Washington County

                                             Nebraska

 

 

 

 

 

                                          Zoning Resolution

                                                               No. 2005-19

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             Adopted by

                                      Washington County, Nebraska

                                                             June 14, 2005

 

 

 

                                                                                 Prepared By

                                                            

 

 


 

                                                                                    WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEBRASKA

                                                                       ZONING RESOLUTION

 

                                                                                    Washington County, Nebraska

                                                                                                   ZONING RESOLUTION

 

Table of Contents:

 

Article 1            General Provisions                                                                                                          

Article 2            Construction & Definitions                                                                                       

Article 3            General Regulations                                                                                                    

                                            non-conformities                                                                                                   

                                            lot                                                                                                                                       

                                            yards                                                                                                                                 

                                            accessory buildings                                                                                             

                                            height                                                                                                                               

                                            recreational equipment storage                                                             

                                            screening                                                                                                                       

                                            sight triangle                                                                                                            

                                            manufactured homes                                                                                          

Article 4            Interpretation, District Boundaries & Zoning Map                              

Article 5            Districts                                                                                                                                     

                                            Previous Districts                                                                                                    

                                            A-1, Agricultural Primary                                                                                

                                            TA-1, Transitional Agriculture                                                                   

                                            HA, Homestead Agricultural                                                                        

                                            A-2, Agriculture Commercial                                                                          

                                            A-LSR, Lot Split Residential                                                                                

                                            RS-1, Rural Subdivision 1                                                                                      

                                            RS-2, Rural Subdivision 2                                                                                      

                                            RA, Rural Acreage                                                                                                   

                                            C-1, Retail Neighborhood Commercial                                                  

 

                                            C-2, Business Park Retail                                                                                     

 

                                            I-1, Industrial Center                                                                                            

 

                                            I-2, Agricultural General Industrial                                                     

                                            RMD, Residential Mixed Use                                                                             

                                            CMD, Commercial / Industrial Mixed Use                                             

                                            WPO, Wellhead Protection Overlay                                              

Article 6            Conditional Use Permits                                                                                              

                                            (Zoning Matrix after page 72)

Article 7            Supplemental Regulations                                                                                      

                                            Radio, TV & Wireless Communication Facilities                              

                                            Sand, Gravel, Mineral, etc. Extraction & storage                      

                                            Wind Energy Installation                                                                               

                                            Waste Disposal Sites & Landfills                                                                 

                                            Home Occupations                                                                                                  

                                            Off Street Automobile Storage                                                                   

                                            Required Parking                                                                                                    

                                            Signage                                                                                                                            

                                            Public Utilities                                                                                                           

                                            Lighting Standards                                                                                             

                                            Open Air Sales, Display & Storage                                                            

                                            Sanitary Landfill                                                                                                

                                            Paunch Manure                                                                                                    

                                            Sludge                                                                                                                            

                                            Construction & Demolition Waste Disposal                                  

                                            Corn Milling Biosolids                                                                                     

Article 8            Administration & Enforcement                                                                         

Article 9            Board of Zoning Adjustment                                                                               

Article 10          Amendments                                                                                                                      

Article 11          Fees & Sign Deposit                                                                                                         

Article 12          Legal Status Provisions                                                                                           

 

 

 

 

A resolution, consistent with the Comprehensive Development Plan, adopted for the purpose of promoting

health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity, and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of

Washington County, Nebraska, to regulate and restrict the location, height, bulk, number of stories, size of

buildings and other structures, including tents, cabins, house trailers, and automobile trailers; the percentage of

lot areas which may be occupied, building setback lines; size of yards, courts, and other open spaces; the density

of population; the uses of buildings; and the uses of the land for agriculture, forestry, recreation, residence,

industry, and trade, after considering factors relating to soil conservation, water supply conservation, surface

water drainage and removal, or other uses; to divide the County into districts of such number, shape, and area as

may be best suited to carry out the purposes of this resolution to regulate, restrict, or prohibit the erection,

construction, reconstruction, alteration or use of buildings or structures, and the use, conditions of use or

occupancy of land in the unincorporated areas of the County; to provide for the adoption of a zoning map; to

provide for a board of zoning adjustment, its members, powers, and duties; to provide for off-street parking and

loading area requirements; to provide for conditional uses by conditional use permit; to provide for the proper

subdivision and development of land, as provided in the Subdivision Regulations; to provide for non-conforming

uses, to provide for the administration and the enforcement of these provisions, and for the violations of its

provisions and the prescribed penalties, and including among others such specific purposes as:

