ARTICLE 4 ZONING DISTRICTS

Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance

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ARTICLE 4

ZONING DISTRICTS

SEC. 4.1 ESTABLISHMENT OF DISTRICTS

For the purpose of this Zoning Ordinance, the area of jurisdiction of this Zoning Ordinance is hereby

divided into zoning districts which shall be designated as follows:

Zoning Districts

Symbol

Page

Base Districts

Agriculture District

4-4

Single Family Residential Districts

R-E

RS-1A

RS-1B

RS-1C

RS-1D

4-6

Mobile Home Park

MHP

4-7

Two-Family Residential District

RM-2

4-22

Townhouse/Multi-Family Residential District

RM-3

4-22

Multi-family Residential District

RM-4

4-22

Neighborhood Business District

4-31

General Business District

4-31

Central Business District

4-31

Highway Business District

4-31

Office and Professional - Residential

OP-R

4-31

Office and Professional - Commercial

OP-C

4-31

Public District

4-31

Light Industrial District

4-55

Heavy Industrial District

4-55

Special Purpose Districts

Planned Unit Development District

PUD

4-60

General Flood District

4-61

Overlay Districts

Conservation Subdivision Overlay District

CSOD

4-64

Urban Growth Overlay District

4-66

Historic Overlay District

4-82

University District

4-89

Airport Overlay District

4-91

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Zoning Districts – General

Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance

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SEC. 4.2 OFFICIAL ZONING MAP

4.2.1 Established

The boundaries of these zoning districts are hereby established on Official Zoning Map entitled

"Zoning Map - Bowling Green Corporate Limits," dated March, 1958, as amended and "Zoning

Maps - Warren County," dated October, 1967, as amended, which shall both be permanently

located in the City-County Planning Commission offices. These official zoning maps together

with all explanatory matter thereon, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part

of this Zoning Ordinance. Any territory hereafter annexed to any city shall remain in the same

district as legally existed before annexation unless the district is specifically changed by

ordinance according to the requirements of the relevant provisions of KRS or this Zoning

Ordinance pertaining to amendments.

4.2.2 Replacement

In the event that either Official Zoning Map becomes damaged, destroyed, lost, or is deemed

necessary to be replaced due to age of the map, the City-County Planning Commission may by

authorization through resolution adopted by the Cities of Bowling Green, Plum Springs,

Woodburn, Oakland, Smiths Grove and Warren County, adopt a new Official Zoning Map which

shall supersede the prior Official Zoning Map. The new Official Zoning Map may correct drafting

or other errors or omissions in the prior Official Zoning Map, but no such correction shall have

the effect of amending the original Official Zoning Map or any subsequent amendment thereof.

Unless the prior Official Zoning Map has been lost, or has been totally destroyed, the prior map

or any significant parts thereof remaining, shall be preserved, together with all available records

pertaining to its adoption or amendment.

4.2.3 Rules for Interpretation of Zoning District Boundaries

The zoning district boundary lines on the Official Zoning Map are intended to follow lot or tract

lines or farm boundaries, the center lines of streets or the corporate limit lines, all as they

existed at the time of enactment of this Ordinance. Where uncertainty exists as to the

boundaries of Zoning Districts as shown on the Official Zoning Map, the following rules shall

apply.

A. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streets, highways or

alleys shall be construed to follow such center lines; vacated rights-of-way shall not affect

the original zoning.

B. Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines shall be construed as

following such lot lines. In instances where boundaries were established based on

approximate lot lines depicted by the PVA, and where a plat of record existed at the time of

establishment of such boundary, boundaries shall follow platted lot lines.

C. Boundaries indicated as approximately following political boundaries shall be construed as

following such boundaries.

D. Boundaries indicated as following railroad lines or rights-of-way shall be construed to be

midway between the main tracks.

E. Boundaries indicated as following shore lines shall be construed to follow such shore lines,

and in the event of change in the shore line shall be construed as moving with the actual

shore line; boundaries indicated as approximately following the center lines of streams,

rivers, lakes or other bodies of water shall be construed to follow such center lines.

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F. Boundaries indicated as approximately parallel to features indicated in the paragraphs

above shall be so construed. Distances not specifically indicated on the Official Zoning Map

shall be determined by the scale of the map, if an accurate legal description cannot be

determined.

G. Where the above stated rules do not indicate the exact location of the zoning district

boundaries, then said boundaries shall be determined by the Executive Director and may be

subject to appeal to the Board of Adjustments.

H. Within an Overlay or Special Purpose District, boundaries indicated as approximately

following platted lot lines shall be construed as following such lot lines.

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Zoning Districts – Single Family Residential

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SEC. 4.3 AGRICULTURE DISTRICT (AG)

4.3.1 Purpose and Intent

The Agriculture District is intended to:

A. Maintain, preserve and enhance natural areas and the prime agricultural lands of Warren

County;

B. Protect the decreasing supply of prime agriculture lands in Warren County in order to

maintain one of the county's principal economic resources--the agriculture economy of the

county;

C. Discourage premature urban growth on land best suited for agriculture purposes;

D. Control the indiscriminate infiltration of urban development into prime agriculture areas

which adversely affects agriculture operators;

E. Minimize urban-type development in rural areas until urban-type services and utilities can

be provided;

F. Preserve the natural beauty and open space character of the rural countryside.

G. Protect the public health, safety and welfare from hazardous and/or unsafe waste, whether

solid, semi-solid or liquid generated or disintegrated from a municipal, commercial or

industrial waste water treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, air pollution control

facility or any other such waste having similar characteristics and effects; due to the

presence of sinkholes, losing streams and sinking streams associated with the karst

topography of Warren County.

4.3.2 Uses

Uses permitted in this District are shown in the Use Table in Sec. 5.1, Use Table. This table

employs broad use categories containing a variety of similar uses. The use categories are

described in Sec. 5.2, Use Categories, and Appendix B lists examples of uses, showing which use

categories they fall into. Additional standards for specific uses, if any, can be found in each

category.

4.3.3 Permitted Residential Unit Types

The following residential unit types shall be permitted in this District:

A. Single-family detached;

B. Modular home;

C. Manufactured home; and

D. Accessory Apartment

Permitted residential unit types must be permanently affixed to the ground and properly

permitted through the applicable agency. Permitted residential unit types shall not include

shed, mobile home, bus, travel trailer, RV, cooler, vehicle or freight container, unless modified

to meet building codes and all other applicable regulations.

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4.3.4 Property Development Standards

A. Dimensional standards for this District are found in

the following table. Residential development, less

than two (2) acres in size, in this District shall

comply with the single family residential

development standards in Sec. 4.4.

B. Only one principal residential structure shall be

permitted per platted lot.

C. Exception (in Warren County unincorporated area

only). The minimum lot area for this District may

be reduced to one acre for no more than 2 lots

being subdivided from a parcel which has existed in

the same configuration since July 1, 2001. The

remaining parcel must be a minimum of five (5)

acres. If the remaining parcel is less than five (5)

acres, it must be added to an adjoining tract of land

where the resulting acreage of the adjacent parcel

is 5 acres or greater.

All parcels subdivided under this provision must

meet all other requirements of this ordinance.

D. Accessory apartments are permitted in the AG district. An accessory apartment may be

attached or detached from the principal residence. The floor area of the accessory

apartment may not exceed 50 percent of the floor area of the principal structure. Accessory

apartments are allowed on lots of record that do not meet the minimum lot area or width

standards for the zoning district, but all yard dimensions and other development standards

must conform to the district regulations. Accessory apartments may only be occupied by

persons related, by blood, marriage, adoption, guardianship or other duly-authorized

custodial relationship, to those residing in the principal structure A maximum of one

caretaker/caregiver is also authorized to reside in such accessory apartment for the sole

purpose of providing care to someone residing on the property.

4.3.5 Signs

Agricultural uses and properly permitted conditional uses may have a maximum of one

freestanding sign (pole or monument) with a maximum face area of 32 s.f. and maximum height

of 5 feet. Additional wall signs are allowed at a maximum total sign face of 50 s.f.

A. Freestanding signs may be allowed in public right-of-way only with written permission of

the applicable jurisdiction.

B. If located on private property, freestanding signs must be installed a minimum of 20 feet

from the edge of pavement.

4.3.6 Accessory Structures

Accessory structures, except as otherwise permitted by this Ordinance shall require a building

permit. Fences constructed on agriculturally zoned land, 2 acres or greater, do not require a

permit and are exempt from accessory structure setback requirements. Fences for residential

purposes on lots less than two (2) acres shall follow the single family residential standards in

section 4.4.5.E.

Agriculture District (AG)

Lot Area (minimum)

Public Sewer

Septic System

5 Acres

Lot Width (minimum)

(at building line)

100 feet

Lot Frontage (minimum)

Public Street

Cul-de-Sac (bulb only)

40 feet

Lot Coverage

(maximum)

25%

Setbacks (minimum)

Front Yard

Side Yard

Rear Yard

Accessory Structure

Fence

25 feet

10 feet

25 feet

5 feet

0 feet

Height (maximum)

N/A

Fire Protection Required?

See Sec. 1.13

Off-Street Parking

2 spaces

Property under 2 acres must adhere to Section

4.4.5.E.

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Zoning Districts – Single Family Residential

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SEC. 4.4 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

In all single family residential districts, residential unit types (including accessory apartments for family

members) must be permanently affixed to the ground and properly permitted through the applicable

agency. Permitted residential unit types shall not include shed, mobile home, bus, travel trailer, RV,

cooler, vehicle or freight container unless modified to meet building codes and all other applicable

regulations.

4.4.1 Rural Residential District (RR)

A. Purpose and Intent

The Rural Residential District provides opportunities for large lot residential development in

the unincorporated areas of Warren County only.

B. Permitted Residential Unit Types

The following residential unit types shall be permitted in this District:

1. Single-family detached;

2. Modular home;

3. Manufactured home;

4. Mobile home; and

5. Accessory apartments as defined in Section 4.4.6.E.6.

4.4.2 Residential Estate District (R-E)

A. Purpose and Intent

The Residential Estate District is intended to provide opportunities for large-lot rural estates

in areas that may or may not be served by public sanitary sewer. This area is intended to

serve as a transition between urban and rural areas.

B. Permitted Residential Unit Types

The following residential unit types shall be permitted in this District:

1. Single-family detached;

2. Modular home;

3. Manufactured home; and

4. Accessory apartments as defined in Section 4.4.6.E.6.

4.4.3 RS-1A through RS-1D

A. Purpose and Intent

The Single Family Residential Districts are intended to provide opportunities for detached

and attached single family residential development, including zero lot line homes,

twinhomes, townhomes and patio homes. Occupancy in these districts is limited to one

family per residential lot. These districts shall be served by public sanitary sewer.

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B. Permitted Residential Unit Types

The following residential unit types shall be permitted in these Districts:

P = Permitted Type

Development of any twinhome, townhome or patio home within the RS-1B, C or D districts

shall only be permitted on property that was rezoned to such designation on or after July 1,

2018. Infill of twinhomes, townhomes or patio homes within neighborhoods or

subdivisions, regardless of the date it was established, is not permitted unless the

development plan and/or development plan conditions are amended or the property is

rezoned to allow such style of development.

4.4.4 Mobile Home Park (MHP)

A. Purpose and Intent

The Mobile Home Park District is intended to:

1. Recognize the mobile home as a form of housing for which specific provisions should be

made and provide for the development of properly located and planned facilities for

mobile home lots.

2. Provide a desirable residential environment, protect the mobile home park from

potentially adverse neighboring influences, protect adjacent residential properties, and

provide access to public facilities equivalent to that provided to other forms of

permitted residential development.

3. Recognize that in urban and urbanizing areas of Warren County, mobile homes should

be located in mobile home parks and that such areas shall be carefully located and

designed to meet the needs of the residents and to achieve a satisfactory relationship

with surrounding neighborhoods. This district shall be served by public sanitary sewer.

B. Permitted Residential Unit Types

The following residential unit types shall be permitted in this District:

1. Manufactured home; and

2. Mobile home.

4.4.5 General Residential Development Standards

A. Uses

Uses permitted in each District are shown in the Use Table in Sec. 5.1. This table employs

broad use categories containing a variety of similar uses. The use categories are described

in Sec. 5.2, Use Categories, and Appendix B lists examples of uses, showing which use

categories they fall into. Additional standards for specific uses, if any, can be found in each

category.

RS-1A

RS-1B

RS-1C

RS-1D

Single-Family Detached

Modular Home

Manufactured Home

Zero Lot Line

Accessory Apartments (For Family Members Only)

Twinhome

Townhome or Patio Home

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B. Property Development Standards

Only one principal residential unit shall be allowed per platted lot in the R-E, RR, and RS

districts. Development in each District shall comply with the general residential

development standards in the following table:

R-E

RS-1A

RS-1B

RS-1C

RS-1D

MHP

Lot Area (min sf)

Public Sewer

Septic System

2 acres

43,560

12,000

N/A

10,000

N/A

8,000

N/A

5,000

N/A

217,800

N/A

Lot Width (min at bldg. line)

100

Lot Frontage (min)

Public Street

Cul-de-sac (bulb only)

Lot Coverage (max)

30%

50%

60%

70%

75%

N/A

Setbacks (min)

Front Yard

Side Yard

Rear Yard

Accessory Structure

Fence

7.5

Height (max)

Fire Protection Required?

See Sec. 1.13 for Fire Protection Requirements.

Off-Street Parking

# of Bedrooms

# of Spaces Required

2 Spaces

3 Spaces

4 Spaces

For specific standards for twinhomes, townhomes and condominiums, see Section 4.4.6.

For specific MHP space standards, see 4.4.6.G.

For RS-1D development in the area bound by the US 31W Bypass/East Riverview Drive, Kentucky Street

and Broadway Avenue/East 12th Avenue, please see section 4.4.6.B.

Fences must also adhere to the requirements of section 4.4.5.E.

Parking provided within a garage(s) shall count toward the minimum parking requirement. Development

in the area bound by the US 31W Bypass/East Riverview Drive, Kentucky Street and Broadway

Avenue/East 12th Avenue is exempt from the above off-street parking requirements, but must provide

at least one parking space per residential dwelling unit.

Existing lots of record in RS districts that are located greater than 2,000 feet from public sanitary sewer

may utilize an on-site septic system, but must have at least 20,000 square feet of lot area outside of any

drainage easements and/or floodplains AND a site evaluation by the Barren River District Health

Department must certify that a conventional septic system is acceptable.

C. Other Standards

1. Corner lots. Corner lots shall be required to provide a front yard along any lot line

abutting a street. The front orientation of the building shall determine corresponding

side and rear yards (See Below).

Option A:

Building is Oriented Toward Street X

Option B:

Building is Oriented Toward Street Y

FRONT YARD

STREET ‘Y’

STREET ‘X’

FRONT YARD

REAR YARD

SIDE YARD

STREET ‘Y’

STREET ‘X’

FRONT YARD

SIDE YARD

FRONT YARD

REAR YARD

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2. Reduction in Lot Area Prohibited. No lot, although it may consist of one or more

adjacent lots of record, shall be reduced in area to the extent that yards, lot area, lot

width, building area, or other requirements of this Ordinance are not maintained.

3. Minimum Lot Area Above 100-Year Flood Level Required. No lot served by public

sanitary sewer shall be created or developed which does not have at least 5,000 square

feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level. No lot served by on-site septic

systems shall be created or developed which does not have at least 20,000 square feet

of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level. In no case shall any improvements,

including parking areas and septic systems, be located within the floodplain.

4. Measurement of Lot Width. Minimum lot width shall be measured at the building

setback line. Curve or cul-de-sac lots shall be measured along the chord distance at the

front setback between side property lines.

5. Minimum Lot Frontage Required. No building shall be erected on a lot, nor shall a lot be

created, which does not meet the minimum lot frontage requirements outlined in

Section 4.4.5, unless permitted by Sec. 6.4, nonconforming lots of record).

6. Measurement of Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall include

all areas of the lot covered by buildings, structures

(including accessory structures), patios, walkways,

travelways, and parking areas, including gravel, pervious

material or similar permeable paving material. Lot

coverage does not include uncovered, semi-pervious decks

or the water surface area of outdoor pools. The percent of

lot coverage shall be determined by dividing the total

covered area by the gross area of the lot.

7. Setbacks and Yards.

a. Lots Abutting Interstate or Other Highways. Lots that

abut an Interstate Highway, Parkway or other fully

controlled access highways which allow no direct access

shall have a minimum building setback line from the

right-of-way of said highway of 25 feet. This building

line shall be the same whether considered as front, side

or rear setback.

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b. Distance Greater than Minimum Required. Building setback lines as established by

this Section may be greater than the minimums shown in the table in Sec. 4.4.5.B.;

however, for purposes of establishing minimum lot width, this distance shall not

exceed 100 feet.

c. Variable Front Yard Setback. A waiver from the strict enforcement of the front yard

setback shown for a specific property may be granted by the Executive Director

where the majority of existing development on the same block face is set back less

than the required setback. In such case, the front yard setback may be the average

setback line for that block face. In the absence of existing development on a

particular block face, and where the majority of existing development on an

opposing block face is set back less than the required setback, the front yard setback

may be the average setback line for the opposing block face. Any property utilizing a

variable front yard setback must still meet the sight distance triangle requirements

outlined in Section 1.14.

8. Height Limit Exceptions. The height limitations of this Ordinance shall not apply to

church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes not intended for human occupancy;

monuments; water towers; observation towers; flag poles; or chimneys.

9. Parking Standard.

a. Parking areas in all single family residential districts shall be paved with asphalt,

concrete, brick pavers, pervious material or similar permeable paving material. In

unincorporated areas of Warren County, gravel may be utilized as an alternative

parking area material in the R-E and RR zoning districts.

b. Parking areas may be located in front of a garage or carport. When located in front of

the principal residence, the total area of parking shall not exceed the front yard of

the housing unit in excess of the following:

Zoning District

Maximum Parking Area

25% of the front yard

R-E

30% of the front yard

RS-1A

35% of the front yard

RS-1B

40% of the front yard

RS-1C

45% of the front yard

RS-1D

50% of the front yard

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c. Circle drives shall be allowed provided they are property permitted through the

appropriate agency for all access points to public right-of-way

D. Signs

1. Signage is allowed within Single Family Residential Districts on a limited basis and in

accordance with the following table. No sign shall be externally or internally illuminated.

All permitted signs shall also comply with all the applicable Sign Development Standards

in Section 4.6.8.F.

2. Entrance Signs Standards.

a. The content of an entrance

sign shall be limited to the

name of the subdivision only.

b. No sign shall be internally

illuminated.

c. All entrance signs shall be

constructed of durable

materials.

d. Landscaping is encouraged around entrance signs, provided the selected landscape

materials will not grow to obscure sign face. No landscaping shall be erected to

obstruct free and clear vision of an intersection and/or roadway.

e. Structural Type and Size. Any entrance sign must be monument type and the

maximum sign face shall be 60 sq. ft. total. Maximum height shall be 5 feet.

f. Entrance signs may be allowed in public right-of-way only with written permission of

the applicable jurisdiction.

g. If located on private property, freestanding signs must be installed a minimum of 20

feet from the edge of pavement.

R-E, RS & RR

Freestanding Signs Allowed?

Yes*

Maximum Number

Maximum Face Area

20 sf

Maximum Height

5 ft

Structure Type

Monument Only

Wall Signs Allowed?

Yes*

Maximum Face Area

12 sf

Entrance Sign Allowed?

Yes

*In RR, R-E and RS Districts, signs are allowed for permitted

conditional uses only and must meet the requirements

outlined in Section 4.6.8.F.

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3. Personal Expression and Political Campaign Signs.

