HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-15 G01 Chapters 165, 169__Zoning Regulations_PH AGENDA ITEM:
CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA
CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION
MEETING DATE: July 15, 2024
AGENDA ITEM: Public Hearing on an ordinance to amend Chapter 165, Zoning
Regulations, Definitions and General Regulations, by amending Section
165.02, Definitions, and to amend Chapter 169, Zoning Regulations,
District Regulations by amending Section 169.07, R-1 Single-Family
Residential District
FORMAT: Public Hearing
SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: Chapter 165.02 of the Waukee Municipal Code
contains the definitions for the entire Zoning Ordinance. The proposed amendment to Chapter
165 includes the addition of four (4) definitions to aid in the enforcement and permitting of
swimming pools and hot tubs/spas. The following definitions have been included in the proposed
amendment: Barrier, Hot Tub/Spa, Commercial Swimming Pool, and Residential Swimming
Pool. The definitions match the definitions included within the International Pool and Spa Code.
Chapter 169.07 includes the allowed uses within the R-1 (Single-Family Residential District)
which all other residential districts reference for allowed accessory uses. The proposed
amendment to Section 169.07 will clarify the language currently written for residential swimming
pools. In addition to clarifying the regulation, the amendment includes a provision that would
allow a hot tub/spa to have a lockable cover (provided it meets a certain standard) in lieu of
having the required 4-foot fence. A fence will still be required for a swimming pool.
FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS:
COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT: The Planning and Zoning
Commission reviewed the proposed Ordinance at their meeting held
on July 9, 2024 and recommended approval:
Approval of an ordinance to amend Chapter 165, Zoning Regulations, Definitions and
General Regulations, by amending Section 165.02; Definitions, and to amend Chapter 169,
Zoning Regulations, District Regulations, by amending Section 169.07, R-1 Single Family
Residential District
Andy Kass, Community Development Director, introduced the proposed amendment to Chapters
165 & 169.
Chapter 165.02 of the Waukee Municipal Code contains definitions for specific terms found
throughout the Zoning Ordinance. Currently, Chapter 165.02 does not define swimming pools,
hot tubs/spas, or a barrier. Definitions for the specific terms have been included in the proposed
amendment to assist staff and residents when handling permits for swimming pools and hot tubs.
Chapter 169.07 is the section of the Zoning Ordinance that permits swimming pools within
residential districts. Currently, anything capable of holding 24-inches of water is required to have
G1
a 4-foot fence surrounding it, including a hot tub. The proposed amendment clarifies the existing
language while including a provision for hot tubs and spas that have a specific listed lockable
cover are exempt from the fence requirement. Fences will still be required around swimming
pools.
The proposed Ordinance will make it easier for staff to enforce the Zoning Ordinance and clear
up issues with compliance in permitting for pools and hot tubs.
Discussion as follows:
The changes are related to a provision that used to exist and is being reinserted into the
code
General discussion of the differences between the locking mechanisms on pools and hot
tubs; hot tubs are fairly deep, and this is a concern
General discussion of the International Pool & Spa Code which allows for a lockable
cover on a hot tub; currently we require a fence if you have a hot tub
Motion by Commissioner Broderick, for approval of an ordinance to amend Chapter 165, Zoning
Regulations, Definitions and General Regulations, by amending Section 165.02; Definitions, and
to amend Chapter 169, Zoning Regulations, District Regulations, by amending Section 169.07, R-
1 Single Family Residential District, seconded by Commissioner Streit. Ayes: Broderick, Streit,
Koelker, Beenken, and Bankole. Nays: None. Motion carried.
STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT:
RECOMMENDATION: Hold the Public Hearing.
ATTACHMENTS: I. Planning & Zoning Commission Memo
II. Proposed Amendment
PREPARED BY: Andy Kass, Community Development Director
REVIEWED BY:
PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION –
NAME OF PUBLICATION: Dallas County News
DATE OF PUBLICATION: July 4, 2024
M emo
Waukee City Hall 230 Highway 6 Waukee IA 50263
Office: (515) 987-4522 Cell: (515) 705-8231 Facsimile: (515) 987-1845
To: Planning and Zoning Commissioners
From: Andy Kass, AICP – Community Development Director
Date: July 5, 2024
Re: Proposed Amendment to Chapter 165 & 169 – Zoning Ordinance
Attach: Proposed Ordinance
BACKGROUND
Chapter 165.02 of the Waukee Municipal Code contains definitions for specific terms found throughout
the Zoning Ordinance. Currently, Chapter 165.02 does not define swimming pools, hot tubs/spas, or a
barrier. Definitions for the specific terms have been included in the proposed amendment to assist staff
and residents when handling permits for swimming pools and hot tubs.