                (1)           Developing both urban and non-urban areas;

                (2)           Lessening congestion in the streets or roads;

                (3)           Reducing the waste of excessive amounts of roads;

                (4)           Securing safety from fire and other dangers;

                (5)           Lessening or avoiding the hazards to persons and damage to property resulting from the

                               accumulation or run-off of storm or flood waters;

                (6)           Providing adequate light and air;

                (7)           Preventing excessive concentration of population and excessive and wasteful scattering of

                               population or settlement;

                (8)           Promoting such distribution of population, such classification of land uses, and such

                               distribution of land development as will assure adequate provisions for transportation, water

                               flowage, water supply, drainage, sanitation, recreation, soil fertility, food supply, and other

                               public requirements;

                (9)           Protecting the tax base;

              (10)           Protecting property against blight and depreciation;

              (11)           Securing economy in governmental expenditures;

              (12)           Fostering the County's agriculture, recreation, and other industries;

              (13)           Encouraging the most appropriate use of land in the County; and

              (14)           Preserving, protecting, and enhancing historic buildings, places, and districts, all in accordance

                               with the comprehensive plan.

 

WHEREAS Nebraska Revised Reissued Statutes, 1943, Sections 23-114 through 23-114.05 and 23-164 through

23-174.06 as amended, empowers the County to adopt a zoning and subdivision resolution and to provide for its

administration, enforcement, and amendment; and

 

WHEREAS, the Washington County Board of Supervisors deem it in the interest of the public health, safety,

morals, convenience, order, prosperity, and welfare of said County and its present and future residents; and

WHEREAS, the Washington County Board of Supervisors has adopted a Comprehensive Development Plan

pursuant to Neb. R. R. S. 1943, Sections 23-114 through 23-114.03, as amended, and known as Washington

County Comprehensive Development Plan, 2005, as amended; and

 

WHEREAS, the Washington County Planning Commission has recommended the division of the unincorporated

areas of the County into districts and recommended regulations pertaining to such districts consistent with the

adopted Comprehensive Development Plan based on a future land use plan designed to lessen congestion on

roads and highways, to secure safety from fire, panic and other dangers, to provide adequate light and air, to

prevent the overcrowding of land, to avoid undue concentration of population, to conserve agricultural land and

values, to facilitate sewerage, schools, parks, and other public needs; and

 

WHEREAS, the County Planning Commission has given reasonable consideration, among other things, to the

prevailing agricultural and rural characteristics now predominant in the County, to the character of the districts

and their peculiar suitability for the particular permitted uses, with a reasonable understanding of the objective to

conserve the value of lands and improvements while encouraging the development of the most appropriate uses

of land throughout the County; and

 

WHEREAS, the County Planning Commission has made a preliminary report, held public hearings, submitted

its recommended final report to the County Board of Supervisors; and the County Board of Supervisors have given

due public notice of hearings relating to the Comprehensive Development Plan, to the zoning districts,

regulations, subdivision regulations, and restrictions, and has held such public hearings; and

 

WHEREAS, The County Board of Supervisors have deemed it necessary to adopt the Comprehensive

Development Plan, the zoning districts, regulations, subdivision regulations, and restrictions for the purpose of

providing for the harmonious development and orderly expansion of growth, for the orderly extension and

planned arrangements of county roads, utilities, for adequate sanitary facilities, for safe and healthy drinking

water, and for reducing flood damage potentials; and

 

WHEREAS, the requirements of Neb. R.R.S. 1943, Section s 23-114 through 23-124.05, Sections 23-164

through 23-174, and Section 23-174.02, as amended, with regard to the recommendations of the Planning

Commission, the Comprehensive Development Plan, the zoning districts, regulations, subdivision regulations

and restrictions and the subsequent action of the County Board of Supervisors have been met;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF

WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEBRASKA.

 

Article 1:  General Provisions

 

Section 1.01  Short Title.

This Resolution shall be known, cited, and referred to as the "Zoning Regulations of Washington County, Nebraska."

 

Section 1.02  Publication.

This Resolution shall be published in book or pamphlet form together with the zoning district map or maps being a part

hereof, and copies shall be filed with the County Clerk of Washington County.

