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Norton Overview
Norton, Ohio Code of Ordinances
CODIFIED ORDINANCES OF NORTON, OHIO
CERTIFICATION
DIRECTORY OF OFFICIALS (2025)
PRELIMINARY UNIT
CHARTER
PART TWO - ADMINISTRATION CODE
PART FOUR - TRAFFIC CODE
PART SIX - GENERAL OFFENSES CODE
PART EIGHT - BUSINESS REGULATION AND TAXATION CODE
PART TEN - STREETS, UTILITIES AND PUBLIC SERVICES CODE
PART TWELVE - PLANNING AND ZONING CODE
TITLE TWO - Planning
TITLE FOUR - Subdivision Regulations
TITLE SIX - Zoning
CHAPTER 1250 General Provisions and Definitions
CHAPTER 1252 Administration, Enforcement and Penalty
CHAPTER 1254 Board of Zoning and Building Appeals
CHAPTER 1255 Architectural Board of Review (ABR)
CHAPTER 1256 Amendments
CHAPTER 1257 Site Plan Review
CHAPTER 1258 Districts Generally and Zoning Map
CHAPTER 1260 RU-1 Rural Residential Districts
CHAPTER 1262 R-1 One-Family Residence Districts
CHAPTER 1264 R-2 One-Family Residence Districts
CHAPTER 1266 R-3 One-Family Residence Districts
CHAPTER 1268 R-4 Multifamily Residence Districts
CHAPTER 1270 R-5 Multifamily Residence Districts
CHAPTER 1272 R-RC Planned Cluster Residence Districts
CHAPTER 1274 B-1 Central Business Districts
CHAPTER 1276 B-2 Neighborhood Business Districts
CHAPTER 1278 B-3 Highway Business Districts
CHAPTER 1279 C-1 Zoning and Design Guidelines
CHAPTER 1280 I-1 Light Industrial Districts
CHAPTER 1282 I-2 Heavy Industrial Districts
CHAPTER 1284 Public Recreation District
CHAPTER 1286 C-REC Commercial Recreation Districts
CHAPTER 1287 Mixed Use District
CHAPTER 1288 Special Planned Development
CHAPTER 1289 Signs
CHAPTER 1290 Non-Conforming Uses
CHAPTER 1292 Adult Use Regulations
CHAPTER 1294 Wireless Telecommunications Facilities
CHAPTER 1296 Supplementary Regulations
CHAPTER 1297 Alternative Energy Sources
CHAPTER 1298 Conditional Uses
PART FOURTEEN - BUILDING AND HOUSING CODE
PART SIXTEEN - FIRE PREVENTION CODE
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1279.12 LANDSCAPING AND BUFFERING.
   All areas of the site not paved or covered by a building shall be landscaped in accordance with a landscape plan approved as part of the final site development plan.
   (a)   District Perimeter Landscaping. When the perimeter of the district is adjacent to or abuts a residential zoning district or use, a continuous six-foot screen should be provided consisting of an earth mound, evergreen plantings, hedge, decorative wall, or any combination thereof, with trees planted approximately every 30 lineal feet.
   (b)   Street Trees. Tree lawns and street trees shall be provided adjacent to all public and private streets. Trees shall be planted approximately every 50 lineal feet. Street trees may be clustered or strategically spaced to ensure proper view corridors for commercial tenants as long as the number of trees is not sacrificed.
      (1)   Species of trees must be indigenous to the area, and non-invasive species. See the following Table 1279-3 and 1279-4 for recommended and prohibited street trees.
Table 1279-3 Prohibited Street Trees
Prohibited Street Trees
Common Name
Botanical Name
Common Name
Botanical Name
Prohibited Street Trees
Common Name
Botanical Name
Common Name
Botanical Name
Apple
Malus
Oak, Pin
Quercus palustris
Ash, ALL
ALL
Ohio Buckeye
Aesculus glabra
Aspen
Poplus
Olive, Russian
Eleagnus angustifolia
Beech, American
Fargus grandifera
Osage Orange
Maclura pomifera
Birch, Paper Grey
Betula paprifera populifolia
Poplar
Populus
Elm, American
Ulmus americana
Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Elm, Siberian
Ulmas pumilia
Sycamore
Plantanus occidentalis
Ginko (female)
Ginko biloba (female)
Tree of Heaven
Alissima
Horse Chestnut (nut bearing)
Aesculus hippocastarum
Black Walnut
Ailanthus occidentalis
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Gymnocladus dioicus
Willow
Salix
Maple, Box Elder
Acer negundo
 
