CHAPTER 1: ZONING
Section
   10-1-1   Definitions
   10-1-2   Purpose and interpretation
   10-1-3   Districts
   10-1-4   “A” Residential District
   10-1-5   “B” Residential District
   10-1-6   “C” Residential
   10-1-7   Mixed Commercial/Residential District
   10-1-8   Mixed Commercial/Industrial District
   10-1-9   Highway Commercial District
   10-1-10   Public/Recreation District
   10-1-11   Non-conforming uses
   10-1-12   Exceptions to height regulations
   10-1-13   Exceptions to area regulations
   10-1-14   District boundaries
   10-1-15   Enforcement
§ 10-1-1 DEFINITIONS.
   Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the singular number include the plural; words in the plural include the singular; the word “building” includes the word “structure” and the word “person” includes a corporation or other organization; the term “used” includes the term “arranged” or “intended to be used” or “designed”; and the word “shall” is mandatory and not directory. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   ACCESSORY USE OR BUILDINGS. A use or building that is customarily incidental to and accessory to the principal and ordinary use of a building or premises, located on the same premises with such principal use or building. ACCESSORY BUILDINGS are not inhabitable structures.
   ADULT ORIENTED BUSINESS. A sexually-oriented arcade, bookstore, video store, cabaret, motel, motion picture theater, escort agency or similar business.
   APARTMENT. See MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLING.
   BOARDING HOUSE. A building, other than a hotel or club, where meals are regularly served for compensation or more than six persons not members of the family there residing.
   COMMUNITY GARAGE. A series of private garages of capacity of not more than one automobile each, located jointly on a common lot, and having no public shop or service in connection therewith.
   CONDOMINIUM. A form of individual ownership with unrestricted right of disposal of one or more units in a multiple unit project, with the land and other parts of the project held in common ownership or use with the owners of the other units, pursuant to MCA Title 70, Ch. 23.
   DWELLING, SINGLE-FAMILY. A detached building designed for, or occupied exclusively, by one family and is distinct from a mobile, manufactured or modular home.
   DWELLING, TWO-FAMILY. A detached or semidetached (via roof, wall or other means) building designed for, or occupied exclusively, by two families living independently of each other.
   DWELLING, MULTIPLE-FAMILY. A building, or portion thereof, designed for, or occupied as a temporary or permanent home of three or more families living independently of each other, including apartment houses, condominiums and townhouses.
   DISTRICT. A section of the city for which the regulations governing the area, height and use of buildings and premises are the same.
   FAMILY. One or more persons, living, sleeping and usually cooking and eating on the premises, as a single housekeeping unit. A FAMILY may or may not be related by blood, marriage or adoption.
   FILLING STATION. A building and appurtenances located on a lot where gasoline or other liquids used in the operation of motor vehicles is retailed and usually delivered directly into such vehicles.
   FRONT YARD. An open space extending across the front of the lot (where the property is addressed) measured from the property line to the closest extension of the structure and occupied only by uncovered steps.
   HEIGHT OF BUILDING. The vertical distance from the ground in front of the building to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, to the deck line of a mansard roof, to the junction of the wall and the eaves of a building with a gable or a hip roof.
   HOTEL. A building in which lodging is provided, with or without meals, and open to transient guests.
   LOT. A parcel, plot, tract or other land area created by platting, subdivision for sale, rent or lease or other duly recognized means in compliance with state and local requirements.
   LOT, CORNER. A lot having at least two sides that abut for their full length upon streets. Such lots have one front yard abutting a street and one side yard abutting a street, in accordance with the development setback distance pattern that exists on developed lots for two blocks along the street frontages.
   LOT COVERAGE. The area of a lot with pavement, concrete, roof and other surfaces that does not allow water to infiltrate the ground.
   MOBILE HOME. A detached residential dwelling unit, which may consist of two or more sections, fabricated at a factory and designed to be towed on its own chassis to a building site for occupation as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation. The term includes, but is not limited to, TRAILER HOMES, HOUSE TRAILERS and MANUFACTURED HOMES, whether or not the unit has been constructed after 7-1-1976, in conformance with Federal Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards and does not include “park models”.
   MOBILE HOME PARK. Any park or court, site, block, parcel or contiguous tracts of land, designed, maintained or intended for the purpose of supplying the permanent location or accommodation for mobile homes, and upon which mobile homes are parked and shall include all buildings used or intended for use as part of the purpose thereof whether a charge is made for that use of the mobile home park and its facilities or not.
   MODULAR HOME. A single-family dwelling, built off-site at a factory on or after 1-1-1990, that is placed on a permanent foundation without a chassis used as a means of support, is at least 1,000 square feet in size, has a pitched roof and siding and roofing materials that are customarily used on site-built homes, and is in compliance with the applicable prevailing standards of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
   NON-CONFORMING USE. A building or premises that does not conform with the regulations of the district in which it is situated and/or other standards contained in this code.
