A. Household Living Uses:
1. Characteristics: The residential occupancy of a dwelling unit by a single household or group household, who are living together as a single housekeeping unit. The principal use of the property is for long term residential living, with each dwelling unit containing its own facilities for living, sleeping, cooking and eating meals, and with all spaces within the unit open to the entire household. The dwelling or dwelling units are designed for residential living and any accessory use shall be secondary to the use of the property as a residence.
2. Examples: Examples include uses from the subgroups listed below. The single family uses are further divided into various dwelling types, because these dwelling types have distinct dimensional and development standards based on the zone in which they are located. Group households, given that they are a type of "household" rather than a type of dwelling, are permitted in any type of dwelling listed in the three (3) other subgroups, as is permanent supportive housing.
a. Group Households: Group households include only the following specific uses: elder family homes, elder group homes, parental group homes, and family care homes, all as defined in chapter 9, article A, "General Definitions", of this title.
b. Single Family Uses: A single family use is a household living use where there is no more than one principal dwelling unit per lot. Single family uses include the following dwelling types.
(1) Detached single family dwellings. Farm dwellings; detached single family houses; manufactured homes; modular homes; and mobile homes, if converted to real property and taxed as a site built dwelling, as provided in the Code of Iowa, as amended. (See exceptions, below.)
(2) Detached zero lot line dwellings.
(3) Attached single family dwellings. Attached zero-lot- line dwellings; townhouse dwellings.
c. Two Family Uses: Two family uses are household living uses in which there are two (2) principal dwelling units within a single building and both dwelling units are located on the same lot. These uses are often referred to as duplexes.
d. Multi-Family Uses: Multi-family uses are household living uses where there are three (3) or more principal dwelling units within a single building and all dwelling units within the building are located on the same lot. These uses include apartments, condominium apartments, elder apartments, assisted living apartments, townhouse-style apartments and condominiums, efficiency apartments, and dwelling units located within mixed-use buildings.
3. Accessory Uses: Private recreational uses; storage buildings; parking for residents' vehicles; supportive services that assist permanent supportive housing residents in retaining housing, improving their health status, and maximizing their ability to live and when possible work in the community. Home occupations, accessory dwelling units, childcare homes, mechanical structures such as solar energy systems, and bed and breakfasts are accessory uses that are subject to additional regulations outlined in article C, "Accessory Uses And Buildings", of this chapter. Any accessory use of the property shall remain secondary to the principal use of the property for residential living.
4. Exceptions:
a. Mobile homes located within manufactured housing parks approved through a planned development process are considered detached single family dwellings, regardless of whether they are converted to real property and taxed as site built dwellings.
b. Detached single family dwellings and detached zero lot line dwellings approved through a planned development process are considered single family uses for purposes of this title, even if they are located on one common lot and sold as condominiums.
c. Single family uses that contain accessory dwelling units are not considered a two family use.
d. Mixed-use buildings containing dwelling units are always considered multi-family uses, regardless of the number of dwelling units within the building.
e. Uses such as hotels, motels, and guest houses are not considered residential. They are considered a form of temporary lodging and are classified as hospitality-oriented retail.
f. Transient housing is not considered residential. It is considered a form of temporary lodging or shelter and is classified as community service - shelter.
g. Alternatives to incarceration, such as halfway houses, where residents are placed in the facility by court order and are under supervision of employees or contractees of the Department of Corrections, are classified as detention facilities.
h. Any single family dwelling or dwelling unit within a two family dwelling where there is more than one residential lease issued per unit or where there are locks installed on bedroom doors through which one resident may prevent other residents from entering his/her private room(s) when he/she is not physically present is classified as a group living use, unless the dwelling meets the definition of a group household.
B. Group Living Uses:
1. Characteristics: Group living uses are characterized by the residential occupancy of a dwelling by a group of people (roomers) who do not meet the definition of a "household" or "group household". Group living structures contain individual, private rooming units that are not open to all the residents of the dwelling. Rooming units contain private space for living and sleeping, but not for cooking. Bathroom facilities may be private or shared. There may also be shared kitchen and dining facilities and shared common rooms and amenities for all residents. The rooming units are furnished with locks through which one member of the group may prevent other members of the group from entering his/her private rooming unit. The residents may or may not receive any combination of care, training, or treatment, but those receiving such services must reside at the site.
2. Examples: Examples include uses from the subgroups listed below.
a. Assisted group living: Group care facilities, including nursing and convalescent homes; assisted living facilities.
b. Independent group living: Rooming houses; student dormitories.
c. Fraternal group living: Fraternities; sororities; monasteries; convents; and rooming house cooperatives.
3. Accessory Uses: Recreational facilities; meeting rooms; associated offices; shared amenity areas, shared kitchens and dining rooms, food preparation and dining facilities; off-street parking for vehicles of the occupants and staff; storage facilities; mechanical structures including solar energy systems; off-street loading areas.
4. Exceptions:
a. Uses such as hotels, motels, and guest houses are not considered residential. They are considered a form of temporary lodging and are classified as hospitality-oriented retail.
b. Family care homes, elder group homes, and elder family homes are considered group households and are classified as household living uses.
c. Transient housing is not considered residential. It is considered a form of temporary lodging or shelter and is classified as community service - shelter.
d. Alternatives to incarceration, such as halfway houses, where residents are placed in the facility by court order and are under supervision of employees or contractees of the Department of Corrections, are classified as detention facilities. (Ord. 18-4744, 4-2-2018; amd. Ord. 22-4882, 6-21-2022; Ord. 23-4893, 1-24-2023; Ord. 23-4914, 11-6-2023; Ord. 23-4917, 11-21-2023)