City of Colwich

Planning and Zoning

Planning Committee

Click here to view planning committee meeting minutes.

Zoning Districts

The City of Colwich has 9 Zoning Districts:

Click here to view a list of all zoning applications.

Zoning Map

As part of the adoption of the Zoning Regulations the zoning map depicts the current zoning designations for the area.

Fence Regulations

A permit is requested before construction of a fence is begun.

Permitted Obstructions in Required Yards: In any yard except a front yard; accessory uses permitted in Article 6…”open and closed fences not exceeding six feet in height with additional height permitted for security design measures.”

Fences in a Front Yard: On lots with single or two-family dwellings and all types of manufactured and mobile homes, fences not exceeding four feet in height are permitted which are constructed with at least 75% open space. In all other circumstances, including decorative walls as perimeter boundaries and entryways to subdivision, open and closed fences are permitted which do not exceed six feet in height. Additional security design measure may be placed above the six feet limitation.

Construction Standards for all Fences: No fence shall be constructed which will constitute a hazard to traffic or a danger to persons or animals.

Conditional Use for Fences: The City of Colwich Board of Zoning Appeals may as a conditional use approve the construction of higher fences and/or less open space in all yards or in any district if the Board find that the public welfare is preserved.

Sight Triangle: On all corner lots in all districts, no use of land shall commence or no structure shall hereafter be constructed, structurally altered, extended, enlarged or moved after the effective date of the zoning regulations unless it also conforms to the requirements of the sign triangle as defined by Section2-101. A triangle area as defined by City Ordinance 359 to provide a clear and unobstructed viewing area of traffic at intersections. (Note: Contact the City staff for sight distance requirements which vary with speed limits.)

Setbacks: 25 ft. front yard setback from all lot line abutting a street for six (6) foot board fences except in Country Hill, one front yard setback on a corner lot may be 15 feet if the sign obstruction ordinance can be complied with. Otherwise fences may be placed along the property line along the rear and side yards of the property.

Easements: No principle or accessory building or structure or use, or portion thereof shall be permitted to locate on or project over any platted or recorded public easement or over any known utility installation….the property owner assumes the risk and liability for any reconstruction or replacement necessary including fences if any maintenance or other improvements are required by the City or a utility company.

Building Setback Regulations

R-1 Single Family Residential District

  • Minimum front yard: 25 feet on all lot lines abutting a street, except that on corner lots where the street right-of-way is at least 60 feet wide, one of the front yards may be reduced to 15 feet: provided, that 20 feet shall still be required for that portion of a front yard with direct driveway access to a garage or other parking space.
  • Minimum side yard: 6 feet, except 5 feet when lot width is non-conforming.
  • Minimum rear yard: 25 ft
  • Minimum lot coverage: 30%

R-2 Multi-Family Residential

  • Minimum front yard: 25 feet on all lot lines abutting a street, except that on corner lots where the street right-of-way is at least 60 feet wide, one of the front yards may be reduced to 15 feet: provided, that 20 feet shall still be required for that portion of a front yard with direct driveway access to a garage or other parking space.
  • Minimum side yard:
    • (1) Dwellings permitted by Section 4-101A1 6 feet
    • (2) Single-family attached and two-family dwellings: 8 feet on each side except for the common lot line of an attached dwelling (See City Subdivision Regulations for procedures for approval of lot splits)
    • (3) Multi-family dwellings: 5 feet
    • (4) All other permitted uses: 7 feet
  • Minimum rear yard: 20 feet
  • Minimum lot coverage: 45%

C-1 Central Business District

  • Minimum front yard: 35 feet on all sides abutting a street
  • Minimum side yard and rear yards: None, unless this district abuts a residential district and then the yards shall not be less than 15 feet
  • Minimum lot coverage: 40%

C-2 Service Business District

  • Yard Requirements:
    • (a) Minimum front yard: None
    • (b) Minimum side yard: None, but if there is one provided, it shall not be less than 5 feet.
    • (c) Minimum rear yard: None, but if there is one provided, it shall not be less than 5 feet
  • Maximum lot coverage: A building, structure or use may occupy all that portion of the lot not otherwise required for the yard regulations.