 

Section 1.03  When Effective.

This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its public hearings, adoption, publications, and filing as

provided by the Nebraska R. R. S., 1943, Sections 23-114.03 to 23-114.05 and 23-164 to 23-174.06.

 

Section 1.04  Conflicts.

All Resolutions or parts of Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

 

Section 1.05  Intent and Purpose.

This Resolution is an updated regulation for Washington County and is consistent with the Washington County

Comprehensive Development Plan and designed for the purpose of promoting the health, safety, morals, convenience,

order, prosperity, and welfare of the present and future inhabitants of Washington County, including, among others,

such purposes as developing both urban and non-urban areas; lessening congestion on streets, roads, and highways;

reducing the waste of excessive amounts of roads; securing safety from fire and other dangers; lessening or avoiding the

hazards to persons and damage to property resulting from the accumulation or runoff of storm or flood waters;

providing adequate light and air; preventing excessive concentration of population and excessive and wasteful

scattering of population or settlement; promoting such distribution of population, such classification of land uses, and

such distribution of land development as will assure adequate provisions for transportation, water flowage, water

supply, drainage, sanitation, recreation, soil fertility, food supply, and other public requirements; protecting the tax

base; protecting property against blight and depreciation; securing economy in governmental expenditures; fostering the

County’s agriculture, recreation, and other industries; encouraging the most appropriate use of land in the County,

preserving, protecting, and enhancing historic buildings, places, and districts. These regulations have been made with

reasonable consideration, among other things, to the character of the district, and its peculiar suitability for encouraging t

he most appropriate use of land throughout the unincorporated portions of Washington County, Nebraska.

 

Section 1.06 Comprehensive Development Plan Relationship

These zoning regulations are designed to implement various elements of the Comprehensive Development Plan as

required by state statutes. Any amendment to the district regulations or map shall conform to the Comprehensive

Development Plan adopted by the Washington County Board of Supervisors.

 

Section 1.07 Jurisdiction

The provisions of this Resolution shall apply to unincorporated areas of Washington County except that portion thereof

over which cities or villages have been permitted to extend and are exercising zoning jurisdiction; and furthermore at

such time as a city or village adopts a ordinance to exercise zoning or control over an unincorporated area, its

regulations shall supersede those of Washington County.

 

Section 1.08 Highest Standard

Whenever the regulations of this Resolution impose or require higher standards than are required in any other statute,

local Regulations, or regulation, the provisions of the regulations made under authority of this Resolution as provided

by the cited Nebraska R. R. S., 1943 sections shall govern.

 

Section 1.09 General

The zoning regulations set forth by this Resolution within each district shall be minimum regulations applicable

uniformly to each class or kind of building, structure, or land, except as may hereinafter be provided.

 

Section 1.10 Interpretations

In interpreting and applying the provisions of these regulations, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements

for the promotion of public safety, health, convenience, comfort, moral, prosperity, and general welfare. It is not intended

by these regulations to interfere with or abrogate or annul any easements, covenants or other agreements between the

parties, except that if these regulations impose a greater restriction, these regulations shall control.

 

Section 1.11 Scope of the Regulation

No building, structure, or land in the unincorporated areas, excluding the portion of unincorporated areas over which

cities and villages are granted and are exercising zoning jurisdiction in Washington County shall hereafter be used or

occupied and no building or structure or part thereof shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, or

structurally altered, except in conformity with the provisions of this Resolution herein specified for the district in which

it is located and:

A.            Every building hereafter erected shall be located on a lot of record.

B.            Only one principal building will be permitted on one lot of record, except in a Residential or Commercial

                Mixed Use Development.

C.            After a County road has been classified as a minimum maintenance road, or is an unimproved road, no permits

                for a residential dwelling, mobile home, or manufactured home shall be issued for construction on any property

                adjoining such classified road.

 

Article 2:  Construction and Definitions

 

Section 2.01  Construction and General Terminology. 

For the purpose of carrying out the intent of this Resolution, words, phrases, and terms shall be deemed to have the

meaning ascribed to them. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future;

words in the singular include the plural and those in the plural include the singular; "or" includes "and", and "and"

includes "or"; and the masculine gender shall include the feminine.