Chapter 169.07 is the section of the Zoning Ordinance that permits swimming pools within residential
districts. Currently, anything capable of holding 24-inches of water is required to have a 4-foot fence
surrounding it, including a hot tub. The proposed amendment clarifies the existing language while
including a provision for hot tubs and spas that have a specific listed lockable cover are exempt from
the fence requirement. Fences will still be required around swimming pools.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE
The proposed Ordinance will help make it easier for staff to enforce the Zoning Ordinance and clear up
issues with compliance in permitting for pools and hot tubs.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff would request your consideration for the proposed ordinance.
165.02 DEFINITIONS.
For the purpose of these zoning regulations, certain terms and words are hereby defined.
The words “used” and “occupied” include the words “intended, designed, or arranged to be
used or occupied,” and the word “lot” includes the words “plot or parcel.”
1. “Accessory use or structure” means a use or structure subordinate to the principal use
of another building on the lot or site with, and serving a purpose customarily incidental to,
the use of the principal building.
2. “Administrative official” means the City official or his or her designee appointed by the
Council to administer these zoning regulations. Administrative official and Zoning
Administrator shall mean the same thing.
3. “Adult,” as used in these zoning regulations, refers to a person who has attained the age
of 18 years.
4. “Adult entertainment business” means a place or business that displays, or otherwise
offers to its visitors or patrons specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas and
includes any of the following:
A. “Adult book store” means an establishment or business having a substantial part of its
stock in trade, books, magazines, photographs, pictures, videos, and other periodicals that
are distinguished or characterized by their emphasis on matter depicting, describing or
relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas, as defined herein.
B. “Adult motel” means a motel wherein material is presented which is distinguished or
characterized by an emphasis on depicting or describing specified sexual activities or
specified anatomical areas.
C. “Adult motion picture arcade” means any place to which the public is permitted or
invited wherein coin or slug operated or electronically, electrically or mechanically
controlled still or motion picture machines, projectors, or other image producing devices
are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons per machine at any one time, and
where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on
matter depicting or describing specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
D. “Adult motion picture theater” means an enclosed building used for presenting
material distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting or describing
specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas for observation by patrons therein.
E. “Adult nightclub” means any club, cabaret, nightclub, bar, restaurant or similar
establishment where an enclosed building or open air facility is used for live performances
which are characterized by the exposure of specified sexual activities or specified
anatomical areas, as defined herein.
F. “Sexual encounter center” means a place provided by any business, agency or person
where, for any form of consideration or gratuity, persons who are not all members of the
same household, may congregate, assemble or associate for the purpose of engaging in
specified sexual activities or exposing specified anatomical areas, as defined herein.
G. “Specified anatomical areas” includes the following: human genitals, pubic region,
buttocks, and female breasts below a point immediately above the top of the areola.
H. “Specified sexual activities” means any sexual contact, actual or simulated, either
natural or deviate, between two or more persons, or between a person and an animal, by
penetration of the penis into the vagina or anus, or by contact between the mouth or
tongue and genitalia or anus, or by contact between a finger of one person and the genitalia
of another person or by use of artificial sexual organs or substitute therefor in contact with
the genitalia or anus.
I. “Substantial” means more than 25 percent of the book, magazine, film or video tape
inventory is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, describing
or relating to specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.
(Subsection 4 – Ord. 3089 – Aug. 23 Supp.)
5. “Agriculture” means the use of land for purposes of growing the usual farm products,
including vegetables, fruit, trees and grains; pasturage; dairying; animal and poultry
husbandry; and the necessary accessory uses for treating or storing the produce, provided
that the operation of such accessory uses is secondary to that of the regular agricultural
activities.
6. “Alley” means a public way, other than a street, 20 feet or less in width affording
secondary means of access to abutting property.
7. “Assisted living residential facility” means a building consisting of individual dwelling
units where means and assistance for daily living activities are provided for residents, who
are primarily elderly persons. Such facility must be licensed as a residential care facility or
skilled nursing facility under Chapter 135C of the Code of Iowa.
8. “Automobile wrecking” means the dismantling or wrecking of motor vehicles or trailers,
or the storage, sale or dumping of dismantled or wrecked vehicles or their parts. The
presence on any lot, parcel or tract of land, of three or more vehicles that, for a period
exceeding 30 days, have not been capable of operating under their own power, and from
which parts have been removed or are to be removed for reuse, salvage, or sale, shall
constitute prima facie evidence of an automobile wrecking yard.
9. “Balcony” means a platform that projects from the wall of a building and is surrounded
by a railing or balustrade. A balcony can be covered or uncovered and enclosed or
unenclosed.
10. “Barrier” means a permanent fence, wall, building, or combination thereof that
completely surrounds a pool or spa and obstructs access to the pool or spa that cannot be
removed, lifted, or relocated without the use of a tool. A listed and labeled ASTM F 1346
safety cover can serve as the required barrier for a hot tub/spa in lieu of a fence or wall.
110. “Basement” means a story having part, but not more than one-half of its height below
grade. A basement is counted as a story for the purpose of height regulation.
121. “Bed and breakfast home” means a private single-family residence that provides
lodging and meals for guests, in which the host and/or hostess resides and in which no
more than three guest families are lodged at the same time; and which, while it may
advertise and accept reservations, does not hold itself out to the public to be a restaurant,
hotel or motel, does not require reservations, and serves food only to overnight guests.
