Chapter 24.  Restricted Open Space (ROS)

24.1    Purpose

To protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of and visitors to the Town of Rockville.  To minimize flooding, erosion, and other environmental hazards.  To protect the unique natural scenic character of the area.  To provide for a quiet, clean, safe community with a rural, agricultural and residential character.  To provide access to public lands.  To manage lands within this zone in a manner which is compatible and consistent with the Rockville General Plan and with the management of the adjacent public lands of Zion National Park and the proposed Canaan Mountain Wilderness Area.

24.2    Permitted Uses

A. Livestock grazing.

B. Primitive recreational uses which will not alter the natural form of the landscape including, but not limited to: hunting, hiking, horseback riding, rock hounding, and camping.

C. Fire management.

D. Habitat management.

24.3    Conditional Uses

A. Rights-of-way for uses such as pipelines, telephone lines, power lines, and accesses.

B. Mineral material removal including sand, gravel, decorative stone, and landscape rocks.

C. Unstaffed public buildings.

24.4    Prohibited Uses

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. Commercial enterprises.

F. Dairy farms.

G. Drive-in theaters.

H. Dwellings.

I. Feed lots.

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

K. Half-way houses.

L. Hog farms.

M. Industrial and manufacturing uses.

N. Junkyards.

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

P. Mining quarries or gravel pits.

Q. Packing plants.

R. Prisons and jails.

S. Recreational vehicle parks and/or campgrounds.

T. Shooting clubs or ranges.           

U. Shopping malls.

V. Storage establishments.

W. Vegetation sales and collections.

X. Wholesale stores.

24.5    Height Regulations and Building Size

A. No building or structure may exceed twenty feet (20’) in height.

B. 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.)

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

24.6    Setback Regulations

District	Feet
	Front	Side	Rear
ROS	50'	30'	50'

24.7    Signs

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

24.8    Modifying Regulations

A. Buildings and accessory uses (i.e. transmission towers, parking lots, roads, etc) must conform to design criteria, revegetation, and vegetation protection as described in Chapter 26.

B. All buildings must be of such design, construction, and landscaping (including use of berming, native plants, etc.) so as to be screened from public view and be harmonious with the overall surrounding landscape, acknowledging and working within the context of the unique natural, aesthetic, and historical values of the area.

C. Any lighting systems must emphasize down-lighting, minimal intrusion upon the darkness of the night sky, and have negligible impact upon surrounding properties.

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.

24.9    Other Provisions

A. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, disturbance of natural vegetation, wildlife habitats, archaeological sites, location in relation to flood zones and drainages, steep slopes, rockfall areas, and other considerations which may have potential adverse consequences for the health, safety, and welfare of present and future residents of the Town of Rockville. 

B. Camping is restricted to fourteen (14) days in any one location and must meet current Bureau of Land Management guidelines.

C. Air and water quality must be protected.

D. Noise nuisance, excessive traffic, erosion hazards, and visual disturbances are prohibited.

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

F. Motorized vehicles restricted to existing roads.

G. Non-motorized off-road vehicles, including bicycles and mountain bikes, shall be restricted to existing roads.

H. Land use leases and interagency agreements must be approved in accordance to the Rockville Town ordinances and General Plan.

I. Application for mining claims must be presented to the Bureau of Land Management for review.