Temporary on-premise signs containing content of personal expression or political

campaign shall not require a permit. These signs are allowed provided they otherwise

comply with the following standards:

a. No sign shall be erected to obstruct free and clear vision of an intersection and/or

traffic signals. No sign may be placed in or extended over a public right-of-way or

utility easement without the express written consent of the controlling jurisdiction or

utility.

b. Signs shall be limited to a maximum of 16 s.f. in size (Campaign signs-32 square feet

in unincorporated areas of Warren County).

c. All permitted signs shall also comply with all the applicable Sign Development

Standards in Section 4.6.8.F.

E. Accessory Structures. Accessory buildings and structures, except as otherwise permitted by

this Ordinance, shall require a building permit and shall be subject to the following

regulations in all single family districts:

1. No accessory building or structure shall extend beyond the front of the principal

structure, excluding fences 4 feet or less in height. The front of the principal structure

shall be defined as the facade of the structure containing the front door. In the case of a

corner lot, no accessory building or structure shall be located nearer to the side street

than the depth of any required front yard for a dwelling along such side street, excluding

fences. Fences are not subject to building or structure setbacks, but are subject to sight

distance requirements in Section 1.14 of this Ordinance.

2. The height of an accessory building/structure shall not extend above the tallest point of

the principal structure, unless located in the unincorporated areas of Warren County on

a lot containing a minimum of one acre in the AG, RR and R-E zoning districts.

3. The total area of all accessory buildings shall not exceed the floor area of the principal

building, unless located in the unincorporated areas of Warren County on a lot

containing a minimum of one acre in the AG, RR and R-E zoning districts.

4. Accessory buildings/structures shall be permanently affixed to the ground and shall not

include mobile home, bus, travel trailer, RV, trailer, cooler, vehicle or freight container

unless modified to meet building codes and all other applicable regulations.

5. Accessory Apartments. Accessory Apartments are allowed in the Rural Residential,

Residential Estate and RS districts and must adhere to the following:

a. An Accessory Apartment may be attached or detached from the principal residence.

(1) If attached to the principal residence, any entrance into the accessory apartment

shall be located on the side or rear façade(s) of the building. The accessory

apartment must not alter the character of the single family residence or the

development pattern of the neighborhood.

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(2) If detached, the accessory apartment must be located in a side or rear yard and

meet all applicable building setbacks. Variances and/or waivers from this

provision are not allowed.

b. The floor area of the accessory apartment may not exceed 50 percent of the floor

area of the principal structure.

c. Accessory apartments are allowed on lots of record that do not meet the minimum

lot area or width standards for the zoning district, but all yard dimensions and other

development standards must conform to the district regulations.

d. A minimum of 1 parking space (in addition to the parking required for the primary

residence) shall be provided for accessory apartments.

e. Accessory apartments shall only be located on lots of record where the primary

residence is occupied by the owner of the property.

f. Accessory apartments shall only be occupied by persons related by blood, marriage,

adoption, guardianship or other duly-authorized custodial relationship, to those

residing in the principal structure.

g. A maximum of one caretaker/caregiver is also authorized to reside in such accessory

apartment for the sole purpose of providing care to someone residing on the

property.

h. The number of bedrooms located within accessory apartment shall not exceed

two (2).

6. Swimming Pools.

a. All swimming pools with a water depth of 3 feet or greater shall require a building

permit.

b. A swimming pool as an accessory use to a residential structure shall be located no

closer than 10 feet to the rear property line and no closer than 10 feet to a side

property line. On a corner lot, the yard setback shall be 25 feet along the side street.

The setback shall be measured from the wall of the swimming pool to the nearest

property line.

c. The swimming pool area shall be enclosed by a fence or other suitable barrier with a

minimum height of not less than 4 feet. Openings in the fence shall be small enough

to prevent a child from entering the enclosure other than through the gate.

7. Fences. For the purpose of determining yard setback, the accessory structure setback

shall not apply to fences. See 4.4.5 E (1) and (2) for front setback for fences.

4.4.6 Residential Development Standards by Housing Type

A. Zero Lot Line

1. Development of a zero lot line dwelling shall occur only on a lot that has been

specifically platted to accommodate such a use.

2. Side yards on lots with a zero lot line dwelling shall meet the following requirements.

a. One side yard must be a minimum of 10 feet.

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b. The remaining side yard may range from 0 feet, up to a maximum of one foot, except

for lots where minimum setbacks required from side streets or from adjoining lots in

other zoning districts necessitate this remaining side yard to be a minimum of 5 feet.

In no circumstance shall the separation between a zero lot line home and any

dwelling on an adjoining lot be less than 10 feet.

c. Any side yard abutting a street right-of-way must be a minimum of 25 feet.

d. Any side yard abutting a lot in a different zoning district must be a minimum of 5 feet

or the width of the required side yard in the adjacent district, whichever is greater.

e. A maximum 2-foot eave overhang is allowed within these required side yards.

3. A perpetual easement with a minimum width of four feet shall be provided on the

adjacent lot, for the maintenance of the wall of the dwelling with the zero lot line. This

required easement shall be in favor of the lot on which a zero lot line is planned at or

near the boundary to which this easement is adjacent. This required easement shall

extend along the entire length of the side boundary to which the easement is adjacent.

4. No doors, windows, air conditioning units, utility meters, electric panel boxes or

openings of any kind shall be allowed on the wall of a dwelling or accessory building that

lies on a zero lot line, with the exception of translucent windows approved by the

Building Inspector. For the purposes of this paragraph alone:

a. any portion of an exterior wall which lies less than 3 feet from and substantially

parallel to a side boundary shall be considered on the zero lot line; and

b. any portion of an exterior wall which lies less than 3 feet from and substantially

perpendicular to a side boundary shall be considered on the zero lot line.

5. The roof of each unit must be designed to prevent stormwater runoff from draining onto

the adjacent lot.

6. Required easements shall be shown on the final plat. If required easements are not

shown on the final plat of lots for zero lot line homes, then such easements shall be

created by means of a replat or other separate recorded legal instrument before permits

for building are granted.

7. In no case shall the owner of any zero lot line dwelling be granted an easement on the

adjoining property for the use or enjoyment of any portion of that property.

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B. Single Family Detached Home in the Downtown Area (RS-1D Only). Development for

property zoned RS-1D, located in the area bound by the US 31W Bypass/East Riverview

Drive, Kentucky Street and Broadway Avenue/East 12th Avenue (see map below), may

utilize the following development standards for minimum lot area, lot frontage, lot width

and front yard setbacks in lieu of those outlined in Section 4.4.5.B:

1. Lot Size. Minimum lot size for each lot shall be 3,750 sf, exclusive of floodplain.

2. Lot Width and Lot Frontage. Minimum lot frontage and width for each lot shall be 35

feet.

3. Front Yard Setback. The front yard setback shall be 25 feet or the average setback of the

existing development on the same block face, whichever is less.

C. Twinhome.

1. Platted Lot Required. Each twinhome unit shall be developed on a separately platted

and recorded lot.

2. Lot Size. Minimum lot size for each platted lot shall be 2,500 sf in RS-1D and 4,000 sf in

RS-1C, exclusive of floodplain.

3. Lot Width. Minimum lot width at the building line for each platted lot shall be 25 feet in

RS-1D and 30 feet in RS-1C.

4. Lot Frontage. Minimum lot frontage for each platted lot shall be 25 feet, except for in

the case of a cul-de-sac, in which case the minimum lot frontage shall be 20 feet per lot.

5. Lot Coverage. Maximum lot coverage shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which

the twinhome is located.

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Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance

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4-16

6. Setbacks. Setbacks shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which the twinhome is

located, with the exception of the lot line where the party walls of the two units adjoin.

In such case, the setback shall be 0 feet.

7. Maximum Height. Maximum height shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which

the twinhome is located.

8. Off-Street Parking. Parking shall be provided, per unit, as required in the zoning district

in which the twinhome is located.

9. Party Walls and Roofs.

a. Party walls shall be constructed in conformance with the Kentucky Building Code

provisions.

b. Party walls and roofs shall be perpetually maintained, repaired and replaced through

a party wall and roof agreement with provisions for arbitration. Such agreement shall

receive the prior approval of the Planning Commission Staff and shall be recorded in

the office of the County Court Clerk of Warren County, Kentucky.

c. All twinhomes sharing a common wall shall have a minimum 24-inch offset in the

front and rear building facades.

10. Subdivision Regulation Coordination. Any development approved under this section

shall be considered a major plat.

D. Townhomes

1. Platted Lot Required. Each unit shall be developed on a separately platted and recorded

lot.

2. Maximum Number of Units. The maximum number of units per building shall be 4.

3. Lot Size. Minimum lot size per building shall be 5,000 sf, with a minimum lot size of

1,250 sf per lot, exclusive of floodplain.

4. Lot Width and Lot Frontage. Minimum lot width and lot frontage shall be 16 feet per

unit.

4. Lot Coverage. Maximum lot coverage shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which

the townhome is located.

5. Setbacks. Setbacks shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which the townhome is

located, with the exception of the lot lines where the party walls of the units adjoin. In

such case, the setback shall be 0 feet.

6. Maximum Height. Maximum height shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which

the townhome is located.

7. Off-Street Parking. Parking shall be provided, per unit, as required in the zoning district

in which the townhome is located.

8. Party Walls and Roofs.

a. Party walls shall be constructed in conformance with the Kentucky Building Code

provisions.

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4-17

b. Party walls and roofs shall be perpetually maintained, repaired and replaced through

a party wall and roof agreement with provisions for arbitration. Such agreement shall

receive the prior approval of the Planning Commission Staff and shall be recorded in

the office of the County Court Clerk of Warren County, Kentucky.

c. All townhomes sharing a common wall shall have a minimum 24-inch offset in the

front and rear building facades.

9. Subdivision Regulation Coordination. Any development approved under this section

shall be considered a major plat.

E. Patio Homes

1. Platted Lot Required. Each unit shall be developed on a separately platted and recorded

lot.

2. Maximum Number of Units. The maximum number of units per building shall be 4.

3. Lot Size. Minimum lot size per building shall be 5,000 sf, exclusive of floodplain.

4. Lot Width and Lot Frontage. Minimum lot width and lot frontage shall be 50 feet per

building.

5. Lot Coverage. Maximum lot coverage shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which

the patio home is located.

6. Setbacks. Setbacks shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which the patio home is

located, with the exception of the lot lines where the party walls of the units adjoin. In

such case, the setback shall be 0 feet.

7. Maximum Height. Maximum height shall be as permitted in the zoning district in which

the patio home is located.

8. Off-Street Parking. Parking shall be provided, per unit, as required in the zoning district

in which the patio home is located.

9. Party Walls and Roofs.

a. Party walls shall be constructed in conformance with the Kentucky Building Code

provisions.

b. Party walls and roofs shall be perpetually maintained, repaired and replaced through

a party wall and roof agreement with provisions for arbitration. Such agreement shall

receive the prior approval of the Planning Commission Staff and shall be recorded in

the office of the County Court Clerk of Warren County, Kentucky.

c. All patio homes sharing a common wall shall have a minimum 24-inch offset in the

front and rear building facades.

10. Subdivision Regulation Coordination. Any development approved under this section

shall be considered a major plat.

Article 4

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Warren County/Joint Zoning Ordinance

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F. Condominium (Horizontal Property)

1. The intent and application of this Ordinance is to implement and reaffirm the Horizontal

Property Law of Kentucky (KRS 381).

2. A master deed or lease or floor plans meeting the standards set forth in KRS 381 shall

not be filed in the office of the Warren County Clerk without having first been reviewed

and approved by the Planning Commission.

3. The maximum permitted overall density, number of units, maximum lot coverage,

setbacks, parking requirements and maximum height shall be controlled by the zoning

district classification in which the project is located.

4. The establishment, expansion or diminution of a horizontal property regime shall be

subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission in the same manner as

approval of a record plat.

G. Mobile Home Park

1. General Property Development Standards. Each area proposed to be zoned MHP

District shall meet the standards set forth in the Subdivision Regulations, prior to

issuance of building permits.

2. Minimum Area of Park.

a. Each mobile home park shall contain a minimum of 5 contiguous acres of land and 25

mobile home spaces.

b. Development of a smaller tract of land adjacent to an existing mobile home park may

be permitted, provided that:

(1) The proposed development conforms to and extends the original mobile home

park;

(2) The proposed development site is properly zoned;

(3) The proposed development otherwise conforms to all of the standards and

requirements of this Ordinance.

3. Space Standards. Minimum space standards for the mobile home park are as follows:

Space Standard

Requirement

Space Size, minimum sq. ft.

5,000

Front Setback, minimum from street pavement

20 feet

Separation from other housing units, buildings or accessory structures

15 feet

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4. Open Space.

a. In each mobile home park there shall be provided one or more open space areas

which shall be easily accessible to all park residents, centrally located, and free of

traffic hazards. Pedestrian travelways (sidewalks, trails) are encouraged.

b. The size of such open space area shall be equal to a minimum of 400 square feet for

each housing unit. No open space area shall contain less than 10,000 square feet.

Retention areas may not be considered open space or counted towards this

requirement.

5. Setbacks, Buffer Strips and Screening.

a. All spaces and permitted accessory uses and structures shall be located at least 50

feet from any park property boundary line abutting upon a public street and at least

25 feet from other park property boundary lines.

b. There shall be a minimum distance of 20 feet between the housing unit and the edge

of the abutting internal park street.

c. All mobile home parks shall be provided with visual perimeter screening in

accordance with the Commercial Development landscaping provisions in Section

4.6.8.D.

6. Minimum frontage. The mobile home park shall be located with direct access to an

arterial or collector street as designated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet or the

City of Bowling Green and shall have a minimum of 50 feet of frontage.

7. Internal Park Streets. All unit spaces and permitted accessory uses and structures shall

front on an internal park street only. All internal streets shall meet the following

minimum requirements:

a. All internal streets shall be 18 feet in width with no on-street parking or 24 feet with

on-street parking.

b. Dead-end streets shall be limited in length to 600 feet and shall be provided at the

closed end with a cul-de-sac having a minimum diameter of 80 feet.

c. All mobile home parks shall be equipped with street lighting units which shall comply

with the minimum recommended standards contained in the American Association of

State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) publication entitled,

"Information Guide for Roadway Lighting."

d. All streets within the mobile home park shall conform to the street construction and

design standards of the subdivision regulations of Warren County except as herein

modified.

8. Off-Street Parking. Off-street parking areas or on-street parking lanes shall be provided

for the use of park occupants and guests. Such areas shall be accessible by motor

vehicles from the internal park street and two (2) parking spaces per housing space is

required.

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9. Design Standards.

a. All housing unit spaces shall be designed so that the unit can be moved on or off the

site without moving any other unit.

b. All units must meet the HUD Code for manufactured housing or be affixed with a

Commonwealth of Kentucky “B” Seal.

c. All units must be in good repair at the time of their placement, and shall be

maintained in good repair thereafter.

d. Each unit shall be placed on a permanent foundation, and skirted to enclose the area

below the unit.

10. Mobile Home Stands. The area of the mobile home stand shall be improved to provide

adequate support for the placement and tiedown of the housing unit, thereby securing

the superstructure against uplift, sliding, rotation, and overturning. The mobile home

stand shall not heave, shift or settle unevenly under the weight of the mobile home due

to frost action, inadequate drainage, vibration or other forces acting on the structure.

11. Anchors and Tiedowns. The mobile home stand shall be provided with permanent

anchors and tiedowns which shall secure the stability of the housing unit. Each housing

unit shall be secured in such a manner as to prevent the uplift, sliding, rotation, or over

turning of the superstructure.

12. Water Supply. All mobile home parks shall be served by a public water system that can

provide 600 GPM at 20 PSI residual pressure and meet the applicable fire hydrant

ordinance.

13. Sewage Disposal. All mobile home parks shall be connected to the public sewer system.

Individual septic systems may not be used.

14. Entrance Signs. Signs intended to be seen outside property boundary lines shall meet

the following standards:

a. One non-illuminated identity monument sign at each entrance to the mobile home

park not to exceed 60 square feet per side shall be permitted. All permitted signs

shall also comply with all the applicable Sign Development Standards in Section

4.6.8.F.

b. No sign shall project beyond a setback line, or obstruct in any way a driver's vision of

the road.

c. One unlighted sign advertising the sale or rental of a housing unit or space shall be

placed only on that space of the unit or space which is to be rented or sold.

d. One unlighted sign advertising the sale or rental of any unit or space located within

the mobile home park may be located at the entrance of such park provided said sign

shall not be over 16 square feet in area.

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15. Other Development Standards

a. Responsibilities of Park Management. The mobile home park owner shall be

responsible for operating the park in compliance with this Zoning Ordinance, meeting

all standards and requirements herein, and shall be responsible for and provide

adequate supervision to maintain the park, its facilities and equipment in good repair

and in a clean and sanitary condition.

b. Housing Unit Placement. The mobile home park owner shall supervise and be

responsible for the placement of each housing unit on its stand in accordance with

requirements of this Section, including securing the stability of the housing unit and

installing all utility connections.

c. Space Numbering. The mobile home park owner shall number each space and shall

submit a plan of the park with each space numbered thereon to the Warren County

Sheriff's Office, City-County Planning Commission, ambulance service, the fire

department within which the mobile home park is located, the Bowling Green Police

Department if located within the corporate limits of Bowling Green, and the property

valuation administrator. If the numbering of the spaces changes, the mobile home

park owner shall submit changes to the departments and agencies set forth above.

16. Existing Nonconforming Parks. For existing parks which are located in any zoning district

other than Mobile Home Park, any plans to extend or to expand onto contiguous

property, shall necessitate a zoning change in accordance with Sec. 3.11 Map

Amendment (Rezoning), and the filing of a development plan on the entire property. The

development plan shall indicate existing and proposed layouts, sizes and densities. All

proposed expansions shall meet all current standards and requirement of this Zoning

Ordinance.

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Zoning Districts – Multi-Family Residential

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SEC. 4.5 MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS

In all multi-family residential districts, residential unit types must be permanently affixed to the

ground and properly permitted through the applicable agency. Permitted residential unit types shall

not include shed, mobile home, bus, travel trailer, RV, cooler, vehicle or freight container unless

modified to meet building codes and all other applicable regulations.

4.5.1 Two-Family Residential District (RM-2)

A. Purpose and Intent. The Two-Family Residential District is intended to provide housing

opportunities for two-family residential development, including, twinhomes and

duplexes. This district shall be served by public sanitary sewer.

B. Permitted Residential Unit Types. The following residential unit types shall be permitted

in this District:

1. Twinhomes;

2. Duplexes; and

3. Residential unit types permitted in RS-1B district (utilizing RS-1B property

development standards).

4.5.2 Townhouse and Multi-Family Residential District (RM-3)

A. Purpose and Intent. The Townhouse/Multi-Family Residential District is intended to

provide housing opportunities for townhouse and multi-family development of up to 8

units in a single building. This district shall be served by public sanitary sewer.

B. Permitted Residential Unit Types. The following residential unit types shall be permitted

in this District:

1. Townhomes containing 3 to 8 units per building;

2. Condominiums containing 3 to 8 units per building;

3. Apartments containing 3 to 8 units per building;

4. Two-family residential unit types permitted in RM-2 district; and

5. Residential unit types permitted in RS-1C district (utilizing RS-1C property

development standards).

4.5.3 Multi-family Residential District (RM-4)

A. Purpose and Intent. The Multifamily Residential District is intended to provide housing

opportunities for townhouse and apartment development with greater than eight (8)

units per building. This district shall be served by public sanitary sewer.