   PRIVATE GARAGE. A garage with capacity of not more than four motor-driven vehicles and having no public shop or service in connection therewith.
   PUBLIC GARAGE. Any premises used for housing or care of more than four motor-driven vehicles, or where any such vehicles are equipped for operation, repaired or kept for remuneration, hire or sale, including show rooms or exhibition for modern cars.
   REAR YARD. An open, unoccupied space measured from the farthest extension of a building to the rear lot line, for the full width of the lot, and unoccupied, except by accessory buildings.
   RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV). A vehicular type unit primarily designed as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use that either has its own motor power or is mounted on or drawn by another vehicle and has a gross trailer area not exceeding 400 square feet in the set-up mode.
   RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK OR COURT (RV PARK OR RV COURT). A tract of land available to and principally used by the public for camping, where persons can park recreational vehicles for camping and sleeping purposes.
   RETAIL. Establishments selling goods directly to the consumer.
   SIDE YARD. An open, unoccupied space on the same lot with a building, measured from the closest extent of a building to the side line of the lot, and extending through from the front yard to the rear yard.
   SPECIAL EXCEPTION. A land use that would not be appropriate generally or without restrictions throughout the zoning district, but which, if controlled as to number, area, location, design, buffering, relation to the neighborhood and/or other factors, would promote the public health, safety, welfare, morals, order, comfort, convenience, appearance prosperity or general welfare.
   STRUCTURAL ALTERATION. Any change in the supporting members of a building, such as bearing walls or partitions, columns, beams or girders; except such alterations as may be required for the safety of the building.
   TOWNHOUSE. An arrangement under which units share a common wall and individuals own their own units and hold separate title to the land beneath the unit.
   VEHICLE TRIP. A movement by one or more person in a motor vehicle that begins or ends at a particular location.
   WIRELESS COMMUNICATION FACILITY. Commercial radio and television antenna, unlicensed wireless service antenna/tower, common carrier wireless exchange structure(s)/antennas/ tower(s). Commonly referred to as CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS.
   YARD. The open space not occupied by one or more permanent structures located between a building and property line. It is the landowner’s responsibility to identify property lines for yard measurement purposes.
(1992 Code, § 9-1-101)
§ 10-1-2 PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION.
   (A)   This chapter has been made for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals and general welfare of the citizens of Ronan. It has been made in accordance with the Ronan Growth Policy and is designed to: lessen congestion in the streets; secure from fire, panic and other dangers; promote health and general welfare; provide adequate light and air; prevent the overcrowding of land; avoid undue concentration of population; and facilitate the adequate provision of transportation, water, sewerage, schools, parks and other public improvements. Furthermore, these regulations have been made with reasonable consideration to the character of the districts and their peculiar suitability for particular uses and with a view to conserving the value of buildings and encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout the city.
   (B)   In their interpretation and application, the provisions of this chapter shall be held to be the minimum requirements adopted for the promotion of the public health, safety, welfare and protection of the public. Where conflicts with adopted building codes or other ordinances exist, the more stringent shall prevail.
(1992 Code, § 9-1-102)
§ 10-1-3 DISTRICTS.
   (A)   For the purpose of regulating, classifying and restricting the location and impacts of trades, industries and enterprises, and the location of the buildings designed, erected or altered for specified uses, and limiting the height and size of such buildings, and the use of lot areas and regulating the density of population in the city, and regulating and determining the areas of the yards and other open spaces surrounding buildings hereafter erected, and preventing additions to and alterations or remodeling of, existing buildings or structures in such a manner as to avoid the restrictions and limitations in this chapter contained, the city is hereby divided into seven districts termed respectively as follows:
      (1)   “A” Residential;
      (2)   “B” Residential;
      (3)   “C” Residential;
      (4)   Mixed Commercial and Residential;
      (5)   Mixed Commercial and Industrial;
      (6)   Highway Commercial; and
      (7)   Public Recreation.
   (B)   Except as hereinafter provided, no building shall be erected or structurally altered to exceed in height the limit herein established for the district in which such building is located. No lot shall be so reduced or diminished, that the yard or other open spaces, shall be smaller than prescribed by this chapter, nor shall the lot area per family be reduced, except in conformity with the regulations hereby established for the district in which such building is located. No building shall be erected or structurally altered, nor shall any building or premises be used for any purpose other than that permitted in the district in which such building or premises are located.
   (C)   On any property within the city limits, all inhabited buildings must be property connected to the sewer system unless otherwise authorized by City Council. For the purposes of these regulations, each residential unit shall be served by a separate, metered water and sewer hook-up.