 
Maple, Silver
Acer saccharinum
 
 
 
Table 1279-4 Recommended Street Trees
Recommended Street Trees
Common Name
Botanical Name
Common Name
Botanical Name
Recommended Street Trees
Common Name
Botanical Name
Common Name
Botanical Name
Cherry, Amanogawa Oriental
Prunus serrulata ‘Amanogawa’
Birch, River
Betuala nigra
Cherry, Canada Red Select
Prunus virginiana ‘Canada Red Select’
Cleveland Select
Pyrus calleryana
Dogwood, Kousa
Cornus kousa
Honey locust, thornless
Gleditsia triacanthos inermis
Lilac, Ivory Silk Japanese
Syringata reticulate ‘Ivory Silk’
Hornbeam
Ostrya virginiana
Magnolia, Galaxy
Magnolia x quinquepeta ‘Galaxy’
Hornbeam, European
Carpinus betulus
Maple, Paperbark
Acer griseum
Linden, Cointhian Littleaf
Tilia cordata ‘Corzam’
Serviceberry, Robin Hill
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’
Linden, Glenleven Hybrid
Tilia x flavescens ‘Glenleven’
Serviceberry, Shadblow
Amelanchier arborea
Maple, Hedge
Acer campestre
Oak, English Pyramidal
Quercus robur ‘Fastigiata’
Oak, Skyrocket English
Quercus robur Skyrocket
Pear, Callery
Aristocrat or Chanticleer
 
 
 
