Click to Download Zoning Permit Application
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Click on a heading below to see that section of Okoboji’s zoning ordinance. The Planning & Zoning Commission frequently amends the Zoning Ordinance and these amendments may not be fully reflected in the Ordinance on this website. Please check with City Hall before relying on the version contained here. This information is provided “as is-no warranty”, is not intended as legal advice, and is not intended to be a substitute for consulting with your own professional advisor.
Approved Zoning Ordinance Amendments
- Ordinance 222 Outdoor Service
Ordinance 231 Landscaping of Lakeshore PropertyREVISED AND AMENDED 07/09/2019. SEE BELOW.- Ordinance 232 Trenching in City’s Right of Way & Specific Improvements in City’s Right of Way
- Ordinance 235 Sale of Fireworks
- Ordinance 245 – 2-year Time Limitation on Zoning Permits
- Ordinance 247 – Legal Expansion of a Nonconforming Structure
- Ordinance 248 – Whitecap Addition, Lots 1 – 5 Rezoning
- Ordinance 252 – Lakeshore Landscaping Regulations (As Amended and Revised)
- Ordinance 260 – Section 11.4 Steps, Decks, and Patios
- Ordinance 261 – Section 11.5 Fences and Hedges
- Ordinance 264 – Nonconforming Uses & Structures In Residentially Zoned Districts
- Ordinance 270 – Front Yard Setback, R-3 Revisions (Lakeshore Line of Sight)
- Ordinance 271 – Visitor Habitation Use, C-1 Revisions
OKOBOJI ZONING ORDINANCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE – 1
ARTICLE I: BASIC PROVISIONS
1.1. Title page 3
1.2. Jurisdiction page 3
1.3. Purpose page 3
1.4. Repeal and Saving Clause page 4
1.5. Severability Clause page 4
1.6. Interpretation of Regulations page 4
1.7. Mandatory Application of Low Impact Development Provisions page 4
1.8. Low Impact Development (LID) Not to Create Nonconforming Use page 4
1.9. LID Not Required for Certain Improvements to Already Improved Lots page 4
1.10. Comprehensive Plan Relationship page 4
ARTICLE II: DEFINITIONS
2.1. General Zoning Definitions page 5
2.2. Specific Land Use Definitions page 22
ARTICLE III: ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED
3.1. Zoning Districts page 34
3.2. Official Zoning Map page 34
3.3. Interpretation of Boundaries page 35
3.4. Road or Public Right-of-Way Vacation page 35
3.5. Zoning of Annexed Lands page 35
ARTICLE IV: AGRICULTURE DISTRICT (A-1)
4.1. Intent page 36
4.2. Principal Permitted Uses page 36
4.3. Conditional Uses page 37
4.4. Permitted Accessory Uses page 37
4.5. Bulk Regulations page 38
4.6. Off-Street Parking page 38
4.7. Sign Regulations page 38
4.8. Zoning Permit Required page 38
ARTICLE V: SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (R-1)
5.1. Intent page 39
5.2. Principal Permitted Uses page 39
5.3. Conditional Uses page 39
5.4. Permitted Accessory Uses page 40
5.5. Bulk Regulations page 40
5.6. Off-Street Parking page 41
5.7. Sign Regulations page 41
5.8. Zoning Permit Required page 41
ARTICLE VI: MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (R-2)
6.1. Intent page 42
6.2. Principal Permitted Uses page 42
6.3. Conditional Uses page 42
6.4. Permitted Accessory Uses page 43
6.5. Bulk Regulations page 44
6.6. Off-Street Parking page 45
6.7. Sign Regulations page 45
6.8. Zoning Permit Required page 45
ARTICLE VII: LAKESHORE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT (R-3)
7.1. Intent page 46
7.2. Principal Permitted Uses page 46
7.3. Conditional Uses page 46
7.4. Permitted Accessory Uses page 47
7.5. Bulk Regulations page 47
7.6. Landscaping of Lakeshore Property page 48
7.7. Off-Street Parking page 50
7.8. Sign Regulations page 50
7.9. Zoning Permit Required page 50
ARTICLE VIII: GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT (C-1)
8.1. Intent page 51
8.2. Principal Permitted Uses page 51
8.3. Conditional Uses page 52
8.4. Permitted Accessory Uses page 52
8.5. Bulk Regulations page 53
8.6. Architectural Standards in Commercial Districts page 54
8.7. Off-Street Parking page 56
8.8. Sign Regulations page 56
8.9. Zoning Permit Required page 56
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE — BULK REGULATIONS page 57
ARTICLE IX: SITE PLANS
9.1. Intent page 58
9.2. Scale page 58
9.3. Legal Information page 58
9.4. Site Plan page 58
ARTICLE X: OPEN SPACE REQUIREMENTS
10.1. Intent page 60
10.2. Open Space Requirements page 60
ARTICLE XI: GENERAL REGULATIONS
11.1. Intent page 62
11.2. Lot of Record page 62
11.3. Yard Regulations page 62
11.4. Steps, Decks and Patios page 63
11.5. Fences and Hedges page 64
11.6. Tennis Courts and Racquet Ball Court Regulations page 64