I-1 Light Industrial

  • Yard Requirements:
    • (a) Minimum front yard: 35 ft on all sides abutting a street
    • (b) Minimum side and rear yard: None, unless this district abuts a residential district and then the yards shall not be less than 15 feet.
  • Maximum lot coverage: Buildings, structures or uses may occupy all of the zoning lot except that required for off-street parking, loading and unloading, and yards.

I-2 Heavy Industrial

  • Yard Requirements:
    • (a) Minimum front yard: 35 ft on all sides abutting a street
    • (b) Minimum side and rear yard: None, unless this district abuts a residential district and then the yards shall not be less than 15 feet.
  • Maximum lot coverage: Buildings, structures or uses may occupy all of the zoning lot except that required for off-street parking, loading and unloading, and yards.

Accessory Use Regulations

Permitted Accessory Uses:

Off-street parking and loading space as regulated by Article 5 of these regulations, including detached garages. On lots for single and two-family dwelling units and manufactured homes such struc¬tures may contain incidental space for storage and other uses and are limited to one each per zoning lot not over 720 square feet in gross floor area for a garage, unless a conditional use is approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals for a larger structure. Furthermore, attached and detached carports are not allowed with such residential uses.

Signs: When permitted by Article 7 of these regulations.

Buildings for storage and other enclosed purposes; provided, that no such building accessory to single and two-family dwelling units and all types of manufactured and mobile homes shall exceed 400 square feet in gross floor— area, unless a conditional use is approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals for a larger building. No motorized vehicle of any type or any portion thereof such as a truck trailer may be used on a residential lot for storage or any purpose other than for periodic vehicular parking according to provisions of Article 5. Similarly, a railroad box car, shipping container or portable storage unit is not permitted on a residential lot. Motorized vehicles and portions thereof, shipping containers or storage units; however, may be used temporarily for refuse disposal or storage during a period of construction or reconstruction.

Storage of recreational vehicles; provided, that they shall not be utilized for living purposes, except for the convenience of tem¬porary lodging only for not more than 15 days at any one time, and when. stored on the driveway or on a graveled or paved’ surface parallel and adjacent to the driveway of a residential lot by the occupant who is the vehicle owner, shall be located not less than five feet from the front lot line and not otherwise stored in a front yard set back.
Storage outside both above or below ground level of petroleum products for fueling vehicles related to the operation of the principal use on commercial and industrial lots only and for sale at automobile and truck service stations.

Detached, rack mounted solar equipment; and satellite dish antennas; provided, that on lots with single-family and duplex dwelling units and all types of manufactured and mobile homes that the antenna structure shall not be located in any front. yard setback nor in any portion of the area which is parallel to the front facade of the principle structure. Satellite antenna dishes exceeding one meter (39.37 inches) in diameter shall not be located on or attached to or mounted on masts (wireless cable) which are attached to dwelling units or manufactured or mobile homes nor their accessory garages or storage buildings. If an acceptable quality signal cannot be received under these restric¬tions to minimize visual impact and to provide safety, the Zoning Administrator may approve an alternative location suitable for reception Communication structures, antennas and aerials.

Storm shelters, children’s playhouses, statuary, arbors, trelli¬ses, barbecue stoves, flagpoles, fences, walls, bathhouses, and permanent-type swimming pools; provided, the latter are enclosed by a security-type fence for the protection of young children in residential districts only as approved by the Zoning Administrator regardless of whether the pool is above or below ground.

Guest houses without kitchen facilities or rooms for guests in an accessory building; provided, such facilities are used for the occasional housing of guests of the occupants of the principal building and not as rental units for permanent occupancy as housekeeping units.

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