(A) Compliance with design standards. All dwellings, including modular dwellings and manufactured homes dwellings, shall be erected or constructed only if in compliance with the following residential design standards. The Zoning Administrator shall have the authority to determine if the following requirements are being complied with.
(B) General requirements.
(1) Area and bulk regulations. All dwellings shall comply with the minimum floor area requirements specified for the zoning district where the structure is located.
(2) Foundation. All dwellings shall be placed on a permanent foundation to form a complete enclosure under the exterior walls. The foundation shall be constructed in accordance with the adopted Building Code of the city. A manufactured home shall be securely anchored to its foundation in order to prevent displacement during windstorms. The wheels, tongue and hitch assembly, and other towing appurtenances, shall be removed before attaching a manufactured home to its permanent foundation.
(3) Other regulations. Residential structures shall be constructed in compliance with applicable state, federal, or local laws or ordinances. Manufactured homes shall comply with the most recent regulations specified by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mobile Home Construction and Safety Standards, 24 CFR 3280, as amended and with the Mobile Home Commission Act, PA 96 of 1987, as amended.
(4) Use. All dwellings shall be used only for the purposes permitted in the zoning district in which they are located.
(5) Attachments. Any exterior attachments or extensions onto a dwelling unit, such as entry steps and storage buildings, shall comply with the adopted Building Code of the city.
(6) Utility connections. All dwellings shall be connected to the public sewer and water systems.
(7) Compatibility with other residences. New dwellings, shall be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance with other residences in the vicinity. To assess compatibility, the Zoning Administrator shall evaluate the dwelling's architectural design and character which shall include, but not be limited to, the position of windows, exterior wall colors and color combinations, type of materials, architectural design elements, architectural style, variety and percentage of materials, and other features of the new structure in relation to existing structures within 1,000 feet.
(8) Roof pitch. The pitch of the main roof shall have a minimum vertical rise of one foot for each four feet of horizontal run, and the minimum distance from the eaves to the ridge shall be ten feet, except where the specific housing design dictates otherwise (i.e., French provincial, Italianate, and the like). The roof shall be finished with a type of shingle or other material that is commonly used in standard on-site residential construction.
(9) Exterior materials. The exterior siding shall consist of materials that are generally acceptable for site-built housing in the vicinity, provided that the reflection from the exterior surface shall be no greater than from white semi-gloss exterior enamel and provided further that any exterior is comparable in composition, appearance, and durability to the exterior siding commonly used in standard residential construction. A minimum of two different types of materials shall be used on all dwellings.
(10) Elevation widths. All single-family dwellings shall have a minimum width across front, side, and rear elevations of 24 feet and comply in all respects with the building code.
(11) Roof overhang. All dwellings shall be designed with a roof overhang of not less than six inches on all sides, with window sills and roof drainage systems to concentrate roof drainage at collection points along the sides of the dwelling.
(12) Exterior doors. All dwellings shall have not less than two exterior doors which shall not be located on the same side of the building.
(13) Storage area. All single-family, attached single-family and two-family dwellings shall contain a storage area in a basement located under the dwelling, in an attic area, in closet areas, or in a separately constructed building of equal or of better quality than the principal dwelling. The required storage area shall be equal to 10% of the square footage of the dwelling or 200 square feet, whichever shall be less.
(14) Garage. All single-family dwellings shall provide an attached or detached garage for the parking of two vehicles.
(15) Front porch. All single-family dwellings shall provide a porch on the front elevation. The front porch shall have a width equal to no less than 20% of the dwelling's front elevation and a depth of no less than five feet. The base, skirt or apron of all porches and stairs must be fully enclosed with a solid material. Lattice or balusters which are framed may be used only in combination with columns or piers.
(16) Landscaping. All dwellings shall provide a minimum of one tree in the front yard and one shrub for every six feet of front elevation width planted along the front foundation. All areas disturbed during construction on a single-family dwelling lot shall be fully graded and planted with grass, ground cover, shrubbery or other suitable live plant material extending to any abuting street pavement edge. Grass areas in the front yard of all single-family dwellings shall be planted with sod.
(17) Manufactured home dwelling regulations. Manufactured home dwellings shall only be located in a manufactured home park. The foregoing standards shall not apply to a manufactured home dwelling located in a licensed manufactured home park except to the extent allowed by state or federal law, or otherwise specifically required in the city Zoning Ordinance pertaining to such parks.
(Ord. 92-005, passed 2-17-92; Am. Ord. 21-004, passed 2-8-21)
Penalty, see § 154.999