 

2.01.01.     The word "Assessor" shall mean the County Assessor of Washington County.

2.01.02.     The words "Board" shall mean the Board of Supervisors of Washington County.

2.01.03.     The words "Board of Supervisors" shall mean the Board of Supervisors of Washington County.

2.01.04.     The words “Board of Zoning Adjustment” shall mean the Washington County Board of Zoning

                Adjustment

2.01.05.      The word "Building" includes the word "Structure," but shall not include "Temporary Structures".

2.01.06.      The word "Commission" shall mean the Planning Commission of Washington County.

2.01.07.      The word "County" shall mean Washington County.

2.01.08.      The words "Register or Deeds" shall mean the Register of Deeds of Washington County.

2.01.09.      The word "Federal" shall mean the Government of the United States of America.

2.01.10        The word "shall" is mandatory; and the word "may" is permissive.

2.01.11        The word "State" shall mean the State of Nebraska.

2.01.12.      The word "used" includes the words "arranged for, designed for, occupied or intended to be occupied for."

2.01.13        The words "Zoning Map" shall mean the Official Zoning Map of Washington County.

2.01.14        The words “Zoning Administrator” shall mean the Planning Administrator for the Washington County

                 Planning Department.

2.01.15        The word "Inspector" shall mean the Building Inspector of Washington County.

2.01.16        The word "Resolution" shall mean the Zoning Regulation of Washington County.

2.01.17        The word "Comprehensive Plan" shall mean the Washington County Comprehensive Development Plan.

 

Section 2.02 Abbreviations and Acronyms

For purposes of this Resolution this section contains a listing of abbreviations and acronyms used throughout this document.

AU        =                 Animal Unit

CAFO   =                 Confined Animal Feeding Operation

FCC      =                  Federal Communication Commission

kV         =                 Kilovolt

kW        =                 Kilowatt

LFO      =                 Livestock Feeding Operation

NDEQ  =                 Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality or successor department

R.O.W. =                 right-of-way or rights-of-way

USDA   =                 United States Department of Agriculture


 

Section 2.03 Definition of Terms

2.03.01      ABANDONMENT shall mean to cease or discontinue a use or activity without intent to resume as

               distinguished from short-term interruptions such as during periods of remodeling, maintenance, or normal

               periods of vacation or seasonal closure.

 

2.03.02      ABUT, ABUTTING shall mean to border on, being contiguous with or have property or district lines in

               common, including property separated by an alley.  The words “adjoin” and “contiguous” shall mean the same

               as “abut.”

 

2.03.03      ACCESS OR ACCESS WAY shall mean the place, means, or way by which pedestrians and vehicles shall

               have safe, adequate and usable ingress and egress to a property or use as required by this Regulation.

 

2.03.04      ACCESSORY BUILDING shall mean any detached subordinate building that serves a function customarily

               incidental to that of the main building or main use of the premises.  Customary accessory building includes

               farm buildings, garages, carports, and small storage sheds.

 

2.03.05      ACCESSORY STRUCTURE shall mean a detached subordinate structure located on the same lot with the

               principal structure, the use of which is incidental and accessory to that of the principal structure.

 

2.03.06      ACCESSORY USE shall mean a use incidental, related, appropriate and clearly subordinate to the main use

               of the lot or building, which accessory use does not alter the principal use of the subject lot or affect other

               properties in the district.

 

2.03.07      ACRE shall mean a full acre containing 43,560 square feet of area within the property lines of a lot or parcel.

 

2.03.08      ADJACENT shall mean near, close, or abutting; for example, an Industrial District across the street or

               highway from a Residential District shall be considered as "Adjacent".

 

2.03.09      ADULT CABARET shall mean a nightclub, bar, restaurant, or similar establishment that regularly features

               live performances that are characterized by the exposure of specified anatomical areas or by specified sexual

               activities, or films, motion pictures, video cassettes, slides, or other photographic reproductions in which more

               than 10 percent of the total presentation time is devoted to the showing of material that is characterized by any

               emphasis upon the depiction of specified sexual activities or specified anatomical areas.

 

2.03.10      ADULT COMPANIONSHIP ESTABLISHMENT shall mean an establishment that provides the service of

               engaging in or listening to conversation, talk or discussion between an employee of the establishment and a

               customer, if such service is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on "specified sexual activities" or

               "specified anatomical areas."