B. Permitted Residential Unit Types. The following residential unit types shall be permitted

in this District:

1. Condominiums containing greater than 8 units per building;

2. Apartments containing greater than 8 units per building;

3. Residential unit types permitted in the RM-3 district;

4. Two-family residential unit types permitted in RM-2 district; and

5. Residential unit types permitted in RS-1D district (utilizing RS-1D property

development standards).

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4.5.4 General Residential Development Standards

A. Uses. Uses permitted in each District are shown in the Use Table in Sec. 5.1. This table

employs broad use categories containing a variety of similar uses. The use categories are

described in Sec. 5.2, Use Categories, and Appendix B lists examples of uses, showing

which use categories they fall into. Additional standards for specific uses, if any, can be

found in each category. Properties which have recorded development plan conditions

limiting their use to single family residential shall be limited to one family occupancy per

residential unit.

B. Property Development Standards. Development in each Multi-family Residential District

shall comply with the general residential development standards in the following tables:

RM-2

Duplex

RM-2

Twinhome

RM-3

RM-4

Lot Area (min sf)

Public Sewer

Septic System

11,000

N/A

5,500 / unit

N/A

8,000 sf +

2,000 sf for

each unit >1

N/A

5,000 sf

N/A

Lot Width (min at bldg line)

75 feet

37.5 feet/unit

50 feet

40 feet

Lot Frontage (min)

Public Street

Cul-de-Sac (bulb only)

50 feet

40 feet

25 feet/ unit

20 feet/ unit

50 feet

32 feet

40 feet

32 feet

Lot Coverage (max)

75%

80%

85%

Setbacks (min)

Front Yard

Side Yard

Rear Yard

Accessory Structure

Fence

25 feet

7.5 feet

10 feet

5 feet

0 feet

25 feet

7.5 feet

10 feet

5 feet

0 feet

25 feet

7.5 feet

10 feet

5 feet

0 feet

25 feet

5 feet

10 feet

5 feet

0 feet

Height (max)

42 feet

6 stories

above grade

Fire Protection Required?

See Sec. 1.13 for Fire Protection Requirements

Off-Street Parking

(spaces required)

Located < 1 Mile of WKU’s main

campus OR communal living

facilities where each room is

rented individually, with shared

living, kitchen or bathroom

facilities

Bed Sp

1 1.5

2 2.5

3 3.0

4 4.0

5 5.0

Bed Sp

1 1.5

2 2.5

3 3.0

4+ 4.0

Bed Sp

1 1.5

2 2.5

3 3.25

4 4.0

5 5.0

Bed Sp

1 1.5

2 2.5

3 3.25

4 4.0

5 5.0

Off-Street Parking

(spaces required)

Located ≥ 1 Mile of WKU owned

property

2 spaces per

unit

2 spaces per

unit

Bed Sp

1 1

2 2

3 + 2.5

Guest parking shall be

provided at a minimum rate of

10% of the number of required

parking spaces, or one space,

whichever is greater.

See Sec. 4.5.5.B for provisions for townhomes.

See Sec. 4.5.4.C.8 for additional setback required adjacent to a single family residential district/use.

Fences must also adhere to the requirements of section 4.5.4.F.

Development in the area bound by the US 31W Bypass/East Riverview Drive, Kentucky Street and

Broadway Avenue/East 12th Avenue is exempt from the above off-street parking requirements, but

must provide at least one parking space per residential dwelling unit.

Existing lots of record in RM districts that are located greater than 2,000 feet from public sanitary

sewer may utilize an on-site septic system, but must have at least 20,000 square feet of lot area

outside of any drainage easements and/or floodplains AND a site evaluation by the Barren River

District Health Department must certify that a conventional septic system is acceptable. This

provision shall only apply in the instance of the construction of one single family residence per lot.

Article 4

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C. Other Standards

1. Corner lots. Corner lots shall be required to provide a front yard along any lot line

abutting a street. The front orientation of the building shall determine corresponding

side and rear yards (See Below).

Option A:

Building is Oriented Toward Street X

Option B:

Building is Oriented Toward Street Y

2. Reduction in Lot Area Prohibited. No lot, although it may consist of one or more

adjacent lots of record, shall be reduced in area to the extent that yards, lot area, lot

width, building area, or other requirements of this Ordinance are not maintained.

Where a lot is affected by acquisition or condemnation for government purposes,

the remaining lot may vary no more than 10 percent from these minimum standards

and requirements. Where a greater than 10 percent variation occurs, it shall be

considered a taking in its entirety.

3. Minimum Lot Area Above 100-Year Flood Level Required. No lot served by public

sanitary sewer shall be created or developed which does not have at least 5,000

square feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level. No lot served by

on-site septic systems shall be created or developed which does not have at least

20,000 square feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level. In no case

shall any improvements, including parking areas and septic systems, be located

within the floodplain.

4. Measurement of Lot Width. Minimum lot width shall be measured at the building

setback line. Curve or cul-de-sac lots shall be measured along the chord distance at

the front setback between side property lines.

FRONT YARD

STREET ‘Y’

STREET ‘X’

FRONT YARD

REAR YARD

SIDE YARD

STREET ‘Y’

STREET ‘X’

FRONT YARD

SIDE YARD

FRONT YARD

REAR YARD

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5. Minimum Lot Frontage Required. No building shall be erected on a lot, nor shall a lot

be created, which does not abut at least one improved street for a distance of not

less than 32 feet, unless permitted by Sec. 6.4, nonconforming lots of record).

6. Measurement of Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall include all areas of the lot covered

by buildings, structures (including accessory structures), patios, walkways,

travelways, and parking areas, including gravel including gravel, pervious material or

similar permeable paving material. Lot coverage does not include uncovered, semi-

pervious decks or outdoor pools. The percent of lot coverage shall be determined by

dividing the total covered area by the gross area of the lot.

7. Setbacks and Yards.

a. Lots Abutting Interstate or Other Highways. Lots that abut an Interstate

Highway, Parkway or other fully controlled access highways which allow no direct

access shall have a minimum building setback line from the right-of-way of said

highway of 25 feet. This building line shall be the same whether considered as

front, side or rear setback.

b. Distance Greater than Minimum Required. Building setback lines as established

by this Section may be greater than the minimums shown in the table in Sec.

4.5.4.B; however, for purposes of establishing minimum lot width, this distance

shall not exceed 100 feet.

c. Variable Front Yard Setback. A waiver from the strict enforcement of the front

yard setback shown for a specific property may be granted by the Executive

Director where the majority of existing development on the same block face is set

back less than the required setback. In such case, the front yard setback may be

the average setback line for that block face. In the absence of existing

development on a particular block face, and where the majority of existing

development on an opposing block face is set back less than the required setback,

the front yard setback may be the average setback line for the opposing block

face. Any property utilizing a variable front yard setback must still meet the sight

distance triangle requirements outlined in Section 1.14.

8. Additional Setback Adjacent to Single Family Residential District/Use. Development

in any RM-2, RM-3 or RM-4 district adjacent to the boundary of a single family

residential zoning district or single family residential use shall have a side and rear

yard setback of 25 feet.

Article 4

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9. Height Limit Exceptions. The height limitations of this Ordinance shall not apply to

church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes not intended for human occupancy;

monuments; water towers; observation towers; flag poles; or chimneys.

10. Parking Standard. Parking shall be provided according to the Development Standards

table found in this section, the “Off-Street Parking and Loading” requirements in

Section 4.6.8.E.2.a, 4.6.8.E.3, 4.6.8.E.4, 4.6.8.E.5, 4.6.8.E.6, 4.6.8.E.7, 4.6.8.E.8,

4.6.8.E.10 and 4.6.8.E.11 and meet the following requirements:

a. All parking areas in the RM-2, RM-3 and RM-4 zoning districts shall be paved with

asphalt, concrete, brick pavers, or similar material.

b. Parking areas located in front of a single family residential use or structure

located in a multi-family residential zone shall follow the standards outlined in

Section 4.4.5.C.9.b.

c. Multi-Family Uses Containing Garages or Carports. Parking located in front of a

garage or carport may be credited toward the required number of spaces as

outlined below:

(1) The total vehicle capacity provided in a garage or carport within a

development, may be credited toward the required number of parking

spaces.

(2) Parking in front of a garage or carport may also count toward the required

number of spaces, not to exceed 1 additional space per vehicle capacity as

defined above.

d. Lighting for parking areas located in multi-family districts shall comply with the

standards outlined in Section 4.6.8.I.1.C (2) and (3).

D. Landscaping. All multi-family residential development shall comply with the minimum

landscaping standards as set forth in Section 4.6.8.D. Development containing only a

garage and driveway per unit or development containing only a driveway per unit is

exempt from VUA landscaping requirements in Section 4.6.8.D.

E. Signs

1. Signage is allowed within Multi-Family Residential Districts on a limited basis and in

accordance with the following table. No sign shall be externally or internally

illuminated. All permitted signs shall also comply with all the applicable Sign

Development Standards in Section 4.6.8.F.

RM-2, RM-3, and RM-4

Freestanding Signs Allowed?

Yes*

Maximum Number

Maximum Face Area

60 sf

Maximum Height

5 ft

Structure Type

Monument Only

Wall Signs Allowed?

Yes*

Maximum Face Area

10% of the facade

Entrance Sign Allowed?

Yes

*In RM-2, RM-3, and RM-4 districts, signs are allowed for properly permitted

conditional uses only.

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2. Entrance Signs Standards.

a. The content of an entrance sign shall be limited to the name of the subdivision or

residential complex only.

b. No sign shall be internally illuminated.

c. All entrance signs shall be constructed of durable materials.

d. Landscaping is encouraged around entrance signs, provided the selected

landscape materials will not grow to obscure sign face. No landscaping shall be

erected to obstruct free and clear vision of an intersection and/or roadway.

Landscaping around entrance signs may be credited toward the landscaping

requirement between a VUA and right-of-way as outlined in Section. 4.6.8.D.3.a

(4).

e. Structural Type and Size. Any entrance sign must be monument type and the

maximum sign face shall be 60 sq. ft. total. Maximum height shall be 5 feet.

f. Entrance signs may be allowed in public right-of-way only with written permission

of the applicable jurisdiction.

g. All permitted signs shall also comply with all the applicable Sign Development

Standards in Section 4.6.8.F.

3. Personal Expression and Political Campaign Signs.

Temporary on-premise signs containing content of personal expression or political

campaign shall not require a permit. These signs are allowed provided they

otherwise comply with the following standards:

a. No sign shall be erected to obstruct free and clear vision of an intersection and/or

traffic signals. No sign may be placed in or extended over a public right-of-way or

utility easement without the express written consent of the controlling

jurisdiction or utility.

b. Signs shall be limited to a maximum sign face area of 16 s.f. in size (32 square feet

in unincorporated areas of Warren County), not to exceed 8 feet in height.

c. All permitted signs shall also comply with all the applicable Sign Development

Standards in Section 4.6.8.F.

F. Accessory Structures. Accessory buildings and structures, except as otherwise permitted

by this Ordinance, shall require a building permit and shall be subject to the following

regulations in all multi-family districts.

1. No accessory building or structure shall extend into the front yard of any multi-family

development, excluding fences 4 feet or less in height and fences along a side street

as referenced below in the case of a corner lot. In the case of a corner lot, no

accessory building or structure shall be located nearer to the side street than the

depth of any required front yard for a dwelling along such side street, excluding

fences. Fences are not subject to building or structure setbacks, but are subject to

sight distance requirements in Section 1.14 of this Ordinance.

2. An accessory building may not exceed the height of the principal structure.

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3. Accessory buildings/structures shall be permanently affixed to the ground and shall

not include mobile home, bus, travel trailer, RV, trailer, cooler, vehicle or freight

container unless modified to meet building codes and all other applicable

regulations.

4. Swimming Pools.

a. All swimming pools with a water depth of 3 feet or greater shall require a building

permit.

b. A swimming pool as an accessory use to a multi-family residential development

shall be located no closer than 25 feet to any property line. The setback shall be

measured from the wall of the swimming pool to the nearest property line.

c. The swimming pool area shall be enclosed by a fence or other suitable barrier

with a minimum height of not less than 4 feet. Openings in the fence shall be

small enough to prevent a child from entering the enclosure other than through

the gate.

d. Fences. For the purpose of determining the yard setback, the accessory structure

setback shall not apply to fences. See 4.5.4.F (1) and (2) for front setback for

fences.

4.5.5 Residential Development Standards by Housing Type

A. Twinhome. Only one twinhome dwelling unit shall be allowed on a single lot. Lot

coverage, maximum height and off-street parking shall adhere to the zoning district in

which the twinhome is located. Setbacks shall be as permitted in the zoning district in

which the twinhome is located, with the exception of the lot line where the party walls of

the two units adjoin. In such case, the setback shall be 0 feet. All other development

standards are as follows:

1. Twinhomes in RM-2 shall follow the development standards outlined in Section

4.5.4.B.

2. Twinhomes in RM-3 shall follow the development standards outlined in Section

4.4.6.C and utilize the RS-1C standards for lot size, lot width, lot frontage, party walls

and roofs and subdivision regulation coordination. All other development standards

are as stated in Section 4.5.4.B for the zone in which the development is located.

3. Twinhomes in RM-4 shall follow the development standards outlined in Section

4.4.6.C and utilize the RS-1D standards for lot size, lot width, lot frontage, party walls

and roofs and subdivision regulation coordination. All other development standards

are as stated in Section 4.5.4.B for the zone in which the development is located.

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B. Townhomes.

1. Platted Lot Required. Each unit shall be developed on a separately platted and

recorded lot.

2. Lot Size.

a. Minimum lot size for each platted lot shall be 1.200 square feet, exclusive of

floodplain.

b. Minimum lot width shall be 16 feet for each unit.

3. Setbacks.

a. Front Yard. Minimum 25 feet with no garage, 18 feet with a garage, or 5 feet with

designated off-site or rear parking.

4. Off-Street Parking and Drives.

a. Each townhouse shall have at least 2 paved off-street parking spaces located on

the lot belonging to each townhouse, or within 100 feet of the unit, unless

located within a mile of WKU’s main campus. If located within a mile of WKU’s

main campus, parking shall be provided as required in Section 4.5.4.B according

to the zone in which the development is located.

b. Parking spaces that do not have a private access from a public way shall have

access via a private drive for which perpetual maintenance shall be provided.

Perpetual maintenance shall be provided through an agreement or covenant

which is properly recorded and which runs with the land. Such agreement shall

receive the prior approval of the Planning Commission staff and shall be recorded

in the office of the County Court Clerk of Warren County, Kentucky.

5. Party Walls and Roofs.

a. Party walls shall be constructed in conformance with the Kentucky Building Code

provisions.

b. Party walls and roofs shall be perpetually maintained, repaired and replaced

through a party wall and roof agreement with provisions for arbitration. Such

agreement shall receive the prior approval of the Planning Commission Staff and

shall be recorded in the office of the County Court Clerk of Warren County,

Kentucky.

c. All townhomes sharing a common wall shall have a minimum 24-inch offset in the

front and rear building facades.

6. Subdivision Regulation Coordination. Any development approved under this section

shall be considered a major plat.

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C. Condominium (Horizontal Property)

1. The intent and application of this Ordinance is to implement and reaffirm the

Horizontal Property Law of Kentucky (KRS 381).

2. A master deed or lease or floor plans meeting the standards set forth in KRS 381 shall

not be filed in the office of the Warren County Clerk without having first been

reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission.

3. The maximum permitted overall densities, number of units, maximum lot coverage,

setbacks, parking requirements and maximum height shall be controlled by the

zoning district classification in which the project is located.

4. The establishment, expansion or diminution of a horizontal property regime shall be

subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission in the same manner as

approval of a record plat.

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SEC. 4.6 COMMERCIAL AND OFFICE/PROFESSIONAL DISTRICTS

4.6.1 Neighborhood Business District (NB)

The Neighborhood Business District is intended to provide opportunities for neighborhood-

scale commercial development that provides daily services and goods to the immediately

surrounding area.

4.6.2 General Business District (GB)

The General Business District is intended to provide opportunities for commercial

development that serves the entire community or region.

4.6.3 Central Business District (CB)

The Central Business District is intended to provide for the continued vitality of downtown

Bowling Green and the maintenance and re-use of existing historic structures. This district

shall be served by public sanitary sewer.

4.6.4 Highway Business District (HB)

The Highway Business District is intended for the development of businesses that require a

high volume of vehicular traffic due to the nature of the products or services offered by the

business. This District is appropriate for parcels having frontage on collector or arterial

streets, or within one-half mile of an interstate or William H. Natcher Parkway.

4.6.5 Office and Professional - Residential District (OP-R)

This district is established with the purpose and intent of providing space for professional

offices in appropriate locations to accommodate the needs of the community. The district is

intended to serve as the transition between commercial areas and adjacent residential

development.

4.6.6 Office and Professional - Commercial District (OP-C)

This district is established with the purpose and intent of providing space for professional

offices in appropriate locations to accommodate the needs of the community. The district is

intended to serve large-scale offices in commercial or industrial areas.

4.6.7 Public District (P)

The Public District is intended to provide for public and quasi-public development, including

open lands such as parks, and developed uses including government building, hospitals, and

schools. Use of the Public District is limited to agencies and entities receiving or utilizing

public funding.

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4.6.8 General Commercial Development Standards

A. Uses. Uses permitted in each District are shown in the Use Table in Sec. 5.1. This table

employs broad use categories containing a variety of similar uses. The use categories are

described in Sec. 5.2, Use Categories, and Appendix B lists examples of uses, showing

which use categories they fall into. Additional standards for specific uses, if any, can be

found in each category.

B. Property Development Standards.

1. Development in each District shall comply with the general commercial development

standards in the following table:

OP-R

OP-C

Lot Area, min. sq. ft.

Public Sewer

Septic System

5,000

43,560

5,000

43,560

N/A

5,000

43,560

5,000

43,560

5,000

43,560

5,000

43,560

Lot Width, min. ft. at Bldg. Line

Lot Frontage, min. ft.

Lot Coverage, max.

70%

80%

100%

90%

50%

80%

90%

Setbacks, min. ft.

Front Yard

Side Yard

Rear Yard

Accessory Structure

Fence

Height, max.

42 feet

None

42 feet

None

Building Size, max. s.f.

4,000

N/A

4,000

N/A

Parking

See specific use chart in 4.6.8.E for parking requirements.

Fire protection required?

See Sec. 1.13 for Fire Protection Requirements.

Landscaping required?

See Section 4.6.8.D for landscaping requirements.

Residential uses allowed?

Yes

What standard?

See Section 4.6.8.K.

For commercial uses utilizing an on-site septic system, see Article 1.12.2.A.3.

See Sec. 4.6.8.C for additional setback required adjacent to a single family residential district/use.

Fences must also adhere to the requirements of section 4.6.8.J.

2. Minimum Lot Area Above 100-Year Flood Level Required. No lot served by public

sanitary sewer shall be created or developed which does not have at least 5,000

square feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level. No lot served by on-

site septic systems shall be created or developed which does not have at least 20,000

square feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level.

3. Measurement of Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall include all areas of the lot covered

by buildings, structures (including accessory structures), patios, walkways,

travelways, and parking areas, including gravel parking areas. Lot coverage does not

include uncovered, semi-pervious decks or outdoor pools. The percent of lot coverage

shall be determined by dividing the total covered area by the gross area of the lot.

4. Variable Front Yard Setback. A waiver from the strict enforcement of the front yard

setback shown for a specific property may be granted by the Executive Director where

the majority of existing development on the same block face is set back less than the

required setback. In such case, the front yard setback may be the average setback

line for that block face. In the absence of existing development on a particular block

face, and where the majority of existing development on an opposing block face is set

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4-33

back less than the required setback, the front yard setback may be the average

setback line for the opposing block face. Any property utilizing a variable front yard

setback must still meet the sight distance triangle requirements outlined in Section

1.14.