132. “Board” means the Board of Adjustment of the City.
143. “Boarding house” means a building other than a hotel or motel where, for
compensation, meals, or lodging and meals are provided for four or more persons.
154. “Buffer zone” means an area of land used to visibly separate one use from another or
to shield or block noise, lights, or other nuisances.
165. “Building” means any structure designed or intended for the support, enclosure,
shelter or protection of persons, animals or property, but not including signs or billboards.
176. “Building, height of” means the vertical distance from the average finished grade at
the building line to the highest point of the coping of a flat roof, or to the deck line of a
mansard roof, or to the average height of the highest gable of a pitch or hip roof. (See
Section 165.20 of these zoning regulations for illustrations.)
187. “Building line” means the outer boundary of a building established by the location of
its exterior walls or any projections other than steps, unenclosed balconies, or unenclosed
porches.
198. “Building, temporary” means a building that is not permanently affixed to the
property, and is permitted to exist for a specific reason for no more than two years.
2019. “Bulk stations” means distributing stations, commonly known as bulk or tank
stations, used for the storage and distribution of flammable liquids or liquefied petroleum
products, where the aggregate capacity of all storage tanks is more than 12,000 gallons.
210. “Brewpub” means a restaurant that brews ales, beers and similar beverages on site
for either consumption on premises or offsite in hand capped or sealed containers in
quantities up to one-half barrel or 15.5 gallons sold directly to the consumer.
221. “Café” means an informal establishment engaged in the preparation of food and
beverages for consumption on premises that may or may not have an outdoor seating area.
232. “Carport” means a roofed structure providing space for the parking of motor vehicles
and enclosed on not more than two sides. For the purpose of these zoning regulations, a
carport attached to a principal building is considered as part of the principal building and
subject to all yard requirements of these zoning regulations.
243. “Cellar” means that portion of a building having more than one-half of its height
below grade. A cellar is not included in computing the number of stories for the purpose of
height measurement.
254. “Clinic, medical or dental” means a building or buildings in which physicians,
dentists, or physicians and dentists, and allied professionals are associated for the purpose
of carrying on their profession.
265. “Commission” means the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City.
276. “Consumer fireworks” means first-class consumer fireworks and second-class
consumer fireworks as set forth under Chapter 100 of the Code of Iowa.
287. “Consumer fireworks sales” means an establishment used for the retail display and
sale of consumer fireworks. For the purposes of the Zoning Ordinance, a retail operation in
which less than 50 percent of the retail floor space is devoted to the sale or display of
second-class consumer fireworks shall not be considered a consumer fireworks sales use.
298. “Convenience store” means an establishment for retail sale of petroleum products
and other supplies for motor vehicles, as well as for the retail sale of a variety of other
items typically sold in grocery stores but not including the repair or sale of vehicles.
3029. “Day nursery” or “nursery school” means any private or public agency, institution,
establishment, or place that provides supplemental parental care and/or educational work,
other than lodging overnight, for six or more unrelated children of the owners or operators,
of preschool age, for compensation.
310. “Display fireworks sales” means an establishment used for the manufacturing,
storage or distribution of any firework classified as a 1.3G Firework by the American
Pyrotechnics Association.
321. “Distillery” means a place where alcoholic beverages (whiskey, vodka, gin, etc.) are
produced typically in small quantities.
332. “District” means a section or sections of the City within which the regulations
governing the use of buildings and premises or the height and area of buildings and
premises are uniform.
343. “Driveway” means a permanently surfaced area providing vehicular access between a
street and an off-street parking or loading area.
354. “Dwelling” means any stationary, permanent building, or portion thereof, which is
designed or used exclusively for residential purposes, but not including a tent, cabin, trailer
or mobile home.
365. “Dwelling, condominium” means a multiple dwelling as defined herein whereby the
title to each dwelling unit is held in separate ownership, and the real estate on which the
units are located is held in common ownership solely by the owners of the units with each
owner having an undivided interest in the common real estate.
376. “Dwelling, multiple” means a residence designed for or occupied by three or more
families, with separate housekeeping, bathroom, and cooking facilities for each.
387. “Dwelling, row” means any one of three or more attached dwellings in a continuous
row, each such dwelling designed and erected as a unit on a separate lot and separated
from one another by an approved wall or walls, and is also referred to as a “townhouse.”
398. “Dwelling, single-family” means a detached residence designed for or occupied by
one family only.
4039. “Dwelling, single-family, split foyer” means a dwelling in which living space is on
two levels with a foyer between the two levels.
410. “Dwelling, single-family, split level” means a dwelling having living space on three or
more levels, no part of which is more than two stories in height, and in which each
successive level is less than a full story higher than the next.
