(A) Applicability. The single-family transitional district (SFT) zoning classification is closed and not available for applications. The regulations concerning this zoning classification remain applicable to existing SFT zoned properties within the city.
(B) Purpose; SFT. The purpose of this classification is to provide for the gradual transition from the smaller lot sizes in neighboring cities to the larger lot sizes preferred by most city residents. This classification also provides for a landscaped bufferyard between cities.
(C) Uses; SFT.
(1) Permitted uses.
(a) Single-family residence;
(b) Accessory buildings; and
(c) Home occupation.
(2) Conditional uses; special use permit required. The following uses require filing an application for a special use permit, with subsequent hearing by Planning and Zoning Commission after which approval is required by City Council:
(a) Accessory dwelling;
(b) Boarding and activities involving large animals.
(D) Lot size requirements; SFT.
(1) Average lot size. The average lot size shall not be less than 1.5 acres net (65,340 square feet).
(2) Minimum lot size. The minimum lot size shall be one acre (43,560 square feet).
(3) Maximum lot coverage. The maximum lot coverage by all above-ground structures shall be no more than 20%.
(a) 1-acre lot: 8,712 square feet maximum;
(b) 1.5-acre lot: 13,068 square feet maximum; and
(c) 2-acre lot: 17,424 square feet maximum.
(4) Nonresidential structures maximum lot coverage. No more than 10% of the total lot area may be accessory buildings.
(5) Special provisional lot sizes.
(a) Minimum lot size within the city limits after January 1, 1999 shall be two acres. These lots are included in the average lot size calculation in division (C)(1) above.
(b) Lots adjacent to platted lots within the city limits on or before January 1, 1999 shall be a minimum of two acres or not less than the smallest adjacent platted lot, whichever is less.
(6) Minimum lot width at front lot line.
(a) 1-acre lot: 100 feet on straight street.
(b) 1.5-acre lot: 150 feet on straight street.
(c) 2-acre lot: 200 feet on straight street.
(d) On curved streets and cul-de-sacs, the minimum width at the front lot line is determined by the effective radius of curvature, R, measured in feet, of the right-of-way boundary as follows. The width shall be at least:
W = 70 - (400 / R) feet
In this formula, R shall be no less than 40 feet.
(7) Minimum lot depth. The minimum lot depth shall be the following indicated distances in feet measured from the closest straight line distance between the front property line and the rear property line.
(a) 1-acre lot: 150 feet;
(b) 1.5-acre lot: 225 feet; and
(c) 2-acre lot: 300 feet.
(E) Bufferyards; SFT. For those lots adjacent to another city or its ETJ in which the adjacent lot areas are (or are expected to be) less than 3/4 acre per lot, the setback requirement shall be modified as follows: An additional side or rear setback of 50 feet, in addition to the setbacks required below, shall be required providing a buffer yard to compensate for the differences in lot sizes. This bufferyard setback shall contain at least one tree per 20 linear feet. If hardy native or adapted trees currently are growing in the area of this bufferyard setback, retention of these trees is preferred over planting new trees. Each planted tree shall be a native or adapted species and of a variety normally considered hardy for the area. New trees shall be from the required tree list. All bufferyard plantings must be completed prior to a certificate of occupancy being issued for the lot.
(F) Building setbacks; SFT. The following setbacks are the minimum requirements. Distances indicated are exclusive of public or private motor vehicle easements or rights-of-way.
(1) Front setback. The minimum front setback for any structures on the lot shall be in accordance with the following listed distances, measured in feet from the closest point of the front property line. No two adjacent houses shall have the same front building line. The front building line of all adjacent houses shall vary by at least five feet.
(a) 1-acre lot: 50 feet;
(b) 1.5-acre lot: 75 feet; and
(c) 2-acre lot: 100 feet.
(2) Side setback. The minimum side setback shall be in accordance with the following listed distances, measured in feet from the closest point of the side property line.
(a) 1-acre lot: 25 feet;
(b) 1.5-acre lot: 25 feet; and
(c) 2-acre lot: 40 feet.
(3) Side setback at corner. The minimum side setback for any structures on a lot located on a corner shall be the same as the front setback on the side closest to the adjacent street for the same size lot.
(a) 1-acre lot: 50 feet;
(b) 1.5-acre lot: 75 feet; and
(c) 2-acre lot: 75 feet.
(4) Rear setback.
(a) Minimum 1-acre lot: 30 feet;
(b) Minimum 1.5-acre lot: 50 feet; and
(c) Minimum 2-acre lot: 50 feet.
