warehousing, distribution and storage of products, activity area not to exceed 2,000 square feet		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Manufacturing, wholesaling, warehousing, distribution, or storage of agriculture-related products		CUP
Meat cutting or butchering operations		CUP
Meat packing plants		CUP
Mobile home parks		P	Subject to the maximum densities in Section 17.88.090
Motion picture production sites/studios		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Nightclubs		CUP
Offender rehabilitation facilities		CUP
Out-building	P		Max. one out-building permanently affixed; setbacks apply; permit may be required.
Personal and professional services		CUP
Recreational facilities, indoor and outdoor		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Recreational vehicles (RVs)	PA		Storage of max. 2 RVs per parcel is allowed (no permit is required). 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). Temporary occupancy of RVs in conjunction with the construction of a non-residential or residential permitted principal use (a temporary use permit is required).
Recreational vehicle parks		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Recycling centers		CUP
Repair services		CUP
Residential care homes	P
Residential care institutions		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Restaurants		CUP
Retail sales, agriculture-related	P		Sales area not to exceed 2,000 square feet of total area, including outdoor storage
Retail sales, rentals, or accessory storage of materials, merchandise, supplies and equipment		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Riding stables, commercial	P		Minimum site of 10 acres
Rooms in the principal dwelling for rent-paying visitors	PA		Not exceeding two such persons per dwelling unit No permit is required.
Shooting ranges, archery, firearm, skeet, trap, indoor		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Slaughterhouses		CUP
Storage of agriculture-related products		CUP
Stores, convenience		CUP
Stores, grocery	P		Sales area not to exceed 2,000 square feet of total area, including any outdoor storage
Utility installations	P		Other than electrical generation plants, regional sewage treatment plants, solid waste landfills or incinerators
Veterinary clinics		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Veterinary clinics, enclosed	P
Welfare and charitable services		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Well houses, permanently fixed	P		Setbacks apply; no permit required.
Wholesaling, warehousing, distribution or storage of propane		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Wireless communications facilities	P		Maximum height of 30 feet
Wireless communications facilities exceeding 30 feet in height		CUP	Subject to the procedures and review criteria set forth in Title 17 of the Willcox Municipal Code
Zoos and other animal exhibits		CUP
Solar energy uses		CUP	* Pending approval by CC 9/15
Legend: “P” = Permitted use “PA” = Permitted accessory use “CUP” = Conditional use permit

(Ord. NS271, § 2(Exh. B), 2006; Ord. No. NS379, Exh. A, 2026)

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)