421. “Dwelling, townhouse” means a dwelling unit which is detached or attached
horizontally, and not vertically, to one or more other dwelling units, wherein the land or lot
beneath each dwelling, may be individually owned by the owner of the dwelling. A
townhouse subdivision shall have common elements, which are specified in or determined
under the rules and regulations set forth by recorded covenants. Covenants for townhouse
subdivision shall establish the guidelines for maintenance of common elements and permit
free movement through common areas by member of the homeowners association to
assure access to the structural exterior of each townhouse unit by the individual owner.
432. “Dwelling, two-family” means a residence designed for or occupied by two families
only, with separate housekeeping, bathroom, and cooking facilities for each.
443. “Dwelling unit” means a room or group of rooms arranged, designed, or used as living
quarters for the occupancy of one family and containing bathroom and kitchen facilities.
454. “Family” means a person living alone or in a group living as a single nonprofit
housekeeping unit and sharing common living, sleeping, cooking and eating facilities up to
a maximum occupant dwelling load as provided in Chapter 169 of this title. For the
purposes of this definition, anyone who spends more than 90 nights within a 12 month
period will be counted as an occupant. The definition of family does not include and is not
intended to provide an exclusion for any of the following:
More than eight people who are:
(1) Residents of a “family home” as defined in section 414.22 of the Code of Iowa;” or
(2) “Handicap” as defined in the Fair Housing Act, 42 USC Section 3602(h).
Any group of individuals who are in a group living arrangement as a result of criminal
offenses;
Any group of individuals whose association is temporary, seasonal in nature or limited to
the duration of an educational school year cycle;
Any society, club, fraternity, sorority, association, lodge or like organization.
465. “Feed lot” means any parcel of land or premises on which the principal use is the
concentrated feeding within a confined area of livestock. Livestock includes cattle, horses,
sheep, swine, poultry, goats, rabbits, and any other animals or fowl that are being produced
primarily for use as food or food products for human consumption, or for laboratory or
testing purposes. The feed lot does not include areas that are used for the raising of crops
or other vegetation, and upon which livestock are allowed to graze or feed.
476. “Fences, walls and hedges” means decorative and/or enclosing devices used along
boundary lines of lots. Fences, walls, and hedges may be constructed up to the lot line in
accordance with the height rules set out in these zoning regulations.
487. “Garage, private” means an accessory building or an accessory portion of the main
building, designed and/or used for the shelter or storage of vehicles owned or operated by
the occupants of the principal building. A private garage, of less than four-car capacity, may
be rented for the private vehicles of persons not resident on the premises.
498. “Garage, public” means a structure, other than a private garage, used for the shelter
or storage of motor powered vehicles and in which the care, minor servicing, and washing
are accessory to the principal use.
5049. “Grade” means the average elevation of the finished ground at the exterior walls of
structures.
510. “Home occupation” means a business, profession, occupation, or trade conducted for
gain or support entirely within a residential building, or a structure accessory thereto,
which is incidental and secondary to the use of such building for dwelling purposes and
which does not change the essential residential character of such building.
52. “Hot tub/Spa” means a product that is intended for the immersion of persons in a
temperature-controlled water circulated in a closed system, not intended to be filled or
drained with each use.
531. “Hotel/motel” means a building or buildings in which lodging is provided and offered
to the public for compensation, and which is open to transient guests, in contradistinction
to a boarding house or rooming house.
542. “Junk” means old and dilapidated automobiles, trucks, tractors, and other such
vehicles and parts thereof, wagons and other kinds of vehicles and parts thereof, scrap,
used building material, scrap contractors’ equipment, tanks, casks, cans, barrels, boxes,
drums, piping, bottles, glass, old iron, machinery, rags, paper, excelsior, hair, mattresses,
beds, or bedding or any other kind of scrap or waste material which is stored, kept,
handled, or displayed for barter, resale, reuse, salvage, stripping, or trade.
553. “Junkyard” means any area where junk is bought, sold, exchanged, baled or packed,
disassembled or handled, including house wrecking yards, used lumber yards and places or
yards for storage of salvaged house wrecking or structural steel materials and equipment;
but not including areas where such uses are conducted entirely within a completely
enclosed building, and not including the processing of used, discarded or salvaged
materials necessary as a part of manufacturing operations. The presence on any property
of four or more motor vehicles (as defined by Section 321.1 of the Code of Iowa) without
current registration which for a period exceeding 30 days have not been capable of
operating under their own power, and/or from which parts have been removed for re-use,
salvage, or sale, shall constitute prima facie evidence of a junk yard.
564. “Interior self-storage” means a building containing varying sizes of individualized
compartmentalized, and controlled stalls or lockers for the storage of customers’ goods or
wares, excluding explosive or flammable materials, and other noxious or dangerous
materials, which shall only be accessed from the interior of the building with not individual
unit doors being visible from adjoining properties.
