Chapter 22. Residential-Agricultural (RA-5 Acres)

22.1    Purpose

To protect residents and visitors from existing and potential natural hazards.  To provide for a quiet, clean, safe community with a rural, agricultural and residential character.  To implement the goals of the General Plan.  To emulate the character of the Plat for the City of Zion.  To provide for the orderly, consistent, and harmonious development of the Town.  To provide for dwellings on large lots in agricultural areas while maintaining conditions favorable to agriculture.

22.2    Permitted Uses

A. Animals and fowl.

B. Agricultural uses, farming and gardening.

C. Barns, corrals, pens, coops, machinery sheds, and other buildings incidental to agricultural operations.

D. Single-family homes.

E. Accessory uses and buildings customarily incidental to permitted uses.

F. Raising of livestock.

22.3    Conditional Uses

A. Public utilities.

B. Home Occupation (See Chapter 5).

C. Master Planned Development.

D. Residential facilities for Elderly.

E. Accessory uses and buildings fifteen to thirty feet (15’ - 30’) in height customarily incidental to conditional or permitted uses.

F. Any use that is deemed by the Planning Commission to be comparable to the listed uses.

G. Other uses that may be appropriate in maintaining the character of the Town of Rockville, as determined by the Planning Commission.

22.4    Uses Prohibited

If any land use is not clearly identified as permitted, prohibited, or allowable under a Conditional Use Permit, then it will be deemed prohibited.  Any use must be consistent with the General Plan.  Anyone may apply for a use.  (Examples of prohibited uses listed below.)

A. Amusement arcades, theme parks or water parks.

B. Automobile-dependent businesses with drive-up windows.

C. Bowling alleys or skating rinks.

D. Circuses or carnivals.

E. Dairy farms.

F. Drive-in theaters.

G. Feed lots.

H. Golf courses, mini golf courses and driving ranges.

I. Half-way houses.

J. Hog farms.

K. Industrial and manufacturing uses.

L. Junkyards.

M. Landing strips, or airports for aircraft, and/or heliports.

N. Mining quarries or gravel pits.

O. Packing plants.

P. Prisons and jails.

Q. Recreational vehicle parks and/or campgrounds.

R. Residential Facilities for Troubled Youth.

S. Shooting clubs or ranges.           

T. Shopping malls.

U. Storage establishments.

V. Wholesale stores.

22.5    Height Regulations and Building Size

A. No residential buildings may exceed twenty-five feet (25’) in height unless applicant can demonstrate conclusively that said building does not obstruct scenic vistas or solar access.  No building may exceed thirty feet (30’).

B. No accessory building may exceed fifteen feet (15’) in height unless a conditional use permit is granted.

C. No accessory building may exceed thirty feet (30’) in height.

D. Building height shall be measured from a point before any excavation has started with the grade mark indicated on the plans at the time of the application. (See Chapter 2 – Definitions, Building Height.)

E. In no case shall a footprint exceed 4,000 sq. ft. per building.

22.6    Minimum Area, Width, and Yard Requirements

District	Area	Width	Yards in Feet
			Front	Side	Rear
RA-5 acres	5 acres	100'	40'	20'	40'

22.7    Signs

All signs are subject to the provisions of Chapter 8 of this Code.

22.8    Modifying Regulations

A. Side Yard 

On corner lots, the side yard which faces on a street shall not be less than twenty feet (20’).

B. Rear Yard

All accessory buildings shall be located at least ten feet (10’) from the main building, unless it is attached.

C. Livestock and Animals 

1) All livestock or animals shall be housed in enclosed corrals, stables, or other enclosures with open fenced exercise areas.

D. Temporary Placement of Mobile Homes 

No mobile home as herein defined shall be located, placed, used, or occupied for permanent residential purposes in any district except within an approved mobile home park and except as otherwise provided herein.  Temporary placement of a mobile home on a residential lot may be permitted by a temporary Conditional Use Permit which is subject to the time limitations stated in this Code.  A temporary Conditional Use Permit for the placement of a mobile home on a residential lot will be issued only for lots upon which a permanent dwelling is being constructed for which a valid building permit has been issued.

E. Temporary Placement of Recreational Coach 

No recreational coach as herein defined shall be located, placed, used, or occupied for permanent residential purposes in any district.  Temporary placement of a recreational coach on a residential lot may be permitted by a temporary Conditional Use Permit which is subject to the time limitations stated in this Code.  A temporary

Conditional Use Permit for the placement of a recreational coach on a residential lot will be issued only for lots upon which a permanent dwelling is being constructed for which a valid building permit has been issued.

22.9    Other Provisions

A. Exceptions to these regulations are provided in Chapter 7 of this Code.          

B. Only such excavation as is directly associated with and accessory to an approved use may be allowed.  See Chapter 16.