(G) Building regulations; SFT.
(1) Single-family residence.
(a) Minimum living space. There shall be a minimum of 2,500 square feet of air- conditioned space.
(b) Building materials.
1. First floor elevation. Not less than 90% of the exterior materials used on the first floor elevation shall be brick, stone or approved masonry product, exclusive of doors and windows.
2. Total elevation. Not less than 75% of the exterior materials used on the entire elevation, including the first floor elevation, shall be brick, stone or approved masonry product, excluding doors and windows.
3. Brick or stone; alternatives. Approved masonry products for elevations may be permitted in lieu of brick or stone, with the approval of the Building Official that these materials and their application conform to the requirements of the International Residential Code, and other pertinent ordinances in the city.
(c) Maximum height.
1. The maximum height for the primary residence shall be two stories above the finished foundation elevation, not to exceed 45 feet above finished foundation elevation to top of roof peak, excluding architectural treatment elements.
2. Architectural treatment elements are not to exceed 50 feet above finished foundation elevation.
(3) Accessory dwellings. Accessory dwellings may be constructed only after the issuance of a special use permit.
(a) Minimum living space. There is no minimum living space requirement.
(b) Building materials. Same requirements as the primary residence.
(c) Maximum height. The maximum height for any accessory buildings shall be two stories above the finished foundation elevation, not to exceed the height of the primary residence.
(H) Garages; SFT. No garage shall open to the front of a lot or to the side street in a corner lot.
(I) Fences; SFT.
(1) General restrictions.
(a) All perimeter fencing shall not exceed six feet in height. All fences shall be of open construction and not solid or near-solid fabric or surfacing, except for parcels of land that are side or rear adjacent to the following roads: Parker Road, Dillehay Drive (FM 2551), and Hogge Drive (FM 2551) on which a solid or near-solid fence constructed of wood, masonry, or wrought iron is permitted along the roadway. Open construction shall mean that each fence panel, when viewed from an elevation perspective at a perpendicular to that elevation, shall be constructed of materials that allow at least 50% of the surface area of each panel to provide for an open unobstructed view.
(b) The 50% open construction requirement for each fence panel is exclusive of columns and posts, which may be constructed of solid material including masonry or metal.
(c) Fencing columns, if used, shall not be more than two feet square on base, and not more than six feet in height. The columns shall not be closer together than six feet center to center.
(2) Chain link fencing. Chain link fences may not be used in the front yard. They cannot extend beyond the front building line of the primary dwelling on the lot. They cannot extend into the side setback on the street side of a corner lot. It is preferred that chain link fence be black or green vinyl coated rather than galvanized.
(3) Privacy fencing. Privacy fences are permitted around swimming pool areas, subject to the following:
(a) The privacy fence must not be built more than 30 feet from the side of the pool. The side of the pool is defined as where the water’s edge meets the side of the pool, not the outside edge of the pool decking, if any.
(4) Inspection and maintenance. When any fence is completed, it must be inspected. The Building Inspection Department shall be notified upon completion of the fence. The Building Official will approve the fence if it complies with the provisions of this section, or it will be rejected. All fences constructed under the provisions of this section shall be maintained so as to comply with the requirements of this section at all times. Fences shall be maintained by the owner or person in charge of the property in as near as possible the condition of the fence when installed and accepted as provided herein, and shall be maintained as follows:
(a) The fence shall not be out of vertical alignment more than 20%; and
(b) All damaged, removed, or missing portions of the fence shall be replaced or repaired with comparable materials of a comparable color to the remaining portions of the fence.
(5) Materials.
(a) Permitted materials. Materials permitted are wood, concrete, masonry, chain link, wrought iron, metal tubing, vinyl, fiberglass composite, barbed wire, or other materials approved by the Building Official for exterior exposure as fence material.
(b) Prohibited materials. Materials prohibited are razor ribbon, sheet metal, corrugated steel and fiberglass panel, plywood, or any other similar material manufactured for other uses.
(6) Certain locations, construction prohibited.
(a) Within easements. No fence shall be located within any easement except by prior written approval of those agencies having interest in that easement.
(b) Electric fences. No fence erected shall be electrically charged in a manner to be dangerous to humans.
(7) Swimming pool enclosures. A building permit is required for the construction of all swimming pools, and all pools and their associated safety fences shall be built according to the building code.
(Ord. 483, passed 6-6-2000; Am. Ord. 508, passed 7-10-2001; Am. Ord. 697, passed 8-6-2013; Am. Ord. 820, passed 8-2-2022) Penalty, see § 156.99