575. “Kennel” means the keeping of any dogs, cats, or other household pets of mammal
group regardless of number, for sale, breeding, boarding or treatment purposes, except in
an animal hospital, veterinary clinic, or pet shop, as may be permitted by law, or the
keeping of more than one dog or cat on vacant property or on property used for business
or commercial purposes, shall constitute a kennel. The keeping of not more than three dogs
and three cats in a residential district shall not be deemed to be a kennel, unless kept for
sale, breeding, boarding or treatment purposes. Any person keeping more than three dogs
and three cats in a residential district on the effective date hereof (September 10, 2001),
licensed as required by ordinance, may continue to keep such dogs or cats during the pet’s
lifetime.
586. “Living space” means that part of the building which is enclosed and supported upon
the main foundation system of the structure excluding garage and cellar.
597. “Lodging or rooming house” means a building where a room or rooms are provided
for compensation for four or more persons.
6058. “Lot,” for the purpose of these zoning regulations, is a parcel of land of at least
sufficient size to meet minimum zoning requirements for use, coverage, and area, and to
provide such yards and other open spaces as are herein required. Such lot shall have
frontage on an improved public street, or on an approved private street, and may consist
of:
A. A single lot of record;
B. A portion of a lot of record;
C. A combination of complete lots of record, of complete lots of record and portions of
lots of record, or of portions of lots of record; or
D. A parcel of land described by metes and bounds; provided, that in no case of division
or combination shall any residual lot or parcel be created which does not meet the
requirements of these zoning regulations.
6159. “Lot, corner” means a lot abutting upon two or more streets at their intersection.
620. “Lot, depth” means the mean horizontal distance between the front and rear lot lines.
631. “Lot, double frontage” means a lot having a frontage on two nonintersecting streets,
as distinguished from a corner lot.
642. “Lot, interior” means a lot other than a corner lot.
653. “Lot lines” means the lines bounding a lot, including the right-of-way line of any
public road, highway, or alley acquired by easement.
664. “Lot of record” means a lot that is part of a subdivision, or a plat of survey, the deed of
which is recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Dallas County, or a lot or parcel
described by metes and bounds, the description of which has been so recorded.
675. “Lot, reversed frontage” means a corner lot, the side street line of which is
substantially a continuation of the front lot line of the first platted lot to its rear. (See
Section 165.20 of these zoning regulations for illustrations of lot types.)
686. “Lot width” means the width of a lot measured at the building line and at right angles
to its depth.
697. “Manufactured home” means a factory-built, single-family structure, which is
manufactured or constructed under the authority of 42 USC Section 5403, Federal
Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards, and is to be used as a place for
human habitation, but which is not constructed with a permanent hitch or other device
allowing it to be moved other than for the purpose of moving to a permanent site, and
which does not have permanently attached to its body or frame any wheels or axles. A
mobile home is not a manufactured home. For the purpose of these zoning regulations,
“manufactured home” shall be considered the same as any site built single-family detached
dwelling.
7068. “Massage” means any method of treating the external parts of the human body by
rubbing, stroking, kneading, tapping or vibrating with the hand, other parts of the body, or
any instrument, for any consideration or gratuity.
(Ord. 3089 – Aug. 23 Supp.)
7169. “Massage establishment” means any establishment having a fixed place of business
where massages are administered for any form or consideration or gratuity, including, but
not limited to, massage parlors, health clubs, sauna baths, and steam baths. This definition
shall not be construed to include an establishment employing: (i) persons licensed by the
State of Iowa under the provisions of Chapter 148, 148A, 148B, 151, 152, 157 or 158 of the
Code of Iowa, when performing massage services as a part of the profession or trade for
which licensed; (ii) persons performing massage therapy or massage services under the
direction of a person licensed as described in (i) above; (iii) persons performing massage
therapy or massage services upon a person pursuant to the written instruction or order of
a licensed physician; (iv) nurses, aides, technicians and attendants at any hospital or health
care facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 135B, 135C or 145A of the Code of Iowa, in the
course of their employment and under the supervision of the administrator thereof or of a
person licensed as described in (i) above; (v) an athletic coach or trainer in any accredited
public or private secondary school, junior college, college or university, or employed by a
professional or semi-professional athletic team or organization, in the course of his or her
employment as such coach or trainer. This definition shall not be construed to include a
volunteer fire department, a volunteer rescue squad or a nonprofit organization operating
a community center, swimming pool, tennis court, or other educational, cultural, or
recreational and athletic facilities, and facilities for the welfare of the residents of the area.
(Ord. 3089 – Aug. 23 Supp.)
720. “Mini warehouse” means a building or group of buildings not more than one story
and 20 feet in height and not having any other dimension greater than 150 feet per
building, containing varying sizes of individualized, compartmentalized, and controlled
stalls or lockers for the dead storage of customers’ goods or wares, excluding junk,
explosive or flammable materials, and other noxious or dangerous materials, including if
any, caretaker’s or supervisor’s quarters as an accessory use. No business activities other
than rental of storage units shall be conducted on the premises.