C. Additional Setback Adjacent to Single-Family Residential District/ Uses.

Development in any commercial district adjacent to the boundary of a Single-Family

residential zoning district or a Single-Family Residential Use shall require the following

setback:

1. Commercial Districts (OP-C, HB and GB). A side and rear yard shall have a minimum

40-foot setback.

2. Commercial Districts (OP-R, NB, P and CB). A side and rear yard shall have a minimum

25-foot setback.

D. Landscaping. All commercial development shall comply with the minimum landscaping

standards as follows:

1. Applicability

a. No new site, development, building, structure, or vehicle use area (VUA) shall

hereafter be constructed unless landscaping is provided as required by the

provisions of this Section, regardless of the need for a building permit.

b. No building, structure or VUA shall be expanded or moved unless the minimum

landscaping is provided as required by the provisions of this Section.

c. No building, structure, or VUA shall be reconstructed unless the minimum

landscaping is provided as required by the provisions of this Section.

d. No use shall be changed to another use for which this Ordinance requires

additional parking over that which was required for the previous use, unless the

VUA perimeter and interior VUA landscaping as required by this Section is provided

for such additional parking. Where the previous use had no required parking,

perimeter and interior VUA landscaping shall be provided for all new VUA serving

the new use. Landscaping shall not be required where only the use of the property

is changed and no new construction or reconstruction of any building or VUA is

proposed.

2. Buffers between incompatible land uses. Land uses that are determined to be

incompatible by the Executive Director of the Planning Commission shall be buffered

at the following rate:

a. Three deciduous shade trees and six evergreen trees per each 100 linear feet of

buffer, or two deciduous shade trees, three evergreen trees and twelve shrubs per

100 linear feet of buffer.

b. Up to one-half of the deciduous shade trees and evergreens may be substituted

with ornamental trees. The substitution rate shall be two ornamental trees for

each shade or evergreen tree.

c. The required buffer shall be located along the property boundary adjacent to the

incompatible land use.

d. All buffers located between incompatible land uses must be a minimum of ten feet

in width.

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WarrenCounty/JointZoningOrdinance

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

4‐34



3. ScreeningofVehicleUseAreas(VUA).



a. Whena VUA islocated adjacent toany property lineotherthan a public right‐of‐

way,thescreenshallbeplantedatthefollowingrate:



(1) Three deciduous shade trees and two evergreen trees per 100 linear feet of

screening,fortheareawheretheVUAisadjacentto,andwithin100feetofa

commonpropertyline,ortwodeciduousshadetrees,20shrubsper100linear

feetofscreening.



(2) Up to one‐half of the deciduous shade trees and evergreens may be

substituted with ornamental trees.The substitution rate shall be two

ornamentaltreesforeachshadeorevergreentree.



(3) AllscreeningbetweenaVUAandacommonpropertylinemustbeanaverage

often(10)feet inwidthwiththeminimum dimensionbeingfive(5)feet.The

minimumwidthmaybereducedtonolessthanthree(3)feet.Thedifference

between the required area of landscaping and

 the amount of the reduction

must be provided in other areas of the development (i.e. increased buffers

along other property lines, foundation  plantings, additional interior VUA

landscaping,etc.)inorderfortheminimumwidthtobereduced.



(4) When a VUA is located adjacent to any public right‐of‐way, the screen shall

contain:



i. A minimum of 70 percent of the distan ce where a VUA is adjacent to a

right‐of‐wayorcommon property line shall be screened with shrubstobe

maintained at a minimum of 24 inches and a maximum of 42 inches in

height, with one‐half of the shrubs

 used for this being of an evergreen

species.



ii. Twodeciduousshadetreesper100linearfeetofscreen.Shadetreesmay

be substituted with ornamental trees at the rate of two ornamental trees

pershadetree.



iii. AllscreensbetweenaVUAandright‐of‐waymustbeaminimumoften(10)

feetinwidth.Theminimumwidthmaybereducedtonolessthanthree(3)

feet. The difference between the required area of landscaping and the

amount of the reduction must be provided in

 other areas of the

development(i.e. increased buffers along other propertylines,foundation 

plantings, additional interior VUA landscaping, etc.) in order for the

minimumwidthtobereduced.



4. Interior VUA Landscaping. Any open VUA (excluding loading, unloading and storage

areasinanindustrialzone)containing6,000squarefeetofparkingareashallprovide

interiorlandscapinginadditiontothepreviously requiredVUAperimeterlandscaping.

WhereaVUAisalteredorexpandedtoincreaseto6,000ormoresquare

feetofarea,

interiorlandscapingshallbeprovidedfortheentireVUAarea.Plantingadjacenttoor

within ten feet of a building is considered foundation planting and is not counted

towards the requirements of this section.All interior VUA shall be planted at the

followingrate:



a. A minimum of five percent interior VUA landscaping shall be provided in planting

islandsorpeninsulas.



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b. The minimum landscape area to be counted towards the requirements of this

section shall be 64 square feet, with a minimum island or peninsula width of six

feet.

c. Required landscape areas shall be dispersed throughout the VUA, with no area

being larger than 400 square feet, areas over this amount are permitted when in

excess of the required five percent.

d. Landscape islands shall be required at the ends of all parking bays.

e. A minimum of one tree shall be planted within each landscape island or peninsula.

f. There shall be no more than 20 parking spaces between islands or peninsula in a

VUA. This is to include parking adjacent to common property lines or public rights-

of-way.

5. Screening of Service Structures and Equipment. All service structures and equipment

shall be fully screened.

a. A continuous planting, fence, wall, or earth berm shall enclose any service

structure on all sides unless such structure must be frequently moved, in which

case screening on all but one side is required. The average height of the screening

material shall be one foot more than the height of the enclosed structure, but shall

not be required to exceed eight feet in height. No screening shall be required if

the service structure is interior to loading or vehicle servicing area.

b. When plant material is to be used for the screening of service structures, the plant

material must be able to provide 100 percent screening within three years.

c. All trash disposal units and ground level storage units shall be enclosed within

walls, vegetation, or earthen berm on all sides with an opening door for the

removal of trash or stored items. The height of the screening shall be 18 inches

higher than the structure to be screened, but shall not be required to exceed eight

feet in height.

6. Landscape materials. Landscape material shall consist of plant material, wood, stone,

masonry material, or earthen berm.

a. All plant material shall meet the American Nursery Standards and shall come from

the plant list available from the City-County Planning Commission. If plant material

not on the plant list is to be used, it must have the prior approval of the City-

County. All deciduous trees must be a minimum of one-and-three-quarter inches

in caliper at planting, all evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five feet planted

height, and shrubs shall be a minimum of 24 inches planted height. Ornamental

trees shall have a minimum height of six feet planted height.

b. Fence or Wall material shall consist of board-on-board wooden fence, masonry, or

stone or any combination of the above. The use of such wall or fence material

used between incompatible land uses must be to a height of six feet and may be

used in place of the evergreen trees and shrub material. The minimum buffer

widths are still to be maintained and the deciduous tree requirements are to be

used in conjunction with the wall or fence. All wood used is to be treated with

water-borne preservatives to the American Wood Preservers Institute standards.

All hardware is to be galvanized or otherwise rustproof. Chain link fencing may not

be used to satisfy the requirements of this Section.

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c. Earthen berms shall be constructed to a maximum slope ratio of three to one (3:1)

and covered with a ground cover or turf. A difference in elevation between areas

requiring screening does not constitute an earth berm. The minimum buffer

widths are still to be maintained and the deciduous tree requirements are to be

used in conjunction with the wall or fence.

7. Credit for existing vegetation. Existing vegetation which is proposed to be used to

fulfill the landscape requirements shall be shown on the required landscape plan, and

may only be used with written approval of the City-County Planning Commission after

a site visit. All vegetation to be used must be on the property requiring the landscape

plan. If in the future, the existing vegetation is removed, the property owner will be

required to replace the vegetation with the quantity as outlined elsewhere in this

section.

8. Requirements of a Landscape Plan.

a. Site plan, drawn to an scale not to exceed one inch to fifty feet, showing all existing

structures, proposed structures, proposed VUA and travel lanes, property lines,

easements, and the proposed location of all plant material keyed to the plan.

b. Plant schedule including common name, botanic name, cultivar, size and quantity,

condition (balled and burlaped, container size or bare root), and planting details

using the standards of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

c. Square footage of proposed VUA and square footage of all proposed landscaping

and interior VUA landscaping for each island.

d. All landscape plans must be prepared by an Engineer, Architect, or Landscape

Architect licensed to practice in the State of Kentucky, or Certified Nurserymen and

in accordance with all state laws.

9. Landscape plans required for building permit.

a. When a landscape plan is required, no building permit shall be issued until the

required landscape plan has been submitted and approved, all required landscape

improvements must be installed prior to receipt of a Certificate of Occupancy or

completion.

10. Maintenance. All landscaping required by this Section and any landscape material

planted as part of any development plan conditions, must be maintained in a healthy

and growing condition. Any and all plant material that dies must be replaced in the

next appropriate planting season to the specifications of the originally approved

landscape plan.

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E. Off-Street Parking and Loading. Off-street vehicle storage or parking space shall be

provided for all uses allowed in the districts in this Section. Such space shall be provided

with vehicular access to a street or alley and shall be designated on any required site plan

or Detailed Development Plan.

1. Required Spaces. The following are minimum requirements for specific uses. All

measurements utilizing square feet shall be square feet of gross floor area unless

otherwise expressly stated. Combined uses shall be required to provide parking equal

to the total requirements for the individual uses. Where necessary, calculations shall

be based on Kentucky Building Code Occupancy load requirements. Uses in the CB

district and development in the area bound by the US 31W Bypass/East Riverview

Drive, Kentucky Street and Broadway Avenue/East 12th Avenue are exempt from the

on-site parking requirements of this Section, excluding residential uses. In these

areas, a minimum of one off-street parking space is required per residential dwelling

unit.

Use

Spaces Required

Auto Showroom or Dealer,

New or Used

1 per 400 square feet of showroom and office

space, plus two spaces per service bay

Bed and Breakfast

1 space per bedroom

Conference Center or Student Center

1 space per 150 square feet of main meeting

room space.

Day Care

1 space per 400 square feet, exclusive of

kitchens and bathrooms

Group Living*

1 spaces per 2 occupant beds, plus 1 space

per employee

Hospital / Medical Center

1 space per 4 authorized beds,

plus 1 space per 1,000 square feet

Outpatient Surgery Center

1 space per 250 square feet

Hotel or Motel

1 per bedroom plus 1 per 400 square feet of

banquet, office, or meeting space

Library, Museum, Art Gallery

1 per 1,000 square feet, plus 5 for each

meeting or special facility room

Urgent Clinics

1 space per 250 square feet

Nursing Home, Assisted Living

1 space per 4 authorized beds plus 1 space

per 1,000 square feet

Office Uses

1 space per 300 square feet

Place of Public Assembly (Auditorium,

Place of Worship, Stadium, Theater, etc.)

1 space per 4 seats or maximum fire-rated

capacity, whichever is greater.

Restaurant

Table Service

1 space per 100 square feet

Counter Service

1 space per 100 square feet

Fast Food

1 space per 200 square feet

Standalone Retail

< 20,000 SF

≥ 20,000 SF

1 space for each 400 square feet

1 space for each 400 square feet for the first

20,000 SF. 1 space for each 800 SF for

remaining area.

School, Elementary or Middle

2 spaces per classroom

School, Secondary or Post-Secondary

4 spaces per classroom, OR

1 space for 6 seats in auditorium, gym, arena

or stadium, whichever is greater.

Mixed-Use / Multi-Tenant Development

Commercial Only

1 space per 200 s.f

Commercial and Residential

1 space per 200 s.f. + 1 per dwelling unit

* For parking requirements for University District uses, see Section 4.9.5.B.2.

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2. Rules for Computing Requirements. The following rules apply when computing off-

street parking and loading requirements.

a. Fractions. When measurements of the number of required spaces result in a

fractional number, any fraction of less than 1/2 will be rounded down to the next

lower whole number and any fraction ½ or more will be rounded up to the next

higher whole number.

b. Unlisted Uses. For a use not specifically listed in the table above, the Executive

Director shall apply the off-street parking standard specified for the listed use that

is deemed most similar to the proposed use or require an alternative parking study

in accordance with this section.

3. Change in Use. Where the principal use is changed to a use for which additional

parking is required under the provisions of this ordinance, it shall be unlawful to begin

or maintain such altered use until the required off-street parking is provided and the

site is brought into compliance with all other applicable provisions of this ordinance

including, paving and landscaping.

4. Alternative Parking Study. Some uses have widely varying parking demand

characteristics, making it impossible to specify a single off-street parking standard. A

developer proposing to develop or expand such a use may submit an alternative

parking study that provides justification for the number of off-street parking spaces

proposed.

a. A parking study must include estimates of parking demand based on

recommendations of the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE), or other acceptable

estimates as approved by the Planning Commission and should include other

reliable data collected from uses or combinations of uses that are the same as or

comparable with the proposed use. Comparability will be determined by density,

scale, bulk, area, type of activity, and location. The study must document the

source of data used to develop the recommendations.

(1) The Planning Commission shall review the parking study and any other

traffic engineering and planning data relevant to the establishment of an

appropriate off-street parking standard for the proposed use. After

reviewing the parking study, the Planning Commission shall establish a

minimum off-street parking standard for the proposed use.

b. In addition to minimum parking required per parking study, the Planning

Commission may require additional, unpaved area be designated and set aside for

future use.

5. Temporary Parking. City or County agencies may issue a permit to park vehicles on a

gravel surface for a period of up to one (1) year in relation to expansion or

redevelopment of an existing site nearby. Screening of the temporary parking area

from incompatible uses may be required. The area shall be designed for the safe

ingress and egress of vehicles to the street and in such a way that mud and gravel will

not be carried onto adjacent streets. Before the approved time period expires, the

area shall be paved and landscaped as required by the zoning ordinance or gravel

removed, the land graded and sodded or seeded in grass. An extension may granted if

the construction period lasts longer than one (1) year.

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6. Parking Space Design. The following minimum standards shall apply:

*Aisle Widths may be reduced to a minimum of 11’ in the case of one-way traffic and 22’ in the case

of two-way traffic.

Parking

Angle

Stall

Width

Stall

Length

Aisle Width*

Total Width of Parking and Aisle*

One-Way

Traffic

Two-Way

Traffic

One-Way Traffic

Two-Way Traffic

1 Row

w/Aisle

2 Rows

w/Aisle

1 Row

w/Aisle

2 Rows

w/Aisle

0°

8’

22’

12’

24’

20’

28’

32’

40’

90°

9’

18’

24’

42’

60’

42’

60’

60°

9’

18’

14.5

24’

34.6’

54.7

44.1’

64.2’

45°

9’

18’

12’

24’

31.1’

50.2’

43.1’

62.2

30°

9’

18’

12’

24’

28.8’

45.6’

40.8’

57.6’

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7. Driveways. When driveways are less than 20 feet in width, marked separate

entrances and exits shall be provided so that traffic shall flow in one direction only.

Entrances and exits to an alley may be provided if prior approval is obtained in writing

from the City or County Public Works Department. Driveways designated as fire lanes

shall meet the standards of the Fire Code.

8. Maneuvering Space. Maneuvering space shall be located completely off the right-of-

way of a public street, place or court, and meet the standards outlined above. Parking

areas that would require the use of public right-of-way for maneuvering shall only be

permitted if approved by the appropriate agency. Parking parallel to the curb on a

public street shall not be substituted for off-street parking requirements.

9. Parking Surface. Drives and parking areas must be paved with concrete, asphalt,

brick pavers, or similar permeable solid surface paving material.

10. Off-Site (Remote) Parking. If sufficient parking is not available on the premises, a

private parking lot may be provided within 1,000 feet, either on property zoned for

that purpose subject to the following conditions:

a. The parking shall be subject to the front yard setback requirements of the district

in which it is located.

b. The parking area must be paved with concrete, asphalt, brick pavers, or similar

permeable solid surface paving material.

c. The parking area must be landscaped in accordance with the provisions of this

Section.

d. Area lights must be directed away from adjacent properties.

e. Agreement for Remote Parking. A remote parking plan will be enforced through

written agreement among all owners of record. An attested copy of the agreement

between the owners of record must be submitted to the Planning Commission for

recording and recording of the agreement must take place before issuance of a

building permit for any use to be served by the off-site parking area. A remote

parking agreement may be revoked only if all required off-street parking spaces

will be provided in accordance with this Section.

11. Shared Parking. Developments or uses with different operating hours or peak

business periods may share off-street parking spaces if approved as part of a Parking

Plan and if the shared parking complies with the all of following standards.

a. Location. Shared parking spaces must be located within 1,000 feet of the primary

entrance of all uses served, unless remote parking shuttle bus service is provided.

b. Zoning District Classification. Shared parking areas require the same or a more

intensive zoning classification than required for the use served.

c. Shared Parking Study. Those wishing to use shared parking as a means of

satisfying off-street parking requirements must submit a shared parking analysis to

the Planning Commission that clearly demonstrates the feasibility of shared

parking. The study must address, at a minimum, the size and type of the proposed

development, the composition of tenants, the anticipated rate of parking turnover

and the anticipated peak parking and traffic loads for all uses that will be sharing

off-street parking spaces.

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d. Agreement for Shared Parking. A shared parking plan will be enforced through

written agreement among all owners of record. An attested copy of the agreement

between the owners of record must be submitted to the Planning Commission for

recording and recording of the agreement must take place before issuance of a

building permit for any use to be served by the off-site parking area. A shared

parking agreement may be revoked only if all required off-street parking spaces

will be provided in accordance with this Section.

12. Stacking Spaces for Drive-Thru Facilities. In addition to meeting the off-street parking

requirements of this section, drive-thru facilities shall comply with the following

minimum stacking space per lane standards:

Use Type

Minimum

Spaces

Measured From

Automated Teller Machine or Bank

teller lane

Teller Machine or

Window/Service Tube

Car wash stall, automatic

Entrance

Car wash stall, self-service

Entrance

Gasoline pump island*

Each end of pump island

Restaurant with menu board

Menu Board

Restaurant with pickup window only

(no menu board)

Pickup Window

Other drive-through

3 spaces

Pick up window

Other

As approved by the Planning Commission

based on Parking Study

*Alternate layouts may be approved at the discretion of Planning Commission staff, but must not interfere with

the safety or circulation of pedestrians and/or vehicles on- or off-site.

Stacking spaces shall be subject to the following design and layout standards.

a. Stacking spaces shall be a minimum of 8 by 20 feet in size.

b. Stacking spaces shall be designed so as not to impede pedestrian circulation or on-

and off-site traffic movements or movements into or out of parking spaces.

c. Stacking spaces shall be separated from other internal travelways. Raised medians

may be required, if deemed necessary by the Planning Commission for traffic

movement or safety.

13. Off-Street Loading Space. Every building or structure hereafter constructed for

business or trade use shall provide adequate space for the loading or unloading of

delivery vehicles on site. Such space shall have access to adequate maneuvering

space for ingress and egress to the site. The Central Business and Office Professional -

Residential districts shall be exempt from the off-street loading space requirements.

District

Minimum Off-Street Loading Space*

NB, GB, HB

1 space per 10,000 sf of building (or fraction thereof)

OP-C, P

1 space per building

*Minimum off-street loading space may be omitted if deliveries occur during non-business hours, only.