   (c)   Building Perimeter Landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided around the perimeter of buildings within the District that includes the combination of natural ground cover, shrubs, flowers and trees.
   (d)   Vehicular Use Area Landscaping.
      (1)   Vehicular use areas containing less than 20 parking spaces shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.
      (2)   Total parking provided is located in more than one location on a site and each location contains less than 20 parking spaces, each such area shall be exempt from this section if separated on all sides by at least 20 feet of non-paved area.
      (3)   Design. Landscape areas shall be peninsular or island types. This shall include landscaped parking islands or peninsulas, natural or landscaped detention basins in the front or side yards.
      (4)   Location. All parking spaces must be at least within 125 feet of a landscaped area.
      (5)   Minimum area. The minimum landscape area shall be 100 square feet.
      (6)   Surface. Any landscape area provided under this section shall not contain bare soil. Any ground area shall be covered with stones, mulch, vegetative ground cover, or other surfaces permeable by water.
      (7)   Retention basins. Natural or landscaped detention basins may count toward minimum square footage landscaping requirements when the basins are in the front or side yards.
      (8)   Traffic visibility. No landscaping shall obscure visibility at vehicular intersections with the parking area or other areas where clear visibility is necessary to assure safe circulation.
   (e)   Determination of Interior Landscape Requirements.
      (1)   The total landscaping required in a vehicular use area is 22 square feet per parking space. Interior and streetscape landscaping count toward the minimum square feet of landscaping required per parking space, ten parking spots equals one landscaping island.
      (2)   Interior landscape area requirement. To determine the landscape area, multiply the landscape area requirement of 22 square feet per parking space by the total number of parking spaces on the lot.
      (3)   Planting requirements. To determine the number of canopy trees, use the rate of one canopy tree for each ten parking spaces for retail uses and two canopy trees for each ten parking spaces for non-retail uses. Any fractional number of trees should be calculated to the next highest whole number.
      (4)   Shrubs. To determine the total number of shrubs, multiply the total number of required canopy trees by three. One canopy tree may substitute for three shrubs. Trees and shrubs do not have to be equally spaced, but may be grouped.
      (5)   Modifications. In the event of unusual topography or elevation of a development site, the size of the parcel to be developed, the extent of expansion or redevelopment of the site or parking area is deemed to be insignificant, or the presence of existing buffers on an adjacent property would make strict adherence to the requirements of this section serve no meaningful purpose or would make it physically impossible to install and maintain the required landscaping, the Board of Zoning Appeals may, upon proper applications by the property owner, and upon making findings of fact, modify the requirements of this section provided the existing or resulting landscape features of the development site comply with the spirit and intent of this section.
(Ord. 61-2019. Passed 6-10-19.)
1279.13 OUTDOOR LIGHTING.
   All facilities require lighting for security of people, vehicles or property. Consideration should be given to adjacent residential properties.
   (a)   Height. All outdoor lighting should be designed, located, and mounted at heights no greater than 25 feet for driveways and parking areas, and 12 feet for pedestrian walkways, plazas or courtyards.
   (b)   Illumination. All outdoor lighting should be designed and located with a maximum illumination of 0.5 foot-candles at the property line.
   (c)   Shielding. All outdoor lighting should be shielded and should be contained to the specific lot (0 foot candles at adjacent lots).
   (d)   Color and Glare. No outdoor lighting shall be of such an intensity or color distortion as to cause glare or impair the vision of drivers or pedestrians.
(Ord. 61-2019. Passed 6-10-19.)
1279.14 OFF STREET PARKING.
   (a)   Off street parking facilities shall be provided as follows:
Retail Business or Customer Service
Retail stores, service establishments, banks, etc.
3 spaces per 1,000 square feet
Eating establishments, bars, taverns and wineries
1 space per 50 sq. ft. of floor area, or space for 2 seats, whichever requires the greater number of spaces
Office Buildings
Professional, administrative executive and other office
1 space per 200 sq. ft. of floor area
Residential included with mixed-use development
1.5 spaces per dwelling unit
 
Institutions
Public buildings, municipal and educations
1 space per each full-time employee, plus one space for each 6 seats in assembly rooms
Clinics, health centers
1 space per 150 sq. ft. gross floor area
Libraries, museums
1 space per 400 sq. ft.
Other Buildings or Uses
For a specific building or use not scheduled above, application shall be made to the Planning Commission for a determination of the off-street parking space to be required and the Planning Commission shall apply the unit of measurement of the above scheduled deemed to be the most similar to the proposed building or use.
Off Street Loading Requirements
See Section 1274.06, Off-Street Loading Requirements
 