731. “Mobile home” means any vehicle without motive power used or so manufactured or
constructed as to permit its being used as a conveyance upon the public streets or
highways and so designed, constructed, or reconstructed as will permit the vehicle to be
used as a place for human habitation by one or more persons; but also includes any such
vehicle with motive power not registered as a motor vehicle in Iowa. A mobile home is
factory-built housing built on a chassis. A mobile home shall not be construed to be a travel
trailer or other form of recreational vehicle. A mobile home shall be construed to remain a
mobile home, subject to all regulations applying thereto, whether or not wheels, axles,
hitch, or other appurtenances of mobility are removed and regardless of the nature of the
foundation provided. Nothing in these zoning regulations shall be construed as permitting
a mobile home in other than an approved mobile home park.
742. “Mobile home park” means any lot or portion of a lot upon which one or more trailers
or mobile homes, occupied for dwelling or sleeping purposes, are located regardless of
whether or not a charge is made for such accommodation. (See Section 165.20 of these
zoning regulations for illustration of mobile home park setback lines.)
753. “Modular home” means factory-built housing certified as meeting the State Building
Code and federal requirements applicable to modular housing. Once certified, modular
homes shall be subject to the same standards as site built homes.
764. “Motel motor lodge” means a building or a group of attached or detached buildings
containing individual sleeping or living units for overnight tourists, with garage attached or
parking facilities conveniently located to each such unit.
775. “Nonconforming use” means use of a building or of land that does not conform to the
regulations as to use for the district in which it is situated.
786. “Nonprofit institution” means a nonprofit establishment maintained and operated by
a society, corporation, individual, foundation or public agency for the purpose of providing
charitable, social, educational, or similar services to the public, groups, or individuals.
Cooperative nonprofit associations, performing a service normally associated with retail
sales or trade such as cooperative groceries, granaries, equipment sales, etc., are not
considered nonprofit institutions under these zoning regulations.
797. “Nursing or convalescent home” means a building or structure having
accommodations and where care is provided for three or more invalid, infirmed, aged,
convalescent, or physically or mentally disabled or injured persons.
8078. “Parabolic or dish type antenna” means a concave, circular or dish-shaped device
designed for receiving communications or television signals from a satellite.
8179. “Parking space, off-street” means a permanently surfaced area of not less than 171
square feet (9' x 19') plus necessary maneuvering space for the parking of a motor vehicle.
Space for maneuvering, incidental to parking or leaving the parking space, shall not
encroach upon any public right-of-way. (See Section 165.20 of these zoning regulations for
parking illustration.)
820. “Porch, unenclosed” means a roofed projection which has no more than 50 percent of
each outside wall area permanently enclosed by a building or siding material other than
meshed screens.
831. “Principal building” means any structure designed and used (or intended to be used)
for one of the principal permitted uses listed in each of the zoning districts as set out in
these zoning regulations.
842. “Principal use” means the main use of land or structures as distinguished from an
accessory use.
85. Public Swimming Pool” means a pool other than a residential swimming pool that is
intended to be used for swimming or bathing and is operated by an owner, lessee, operator,
licensee or concessionaire, regardless of whether a fee is charged for use.
86 “Residential Swimming Pool” means a pool that is intended for use that is accessory to a
residential dwelling and is available only to the household and its guests.
873. “Restaurant” means an establishment that is principally engaged in the preparation
and retail sale of food and beverages, including the sale of alcoholic beverages when
conducted as a secondary feature of the use, producing less than 50 percent of the
establishment’s gross income.
884. “Rooming house” means a building where a room or rooms are provided for
compensation to four or more persons.
895. “Story” means that portion of a building included between the surface of any floor
and the surface of the floor next above it. If there is no floor above it, then the space
between such floor and the ceiling or roof next above it is considered a story.
9086. “Story, half” means a space under a sloping roof which has the line of intersection of
roof decking and exterior wall face not more than four feet above the top floor level.
9187. “Street line” means the right-of-way line of a street, alley, or road.
9288. “Street or road, private” means any private right-of-way 20 feet or more in width
which is approved by the Council after recommendation by the Commission.
9389. “Street or road, public” means any thoroughfare or public way not less than 20 feet
in width, which has been dedicated to the public or deeded to or acquired by the City or
County for street purposes; and also, any such public way as may be created after
enactment of these zoning regulations, provided it is 50 feet or more in width.
940. “Structural alterations” means any replacement or change in the type of construction
or in the shape or size of a building or of the supporting members of a building or structure
such as bearing walls, columns, beams, arches, girders, floor joists, or roof trusses, beyond
ordinary repairs and maintenance.
951. “Structure” means anything constructed or erected with a rigid or fixed location on
the ground, or attached to something having a fixed location on the ground. Among other
things, structures include buildings, walls, fences (more than six feet in height), billboards,
solar collectors, and dish antennas.
962. “Travel trailer” means a recreational vehicle, with or without motive power, designed
as a temporary dwelling, not exceeding eight feet in width and 40 feet in length, exclusive
of separate towing unit. The term “travel trailer” includes pickup coach, motor home, camp
trailer, tent trailer, or other similar mobile and temporary dwellings commonly used for
travel, recreation, or vacation quarters.