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F. Signs

1. Application and Permits for On-Premise Signs

a. All permanent and temporary on-premise signs shall require a permit. Permits

shall be obtained from the Building Inspector of the appropriate jurisdiction. Prior

to the issuance of a permit by the Building Inspector, the permit application(s) shall

be approved by Planning Commission staff, in order to determine compliance with

the Zoning Ordinance of Warren County and the Subdivision Regulations of Warren

County as well as any recorded subdivision plat or development plan.

b. The following on-premise signs shall not require a permit:

(1) On-premise signs which are in the public or community interest and contain no

commercial reference. These signs may advertise events of public or

community interest that occur off the premises of the commercial

establishment. These signs may be placed only with the consent of the

property owner. These signs shall also comply with Section 4 (On-Premise Sign

General Provisions) with regard to visibility and may not be placed on public

right-of way.

(2) On-premise signs, such as safety signs, pedestrian and motor vehicle control

signs; signs of historical significance; clocks; temporary construction, real

estate, flags (including government, political subdivision, or other official

designated flags of an institution or business), personal expression, and

political campaign signs. These signs may be placed only with the consent of

the property owner. These signs shall, however, otherwise comply with

Section 4 (On-Premise Sign General Provisions) with regard to visibility and

right-of ways.

(3) Personal Expression Signs. Personal expression signs shall be limited to a

maximum of 16 sf in size.

(4) Campaign Signs

City of Bowling Green:

Campaign signs shall not exceed 16 square feet and may be displayed no more

than 30 days after the election date.

Warren County:

Campaign signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in unincorporated areas of

Warren County and may be displayed immediately following the filing for an

election and may be displayed no more than 30 days after the election date.

Cities of Oakland, Plum Springs, Smiths Grove and Woodburn:

Campaign signs shall not exceed 16 square feet and may be displayed 30 days

prior and no more than 30 days after the election date.

(5) Real Estate Signs. All Real Estate signs shall be limited to on-site signs where

property is for sale. This type of sign shall not exceed 32 sf in sign area and no

larger than 7 feet in height. Temporary off-premise Real Estate signs used as

directional signs may allowed for a period not exceed 30 days prior to sale or

auction date.

(6) Temporary construction signs shall be limited to a maximum of 16 sf in size.

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(7) Flags of any other official designated institutions or business shall utilize

freestanding flag poles, no taller than 40 feet in height. Flag size shall not to

exceed 120 square feet in area for each flag.

2. On-Premise Sign General Provisions

a. All on-premise signs shall conform to the sign standards provided in the Sign

Standards Summary Table unless otherwise excepted in this Section. The sum of

all sign faces on a freestanding sign shall not exceed twice the maximum permitted

sign area as set forth in this Section or the Sign Standards Summary Table.

b. Freestanding Signs – The area of a sign shall include all lettering, wording, designs

and symbols, together with a background, whether open or enclosed, on which

they are displayed. The supporting structure or bracing of a sign shall be omitted

in measuring the area of the sign unless such structure or bracing is made part of

the message or face of the sign.

c. Wall Signs-Where a sign consists of individual letters, words or symbols attached to

a surface, building, canopy, awning or wall and such elements are located in the

same plane, the sign area shall be the area of the smallest rectangle which

completely encompasses all such letters, words or symbols and any accompanying

background of a color different than the natural color of the wall.

d. No sign shall be erected to obstruct free and clear vision of an intersection and/or

traffic signals. No sign may be placed in or extended over a public right-of-way or

utility easement without the express written consent of the controlling jurisdiction

or utility.

e. All freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the edge of

pavement. If the principal structure is located less than 20 feet from the edge of

pavement, the sign shall be affixed to the flat surface of the building.

f. Nonconforming businesses shall be allowed to have or to replace existing on-

premise signs, except when such signs violate the provisions of this Section.

g. No on-premise sign shall be erected within 50 feet of an abutting residential

district.

h. No on-premise signs shall be permitted which exceed the intensity of illumination

of 0.5 foot candles above ambient light (0.5 lumens per square foot, 5.382 lux or

candelas per square meter or comparable measuring unit) measured at five feet

above grade at 20 feet from the sign. No sign shall have a flashing light or a light

resembling any law enforcement or emergency vehicle light or revolving lights that

resemble any traffic light. All applicants must submit certification that the sign is

dimmable in order to comply with the listed illumination standard.

i. No on-premise sign shall contain commercial advertising which is unrelated to the

existing use of the property.

j. Wall or building signs may be placed on the vertical facade of the building and shall

not extend any closer than 12 inches to either the top or side edges of the surface

or wall to which it is attached, and shall be permitted in addition to any other

permitted sign.

k. Signage for multiple uses – In the case of multi-tenant buildings, the maximum sign

face area for wall signs shall be based on the building frontage of each individual

use. For the purposes of this section, building frontage for multi-tenant buildings

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shall be the horizontal, linear dimension of the portion of the building occupied by

a particular tenant.

l. Temporary signs such as: Banners, pennants, posters, flags (excluding government,

political subdivision, or other official designated flags of an institution or business),

fixed balloons, or similar devices shall be permitted if the devices are solely affixed

to a window or the principal facade of the building and does not extend above the

roof line. Temporary signs which are not solely affixed to a window or principal

façade must comply with Section 4.6.8.F.4.

m. All non-residential buildings which utilize a freestanding sign shall incorporate a

street address number on the sign. Street address numbers shall be a minimum of

6 inches in height. The area of the address number shall not be computed as part

of the sign face.

n. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at

the natural ground level to the top of the highest attached component of the sign

(including the sign face, sign structure, or any other appurtenance). The computed

grade shall be the elevation of the ground prior to disturbance where the sign is to

be located. Dirt mounding shall count toward the overall height of the sign.

o. All signs shall be constructed of durable materials such as: high quality plastic,

finished metal, stone, brick, decorative block, finished wood or EFIS. Pylon pole

covers are encouraged for freestanding pole signs.

3. Prohibited Permanent On-Premise Signs

a. On-premise signs erected, maintained, or continued which cause any interference

to sight distance;

b. Portable signs (signs with no permanent attachment to a building or the ground,

including but not limited to, A-frame signs, pole attachments, searchlights, and

stands) on wheels or freestanding, shall not be allowed permanently on any site;

c. Banners, posters, pennants, flags (excluding, government, political subdivision, or

other official designated flags of an institution or business), large fixed balloons, or

similar devices affixed to any independent support, fence, awning, pump canopy,

curbstone, lamp post, utility pole, hydrant, bridge, culvert, public drinking fountain,

public trash container, rest station building, tree, or in or on any portion of any

public sidewalk, street, or sign shall be prohibited as permanent on-premise signs.

d. Signs with externally moving parts or messages are prohibited. Official signs for

safety purposes shall be exempt from this restriction.

e. Signs which are obscene, indecent, or immoral are prohibited.

f. Signs are prohibited that are made of paper or cardboard erected outside a

completely enclosed building, except for any sign permitted by this Section that is

constructed in a manner in which it does not rapidly deteriorate from rain or other

elements, is maintained in good condition and is promptly repaired or removed if it

deteriorates.

g. Roof signs, defined as a sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon or

over the roof of any building are prohibited.;

h. Signs (other than approved community banners and those erected by a

governmental agency or required to be erected by a governmental agency or its

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contractual agent) erected on the right-of-way of any public street, road, or way,

or signs overhanging or infringing upon the right-of-way of any public street, road,

or way, are prohibited except in the CB (Central Business) district. Such signs must

receive an encroachment permit from the applicable agency, provide proper

liability insurance and be properly permitted as otherwise required by this

ordinance.

i. Signs erected on public property other than signs erected by public authority for

public purposes are prohibited.

j. Signs so located as to prevent free ingress or egress from any door, window, or fire

escape are prohibited. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

k. Signs that emit any sound, visible or invisible gases, or odor as part of any message.

l. Signs on or attached to utility poles or trees, shrubs, or plants are prohibited

except that approved community banners may be attached to utility poles.

m. Signs incorporated into trucks, motor vehicles, trailers and similar equipment

bearing advertising visible from off-site and parked at the business location for the

intended purpose of advertising a business, service or product, are considered

vehicle signs and are prohibited. Delivery and service vehicles or trailers used on a

daily basis in conjunction with an on-site business are exempt when they are

parked in a location that is not visible from off-site, or otherwise creates the least

possible visual impact without significant effect on the security of the vehicle or

trailer.

n. Any off-premise advertising signs, except as specifically permitted by this Section

are prohibited.

4. Temporary On-Premise Signs.

Temporary Signs that are used for any special occasion or business Grand Opening

such as: Banners, posters, pennants, flags (excluding government, political

subdivision, or other official designated flags of an institution or business), wind

signs (gas, cold air or hot air balloons; streamers; and rotating devices, fastened in

such a manner to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze) fixed

balloons, or similar devices which are not solely affixed to a window or the

principal facade, and portable signs on wheels or freestanding shall be permitted in

all commercial zoning districts for a 30 day period not to exceed 4 times per

calendar year.

5. Permanent On-Premise Signs

a. Integral signs, motor vehicle control signs, identification signs, and entrance signs

are permitted in all commercial zoning districts.

b. High-Rise Signs. Property zoned Highway Business (HB) or industrial (LI or HI) and

located within the general vicinity of the Scottsville Road/Interstate 65

interchange, the Louisville Road/Interstate 65 interchange or the Smiths Grove/

Interstate 65 interchange may have a maximum of two freestanding signs, one

which must be a high-rise sign between 50 and 100 feet in height. For the

purposes of calculating the permitted areas, the maximum heights and sign face

areas from the interchanges set forth above, Exhibits A1, A2 and A3 in Appendix A

shall apply.

Angle Width:

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High-Rise Sign Area

High-Rise

Sign Height

High-Rise

Sign Face Area

Exit 22 - Scottsville Rd: Exhibit A1

100 feet

250 sf

Exit 28 - Louisville Rd: Exhibit A2

100 feet

250 sf

Exit 38 - Smiths Grove: Exhibit A3

85 feet

200 sf

c. Historic District. Signs in any Local Historic District shall require a Certificate of

Appropriateness approved by the Historic Preservation Board. All on-premise signs

shall conform to the sign standards provided in the Sign Standards Summary Table

unless otherwise excepted in Section 4.9.4. The more restrictive of the Historic

District Overlay or the underlying district shall apply. Electronic Message Display

(EMD) Signs are prohibited in all Local Historic Districts.

6. Dangerous, Defective, Destroyed, Damaged, Removed or Abandoned On-Premise

Signs. Signs which are deemed dangerous or defective by the Building Inspector or

other authorized Code Enforcement Officer shall be removed at the sole cost and

expense of the property owner. Signs which have been abandoned or which advertise

an establishment, service, or product which has not existed or been available at that

location for a period of one year shall be removed by the property owner at their sole

cost and expense.

7. Existing On-Premise Nonconforming Signs. See Section 6.7, Nonconforming Signs.

8. Off-Premise Signs.

Off premise signs are prohibited throughout Warren County except as Consolidated

Shopping Center Signs allowed in Sec. 4.6.8.F.9 and as outdoor or billboard advertising

signs allowed in Sec. 4.6.8.F.11. Off-premise Religious Institutional and Agriculture

Related Product Signs (not to exceed 32 square feet) may be used as directional signs

in unincorporated areas of Warren County.

9. Consolidated Shopping Center Signs

The following special regulations shall apply to on and off-premise signs for Shopping

Centers zoned HB or Planned Unit Development.

a. Permitted Areas. Any Retail Shopping Center (Combined retail space of a

minimum of 100,000 sf) zoned HB or Planned Unit Development shall be allowed

one freestanding identification sign at each entrance into the development from a

collector or arterial street provided that:

(1) no identification sign shall be spaced closer than 600 feet from another

identification sign for the same Shopping Center Development.

(2) location of the sign must be within 600 feet of the Shopping Centers

Development, and

(3) no identification sign shall be placed so as to obstruct the sight distance.

b. Maximum Area. The total area of the sign face for each side of the identification

sign shall not exceed 200 square feet.

c. Maximum Height of Sign. The maximum height of the identification sign shall not

exceed 30 feet above the average ground level at the base of the sign.

d. Maintenance and Easement. No off-premise identification sign shall be permitted

before first having established an easement by plat or ownership of the property

where the sign is to be located by fee simple absolute for the purpose of location

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of the sign. Further, said easement must include provisions for the maintenance,

landscaping, and removal of the sign.

e. Content of Identification Sign. Any Consolidated Shopping Center identification

sign may carry the name, or a combination of names, of the major enterprise(s) or

firm(s) located within the Shopping Center Development. No sign less than twelve

(12) square feet in sign face area or sign that contains lettering less than eight

inches in height shall be allowed on the identification sign. The content shall not

exceed the total allowable sign face in b. above.

f. Illumination. Signs may be illuminated provided such illumination shall be

effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at

any travel way, or which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to

impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere

with any driver’s operation of a motor vehicle. No sign shall be so illuminated that

it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic sign, device, or

signal. Electronic Message Display (EMD) Signs are prohibited on Consolidated

Shopping Center Signs when located off-premise.

g. Sign Plan Required.

(1) No building permit for a Consolidated Shopping Center sign may be issued

without there having been approved an agreement between the affected

property owners providing for the ongoing maintenance, construction

standards and plan for locating the on-premise and off-premise signs. Any

such agreement shall be in the form to be recorded in the office of the Warren

County Clerk and shall contain provisions requiring it to run with the land for

all purposes. Any such agreement shall contain a provision that it cannot be

amended or repealed without the prior approval of the Planning Commission.

(2) In lieu of an agreement described in the preceding section, a Detailed

Development Plan shall be approved by the Planning Commission setting for

the maintenance, construction standards and plan for locating the on-premise

and off-premise signs.

10. Campus-Style Signage

This type of signage is intended for a campus-style environment including schools,

colleges, religious institutions, performance halls, convention centers, medical

facilities or other similar uses.

a. Permitted Areas. Campus-signage shall be permitted for the above-described uses

permitted that:

(1) The development shall contain a minimum of three acres of real property;

(2) Identification Signage. One monument-style identification sign is permitted at

each entrance to the development, with a minimum separation distance

between such signs of 500 feet. Any such signage shall be placed so as not to

obstruct the sight distance, and shall meet all other setback requirements for

freestanding signage as required by this ordinance.

(3) Directional Signage. Directional signage that is located internal to the

development is permitted, as long as it contains the minimum amount of

information necessary to adequately direct vehicles and pedestrians

throughout the development.

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b. Maximum Height and Sign Face Area.

(1) Identification Signage

a. The maximum height and sign face area shall not exceed the freestanding

signage standards allowed for the zone in which the development is

located.

(2) Directional Signage

a. In no case shall any freestanding directional sign be taller than 8 feet or

larger than 32 square feet.

b. Directional signage may contain the name and/or logo of the development,

but should not exceed more than 10% of the sign face.

c. When identifying directional information, individual tenant panels shall be

limited to a maximum of 4 square feet each.

c. Maintenance and Easement. In the case of multiple tenants or properties,

campus-style signage shall be permitted only after first having established an

easement by plat or ownership of the property where the signage is to be located

by fee simple absolute for the purpose of location of the sign. Further, said

easement must include provisions for the maintenance, landscaping, and removal

of the sign.

d. Illumination. Signs may be illuminated in accordance with the standards outlined

for the zoning district in which the development is located.

11. Billboard Advertising Signs.

The following special regulations shall apply to billboard advertising signs:

a. Permitted Areas.

(1) Interstate Billboards-Interstate Billboards are limited to only portions of

Interstate 65 and the William H. Natcher Parkway (as shown on exhibit B1 in

Appendix A). Minimum setback of any Interstate Billboard Sign shall be at

least 660 feet along these roadways and shall be in compliance with all State

and Federal guidelines for Interstate Billboards. Interstate Billboards are

limited to said highways in HB and industrial (LI and HI) zoning districts.

(2) Urban Billboards-Urban Billboards are limited to only portions of U.S. Hwy. 31-

W, 231, 68, KY 80, KY 880, and KY 185 (as shown on exhibit B2 in Appendix A)

in HB and industrial zoning districts. All Urban Billboards must be located

within the designated Bowling Green/Warren County Urbanized Area.

b. Maximum Area.

(1) Interstate Billboards-Interstate Billboards shall not exceed the total signable

area of 1,600 square feet inclusive of any border and trim.

(2) Urban Billboards-Urban Billboards shall not exceed the total signable area per

face of 600 square feet inclusive of any border and trim.

c. Maximum Height of Sign.

(1) Interstate Billboards - The maximum height shall be 60 feet above the average

ground level at the base of the sign for all Interstate Billboards.

(2) Urban Billboards - The maximum height shall be 40 feet above the average

ground level at the base of the sign for all Urban Billboards.

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d. Maximum Width.

(1) Interstate Billboards - The maximum width shall be 40 feet for all Interstate

Billboards.

(2) Urban Billboards - The maximum width shall be 50 feet for all Urban

Billboards.

e. Sign Structure Configuration. Sign structures may be constructed back to back or

V-shaped. Signs may be double-stacked, as long as, they meet area, height and

width requirements in items b, c and d.

f. Spacing Per Sign Structure and Maximum Number of Sign Structures. No billboard

sign shall be located within 2,500 feet of another billboard sign (on each side of the

roadway) as measured along the centerline of the parkway, interstate, or arterial

highway on which such signs are located. The maximum number of Urban

Billboard Sign Structures located within the designated Bowling Green/ Warren

County Urbanized Area may not exceed 1 sign structure per 1,000 persons (as

defined by the population total for the Bowling Green/ Warren County Urbanized

Area provided by the US Census Bureau or KYTC).

g. Illumination. Signs may be illuminated provided such illumination shall be

effectively shielded so as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at

any travel way, or which are of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare or to

impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle, or which otherwise interfere

with any driver's operation of a motor vehicle are prohibited. No sign shall be so

illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures an official traffic

sign, device or signal. Electronic Message Display (EMD) Signs are prohibited on

Billboard Advertising Signs.

h. Billboard Sign Lot Requirement. All billboard signs must be located on an

individual lot, consisting of at least 5,000 square feet, and meet the lot shape

requirements found in the Subdivision Regulations of Warren County, Kentucky. All

sign structures shall be considered principal structures for purposes of this

Ordinance and shall be the sole structure on the lot. Such lots must meet all

dimensional requirements (frontage, width, setbacks, etc) of the specific zoning

district in which the sign is located. Adequate water and sewer capacity shall not

be required for such lots.

i. Cut-outs or Extensions. Cutouts or extensions of a non-permanent nature shall not

exceed 60 square feet and shall not exceed six feet in height nor 10 feet in width

(added to the top of the display face). Cutouts or extensions which would extend

along the entire top of the signable area and thereby increase the overall height or

width of the sign face shall be considered of permanent nature and shall be

prohibited. No cut-outs or extensions shall be added to the sides or bottom of the

sign face.

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G. Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage shall be allowed in the GB and HB districts, only, and in

accordance with this Section. Storage shall include supplies or equipment situated

outdoors and shall be subject to the requirements of this Section. Such storage shall only

include supplies and equipment that are directly related to, or that will serve, the principal

use of the property. Such storage shall not include junk, trash, garbage or other general

debris. Outdoor storage in the GB and HB districts shall not exceed 5 percent of the total

site area.

1. Exceptions.

a. Merchandise displayed on-site is classified as Outdoor Display, and is subject to

Section 4.6.8.H below.

b. Waste generated on-site and deposited in ordinary refuse containers shall not be

subject to the restrictions of this Section.

c. Areas enclosed by solid, opaque walls on at least three sides and covered by a

solid, opaque roof shall not be considered outdoor.

2. Location and Screening of Outdoor Storage.

a. Outdoor storage shall not be located in front of the primary structure.

b. Outdoor storage areas shall be paved.

c. If located within 100 feet of any property line or right-of-way, all outdoor storage

areas shall be treated similarly to a VUA, and shall be landscaped in accordance

with Section 4.6.8.D.3 of this ordinance. If located adjacent to an incompatible use,

subsection d. below shall substitute for this requirement.

d. If located adjacent to an incompatible use, outdoor storage shall be set back a

minimum of 10 feet from the property line and meet the landscaping requirements

for incompatible uses as outlined in Section 4.6.8.D.2 of this ordinance.

