(A) Residential single-family dwellings (free standing detached dwellings homes), including two-family dwellings (attached twin home or duplex dwellings), multi-family dwellings not exceeding four dwelling units (attached three-unit or four-unit townhouse dwellings), and manufactured homes shall comply with the regulations stated in this section.
(B) Residential multi-family dwellings consisting of five or more units shall be required to follow the city's official site plan review process.
(C) The words "dwelling" and "home" can be used interchangeably in this section.
(D) Building and zoning regulations.
(1) Building Permit.
(a) Before construction may commence on a new single-family home or a new addition/expansion, a building permit application shall be approved by the city. A building permit application shall not be considered complete until the following items are fully finalized, completed, and submitted to the city:
1. Official building permit application form;
2. Two paper copies and one digital copy of the following:
a. Certificate of survey (showing scale, north arrow, lot size, property lines, property monuments/pins, existing/proposed structures and features, existing/proposed elevations/slopes, existing/proposed impervious areas, driveways, building setbacks, and associated dimensions);
b. Erosion control plan;
c. Floor plans;
d. Building elevation plans (indicate construction materials, height, size, design, and appearance of proposed building); and
e. Energy code calculations/information;
3. Other relevant/necessary permits and information requested by the city; and
4. Permit fees and other associated fees per the city fee schedule.
(b) Any missing items, information, and/or unacceptable payment shall constitute an incomplete application, and review will be discontinued until such item(s), information, and/or acceptable payment is received by the city.
(2) Zoning regulations. Single-family dwellings, including additions/expansions, shall comply with all zoning regulations.
(3) Building Code. All new single-family dwellings and additions/expansions shall meet the requirements of the International Residential Code and State Building Code or the applicable Manufactured Housing Code.
(E) Home and exterior design. Any new single-family dwellings constructed after October 12, 2017 shall follow the standards set forth in this section.
(1) Exterior architecture and home design.
(a) New homes shall maintain a high standard for exterior architecture to ensure a high quality of development and land use compatibility that contributes positively to community image in regard to material quality, visual aesthetics, permanence and stability, and to prevent use of materials that are unsightly, deteriorate rapidly, or contribute to depreciation of surrounding property values. The city shall not be responsible for costs associated with property/home value appraisals.
(b) The exterior architectural design of a proposed dwelling must be sufficiently similar to the exterior architectural design of existing dwellings in the immediate neighborhood and must not be so different from the surrounding neighborhood that it adversely affects other persons' enjoyment of their property or disrupt the welfare and general harmony of the community. All new homes shall fit in with nearby existing homes in terms of size, color, design, and architecture.
(2) Minimum home/dwelling size.
(a) All single-family dwelling shall have a minimum width and depth of at least 26 feet, which may include the measurement of an attached garage.
(b) All new residential dwelling units shall meet the following minimum above-grade home size requirements according to the specified zoning district:
Home Type
| Minimum Dwelling Unit Size | |
R-1, R-1A, R-2 Districts
|
R-2A, R-3 Districts
| |
One-story, split/mid-level entry, and rambler style homes* | 1,250 sq. ft. | 1,000 sq. ft. |
One-story/single-floor slab on grade style homes** | 1,500 sq. ft. | 1,200 sq. ft. |
Two-story or modified two- story style homes* | 1,750 sq. ft. | 1,400 sq. ft. |
Two-story or modified two- story slab on grade style homes** | 2,000 sq. ft. | 1,600 sq. ft. |
* Homes having a lower level/basement with a ceiling clearance of at least seven feet. ** Homes without a lower level/basement. | ||
(c) Other home styles. Other home styles, not listed above, shall be constructed to a similar above-grade home size as the above-mentioned minimum home sizes.
(d) Home size area calculations shall not include basements, garages, and open porches.
(e) Crawl spaces and lower level areas less than seven feet in height shall not be considered a basement. Lower level areas and basements shall have a similar perimeter size as the above-grade main level floor.
(3) Foundation. A permanent perimeter foundation of concrete, concrete block, or wood, as approved by the International Residential Code and State Building Code, is required. All wood foundations shall be engineered and professionally installed.
(4) Exterior walls, siding, and finish materials.
(a) Wall offset. Exterior facade (front-facing) walls shall have multiple jogs/offsets.
(b) Exterior siding. Homes shall have exterior siding or other city approved finish materials. Exterior siding or other finish materials shall be of a high quality conventional exterior dwelling-type material, with proven exterior durability, and aesthetically pleasing appearance. Sheet metal siding is prohibited.