973. “Travel trailer park” means a parcel of land upon which two or more spaces are
provided, occupied or intended for occupancy by travel trailers for transient purposes.
984. “Vehicle, antique” means a motor vehicle 25 years old or older, as provided and
regulated by Section 321.115 of the Code of Iowa.
995. “Vehicle, inoperable” means any motor vehicle that lacks current registration or two
or more wheels or other component parts the absence of which renders the vehicle unfit
for legal use on streets.
10096. “Vehicle, motor” means a self-propelled device used for transportation of people or
goods over land surfaces and licensed as a motor vehicle.
10197. “Yard” means an open space on the same lot with a building or structure
unoccupied and unobstructed by any portion of a structure from 36 inches above the
general ground level of the graded lot upward, except as may be provided by other sections
of these zoning regulations. In measuring a yard for the purpose of determining the depth
of a front yard or the depth of a rear yard, the least distance between the lot line and the
main building shall be used. In measuring a yard for the purpose of determining the width
of a side yard, the least distance between the lot line and the nearest permitted building
shall be used, except that in no case shall any eaves or overhang (or any other projection)
extend into the said front, side, or rear yard by more than 24 inches. If eaves or overhangs
exceed 24 inches, then the building shall be set back into the permissible building area as
necessary to eliminate any eaves or overhangs from extending more than 24 inches.
10298. “Yard, front” means a yard extending across the full width of the lot and measured
between the front lot line and the front of the building other than the projection of the
usual steps or unenclosed porches. The narrow frontage on a corner lot is considered the
front lot line regardless of where the building entrance is located. See the definition of
“yard” for eaves or overhang limitations.
10399. “Yard, rear” means a yard extending across the full width of the lot and measured
between the rear lot line and the building other than steps, unenclosed balconies or
unenclosed porches. An unenclosed balcony or porch is one in which 50 percent or less of
the side walls of said balcony or porch are enclosed by screen, glass, or other material and
includes a deck. On both corner lots and interior lots, the rear yard is the opposite end of
the lot from the front. See definition of “yard” for eaves and overhang limitations.
1040. “Yard, side” means a yard extending from the front yard to the rear yard and
measured between the side lot lines and the building. See definition of “yard” for eaves or
overhang limitations.
169.07 R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT.
The R-1 District is established to provide for single-family residential uses and areas where
similar residential development seems likely to occur.
1. Principal Permitted Uses. Only the uses of structures or land listed in this section are
permitted in the R-1 District:
A. Churches, chapels, temples, and similar places of worship.
B. Elder group homes as permitted by and as limited by Section 231B.4 of the Code of
Iowa.
C. Family homes as permitted by and as limited by Section 414.22 of the Code of Iowa.
D. Golf courses, country clubs, club houses, tennis courts, and similar recreational uses;
provided, any such use not be operated primarily for commercial gain.
E. Municipal facilities utilized by the City for services provided to the community.
F. Museums, libraries, parks and playgrounds, community center, and similar uses
operated by the City.
G. Public and parochial schools, elementary and secondary, and other educational
institutions having established current curriculum the same as ordinarily given in the
Waukee public school system, but excluding boarding schools.
H. Single-family dwellings.
2. Permitted Accessory Uses.
A. Clubhouses within a residential subdivision where ownership is maintained under a
homeowners association. Clubhouses shall be constructed of materials similar to the
principal structures within the development and shall meet all setback requirements as
specified later in this title.
B. Home occupations as permitted in and as limited by Section 165.11 of these zoning
regulations.
C. Parabolic or dish-type antennas larger than 18 inches in diameter shall be placed in
the rear yard and must be a minimum of 10 feet from all property lines and shall not be
larger than eight feet in diameter if of opaque construction or 10 feet in diameter if of wire
or mesh construction. All such parabolic or dish-type antennas shall be mounted at ground
level. The erection and construction of a parabolic or dish-type antenna shall require
obtaining a building permit from the administrative official prior to the commencement of
any work.
D. Private garage or carport.
E. Private plant nurseries and greenhouses, not to exceed 240 square feet and not
involving retail or wholesale sales.
F. Private swimming pools, when enclosed with a non-climbable fence at least 48 inches
in height, or any enclosure designed for wading or swimming, which shall be deemed to be
a swimming pool if it is capable of holding 24 inches depth of water. Residential swimming
pools or any enclosure designed for wading or swimming which shall be deemed to be a
swimming pool, if it can hold 24 inches depth of water, shall be enclosed with a fence of at
least 48-inches in height. A hot tub/spa, when provided with a lockable cover complying
with ASTM F 1346, shall be exempt from the fence requirement.
G. Solar collectors mounted on the ground in the rear yard or attached to the principal
building facing the front, side, or rear yard at a height no greater than the peak of the roof
of the principal structure. The mounting of solar collectors shall be in accordance with the
requirements of the Building Code. If required, solar access easements may be obtained
from adjoining property owners in accordance with State statutes.
H. Temporary buildings for uses incidental to construction work, which buildings shall
be removed upon the completion or abandonment of the construction work.