H. Outdoor Display. Outdoor display shall be allowed in commercial districts as outlined in

the table below, and in accordance with this Section. Any merchandise displayed outdoor

shall be subject to the requirements of this Section. Such display shall not include junk,

trash, garbage or other general debris. For the purpose of this section, outdoor display

shall be broken down into three types, as follows:

1. Type 1: Outdoor Display. Type 1 Outdoor Display shall be allowed adjacent to a

principal building wall and extending to a distance no greater than 5 feet from the

wall. Such display shall not be permitted to block windows, entrances or exits, and

shall not impair the ability of pedestrians to use the building. Examples include:

a. Propane tank exchange, ice freezers, vending machines or other similar items

enclosed within a freestanding structure or machine;

b. Loose merchandise for sale which are only displayed during business hours;

c. Larger specialty items such as lawn and garden equipment, patio furniture, etc.

2. Type 2: Limited Outdoor Display. Type 2 Limited Outdoor Display shall not exceed 5

percent of the total site area. Examples include pre-fabricated buildings for sale,

agricultural, plant and lawn care associated items for sale;

3. Type 3: Temporary/Seasonal Outdoor Display. Type 3 Temporary/Seasonal Outdoor

Display may exceed the 5% limit for Limited Outdoor Display but shall require a permit

from the Building Inspector and shall be limited to a 30 day period no more than 4

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times per year. Examples include Christmas trees, firework tents/displays, lawn and

garden displays, etc.

4. Exceptions.

a. Supplies or equipment located outdoor are considered Outdoor Storage and are

subject to the requirements in Section 4.6.8.G.

b. Vehicles for sale (including boats) shall not be considered merchandise subject to

the restrictions of this Section, but must meet the specific use standards for vehicle

sales in Article 5 of this ordinance.

c. Manufactured housing or model homes that are displayed in a semi-permanent

state with permanent landscaping and skirting shall not be considered

merchandise for the purposes of outdoor display and are not subject to the

restrictions of this Section.

d. Waste generated on-site and deposited in ordinary refuse containers shall not be

subject to the restrictions of this Section.

e. Areas enclosed by solid, opaque walls on at least three sides and covered by a

solid, opaque roof shall not be considered outdoor.

5. Location and Screening of Outdoor Display.

a. All outdoor display shall be located outside the public right-of-way and/or at least

15 feet from the back edge of the adjacent curb or street pavement.

b. Outdoor display areas shall be paved with a permitted surface as outlined in

Section 4.6.8.E.9.

c. If located within 100 feet of any property line or right-of-way, all outdoor display

areas shall be treated similarly to a VUA, and shall be landscaped in accordance

with Section 4.6.8.D.3 of this ordinance. If located adjacent to an incompatible use,

subsection d. below shall substitute for this requirement.

d. If located adjacent to an incompatible use, outdoor display areas shall be set back

a minimum of 10 feet from the property line and meet the landscaping

requirements for incompatible uses as outlined in Section 4.6.8.D.2 of this

ordinance

e. Any temporary/seasonal outdoor storage shall not interfere with ingress/egress to

the property or impede traffic movement internal to the site.

6. Allowed Storage Table. The three types of outdoor display shall be allowed in the

districts designated in the Table below:

TYPE

OP-R

OP-C

Type 1: Outdoor Display



Type 2: Limited Outdoor Display



Type 3: Temporary/Seasonal



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I. Outdoor Lighting and Speakers.

1. All lighting fixtures designed or placed so as to illuminate any portion of a site shall

meet the following requirements.

a. Fixtures. All light sources shall be concealed within an opaque housing and shall

not be visible from any public right-of-way or residential district boundary.

b. Mounting. Fixtures must be mounted in such a manner that the cone of light does

not cross any property line of the site.

c. Illumination Levels. All site lighting shall be designed so that the level of

illumination, measured in footcandles (fc) at any one point meets the standards for

the specific use below. Minimum and maximum levels are measured at a single

point. Average level is the not-to-exceed value calculated using only the area

intended to receive illumination.

(1) Canopy Lighting. Any lighted canopy (fuel sales, automated teller machines,

etc.) shall be illuminated with an average 12 fc, a minimum of 2 fc, and a

maximum of 20 fc.

(2) Commercial Parking Lots. All commercial parking lots shall be lighted with an

average 1.5 fc, a minimum of 0.2 fc, and a maximum of 10 fc.

(3) General Lighting. Lighting on any commercial property shall be directed

downward and inward, designed to minimize light trespass onto adjacent

properties and shall not exceed 0.5 foot candles at the property line.

2. Outdoor paging and speaker systems are prohibited except for emergency warning

systems and at drive-through windows meeting the specific use criteria in Sec. 5.2.

J. Accessory Structure Standards. Accessory buildings and structures, except as otherwise

permitted by this Ordinance, shall require a building permit and shall be subject to the

following regulations in all commercial zoning districts.

1. Fences may be located in the front yard of the development, but are subject to the

following height limitations:

a. Maximum fence height in the front yard of the NB, GB, OP-R, OP-C zones is 4 feet.

b. Maximum fence height in the front yard of the CB and HB zones is 6 feet.

c. There is no height limitation for fences located in the front yard of property zoned

P (Public).

2. Fences are not subject to building or structure setbacks, but must adhere to the sight

distance requirements in Section 1.14 of this Ordinance.

3. In the case of a corner lot, no accessory building or structure shall extend beyond the

front of the principal structure or be nearer to the side street than the depth of any

required front yard for a dwelling along such side street. Fences constructed on a

corner lot are subject to the height limitations listed in Section 4.6.8.J.1 for yards

along all frontages. Fences are not subject to building or structure setbacks, but must

adhere to the sight distance requirements in Section 1.14 of this Ordinance.

4. Where the accessory building is structurally attached or connected to the principal

building, including breezeways, it shall be subject to, and shall conform to, all

regulations of this Ordinance applicable to the principal building.

5. An accessory building may not exceed the height of the principal structure.

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6. Accessory buildings/structures shall be permanently affixed to the ground and shall

not include mobile home, bus, travel trailer, RV, trailer, cooler, vehicle or freight

container. Ground level storage units are excluded from the requirement to be

permanently affixed to the ground and shall be allowed in commercial districts with

appropriate screening as outlined in Sec. 4.6.8.D.

K. Residential Uses.

1. Residential uses in commercial zones may be permitted as a standalone use,

accessory to a specific use, or incorporated into mixed-use developments as

permitted in the following chart:

OP-R

OP-C

Standalone Residential

Applicable Development

Standards

RS-1D

RS-1D or

RM-3

RS-1D

Accessory Apartment

Mixed-Use

Development

P = Permitted

- = Not Permitted

2. The following section outlines the requirements specific to each of the residential use

types identified in Section 4.6.8.K.1 above.

a. Standalone Residential Uses. Standalone residential uses in the NB, GB and OP-R

zones must adhere to the corresponding development standards referenced in the

chart above.

b. Accessory Apartment. A maximum of one (1) accessory apartment is permitted in

the NB, GB, HB, OP-R, OP-C and P districts.

(1) In the NB and OP-R zones, an accessory apartment must adhere to the

requirements outlined in Section 4.4.5.E.6.

(2) In the GB, HB, OP-C and P zones, an accessory apartment may be attached or

detached from the principal structure. The floor area of the accessory

apartment may not exceed 50 percent of the floor area of the principal

structure.

c. Mixed-Use Development. Residential uses may be incorporated into buildings

containing a mixture of uses.

(1) In the NB, GB, HB and OP-C zones, residential uses are allowed in unlimited

quantities, if located on a second or higher story of the principal structure.

(2) In the CB zone, residential uses are allowed in unlimited quantities, if located

on a second or higher story of the principal structure. A minimum of one off-

street parking space per dwelling unit must be provided in the CB zone.

Residential uses are allowed on the first floor, and must adhere to the

following standards:

a) In no case shall the first floor of any principal structure in the CB zone

contain more than 50 percent residential use.

b) The front façade(s) of the principal structure must contain a commercial

use, with residential uses to be located to the rear.

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L. Horizontal Property (Condominium)

1. The intent and application of this Ordinance is to implement and reaffirm the

Horizontal Property Law of Kentucky (KRS 381).

2. A master deed or lease or floor plans meeting the standards set forth in KRS 381 shall

not be filed in the office of the Warren County Clerk without having first been

reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission.

3. The maximum permitted overall densities and floor area ratios and the minimum

outdoor area, living space, and recreation area ratios shall be controlled by the zoning

district classification in which the project is located.

4. The establishment, expansion or diminution of a horizontal property regime shall be

subject to review and approval by the Planning Commission in the same manner as

approval of a record plat.

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SEC. 4.7 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS

4.7.1 Light Industrial District (LI)

The Light Industrial District is intended to provide areas segregated for industrial use where

processes and equipment employed and goods processed are limited to those which are not

objectionable by reason of odor, dust, smoke, cinders, gas fumes, noise, vibration, refuse

matter or water-carried waste.

4.7.2 Heavy Industrial District (HI)

The Heavy Industrial District is intended to provide opportunities for the development of

industry which may have significant external impacts due to noise, glare, heat, odor, dust,

vibration or hazardous materials.

4.7.3 General Industrial Development Standards

A. Uses. Uses permitted in each District are shown in the Use Table in Sec. 5.1. This table

employs broad use categories containing a variety of similar uses. The use categories

are described in Sec. 5.2, Use Categories, and Appendix B lists examples of uses,

showing which use categories they fall into. Additional standards for specific uses, if

any, can be found in each category.

B. Property Development Standards.

1. Development in each District shall comply with the industrial development

standards in the following table:

Lot Area, min. sq. ft.

Public Sewer

Septic System

5,000

1 Acre

5,000

1 Acre

Lot Width, min. ft. at Bldg.

Line

Lot Frontage, min. ft.

Lot Coverage, max. %

90%

Setbacks, min. ft.

Front Yard

Side Yard

Rear Yard

Fence

Height, max. ft.

100

Building Size, max. sq. ft.

N/A

Parking

See Section 4.7.3.E

Min. Fire Flow Required?

600 GPM

Landscaping Required

See Section 4.6.8.D for requirements

Residential Uses Allowed?

For industrial uses utilizing an on-site septic system, see Section 1.12.2.A.4.

See Sec. 4.7.3.C for additional setback required adjacent to a residential district/use.

Fences must also adhere to the requirements of Section 4.7.3.J.

2. Minimum Lot Area Above 100-Year Flood Level Required. No lot served by public

sanitary sewer shall be created or developed which does not have at least 5,000

square feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level. No lot served by

on-site septic systems shall be created or developed which does not have at least

20,000 square feet of lot area above the 100-year frequency flood level.

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3. Measurement of Lot Coverage. Lot coverage shall include all areas of the lot

covered by buildings, structures (including accessory structures), patios, walkways,

travelways, and parking areas, including gravel parking areas. Lot coverage does

not include pervious material or similar permeable paving material. The percent of

lot coverage shall be determined by dividing the total covered area by the gross

area of the lot.

4. Variable Front Yard Setback. A waiver from the strict enforcement of the front

yard setback shown for a specific property may be granted by the Executive Director

where the majority of existing development on the same block face is set back less

than the required setback. In such case, the front yard setback may be the average

setback line for that block face. In the absence of existing development on a

particular block face, and where the majority of existing development on an

opposing block face is set back less than the required setback, the front yard

setback may be the average setback line for the opposing block face. Any property

utilizing a variable front yard setback must still meet the sight distance triangle

requirements outlined in Section 1.14.

C. Additional Setback Adjacent to Residential District, Structure or Use. Development in

any industrial district adjacent to the boundary of a residential district, structure or use

shall require a 50-foot side and rear yard setback.

D. Landscaping. All industrial development shall comply with the minimum landscaping

standards as set forth in the Commercial Development Standards in Section 4.6.8.D.

E. Off-Street Parking and Loading. Off-street vehicle storage or parking space shall be

provided on any lot on which any of the following uses are hereafter established; such

space shall be provided with vehicular access to a street or alley.

1. Required Spaces. The following are minimum requirements for specific uses. All

measurements utilizing square feet shall be square feet of gross floor area unless

otherwise expressly stated. Combined uses shall be required to provide parking

equal to the total requirements for the individual uses. Where necessary,

calculations shall be based on Kentucky Building Code Occupancy load

requirements.

Industrial Use

Spaces Required

Industrial Plant

1 space per employee, maximum shift

Wholesale, Storage or Warehousing

1 space per employee, maximum shift

Industrial Service

1 space per 300 square feet

All other Industrial Uses

See Sec 4.6.8.E

2. Computation and Design. All parking required under this Section shall comply with

Section 4.6.8.E. of the Commercial Development Standards with regard to

computing parking requirements, alternative parking study, parking space design,

off-site parking, and shared parking.

3. Parking Surface. Drives and parking areas must be paved with concrete, asphalt,

brick pavers, pervious material or similar permeable paving material. Alternative

parking surface options for heavy trucks and equipment are outlined below.

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4. Alternative Parking Surface. At the time of the filing of any application for a

building or paving permit, the Parking Surface Standards for semi-trucks (or similar

vehicles) and heavy equipment in the Light Industry (LI) and Heavy Industry (HI)

districts may be waived by Planning Commission staff with the following conditions:

a. Travelways and all other parking areas must be paved with concrete, asphalt,

brick pavers, pervious material or similar permeable paving material. Travelways

that serve the sole purpose of providing access for emergency vehicles to the

side or rear of the site may utilize gravel as a permitted surface.

b. Development utilizing an alternative parking surface must use an acceptable

containment material approved by Planning Commission staff in order to

minimize the spreading of alternative paving materials into landscaping areas,

travelways and other parking areas.

c. Development utilizing an alternative parking surface must not extend beyond

the front of the principal structure and shall be screened from adjoining

residential uses.

d. Development utilizing an alternative parking surface may not be located within

designated building setback areas and must meet all landscape requirements of

the Zoning Ordinance outlined in Sec. 4.6.8.D.3 and 4.6.8.D.4.

e. Development utilizing an alternative parking surface shall conform to the

Stormwater Management Program and must be designed and constructed so as

to direct stormwater runoff to the appropriate drainage facility.

5. Off-Street Loading Space. Every building or structure hereafter constructed for

business or trade use shall provide adequate space for the loading or unloading of

delivery vehicles on site.

District

Minimum Off-Street Loading Space

LI, HI

1 space per each 20,000 sf (or fraction thereof) of building.

F. Signs. All signs in the Industrial Districts shall comply with Section 4.6.8.F. of the

Commercial Development Standards.

G. Outdoor Storage. Outdoor storage shall be allowed in the LI and HI districts, in

accordance with this Section. Such storage shall include materials, supplies or

equipment situated outdoors and shall be subject to the requirements of this Section.

Such storage shall only include materials, supplies or equipment that are directly related

to, or that will serve, the principal use of the property. Such storage shall not include

junk, trash, garbage or other debris. Outdoor storage is subject to the location and

screening requirements below.

a. Exceptions.

1) Merchandise displayed on-site is classified as Outdoor Display, and is subject to

Section 4.7.3.H below.

2) Waste generated on-site and deposited in ordinary refuse containers shall not be

subject to the restrictions of this Section.

3) Areas enclosed by solid, opaque walls on at least three sides and covered by a

solid, opaque roof shall not be considered outdoor.

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4) Junkyards, scrapyards, towing operations, vehicle storage, vehicle repair, body

work, body shop, recycling operations, salvage or wrecking operations, and

waste related uses are not considered storage and are subject to specific use

standards in Section 5.2.5 of this ordinance.

b. Location and Screening of Outdoor Storage

1) Outdoor storage shall be located outside the public right-of-way and at least 25

feet from the front property line.

2) If located adjacent to a residential use, outdoor storage shall meet the minimum

setback requirements outlined in Section 4.7.3.C. If located adjacent to any other

incompatible use, outdoor storage shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from

the property line.

3) If located within 100 feet of any property line or right-of-way, all outdoor storage

areas shall be treated similarly to a VUA, and shall be landscaped in accordance

with Section 4.6.8.D.3 of this ordinance. If located adjacent to an incompatible

use, subsection 4. below shall substitute for this requirement.

4) When located adjacent to an incompatible use, outdoor storage must be

landscaped in accordance with section 4.6.8.D.2 of this ordinance

H. Outdoor Display. Outdoor display shall be allowed in both the LI and HI districts, and in

accordance with this Section. Such display is allowed in unlimited quantities provided

that the maximum lot coverage is not exceeded and parking requirements for the use is

met. Such display shall not include junk, trash, garbage or other general debris.

Examples of outdoor display include:

- Propane tank exchange, ice freezers, vending machines or other similar items

enclosed within a freestanding structure or machine;

- Loose merchandise for sale which are only displayed during business hours;

- Larger specialty items such as lawn and garden equipment, patio furniture, etc.

- pre-fabricated buildings for sale, agricultural, plant and lawn care associated items

for sale;

- product for sale including construction materials such as brick, stone, lumber, etc.

- Christmas trees, firework tents/displays, lawn and garden displays, etc.

a. Exceptions.

1) Materials, supplies or equipment located outdoor are considered Outdoor

Storage and are subject to the requirements in Section 4.7.3.G.

2) Vehicles for sale (including boats) shall not be considered merchandise subject to

the restrictions of this Section, but must meet the specific use standards for

vehicle sales in Article 5 of this ordinance.

3) Manufactured housing or model homes that are displayed in a semi-permanent

state with permanent landscaping and skirting shall not be considered

merchandise for the purposes of outdoor display and are not subject to the

restrictions of this Section.

4) Waste generated on-site and deposited in ordinary refuse containers shall not be

subject to the restrictions of this Section.

5) Areas enclosed by solid, opaque walls on at least three sides and covered by a

solid, opaque roof shall not be considered outdoor.

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b. Location and Screening of Outdoor Display.

1) All outdoor display shall be located outside the public right-of-way and/or at

least 15 feet from the back edge of the adjacent curb or street pavement.

2) Outdoor display areas shall be paved, if located in front of the principal

structure.

3) If located within 100 feet of any property line or right-of-way, all outdoor display

areas shall be treated similarly to a VUA, and shall be landscaped in accordance

with Section 4.6.8.D.3 of this ordinance. If located adjacent to an incompatible

use, subsection d. below shall substitute for this requirement.

4) If located adjacent to an incompatible use, outdoor display areas shall be set

back a minimum of 10 feet from the property line and meet the landscaping

requirements for incompatible uses as outlined in Section 4.6.8.D.2 of this

ordinance.

5) Any temporary/seasonal outdoor storage shall not interfere with ingress/egress

to the property or impede traffic movement internal to the site.

I. Outdoor Lighting and Speakers.

1. All lighting fixtures designed or placed so as to illuminate any portion of a site shall

meet the following requirements.

a. Fixtures. All light sources shall be concealed within an opaque housing and shall

not be visible from any public right-of-way or residential district boundary.

b. Mounting. Fixtures must be mounted in such a manner that the cone of light

does not cross any property line of the site.

c. Illumination Levels. All lighting in industrial zones shall comply with the

standards outlined in Section 4.6.8.I.1.C.

2. Outdoor speaker systems must be located a minimum of 250 feet from any

residential district/use.

J. Accessory Building Standards. Accessory buildings, except as otherwise permitted by

this Ordinance, shall require a building permit and shall be subject to the following

regulations in all industrial zoning districts.