(c) Brick/stone. A minimum of 100 square feet of the home's facade shall have an exterior finish of brick, stone, or other masonry products similar in appearance and quality, and durability. The city may allow other building materials/products in lieu of brick/stone, if such material is found architecturally sound and visually appealing by the city.
(d) Multiple siding designs. In addition to the required brick/stone, homes shall incorporate at least two other complementary exterior facade siding designs, such as, but not limited to, vertical siding, horizontal siding, shakes, or different colors.
(5) Windows. Homes shall have at least two separated facade window units/openings. Overhead garage door windows may suffice in lieu of one facade window. Home facade windows shall incorporate at least one of the following decorative window design features: glass grid pattern, glass perimeter grid pattern, thicker/architectural window trim, bay/cantilever windows, arched/curved windows, window shutters, or other design feature approved by the city.
(6) Roof design.
(a) Facade gables. Homes shall have a minimum of two facade facing gable ends.
(b) Roof pitch. Homes shall have a minimum pitched roof slope of at least 6/12 and a minimum slope of 7/12 on facade gables. Any hip roofs shall have a minimum slope of 7/12. Flat roofs shall require special approval by the Building Inspector.
(c) Roof offset. Homes shall have multiple roof jogs/offsets.
(d) Roofing materials. The roof shall be covered with conventional dwelling-type shingles or tiles. Metal roofing shall be allowed on single-family dwellings as follows: metal roofing shall have a low-glare coating and a similar appearance to that of overlapping asphalt shingles or ceramic/stone tiles. All roofing materials and roof colors shall be compatible with the home's exterior siding and in character with the surrounding neighborhood.
(e) Roof eave/fascia. Eaves/fascia shall not be less than six inches.
(f) Roof overhang. The minimum roof overhang shall be 12 inches.
(7) Front entrance.
(a) Front porch. Homes shall have a covered front porch or entryway.
(b) Columns and posts. All front porch or entryway columns/posts shall be of a decorative type. Decorative posts/columns may include, but not be limited to the following types: brick/stone posts or base, thicker posts, tapered posts, multiple posts, rounded posts, and posts with a base and cap. Wooden posts shall be covered with stain, paint, or low-maintenance wraps. Posts shall be at least six inches wide.
(c) Porch railings. Front porch railings may be substituted for the required brick/stone on a one-to-one ratio.
(d) Front door sidelights and windows. In addition to the two required facade windows, homes shall have at least one full-size sidelight window next to the front door. The following may suffice in lieu of a sidelight: double/wider decorative front doors; facade windows, of similar size to that of the sidelight, located within one foot of the front door; and a decorative front door window, if adequate room is not available for a sidelight and/or the majority of neighboring homes do not have a sidelight.
(8) Garages.
(a) Garage design. All homes shall incorporate at least one of the following decorative garage door design features: garage windows, decorative hardware, decorative wood/wood appearance, arched top, or other design features approved by the city. Raised panel garage doors shall not alone be considered a decorative feature.
(b) Garage size. All new single-family dwellings shall have at minimum an attached garage, no less than the following.
Minimum Garage Size Per Zoning District
| Zoning District | |
R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A Districts
|
R-3 District
| |
Minimum garage size | 600 square feet | 440 square feet |
(c) Garages shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width along the facade. If adequate property space is available, new homes/garages shall be positioned in such a way as to provide for the potential location of additional attached garage space, whether or not construction is intended.
(d) Garage lights. A decorative exterior facade garage light shall be installed on each side or above an overhead garage door. Recessed facade eve lights may suffice in lieu of a decorative garage light.
(9) Other home design features. In some cases, the city may consider the substitution of other design features in lieu of the listed home and exterior design requirements stated in this section. Such features may include, but not be limited to, roof corbels, louver vents, steeper roof pitches, hip roofs, taller entryways, wider front porches, front porch railings, or other city approved design features.
(10) Exceptions.
(a) Building additions/expansions to any single-family home constructed prior to October 12, 2017, shall not be required to meet the standards set forth in this division (E).
(b) New homes being constructed in pre-1990 neighborhoods shall only be required to meet three-fourths of the listed home and exterior design requirements stated in this section.
(c) Properties part of PUD, Planned Unit Development, shall be subject to the home size and design requirements set forth within each applicable PUD agreement.
(F) Neighborhood covenants. Compliance with this section does not relieve a property owner of also complying with any applicable protective/restrictive covenants. Also, compliance with any such covenants does not relieve a property owner of also complying with this section.
(Ord. 2018-284, passed 1-25-18; Am. Ord. 2018-292, passed 11-29-2018; Am. Ord. 2019-294, passed 2-27-2019; Am. Ord. 2022-312, passed 6-9-2022)