11.7. Street Frontage Required page 65
11.8. Silt Control and Siltation Fencing page 65
11.9. Storm Water Management page 66
11.10. Keyholing page 67
11.11. Block Frontage Continuity (in Front Yards & Lakeshore Yards) page 67
11.12. Accessory Buildings and Uses page 67
11.13. Regulations Prohibiting Construction of Lakeshore Accessory Storage Buildings page 69
11.14. Canopies page 70
11.15. Portable Accessory Buildings and Storage Structures page 70
11.16. Temporary Buildings and Uses page 71
11.17. Recreational Vehicles page 71
11.18. Shared Ownership Developments Prohibited page 72
11.19. Home Occupations page 72
11.20. Residential Dwelling Standards page 73
11.21. Adult Entertainment Regulations page 73
ARTICLE XII: OFF STREET PARKING
12.1. Intent page 79
12.2. General Parking Area and Surface Requirements page 79
12.3. Off Street Parking Requirements page 80
12.4. Computation of Parking Spaces page 82
12.5. Location and Type of Parking page 82
12.6. Off Street Loading Space Requirements page 83
ARTICLE XIII: SIGN REGULATIONS
13.1. Intent page 84
13.2. Definitions page 84
13.3. Prohibited Signs page 87
13.4. Temporary Signs (Exempt from Permits) page 88
13.5. General Sign Standards page 89
13.6. Sign Requirements in All Residential Zoned Districts page 91
13.7. Sign Requirements in All Other Zoned Districts page 91
13.8. Sign Permits and Fees page 93
13.9. Inspection, Removal & Safety page 93
13.10. Conditional Uses page 94
13.11. Nonconforming Signs page 94
13.12. Sign Variances page 94
ARTICLE XIV: NONCONFORMANCE
14.1. Conformance Required page 96
14.2. Continuing Existing Uses page 96
14.3. Nonconformities page 96
14.4. Nonconforming Uses or Structures in Any Residential Zoned Districts page 97
14.5. Nonconforming Uses or Structures in Any Other Zoning Districts Other than an R District page 97
14.6. Repairs to Damaged Buildings page 98
14.7. Uses Under Conditional Use Approval Not Nonconforming page 98
14.8. Change of Tenancy or Ownership page 98
ARTICLE XV: ZONING ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
15.1. Zoning Administrator page 99
15.2. Zoning Enforcement page 99
15.3. Complaints Regarding Zoning Violations page 99
15.4. Zoning Permit Required page 99
15.5. Application for Zoning Permit page 100
15.6. Site Plans or Plats Required page 100
15.7. Zoning Fees page 100
15.8. Construction and Use to be provided in Application, Plans, and Permit page 100
15.9. Approval of Conditional Uses page 100
15.10. Permit to Excavate or Fill Certain Land page 100
ARTICLE XVI: VIOLATION AND PENALTY
16.1. Violation and Penalty page 103
16.2. Restraining Order page 103
ARTICLE XVII: BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
17.1. Confirmation of the Board of Adjustment page 104
17.2. Proceedings of the Board of Adjustment page 104
17.3. Hearings, Appeals and Notice page 104
17.4. Stay of Proceedings page 105
17.5. Powers and Duties page 105
17.6. Variances page 105
17.7. Decisions of the Board of Adjustment page 107
17.8. Appeals from a Decision of the Board of Adjustment page 107
ARTICLE XVIII: CONDITIONAL USES
18.1. Requirements page 108
18.2. Jurisdiction page 108
18.3. Application for a Conditional Use Permit page 108
18.4. Procedure for Issuing a Conditional Use Permit page 109
18.5. Conditional Use Standards and Restrictions page 109
18.6. Revocation page 110
18.7. Supplemental Standards Subject to Conditional Use Permit page 111
18.8. Planned Unit Development – As a Conditional Use page 113
ARTICLE XIX: CHANGES AND AMENDMENTS
19.1. Procedures page 116
19.2. Changes and Amendments page 116
19.3. Duties of Zoning Administrator, Board of Adjustment, City Council and Courts on Appeal page 117
19.4. Application for Change in Zoning District Boundaries page 117
19.5. Protest Provision page 118
19.6. New Application page 118
ARTICLE XX: SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
20.1. Jurisdiction page 119
20.2. Definitions page 119
20.3. Preliminary Approval by Commission page 120
20.4. Area Plan May be Required page 120
20.5. Final Plat Review by Commission page 120
20.6. Approval by the Council page 121
20.7. Preliminary Plat Requirements page 121
20.8. Final Plat Requirements page 121
20.9. Additional Documents Required page 122
20.10. General Requirements page 123
20.11. Improvements page 124
20.12. Filing of Plat page 125
20.13. Public Improvements page 125
20.14. Penalties for Violations page 126
20.15. Proceedings to Prevent Violations page 126
20.16. Variations page 126
ARTICLE XXI: EFFECTIVE DATE
21.1. Effective Date page 127
Ordinance Amendments page 128