1. Where the accessory building is structurally attached or connected to the principal

building, including breezeways, it shall be subject to, and shall conform to, all

regulations of this Ordinance applicable to the principal building.

2. Accessory buildings/structures shall be permanently affixed to the ground and shall

not include mobile home, bus, travel trailer, RV, trailer, cooler, vehicle or freight

container. Ground level storage units shall be exempt from the requirement to be

permanently affixed and shall be allowed in industrial districts with appropriate

screening as outlined in 4.6.8.D.

3. Fences in industrial zones are not subject to the principal or accessory structure

setbacks or height limitations, but must adhere to the sight distance requirements in

Section 1.14 of this Ordinance.

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SEC. 4.8 SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS

4.8.1 Planned Unit Development (PUD)

A. The purpose of a PUD is to encourage and allow more creative and imaginative design of

land development than is possible under conventional zoning regulations. The PUD zone

provides more flexibility in terms of development standards and requirements such as

setback and yard area, lot size and dimensions and building height. Ideally, this flexibility

results in development that is better planned, contains more amenities and is more

desirable to live and work in and, ultimately, provides substantial benefits to the

community and environment compared to conventional zoning districts.

Each PUD shall be properly planned and designed and comply with the following

objectives:

1. All PUDs should promote design creativity and excellence that will result in high

quality development;

2. PUDs should allow for a mixture of land uses and building types not otherwise

allowed in a conventional zoning district by careful planning that establishes

compatible relationships between uses within the site and uses adjacent to the site;

3. PUDs should allow a mixture of different land uses and building types in an

innovative and functionally efficient manner;

4. All PUDs should be reviewed for consistency with the adopted Comprehensive Plan

B. Uses Permitted. Uses shall be limited to those identified in the approved general

development plan for the PUD.

C. Development Standards.

1. Any parcel proposed for development as a PUD shall have a minimum lot size of 1

acre.

2. Any PUD shall be developed in accordance with the standards identified in the

approved general development plan, including the concept plan, for the PUD.

3. Any PUD development shall be in compliance with all adopted health, fire, and

building codes.

D. PUDs Without Development Plan Conditions. It is recognized that there are older

developments within the community zoned PUD with no development plan conditions.

New development or improvements on such property shall default to the development

standards in the zoning districts as specified in the table below:

Use Type

Default Development Standard District

Agriculture

AG (Agriculture)

Single Family Residential

Public Sewer

Septic System

RS-1A, B, C or D (Single Family Residential)*

R-E (Residential Estate)

Multi-Family Residential

RM-3 (Multi-Family Residential)

Public

P (Public)

Commercial

HB (Highway Business)

Industrial

LI (Light Industrial)

* The most applicable Residential Sewer (RS) district will be based on the density and

development standards such as lot width, lot sizes, lot coverage, etc.

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4.8.2 General Flood Plain District (F)

A. Land to Which Flood Plain Designation Applies. All lands determined to:

1. Be inundated by a storm event equal to a 100 year return period or included in the

area inundated by the 100 year flood;

2. Be subject to inundation by directed runoff from short return period events; or

3. Contain an opening into the subterranean water channel, shall be subject to these

regulations.

4. The originally designated areas shall include those areas shown on either the Flood

Insurance Studies for the City of Bowling Green and Warren County prepared by the

Federal Emergency Management Administration ( FEMA) dated May 2, 2007 or as is

from time to time amended and the Flood Hazard Boundary Maps (FB-4M) and

Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) contained therein or U.S. Soil Conservation

Services, Soils Maps of Warren County dated 1977 or as from time to time

amended.

5. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the application of these regulations to lands

which can be certified to the Commission by a Kentucky registered professional

engineer to lie within any area subject to periodic flooding, impaction by storm

drainage or containing an opening into a subterranean water channel.

B. Warning and Disclaimer of Liability. The degree of flood protection required by this

Ordinance is considered reasonable for regulatory purposes and is based on scientific

and engineering consideration. Larger floods can and will occur on rare occasions.

Flood heights may be increased by man-made or natural causes. This Section does not

warrant, directly or indirectly, that areas outside the Flood Plain District or land uses

permitted within such district will be free from flooding or flood damages. This Section

shall not create liability on the part of the Cities of Bowling Green, Plum Springs,

Oakland, Smiths Grove, Woodburn or Warren County or any officer or employee

thereof for any flood damages that result from reliance on this article or any

administrative decision lawfully made there under.

C. Maintenance of Property. This Section does not obligate the Cities of Woodburn, Plum

Springs, Oakland, Smiths Grove, Bowling Green or County of Warren or any agencies or

sub-agencies any assumption of maintenance of any area designated as a Flood Plain

District. Nor does it assume any maintenance obligation for storm drainage systems

approved by such cities and the City-County Planning Commission of Warren County.

D. Permitted Structures. No principal or accessory structures shall be permitted within any

area designated as a part of a Flood Plain District. Structures located on lots partially

included within the Flood Plain District shall be permitted provided they are located

outside of the limits of the Flood Plain District and the first floor and basement floor are

at least 1.5 feet above the regulatory flood-projection elevation and is utilized in

conjunction with a permitted use carried on within the adjacent district. The area

designated as Flood Plain District may be used to meet yard and setback requirements

of adjoining districts for lots owned under single ownership.

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E. Permitted Uses. The following open space uses shall be permitted provided they do not

require structures or fill or cause obstruction of flood flows or restrict the capacity of

the channel or floodways of any main stream, tributary, or any other drainage facility or

structure or cause erosion and are used in conjunction with a permitted use carried on

within an adjacent district on lots owned under single ownership.

1. Agriculture Uses: General farming, outdoor plant nurseries, sod farming, animal

brooding and breeding, wild crop farming, apiary, crops, dairy, forestry, livestock,

orchards, poultry, pasture, grazing, horticulture, viticulture and truck farming,

detention basins, and ponds lakes, cattle shed, stables, and hatcheries.

2. Public Uses: Arboretum or botanical garden, recreation uses, nursery including

agriculture and florists, detention basins, ponds or lakes, and hiking and horseback

riding trails, playgrounds both public and private, airplane beacons and markers,

amphitheater and band shells, zoological gardens, marinas, boat rentals, docks,

piers, wharfs and boat ramps.

3. Commercial and Industrial Uses: Private recreational uses, nursery including

agriculture and florists, detention basins, ponds or lakes, hiking and horseback

riding trails, playgrounds both public and private, and sales and storage of hay and

straw loading areas, airport landing strips, railroads, streets, bridges, utility

transmission lines and pipelines.

4. Residential Uses: Lawns, play areas, and gardens.

F. Standards for All Uses in District

1. All Uses: No fill (including fill for roads), deposit, obstruction, storage of materials

or equipment, or other use may be allowed which, acting alone, or in combination

with existing or future uses, would cause any decrease in the capacity of the

floodway or would cause any increase in flood heights, cause erosion or obstruction

of water course, natural drainage crevices, sinkholes, ditches and known

subterranean water channels. Consideration of the effects of a proposed use shall

be based on a reasonable assumption that there will be an equal degree of

encroachment extending for a significant reach on both sides of the watercourse.

a. Fill:

(1) Any fill or material proposed to be deposited in the floodway must be

shown to have some beneficial purpose and the amount thereof not

greater than is necessary to achieve that purpose, nor will it cause any

increase in the flood heights. These conditions must be demonstrated by a

plan submitted by the owner and prepared by registered engineer showing

the uses to which the filled land will be put and the final dimensions of the

proposed fill or other materials and how such fill will be placed and

compacted.

(2) Such a fill or other materials shall be protected against erosion by riprap,

vegetation cover, or bulkheading.

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b. Storage of Material and Equipment:

(1) The storage or processing of materials that, in time of flooding, are

buoyant, flammable, explosive, or could be injurious to human, animal, or

plant life is prohibited.

(2) Storage of other material or equipment may be allowed if not subject to

major damage by floods and firmly anchored to prevent flotation or if

readily removable from the area within the time available after flood

warning.

c. Other General Standards:

(1) Electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment,

ductwork, and other service facilities shall be located at least 1.5 feet above

the regulatory flood-projection elevation.

(2) New and replacement water supply systems shall be designed to minimize

or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system;

(3) New and replacement sanitary sewage systems shall be designed to

minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system and

discharges from the systems into flood waters;

(4) On-site waste disposal systems shall be located outside the base flood

elevation and constructed so as to avoid impairment to them or

contamination from them during flooding.

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SEC. 4.9 OVERLAY DISTRICTS

4.9.1 General

Where an overlay district and the underlying or base zoning district have different

standards or regulations, the most restrictive standards or regulations pertaining to that

land shall apply.

4.9.2 Conservation Subdivision Overlay District (CSOD)

A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose and intent of the Conservation Subdivision

Overlay District is to provide for the preservation of prime farmland, greenspace

and watersheds; to allow residential developments that permit flexibility of design

and efficient uses of the land; to preserve sensitive natural resources such as

groundwater, floodplains, wetlands, streams, steep slopes, woodlands and wildlife

habitat; to conserve scenic views and view sheds of open spaces by the use of a

Conservation Subdivision as outlined by this Ordinance. It is the intent of this

Overlay District to allow for an alternative and optional development style with

regard to sidewalks, street widths, street lights, curb and gutter, or other

development requirements as outlined within the Subdivision Regulations.

B. Description of Area. A Conservation Subdivision development is only permitted in

the unincorporated areas of Warren County illustrated by Exhibit C in Appendix A of

this Ordinance.

C. Map Amendment Required. Establishment of a Conservation Subdivision requires a

map amendment as outlined in Section 3.11 of this Ordinance. Such amendment

shall establish the CSOD overlay designation for the development.

D. Permitted Zoning District. The permitted zoning districts that are allowed to be

utilized under the Conservation Subdivision Overlay District include: AG

(Agriculture); utilizing the property development standards as outlined in Section F

below.

E. Permitted Uses. The permitted uses within the Conservation Subdivision Overlay

District shall be the same as the underlying zoning district as enumerated in the Use

Table in Section 5.1 of this Ordinance for the portion of property to be developed.

Areas classified as Conservation Areas shall be limited to Agriculture production,

floodplains, wetlands, woodlands, a single dwelling unit, common areas, drainage

areas or other amenities to the Conservation Subdivision, for the duration of the

Conservation Areas as set forth in Section 4.9.3.J below.

F. Minimum Road Width Required for Density Bonus. Any property proposed for a

Conservation Subdivision utilizing the option for a density bonus outlined below

shall be accessed from a County or State maintained roadway of at least eighteen

(18) feet in width. Any proposed Conservation Subdivision that does not meet this

requirement may be required to add additional width to such roadway in

accordance with the Subdivision Regulations of Warren County and the applicable

jurisdiction. Any addition or proposed addition of roadway shall extend from the

entrance(s) of the property containing the proposed Conservation Subdivision and

connect with the nearest public roadway that is at least 18 feet in width.

G. Property Development Standards. A property must consist of a minimum forty (40)

acres in order to utilize the Conservation Subdivision Development Standards.

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1. All conservation subdivisions must be served by an internal street as approved

by the applicable jurisdiction.

2. The maximum number of lots is determined by dividing the gross area of the

proposed conservation subdivision, using the nearest whole number of acres,

by the minimum lot size specified in the Agriculture (AG) zoning district (5

acres), plus a density bonus specified below:

a. Subdivisions proposed for on-site septic development and accessed from a

road less than 18 feet in width will not receive a density bonus, and shall

contain a maximum of 20 lots.

Lot Calculation Example:

Gross area of proposed subdivision (40 acres) ÷ minimum lots size in AG (5

acres) = 8 total lots.

b. Subdivisions proposed for on-site septic development and accessed from a

road equal to or greater than18 in width will receive a density bonus of

250%.

Lot Calculation Example:

Gross area of proposed subdivision (40 acres) ÷ minimum lot size in AG (5

acres) x 2.5 (250% density bonus) = 20 total lots. In this example there

would be 20, one acre lots and 20 acres in an easement.

c. Subdivisions proposed for sanitary sewer development and accessed from a

road equal to or greater than18 ft in width will receive a density bonus of

500%.

Lot Calculation Example:

Gross area of proposed subdivision (40 acres) ÷ minimum lot size in AG (5

acres) x 5 (500% density bonus) = 40 total lots. In this example there would

be 40, half acre lots (or less) on 20 acres with the remaining 20 acres (or

more) in an easement.

3. The following Table specifies the general development standards that shall

apply:

AG (Septic)

AG (Sewer)

Road Width Standard

(as outlined in Sec. 4.9.2.F)

< 18 ft Road

≥18 ft Road

Density Bonus

None

(1:1 ratio)

250 %

(2.5:1 ratio)

500%

(5:1 ratio)

Lot Area (min sf)

43,560

10,000

Lot Width (min at bldg line)

100 feet

75 feet

Lot Frontage

Public Street

50 feet

Cul-de-sac (bulb only)

40 feet

32 feet

Lot Coverage

30%

50%

60%

Setbacks (min)

Front Yard

Rear Yard

Side Yard

7.5

Accessory Structure

Height (max)

Off-Street Parking

(spaces required)

2 Total

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H. Minimum Conservation Area. The minimum conservation area of a property

proposing a Conservation Subdivision Overlay District shall be required to preserve

a minimum of 50% of the total land area. The preservation of these designated

areas may take the form of non-perpetual Conservation Easements, Agricultural

Easements, plat restrictions and/or other binding agreements as approved by the

Executive Director. The conservation area must surround the property and can be

used to meet the buffer requirements in subsection K below.

I. Types of Conservation Areas. Conservation Areas may consist of, but not be limited

to, the following: Agricultural Easements, Conservation Easements, Donation of

land to a public entity (i.e. governmental, nature preserve or land trust), Living

Trust, Right of First Refusal and/or Purchase of land.

J. Duration of Conservation Areas. Conservation areas shall be required to place a

restriction of development on the remaining portion of property for a period of at

least twenty (20) years. This section in no way shall limit a property owner from

imposing a greater time period from which to restrict development. The

conservation area shall remain in a shared ownership agreement in similar fashion

as a condominium regime, neighborhood association or similar entity created at the

time of development. After the initial twenty (20) year period, the owners of the

conservation area may transfer ownership to a third party upon the consent of all of

the owners within the boundaries of the original development.

K. Buffer Requirements. When a property is proposed for a Conservation Subdivision

development, the following buffers shall be required from the nearest adjacent

property line to the nearest lot in the conservation subdivision:

1. One hundred (100) feet where the buffer is comprised of existing mature

vegetation that will provide adequate separation between properties; or

2. Two hundred (200) feet in the absence of existing mature vegetation.

This buffer area may be used as part of any lot within the development; however, in

no case shall the area be used for any principal or accessory structures.

4.9.3 Urban Growth Overlay District (UG)

A. Purpose and Intent. The Urban Growth Overlay District is intended to implement

focal point plans for growth areas, to promote innovative, attractive and efficient

use of land, to encourage planned development and multi-modal transportation

systems and to permit flexibility and creativity in the design of such planned

development. The purpose of this ordinance shall include, but not be limited to the

following:

1. To encourage and promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the

citizens of the City and County, including the development and coordination of

municipal growth and services.

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2. To encourage originality, flexibility, innovation in site planning and

development, and vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including the

architecture, landscaping and graphic design of proposed developments in

relation to the area as a whole.

3. To discourage monotonous, unsightly, and inharmonious developments,

minimize discordant and unsightly surroundings and visual blight, and avoid

inappropriate and poor quality design.

4. To promote orderly community growth, protect and enhance property values

for the community as a whole and other environmental and aesthetic

considerations which generally enhance rather than detract from community

standards and values of the comfort and prosperity of the community and the

preservation of its natural beauty and other natural resources, which are the

proper concern of local government, and to promote and enhance construction

and maintenance practices that will tend to enhance environmental and

aesthetic quality for the community as a whole.

B. Description of the Area. The following areas are hereby designated an Urban

Growth Overlay Districts requiring review from the Urban Growth Design Review

Board:

1. Cemetery Road Corridor (KY 234) see Exhibit D1 in Appendix A.

2. Lovers Lane Corridor (KY 880) see Exhibit D2 in Appendix A.

C. Permitted Uses. Except as prohibited in item D, below, uses permitted in each

zoning district are those uses permitted in the underlying zoning district as

enumerated in the Use Table in Sec. 5.1. This table employs broad use categories

containing a variety of similar uses for each Zoning District. The use categories are

described in Sec. 5.2, Use Categories, and Appendix B, which lists examples of uses

(showing which use categories they fall into).

D. Prohibited Uses. The following uses are expressly prohibited in each Urban Growth

Overlay District:

Cemetery Road Corridor (KY 234) see Exhibit D1 in Appendix A.

1. Adult entertainment establishments;

2. Night clubs, bars, and lounges which derive less than 50 percent of their income

from food sales;

3. Outdoor storage of any type;

4. Self-storage or warehousing units;

5. Manufactured home and model home sales lots;

6. Retail Establishments that have outside display units for sale, including vehicles

for sale;

7. Eating Establishments with drive-through or drive-in;

8. Vehicle Repair or Vehicle Service Uses; and

9. Any Light or Heavy Industrial Uses.

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Lovers Lane Corridor (KY 880) see Exhibit D2 in Appendix A.

1. Adult entertainment establishments;

2. Night clubs, bars, and lounges which derive less than 50 percent of their income

from food sales;

3. Outdoor storage (Type 3 and Type 4);

4. Self-Storage Units:

5. Manufactured home and model home sales lots; and

6. All Heavy Industrial Uses, except Manufacturing and Warehousing.

E. Development Standards - Cemetery Road (KY 234) Overlay District. Buildings

should reflect an individual design that has considered site location, conditions, and

surrounding development. Building design should provide a sense of permanence

and timelessness. High quality construction and materials should be used to ensure

that buildings will not look dated or worn down over time. Building designs should

reflect an individual style and form and not merely current trends. However,

reliance on or use of standardized “corporate or franchise” style is strongly

discouraged. For all developments within the overlay district, other than single-

family residential or agriculture, the following technical standards shall apply:

1. General Development Standards. All building setbacks are measured from the

right-of-way.

a. All developments (other than single-family residential or agriculture) within

the Cemetery Road Overlay District shall be connected to sanitary sewer.

Minimum required lot size on sanitary sewer shall be one-half acre.

b. Minimum required front building setback abutting a local street shall be 30

feet.

c. Minimum required rear building setback shall be 20 feet.

d. Minimum required side building setback (not on corner lot) shall be 20 feet.

e. Minimum side building setbacks for corner lots abutting a local street shall

be 30 feet.

f. Minimum front, side and rear building setbacks abutting a collector or

arterial street shall be 50 feet.

g. Minimum front, side and rear building setbacks abutting a single family

residential district shall be 50 feet.

h. Height limitation for structures shall be a maximum of three stories or 42

feet including mechanical penthouse and roof-top screened equipment.

i. Maximum Usable Lot Area:

(1) The maximum surface land area of the building shall not exceed 30

percent of the total lot area. Parking areas, open courts and other

open space uses shall not be included in building area.

(2) For all uses permitted within this overlay district, no more than 70

percent of the total surface land area of the lot shall be improved with

buildings, structures, parking and loading areas, streets, driveways or

roadways.

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j. Maximum building size. Within the Cemetery Road Overlay District, the

building footprint of any building shall conform to the following:

(1) All one-story buildings shall not exceed 20,000 sq. ft.

(2) All two-story buildings shall not exceed a first floor footprint of 15,000

sq. ft.; total gross area shall not exceed 30,000 sq. ft.

(3) All three-story buildings shall not exceed a first floor footprint of

10,000 sq. ft.; total gross area shall not exceed 30,000 sq. ft.

k. Green space area.

