FAQs
- What is the zoning on my property?
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You can find the zoning on your property by clicking on this map link. From the map you can search by address in the upper left corner. You can also zoom into your area of interest. Once you find the property you are interested in click on the property to show the zoning information. When you click on a property, a small window will appear that contains zoning and other property information. To access all of the information on a property click on the next feature arrow at the top of the window.
- What uses are allowed in a particular zone?
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The allowed uses for agricultural and residential zones are found in Section 7-6-201 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The allowed uses for commercial and manufacturing zones are found in Section 7-6-301. Definitions of uses are found in Section 7-1-103.
- How much parking is required for a particular use?
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The number of off-street parking spaces required for different land uses is found in Section 7-9-104 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
- How tall can my fence be?
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Regulations governing fence height are found in Section 7-2-114 and Section 7-2-109. The graphic accessible at this link illustrates these regulations.
- Where can I find your design standards?
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The design standards for single unit dwellings and two unit dwellings are found in Part 2 of Chapter 7-11 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance. The design standards for commercial buildings are found in Part 3 of Chapter 7-11. The design standards for multi-unit residential dwellings are found in Part 4 of Chapter 7-11.
- I have agricultural zoning on my property. How many animals can I have?
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The number of animals allowed in agricultural zones is outlined in Section 7-6-205.
- I would like to build a detached garage or shed. What zoning regulations apply?
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The answer to this question will vary depending upon the zoning of your property and whether you wish to place the detached garage or shed (referred to as accessory buildings in the ordinance) behind or to the side of your home. For minimum setbacks, maximum heights and maximum rear yard building coverage, please refer to Section 7-6-202. Additional requirements and some exceptions are outlined in Section 7-6-203 and Section 7-6-204. Approval from utility companies is required for any accessory building that encroaches on a utility easement. The graphic accessible at this link illustrates a typical example.
- I would like to add a patio cover to my house. What zoning regulations apply?
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The answer to this question will vary depending upon the zoning of your property. For minimum setbacks, please refer to Section 7-6-202. An exception to the minimum setbacks is outlined in Section 7-6-204. Approval from utility companies is required for any patio cover that encroaches on a utility easement. The graphic accessible at this link illustrates a typical example.
- I would like to add an attached garage to my house. What zoning regulations apply?
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The answer to this question will vary depending upon the zoning of your property. For minimum setbacks and maximum heights, please refer to Section 7-6-202. Additional requirements and some exceptions are outlined in Section 7-6-203 and Section 7-6-204. Approval from utility companies is required for any attached garage that encroaches on a utility easement. The graphic accessible at this link illustrates a typical example.
- Can I rent out my basement?
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Assuming your home is zoned for a single unit dwelling, the answer to this question will vary depending upon the location of the property, how the basement will be used, and how it is designed. Single unit dwellings located west of 4000 West are allowed to have a basement apartment or an internal accessory dwelling unit, so long as specific requirements are met.
For properties east of 4000 West, a homeowner may rent a portion of the home only if all of the following standards are met:
- There is no more than one lease for any portion of the home.
- All persons residing in the home live together as a single housekeeping unit where all residents maintain free access to all living spaces within the home and all exits to and from the home. In other words, those persons living in the basement must have free access to the upstairs.
- There is no more than one door between a bedroom and any kitchen, living room, dining room or family room that is on the same floor as the bedroom.
- Can I have an accessory dwelling unit or mother-in-law apartment in or detached from my home?
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Detached accessory dwelling units are prohibited in the City.
Single unit dwellings west of 4000 West are eligible to include one internal accessory dwelling unit, so long as specific requirements are met.
Accessory dwelling units or mother-in-law apartments are not allowed on any property zoned for single unit dwellings east of 4000 West, which includes the RB zone, RE zone, all R-1 zones and all A zones.
- What are the requirements for home occupations or home-based businesses?
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The requirements for home occupations or home-based businesses are found in Section 7-7-115 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance.
- How tall can my fence be?
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Regulations governing fence height are found in Section 7-2-114 and Section 7-2-109. The graphic accessible at this link illustrates these regulations.
- What are the landscaping requirements for my yard?
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All areas of a yard (front, side and rear) need to be kept weed free and maintained. Side yards that are not adjacent to a street and rear yards have no landscaping requirements. Specific requirements for front yards and side yards adjacent to a street are described below.
Front Yards
Landscaping in front yards must meet the following standards:- Landscaping needs to be installed between the front of house and the sidewalk or the front property line where no sidewalk exists.
- Landscaping must include:
- at least one tree and
- a combination of lawn, shrubs or ground cover.
- At least 30 percent of the entire front yard must be live plant material (excluding tree canopies). Artificial turf that meets the standards found here can be used in place of live plant material. The remaining areas, if any, can be nonliving ground covers such as rock or bark mulch or artificial turf.
Side Yards Adjacent to a Street
On corner lots, landscaping must be installed in all areas between the sidewalk (or side property line where no sidewalk exists) and the side of the house between the front property line and the rear property line which are visible from the street.More Information
- Can I xeriscape my yard, or am I required to have grass in my yard?
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Residential yards are not required to have grass or lawn. A front yard, which is the area between the front of the building and the front lot line, is required to have at least 30% live plant material. See 7-11-205 for residential landscaping requirements.
- What can I put in my park strip?
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The park strip is the space between the back of the curb (or edge of pavement if there is no curb) and the sidewalk (or the property line if there is no sidewalk). City ordinance requires either landscaping or concrete to be installed in park strips. Landscaping in park strips can include live plant material, non-living ground covers such as rock or bark mulch, or artificial turf, which requires a permit. A permit is also required from the Public Works Department to install concrete in the park strip or to add another drive approach.
Certain tree varieties are prohibited in park strips. The list of prohibited trees can be found here.
- Can I add more concrete or expand the driveway in my front yard?
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For single family homes, up to 40 percent of the front yard, the area between the front of the building and the front lot line, can be hard surfaced. This percentage may be increased to 50% for lots on cul-de-sacs and lots on major streets that need a circular driveway. See 7-9-114 for surfacing requirements. If you want to add a new drive approach for the driveway, a permit is required from the Public Works Department.
- Are there any programs to incentivize xeriscaping?
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The Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District has some programs for residential landscapes.