I. Use of a dwelling structure within a new subdivision as a job office and real estate
office for the subject subdivision, which use shall terminate upon completion or
abandonment of the project.
J. Use of a temporary building, within a newly platted subdivision with a minimum final
plat size of 10 acres, as a real estate office subject to approval of a temporary site plan. A
temporary building permitted to exist shall be subject to the following minimum standards
and requirements:
(1) Temporary building shall be designed to be compatible with a residential
neighborhood, including (but not limited to) the use of pitched roof elements and exterior
building materials customarily used in residential development, which may include stone,
brick, vinyl, or wood lap siding. Skirting shall be provided around the base of the temporary
building to match the exterior building materials provided on the building structure. Metal
skirting shall not be considered an acceptable material for purposes of meeting the
requirements of this section.
(2) Temporary building shall meet all building setback requirements of the applicable
zoning district.
(3) On-site parking areas constructed for use by visitors to the temporary building
shall be constructed of asphalt or concrete but shall not be required to provide concrete
curb and gutter.
(4) A minimum of 20 percent open space shall be provided on the site. A minimum of
one tree and six shrubs shall be provided per every 1,500 square feet of required open
space.
(5) Temporary building shall not be permitted to be constructed within any planned
development overlay district that has an underlying commercial zoning classification.
(6) Temporary building shall meet all minimum requirements of the Building Code as
adopted by the City.
(7) Any proposed signage shall be subject to the requirements of Chapter 168 of these
zoning regulations.
(8) The use of the site for a temporary building shall be allowed for one year. Prior to
expiration of the temporary site plan, the applicant shall be allowed to request approval of
a one-year extension of the temporary site plan, but in no event should the extension be
granted if the granting of the same would no longer be consistent with the surrounding
built environment, Chapters 160 through 163 of this Code of Ordinances (Site Plan
Requirements), and the provisions of this section.
(9) A cash deposit or surety bond shall be provided in a form approved by the
administrative official in an amount sufficient to guarantee to the City the removal of the
temporary building and restoration of the site within 60 days after the temporary building
site plan has expired. If, after 60 days, no action has been taken to restore the site or
premises, the City may take action to restore the site by utilizing the bond or monies
deposited or other methods at its disposal.
K. Uses of land or structures customarily incidental and subordinate to one of the
permitted principal uses, unless otherwise excluded.
3. Bulk Regulations. The following minimum requirements shall be observed, subject to
the modifications contained in Section 165.19 of these zoning regulations:
Lot Area 10,000 square feet for each dwelling plus its accessory building
20,000 square feet where no public sewer facilities are available
Lot Width 80 feet; or 100 feet where no public sewer facilities are available
Corner lots shall be 10 feet wider
Front Yard 30 feet
Rear Yard 30 feet for dwelling;
40 feet for other principal permitted uses
Side Yard A total of 15 feet; one side may be reduced to not less than 7 feet;
15 feet for any other principal permitted uses.
Maximum
Height
3 stories or 40 feet for principal building
1 story or 14 feet for accessory building
Floor Area 1,050 square feet for single-story dwelling
If two or more stories, 1,400 square feet with a minimum first floor
square footage of 700 square feet
If a split level, each level shall be a minimum of 400 square feet
If a split foyer, 1,050 square feet per story
4. Dwelling Occupant Load: The maximum permitted occupant load within a dwelling unit
in any residential district shall not exceed the following:
Room Type Room Area Maximum Occupant Load
Bedroom room At least 70 sq. ft. but less than
120 s. f.t
1 per room
Bedroom room 120 sq. ft. to 180 sq. ft. 2 per room
Bedroom room 180 sq. ft. or more 3 per room
Multipurpose
room
At least 70 sq. ft. 1 per room, not more than 2 per
dwelling unit
For the purposes of this section, a “bedroom” is defined as a space primarily designed and
intended for use as a sleeping room which shall include all of the following characteristics:
A. A room with a minimum floor area of 70 square feet of area is capable of being
secured by a door.
B. A room with an enclosed closet space of a minimum floor area of six square feet.
C. A room with the provisions for emergency escape and natural light in accordance with
the adopted version of the International Residential Code or International Building Code as
applicable for the dwelling type.
D. For the purposes of this section, a multipurpose room may include a living room, den,
study, or other similar room that by design or layout is not primarily intended to be used as
a bedroom, but that is otherwise habitable and provides accommodations for sleeping such
as a bed, daybed, couch, futon or other similar multipurpose sleeping furniture.
5. Minimum Width. The minimum dimension of the main body of the principal building
shall not be less than 24 feet.
6. Perimeter Foundation Requirement. A permanent perimeter foundation meeting
Waukee Building Code standards is required for all principal buildings.
7. Off-Street Parking and Loading. Spaces for off-street parking and loading shall be
provided in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 168, for all permitted uses.
8. Site Plan Requirements. For site plan requirements, see Chapter 160 of this Code of
Ordinances.
(Section 169.07 – Ord. 3094 – Sep. 23 Supp.)