(1992 Code, § 9-1-103)
§ 10-1-4 “A” RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
   This is intended for larger lot single-family and two-family dwellings with the potential for parks and home occupations that generate very little vehicle traffic.
   (A)   Height. No building shall exceed 40 feet or three stories.
   (B)   Front yard. There shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than 30 feet; provided, however, that, where 40% or more of the developed lots within 150 feet on both sides of the subject property having an average front yard variation of not more than six feet, no building hereafter erected or altered shall project beyond the average front yard line so established; provided further that, this regulation shall not require a front yard of more than 40 feet in depth.
   (C)   Rear yard. There shall be a rear yard having a depth of not less than 25 feet, except where a garage is located in the rear yard, the rear yard may be reduced to ten feet.
   (D)   Side yard. There shall be a side yard on each side of the building having a width of not less than ten feet.
   (E)   Obstruction to view. On any corner lot in which a front yard is required by this chapter, no wall, fence or other structure shall be erected, and no hedge, shrub, tree or other growth shall be maintained at a height of four feet or greater within a distance of 30 feet or less of the property line abutting an intersection, or in such location between such front yard line and the street line as to cause danger to traffic by obscuring the view.
   (F)   Use. No building, structure or premises shall be used, and no building or structure shall be erected, structurally altered or maintained, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except for one or more of the following uses:
      (1)   Single-family dwellings;
      (2)   Two-family dwellings;
      (3)   Churches and similar places of worship;
      (4)   Libraries;
      (5)   Schools;
      (6)   Public and private parks and playgrounds;
      (7)   Fire station, telephone exchange where no public business office and no repair or storage facilities are maintained, or any necessary public utility building and/or structure; provided that, such building be constructed to resemble the appearance of a residential building;
      (8)   Accessory buildings incidental to the above uses located on the same lot, including one private garage per dwelling;
      (9)   Occupations engaged in by the occupants of a dwelling. Home occupations within this district shall not involve the conduct of a retail business on the premises, and may include the office of a engineer, musician, artist, writer or similar profession when situated in the dwelling or an accessory building not larger than one-half the square footage of the dwelling; provided that, traffic generated by the home occupation shall not exceed four vehicle trips per day and customer parking shall be on the property. Signs identifying the home occupation shall not exceed six square feet in area. No other signs advertising a business, except those pertaining to the lease or sale of a building or premises, shall be permitted in this district; except that, bulletin boards not exceeding 12 square feet in area may be permitted on premises occupied by churches, temples, libraries, schools, colleges and playgrounds;
      (10)   Foster and group homes;
      (11)   Guest and servant quarters;
      (12)   Bed and breakfast establishments of not more than four rooms for rent; and
      (13)   Day care (registered home, up to 12 individuals).
   (G)   Fence regulations. No fence shall exceed eight feet in height where the fence faces an alley, six feet on side yard boundary line and six feet in height on a front yard boundary line; provided further that, no fence shall exceed four feet in height within 30 feet of a curb line of an intersection.
   (H)   Maximum lot coverage area. 35%.
   (I)   Lot area per family. Every dwelling hereafter erected, altered or maintained shall be upon a lot of not less than 7,500 square feet. Two-family dwellings shall have a lot area of not less than 10,000 square feet.
(1992 Code, § 9-1-104)
§ 10-1-5 “B” RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
   This district is intended to provide areas for detached, single- and two-family dwellings and modular homes as well as apartments, condominiums and townhouses. This area is also appropriate for group homes such as retirement communities.
   (A)   Height. No building shall exceed 40 feet or three stories in height.
   (B)   Front yard. There shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than 20 feet; provided, however, that, where 40% or more of the developed lots within 150 feet on both sides of the subject property having an average front yard variation of not more than six feet, no building hereafter erected or altered shall project beyond the average front yard line so established; provided further that, this regulation shall not require a front yard of more than 30 feet in depth.
   (C)   Rear yard. There shall be a rear yard having a depth of not less than 20 feet, except where a garage is located in the rear yard, the rear yard may be reduced to ten feet.
   (D)   Side yard. There shall be a side yard on each side of the building, having a width of not less than five feet.
   (E)   Obstruction to view. On any corner lot in which a front yard is required by this chapter, no wall, fence or other structure shall be erected, and no hedge, shrub, tree or other growth shall be maintained at a height of four feet or greater within a distance of 30 feet or less of the property line abutting an intersection, or in such location between such front yard line and the street line as to cause danger to traffic by obscuring the view.