(1) All sites shall be developed with not less than 20 percent of the total

area with green space. Green space shall be landscaped with trees,

green shrubbery, grass and/or other plantings exclusive of any

plantings or landscaping treatment in parking lot islands measuring

less than 200 square feet. Such green space shall be located on the

site to provide the maximum visibility of the green space to

surrounding properties and public streets. No more than 50 percent

of the required green space may be located within drainage facilities.

(2) All parking areas located adjacent to an arterial or collector road right-

of-way shall be screened by a permanent landscaped berm or hedge,

at least 30 to 36 inches in height at maturity (and 18-24 inches in

height at planting), measured at the finished grade of the top of curb

of the parking area. Acceptable hedge species shall be limited to

those plants contained on the Master Plant List maintained by the

City-County Planning Commission. At least 50 percent of the required

shrub material shall be of an evergreen species.

2. Landscape Buffer Standards. All adjoining non-residential property located

within the Overlay District shall be required to provide a landscape plan. Also,

in locations where property zoned non-residential and residential are adjacent

(either immediately adjacent to or across a public right-of-way), a landscape

plan will be required with the development of either site. This shall not apply to

the development of one and two family homes. When a site development plan

is submitted for the review and consideration of the Design Review Board,

special care shall be taken to minimize the effects on the adjacent residential

area.

a. The following shall be considered minimum standards for the development

of landscape plans for required buffers/screens and interior vehicle use

areas:

(1) A minimum 25-foot buffer strip shall be required on the outer

perimeter of the non-residential building lot abutting the property

currently zoned for residential or agricultural use or development. No

travelways, parking areas, structures or storage of material shall be

allowed within the buffer strip.

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(2) A minimum 10 foot buffer strip shall be required on each lot between

all other parcels regardless of zoning or use.

(3) All buffer yards as required within the overlay district shall be planted

to the following minimums. The quantities listed are to be an average

of each entire buffer yard as required.

b. For screening of parking or vehicle use areas adjacent to any right-of-way,

all areas shall be planted at the minimum average rate of one shade tree

and 12 shrubs for each 400 square feet of buffer provided. Smaller

ornamental trees may be used in place of the shade tree at a ratio of three

ornamental trees for each shade tree for up to one-half the required shade

trees. One-half of all shrub material shall be of an evergreen species.

Shade trees planted to comply with this section shall also be counted

towards the required street tree planting as stated in other sections of this

overlay district. All plants shall come from the Master Plant list with

exceptions being allowed only in writing from the City-County Planning

Commission.

c. For interior parking lot landscaping, a minimum of five percent of the area

parking or vehicle use area must be used for landscaping. The minimum

contiguous area to be counted towards the requirements shall be 75

square feet. All landscape islands shall have a minimum width of six feet in

any direction. The maximum distance between landscape islands shall be

120 feet as measured from face of curb. A minimum of one tree shall be

planted for each 200 square feet of required landscaped area, with the

remaining areas to be planted in shrubs or non-turf ground cover.

Landscape areas within 10 feet of a building shall be considered foundation

planting and not be counted towards the minimum requirements of this

article.

d. For screening of parking or vehicle use areas adjacent to a common

property line, and buffers between incompatible land uses, all areas shall

be planted at a rate of one shade tree, two evergreen trees and 10 shrubs

for each 400 square feet of buffer provided. Smaller ornamental trees may

be used in place of the shade trees at a ratio of three ornamental trees for

each shade tree for up to one-half the required shade trees.

e. The minimum size at planting of required plants shall be as noted:

TYPE

Min. Size

Shade and ornamental trees

1-3/4" caliper

Evergreens

6' height

Shrub material

18-24" height

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f. All plants material to be installed as required shall conform to the

standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have

passed any inspection required under State regulations. All plants must be

maintained in a healthy manner and replaced during the next appropriate

planting season. All dead plant material shall be removed within 45 days.

Plant material placement shall comply with all sight distance requirements.

g. In instances where a masonry or board on board fence is to be provided,

the required shrub and evergreen planting requirements may be reduced

by 50 percent. Shade trees shall still be required at the rates as above.

h. For sites that contain less than 50 parking spaces, landscape plans shall be

prepared for all site development within the overlay district and may be

submitted by either an architect, landscape architect, engineer or surveyor,

licensed to practice their profession in the State of Kentucky, or a Kentucky

certified nurserymen. For sites with over 50 parking spaces the plan must

be submitted by a landscape architect licensed to practice in the State of

Kentucky.

i. All submitted landscape plans shall include the following: Plan drawn to

scale with all easements shown and labeled, building footprint, parking,

travelways, topography at a minimum of two-foot contours, plant schedule

including botanic and common names, size, quantity and condition, and the

seal and signature of the person submitting the landscape plan. A

minimum of four copies shall be required to be submitted, additional

copies may be requested by the Design Review Board.

j. The planting provisions of this section may be varied or reduced if the

proposed plan provides for unique and innovative landscaping treatment or

physical features that, in the opinion of the Design Review Board, meet the

intent and purpose of this section. In no case shall the buffer width be

reduced when adjacent to the interstate or Kentucky 234. Existing

vegetation may be used to satisfy the requirements of this section only

when the existing vegetation is on the lot under review. The submission of

an existing vegetation/tree preservation plan to the City-County Landscape

Architect and the Design Review Board for review shall be required.

3. Off-Street Parking and Loading. The number, size and design of all parking

spaces, internal access ways and loading spaces for all land uses (other than

single family detached) within the designated overlay district shall comply with

the following requirements listed below:

a. All parking shall be off-street in paved, landscaped parking areas.

b. Off-street loading or service areas shall not face a public right-of-way and

shall be at least 30 feet from any right-of-way. Any loading or service area

adjacent to residential property shall be screened with a masonry or wood

fence, and the required landscape buffer planting.

c. All non-residential buildings less than 10,000 sq. ft. shall be required to

have at least one service or loading/unloading space measuring a minimum

of 12 feet by 24 feet. All non-residential buildings of more than 10,000 sq.

ft. will be required to have a minimum of two service or loading spaces.

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d. Within the bounds of this Overlay District, this Ordinance shall strictly

comply with the access limitations of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

for KY 234. These limitations are as follows:

(1) KY 234 is a fully controlled access facility from the intersection of KY

234 and Briteway Drive to the intersection of KY 234 with KY 2158

(Cumberland Trace). Within these limits, access to KY 234 is limited to

the intersection of KY 234 with KY 880/Ewing Ford Road, the

intersection of KY 234 with I-65 Southbound Ramps, and the

intersection of KY 234 with I-65 Northbound Ramps.

(2) KY 234 is an “access by permit” facility from the intersection of KY 234

with KY 2158 (Cumberland Trace) to the end of the KY 234

construction project at a point west of the bridge over Drakes Creek.

Within these limits, access to KY 234 is granted through the

commercial/ residential entrance permit process under the

jurisdiction of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

e. In office and commercial/retail developments, at least 50 percent of the

required parking shall be to the rear of the front building face.

f. Parking setbacks shall conform to the following standards:

(1) When adjacent to compatible uses, the parking setback shall be 10

feet from the property line.

(2) When adjacent to incompatible uses, the parking setback shall be 25

feet.

(3) When adjacent to a public right-of-way or public access easement, the

parking setback shall be 10 feet from the right-of-way.

g. Traffic circulation in office, commercial, and multi-family developments

should be designed so as to direct traffic away from single family residential

streets.

h. Joint driveways in commercial and office districts are desirable whenever

possible in order to minimize the number of access points to streets.

4. Lighting. Adequate outside lighting shall be provided to ensure safe movement

of persons and vehicles and for security purposes. At the same time, such

lighting shall be directed downward and arranged so as to minimize glare and

reflection on adjacent residential properties and public streets. The Design

Review Board may require the submission of a lighting plan by a qualified

professional engineer to ensure that the illumination of outside lighting as

designed and installed does not exceed one-half (.5) foot candles measured at

the property line of abutting property zoned for residential use or

development. All freestanding light poles and fixtures shall be black or dark

bronze in appearance. Suggested lighting styles are as follows:

a. Teardrop with optic cutoffs

b. Lantern with prizmatic fixtures

c. Bollards for pedestrian access.

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5. Fence Material. All proposed fences within the Overlay District (except for

single family residential and agricultural lots) must be reviewed and approved

by the Design Review Board prior to the issuance of a building permit.

Acceptable fence material shall be wood, masonry, stone, vinyl/PVC, tubular

steel or aluminum, agricultural fence (for agricultural purposes) and decorative

wrought iron. All chain-link fences are prohibited within the Overlay District

(except on existing individual single family residential lots). All fences shall be

at least four feet in height and not higher than eight feet in height. Suggested

fence styles are as follows:

a. 4-rail plank

b. Masonry columns with wood panels

c. Decorative masonry

d. Random-faced stone

e. Decorative metal

f. Agricultural fence for agricultural purposes only.

6. Signs. The visual transfer of business advertising and other public information

through the use of external signs in this zoning district shall comply with the

following sign requirements. All signs, excluding traffic signs and signs as

outlined in Section 3.19.1 of this ordinance, must be approved by the Design

Review Board and shall conform to the following uniform sign standards:

a. Materials, colors, and shades of proposed signs shall be compatible with

the related buildings on the property and must be approved by the Design

Review Board. All completed signs must have a high quality professional

appearance. Sign materials shall be limited to high quality construction

materials such as:

(1) Stone, brick, or decorative block

(2) Finished wood (painted or stained)

(3) Finished metal

(4) High quality plastic

b. Signage shall be limited to one (1) freestanding sign per property. One (1)

wall sign for each roadway frontage is also permitted. In cases where there

are multiple tenants, each tenant within the property shall be allowed one

wall sign on the front building facade.

c. Freestanding signs shall be ground-mounted, monument style with proper

landscaping and be set back from the road sight triangle as to prohibit

obstruction of view.

d. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 8 feet in total height and 75 square feet

per side, and shall be located in a manner that will not create a traffic

hazard. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the

base of the sign at a computed grade to the top of the highest attached

component of the sign (including the sign face, sign structure, or any other

appurtenance). The computed grade shall be the elevation of the ground

prior to disturbance where the sign is to be located. Dirt mounding shall

count toward the overall height of the sign.

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e. External lighting of monument signs shall be concealed and ground-

mounted.

f. Freestanding pole signs (excluding flag poles) are prohibited. Maximum

number of flag poles per site shall be three (3) with a maximum pole height

of 40 feet, with the maximum area of each flag not to exceed 50 square

feet. Only government, or other official designated flags of an institution or

business are allowed.

g. Changeable letter boards may make up no more than 20 percent of the

area of a freestanding sign. Letters/numbers shall be no more than 12

inches in height.

h. Signage in planned shopping centers shall be limited to one ground-

mounted, monument style sign for each roadway frontage. Each tenant in

the shopping center shall be allowed one wall sign per frontage with a

maximum of two signs.

i. Campus-Style signage, as defined in Section 4.6.8.F.10 of this ordinance,

may be permitted, at the discretion of the Urban Growth Design Review

Board.

j. Wall signs, including informational, directional, window and awning

lettering, are permitted on a limited basis within the Overlay District. All

wall signs shall not extend beyond the roof line. The lighting of wall-

mounted signs shall be mounted on the building. The limitations for each

street frontage are as follows:

(1) Wall signs for buildings or tenants having less than 2,500 square feet of

gross leasable area shall not exceed 25 square feet in total.

(2) Wall signs for buildings or tenants having more than 2,500 square feet,

but less than 7,500 sq. ft. shall not exceed 40 square feet in total.

(3) Wall signs for buildings or tenants having more than 7,500 square feet

shall not exceed 100 square feet in total.

k. Internally-lit single frame (or box) signs containing a logo or trademark are

permitted on a limited basis within the Overlay District. These limitations

are listed below:

(1) Freestanding internally-lit signs shall not exceed 12 square feet and

shall be considered as part of the allowable sign as outlined in this

Section.

(2) Internally-lit wall signs shall not exceed 20 square feet, and shall be

considered as part of the allowable sign area outlined in this Section.

l. Wall mounted internally-lit individual letters are permitted on a limited

basis within the Overlay District and shall be considered part of the

allowable wall sign area outlined in 4.9.2.D.6.i. above. These additional

limitations are listed below:

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(1) Buildings or tenants having less than 2,500 square feet of gross

leasable area shall not exceed 25 square feet of total outlined sign

area. No letters shall exceed 24 inches in height or width.

(2) Buildings and tenants having more than 2,500 gross leasable area (GLA)

but less than 7,500 GLA shall not exceed 40 square feet of total

outlined sign area. No letters shall exceed 30 inches in height or width.

(3) Buildings and tenants having more than 7,500 GLA shall not exceed 75

square feet of total outlined sign area. No letters shall exceed 36

inches in height or width.

m. Illumination of signs shall be directed away from all traffic and from all

adjoining residential areas. The intensity of the light shall not exceed 1.5

footcandles at any point on the sign face.

n. Vending machines must be contained inside the principal building and shall

not be allowed in direct view from the parking or right-of-way areas.

o. Billboards, portable signs and temporary signs shall be prohibited. Flashing

signs and roof mounted signs shall be prohibited. Electronic Message

Display (EMD) Signs are prohibited.

p. All signage shall be subject to the sign regulations outlined in the Zoning

Ordinance/Resolution for Warren County or any amendments thereto. In

instances where the two ordinances do not agree, the more restrictive of

the two shall apply.

7. Traffic Design

a. All internal streets, drives, travelways, sidewalks/trails, parking and loading

areas shall be designed for safe and efficient movement of vehicles and

pedestrians. Projects to be developed within the Overlay District and

contiguous to the Greenbelt shall be required to provide direct pedestrian

access, separate from any vehicle entry, to the Greenbelt trail.

Developments that are not contiguous to the Greenbelt trail shall provide

either a sidewalk or trail that will allow for the movement of pedestrians to

the Greenbelt trail, separate from the street system. If the trail or sidewalk

is located on the site being developed between any parking or travelway

and a property line, the trail or sidewalk shall be in addition to the required

landscape buffer. All development shall allow for inter-parcel access of

vehicles (two-way travelway) and pedestrians (via sidewalk or trail) to

adjacent property. Inter-parcel access points shall be located behind the

front building setback line.

b. Design Standards. All streets, drives, and parking and loading areas shall be

a minimum of 24 feet in width for two-way traffic, and 12 feet for one-way

traffic. The maximum slope shall not exceed six percent in any direction.

All streets, drives, and travelways above grade shall be constructed with

curb and gutter. The perimeter parking lots and internal islands shall have

extruded curbs. Intersections shall be at 90 degrees. With the exception of

designated passenger drop-off areas and loading and unloading spaces, the

minimum distance from any travelway or parking space to a building shall

be 10 feet. For all pedestrian circulation, the minimum sidewalk shall be

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five feet in width and the any asphalt trail shall be at least 10 feet in width.

The maximum slope shall not exceed six percent and shall comply with all

rules within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

8. All electric, telephone, cable and similar service lines and other wiring shall be

installed underground, and there shall be no new overhead wiring in any

development.

9. Exterior Treatment. Any proposed land use or development approved by the

Design Review Board shall be designed and constructed of materials so as to be

architecturally compatible with the architectural character of the general area.

a. All building exteriors shall be finished with one or more of the following

materials:

(1) architectural masonry units, including brick, decorative concrete

masonry units, and special surface units (plain-laid concrete or cinder

block will not be allowed);

(2) natural stone;

(3) precast and poured-in-place concrete; EFIS or Dryvit (not to exceed

50% of the total exterior)with approval of surface treatment;

(4) glass, glass curtain, glass surface units;

(5) wood clapboard, trim;

(6) Architectural Metal Panel (this material should utilize concealed

fastener application and shall not exceed 75% of any building façade).

(7) The use of vinyl shall be limited to only fascia, soffit, and other minor

trim uses within the district. The Design Review Board (DRB) may

approve the use of alternative building materials, if compatible with

the adjoining properties.

b. Finished materials shall extend around all sides of the building, which shall

include gas canopies.

c. No more than two principal colors shall be used on the building face.

Accent or secondary colors shall be limited to a maximum of three

additional colors and shall not cover more than 10 percent of the total

building face. Use of bright or garish colors as the dominant color for the

wall or roof surfaces is prohibited.

d. All non-residential buildings located along KY 234 shall be designed in such

a way as to appear to face the highway, regardless of the location of the

driveway access and parking. All building walls facing KY 234 shall have

windows, doors, or other articulated openings representing a minimum of

20 percent of the surface areas of said wall. Building components such as

windows, doors, eaves, and parapet walls should have good proportion and

relationship to one another. All building walls facing any other right-of-way

shall have some form of articulated relief or change in direction, every 30

feet.

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e. Roof-mounted utilities and mechanical equipment should be screened from

view by roof design, parapet walls, fencing, or other screening method to a

height equal to or greater than the height of the equipment.

10. Solid Waste.

a. Solid waste storage and disposal areas shall be screened from public view.

b. Solid waste storage and disposal areas shall be enclosed in an eight (8) foot

high solid structure, of the same material as that of the principal building.

11. Screening of Equipment and Outside Storage. Ground and roof level electrical

transformers, heat and air conditioning equipment and similar facilities shall be

screened from public view.

12. Redevelopment of Existing Site. It is recognized that certain nonresidential

properties in the overlay district were developed prior to incorporation and/or

adoption of technical and development standards for the district. When an

existing nonresidential site is redeveloped, the site shall be brought into

conformance with the technical and development standards of this division to

the greatest extent feasible or possible as determined by the Design Review

Board. For the purposes of this section, redevelopment shall include any

proposed expansion, addition, or facade change to an existing building,

structure, or parking facility. All new signage shall conform to the requirements

of Section 4.9.3.E.6, (Signs).

F. Development Standards - Lovers Lane (KY 880) Overlay District.

Buildings should reflect an individual design that has considered site location,

conditions, and surrounding development. For all developments within the overlay

district, other than single-family residential or agriculture, the following technical

standards shall apply:

1. General Development Standards. All building setbacks are measured from the

right-of-way.

a. Minimum required lot size on sanitary sewer shall be one-half acre.

b. Minimum required front building setback abutting a local street shall be 25

feet.

c. Minimum required rear building setback shall be 10 feet.

d. Minimum required side building setback (not on corner lot) shall be 20 feet.

e. Minimum side building setbacks for corner lots abutting a local street shall

be 20 feet.

f. Minimum front building setbacks abutting Lovers Lane (KY880) shall be 50

feet.

g. Minimum front, side and rear building setbacks abutting an existing single

family residential district shall be 50 feet.

h. Minimum building setbacks abutting Interstate 65 shall be 50 feet.

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i. A portion of the Airport Overlay District is within this Urban Growth

Overlay District. The Airport Overlay District outlines the area within

proximity of the Bowling Green-Warren County Airport that is under the

jurisdiction of the Kentucky Airport Zoning Commission (KAZC) (see Exhibit

F in Appendix A). The underlying zoning restrictions, including height

requirements, is governed by this ordinance; however, there may be

additional restrictions on development in this area placed by the KAZC.

j. Maximum usable lot area.

(1) The maximum surface land area of the building shall not exceed 50

percent of the total lot area. Parking areas, open courts and other

open space uses shall not be included in building area.

(2) For all uses permitted within this overlay district, no more than 75

percent of the total surface land area of the lot shall be improved with

buildings, structures, parking and loading areas, streets, driveways or

roadways.

k. Green space area.

(1) All sites shall be developed with not less than 25 percent of the total

area with green space. Green space shall be landscaped with trees,

green shrubbery, grass and/or other plantings exclusive of any

plantings or landscaping treatment in parking lot islands measuring less

than 200 square feet. Such green space shall be located on the site to

provide the maximum visibility of the green space to surrounding

properties and public streets. No more than 50 percent of the required

green space may be located within drainage facilities.