   (b)   In mixed-use developments, the Planning Commission and/or City Council may modify the number of required parking spaced on the final development plan, taking into consideration the house of operation of uses, the overlap in parking demand by different adjacent uses, shared parking agreements, available methods of transportation, and the types of uses proposed.
(Ord. 61-2019. Passed 6-10-19.)
1279.15 APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESSES.
   (a)   Preliminary Site Development Plan & Application Procedure.
      (1)   Application. Developer will submit site application to the Administrative Officer before regularly scheduled staff meeting. Application includes a deposit be made payable to the City of Norton in an amount of one thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($1,250). This fee shall cover all costs relating to engineering review, Architectural Board of Review, Planning Commission and/or City Council Review. The developer will be responsible for any additional charges associated with plan review and will be billed accordingly.
      (2)   Distribution. The Administrative Officer/or Designee shall submit copies of the application to City administrators upon receipt including but not limited to:
         A.   City Engineer;
         B.   Mayor;
         C.   Director of Public Service;
         D.   Chief of Police;
         E.   Chief of Fire;
         F.   Zoning Inspector;
         G.   These individuals will then prepare and submit reports to the Architectural Board of Review 15 days prior to the next regularly scheduled ABR meeting. City officials listed above shall confer with the other officials and agencies, as they deem necessary.
      (3)   Administrative Officer/or designee shall submit original preliminary site application to the Law Director.
   (b)   Planning Commission.
      (1)   A meeting of the Planning Commission will be held following the Architectural Board of Review for further review and approval. Planning Commission reserves the right to approve the preliminary site plan as a final site plan.
      (2)   After the approval of a preliminary site plan, applicant has one year (365 days) to submit for final site plan approval before file is considered withdrawn.
      (3)   Public notice for Planning Commission meeting:
         A.   Residents and business owners within 200 feet of the property shall be notified 15 days prior to the Planning Commission meeting.
         B.   Public notice shall be completed in the form of:
            1.   Notification letters dispersed to residents and businesses within 200 feet of proposed development;
            2.   Summary and development plans accessible via City of Norton Website;
            3.   Availability of development drawings and documentation shall be available for public viewing by the Clerk of Council;
   (c)   Planning Commission Review and Action. Within 60 days or greater if agreed upon by the Commission and developer, with consideration to the recommendations made by City staff, ABR and public opinion, and after the initial hearing, the Planning Commission will choose one of the following actions:
      (1)   Approve the preliminary site plan with recommendations for applicant to return for final site plan approval;
      (2)   Approve preliminary site plan as the final site plan, suspending the need for a second Planning Commission hearing, making a recommendation to City Council to approve or conditionally approve the final site plan. If the Commission recommends approval, the recommendation shall be forwarded to the Clerk of Council within five business days; or
      (3)   Disapprove the preliminary site plan application, whereupon written notice, including a statement of the reasons for disapproval, shall be delivered to the developer. Subsequent to disapproval, the developer shall be required to submit a new application for preliminary site approval in order to proceed with the development.
(Ord. 61-2019. Passed 6-10-19.)
1279.16 FINAL SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPLICATION PROCEDURE.
   Once Planning Commission has approved the preliminary site plan, a final site plan review and approval is necessary before City Council can review the final plat. The following procedure outlines the final site plan approval process:
   (a)   Public Notice.
      (1)   Residents and business owners within 200 feet of the property shall be notified 15 days prior to the Planning Commission hearing.
      (2)   Public notice shall be completed in the form of:
         A.   Notification letters dispersed to residents and businesses within 200 feet of the proposed development;
         B.   Meeting information posted on City website.
   (b)   Planning Commission Review and Action. Within 60 days or greater if agreed upon by the Commission and developer, after the initial hearing, and with consideration to the recommendations made by City staff and public opinion, the Planning Commission will choose one of the following actions:
      (1)   Make a recommendation to City Council to approve or conditionally approve the final site plan. If the Planning Commission recommends approval, the recommendation shall be forwarded to the Clerk of Council within five days. A recommendation of approval of the final site plan may be subject to conditions requiring completion and execution of required documents; or
      (2)   Disapprove the final site plan. If the Commission disapproves the final site, written notice, including a statement of the reasons for disapproval, shall be delivered to the developer. Subsequent to disapproval, the developer may, within not more than 30 days, make the necessary corrections and resubmit the final site plan for approval.
      (3)   If the Planning Commission disapproves the application, or does not make a recommendation to Council within the period of 60 days, the application shall be deemed disapproved. If the final site application is disapproved or no recommendation is made, appeal shall only be made to a court of competent jurisdiction.
   (c)   Council Review Action. No later than 30 days after receiving recommendations from the Planning Commission, and with consideration to the recommendations made by City staff, ABR and public opinion, Council will either approve, approve with conditions, or disapprove the final site plan.
      (1)   An additional 30 days to submit will be allowed if agreed with the developer.
      (2)   If Council does not take action within allotted time frame, application is presumed approved.
      (3)   If disapproved, a written notice with reasons for disapproval will be sent to developer. Developer will have to submit a new final site plan application if they wish to move forward.
   (d)   Effect of Council Approval. If Council approves, City Officials listed in this section will sign the final site plan and release the final site plan for recording.
(Ord. 61-2019. Passed 6-10-19.)
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