   (F)   Use. No building, structure or premises shall be used, and no building or structure shall be erected, structurally altered or maintained, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except for one or more of the following uses:
      (1)   Any use permitted in the “A” Residence District according to the stipulations therein (if any);
      (2)   Modular homes;
      (3)   Apartments of up to eight units per building with or without a community garage. All apartment buildings shall provide: all required vehicle parking preferably at the rear of the structures; storm water management in compliance with Montana Department of Environmental Quality Circular 8; internal access road(s) built to city standards, paved bicycle/pedestrian facilities a minimum of six feet wide with suitable subgrade materials and compaction connecting to all adjacent streets; landscaped buffers a minimum of ten feet in width surrounding the exterior boundaries of the property consisting of a minimum of one large canopy tree (minimum 15 feet in height), two small ornamental trees and four shrubs (minimum six inches in height), including irrigation, for each 40 lineal feet. Such landscaping may be clustered to provide a “natural” look; at least 200 square feet of usable open park area per unit developed with benches, picnic facilities, landscaping, playground equipment or similar improvements; and architectural design that includes visual variety among structures in the neighborhood in terms of color, orientation on the site, roofline, design, height and form and that breaks structural planes by including multiple roof lines, bays and similar features;
      (4)   Condominiums subject to the standards listed under division (F)(3) above;
      (5)   Townhouses subject to the standards listed under division (F)(3) above;
      (6)   Hospitals and clinics;
      (7)   Institutions of a philanthropic nature;
      (8)   Undertaking parlors; and
      (9)   Accessory buildings incidental to the above uses located on the same lot including one private garage per dwelling.
   (G)   Fence regulations. No fence shall exceed eight feet in height where the fence faces an alley, six feet on side yard boundary line and six feet in height on a front yard boundary line; provided further that, no fence shall exceed four feet in height within 30 feet of a curb line of an intersection.
   (H)   Lot area per family. Every single family dwelling hereafter erected, altered or maintained shall be upon a lot area of not less than 7,500 square feet. Every single-story multiple dwelling building shall be upon a lot area of not less than 4,000 square feet per family unit and every multiple story multi-dwelling building shall be upon a lot area of not less than 3,000 square feet per family unit.
   (I)   Maximum lot coverage area. 50%.
(1992 Code, § 9-1-105)
§ 10-1-6 “C” RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
   This district is intended to provide locations for mobile and manufactured homes. This section is intended to compliment Ord. 05-01. Where conflicts occur, the more stringent shall prevail.
   (A)   Front yard. There shall be a front yard having a depth of not less than 20 feet.
   (B)   Rear yard. There shall be a rear yard having a depth of not less than ten feet.
   (C)   Side yard. There shall be a side yard on each side of all buildings having a width of not less than ten feet.
   (D)   Lot area. Each mobile or manufactured home lot shall have a minimum of four square feet of lot area for each one square foot of home and accessory building floor area; however, in no case shall a lot or space be less than 2,000 square feet in area.
   (E)   Lot width. Each mobile or manufactured home lot shall have a minimum width at any point of 30 feet.
   (F)   Number of structures. One mobile or manufactured home may be placed on any lot or space if located within a mobile home park.
   (G)   Tie downs required for mobile homes. Each mobile home must be tied or otherwise secured to the site within ten days of installation.
   (H)   Obstruction to view. On any corner lot in which a front yard is required by this chapter, no wall, fence or other structure shall be erected, and no hedge, shrub, tree or other growth shall be maintained at a height of four feet or greater within a distance of 30 feet or less of the property line abutting an intersection, or in such location between such front yard line and the street line as to cause danger to traffic by obscuring the view.
   (I)   General provisions applying to all mobile homes. It shall be unlawful within the city for any persons to park any mobile home upon any street, avenue or highway upon any tract of land owned by any person, occupied or unoccupied, except as provided in this section and in the following divisions.
      (1)   Storage of only one unoccupied mobile home recreational vehicle in an accessory private garage building or in the rear yard is permitted; providing that, no living quarters shall be maintained or any business practiced in said mobile home while such mobile home is so parked and stored.
      (2)   The erection and maintenance of structures accessory to a mobile home, including additional living space, storage, carports and awnings shall be regulated by the Zoning Officer. All such structures shall satisfy all applicable setback, building, health and sanitation code requirements.
      (3)   All mobile home parks are must comply with applicable local and state regulations and laws and be licensed by the State of Montana.
   (J)   Fence regulations. No fence constructed within five feet of the boundary line of each lot shall exceed eight feet in height where the fence faces an alley, six feet on a side yard boundary line and six feet in height on front yard boundary; provided further that, no fence is to exceed four feet in height within five of neighbor’s residence; and, provided further that, no fence shall be more than four feet high within 30 feet of curb line of an intersection.
   (K)   Maximum lot coverage area. 40%.
(1992 Code, § 9-1-106)
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