 

2.03.11      ADULT ESTABLISHMENT shall mean any business which offers its patrons services or entertainment

               characterized by an emphasis on matter depicting, exposing, describing, discussing or relating to "specified

               sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas," including, but without limitation, adult bookstores, adult

               motion picture theaters, saunas, adult companionship establishments, adult health clubs, adult cabarets, adult

               novelty businesses, adult motion picture arcades, adult modeling studios, adult hotel or motel, and adult body

               painting studios.

 

2.03.12      ADULT HOTEL OR MOTEL shall mean a hotel or motel from which minors are specifically excluded from

               patronage and wherein material is presented which is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis on matter

               depicting, describing or relating to "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

 

2.03.13      ADULT MASSAGE PARLOR, HEALTH CLUB shall mean a massage parlor or health club which restricts

               minors by reason of age, and which provides the services of massage, if such service is distinguished or

               characterized by an emphasis on "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

 

2.03.14      ADULT MINI-MOTION PICTURE THEATER shall mean a business premises within an enclosed

               building with a capacity for less than 50 persons used for presenting visual-media material if such business as a

               prevailing practice excludes minors by virtue of age, or if said material is distinguished or characterized by an

               emphasis on the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" for

               observation by patrons therein.

 

2.03.15      ADULT MOTION PICTURE ARCADE shall mean any place to which the public is permitted or invited

               wherein coin or slug-operated or electronically, electrically or mechanically controlled still or motor picture

               machines, projectors or other image-producing devices are maintained to show images to five or fewer persons

               per machine at any one time, and where the images so displayed are distinguished or characterized by an

               emphasis on depicting or describing "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

 

2.03.16      ADULT MOTION PICTURE THEATERS shall mean a business premises within an enclosed building with

               a capacity of 50 or more persons used for presenting visual media material if said business as a prevailing

               practice excludes minors by virtue of age, or if said material is distinguished or characterized by an emphasis

               on the depiction or description of "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas" for observation

               by patrons therein.

 

2.03.17      ADULT NOVELTY BUSINESS shall mean a business that has as a principal activity the sale of devices

               which simulate human genitals or devices, which are designed for sexual stimulation.

 

2.03.18      ADULT SAUNA shall mean a sauna which excludes minors by reason of age, or which provides a steam bath

               or heat bathing room used for the purpose of bathing or relaxation, utilizing steam or hot air as a cleaning,

               relaxing or reducing agent, if the service provided by the sauna is distinguished or characterized by an

               emphasis on "specified sexual activities" or "specified anatomical areas."

 

2.03.19      ADVERTISING STRUCTURE shall mean any notice or advertisement, pictorial or otherwise, and all such

               structures used as an outdoor display, regardless of size and shape, for the purposes of making anything

               known, the origin or place of sale of which is not on the property with such Advertising Structure.

 

2.03.20      Aesthetic Zoning shall mean zoning to accomplish a standard of exterior architectural appeal and/or

               neighborhood harmony.

 

2.03.21      AGGREGATE shall mean the mineral materials, such as sand and stone, used in making concrete.

 

2.03.22      AGRICULTURAL AND FARM BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES shall mean any building or structure

               which is necessary or incidental to the normal conduct of a farm including but not limited to residence of the

               operator, residence of hired men, barns, buildings and sheds for housing livestock, poultry and farm

               machinery, buildings for the storage or shelter of grain, hay and other crops, silos, windmills and water storage

               tanks.

 

2.03.23      AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS (see Farming)

 

2.03.24      AGRICULTURE shall mean the use of land for agricultural purposes, by raising, harvesting, and selling

               crops or by the feeding, breeding, management, and sale of, or the produce of, livestock, poultry, fur-bearing

               animals, or honeybees, or for dairying and the sale of dairy products, or any other agricultural or horticultural

               use.

 

2.03.25    AIRPORT shall mean any area used, or is intended to be used, for the taking off and landing of aircraft,

                including helicopters, and any appurtenant areas which are used or are intended to be used for airport buildings

                or facilities, including open spaces, taxiways, and tie-down areas.

 

2.03.26      ALLEY shall mean a minor public service street or public thoroughfare 20 feet or less in width, through a

               block of lots primarily for vehicular service access to the rear or side of properties otherwise abutting on

               another street. Buildings facing an alley shall not be construed as satisfying the requirements of this Regulation

               related to frontage on a dedicated street.

 

2.03.27      ALTERATION shall mean any change, addition or modification in construction or occupancy of an existing

               structure.

 

2.03.28      AMENDMENT shall mean a change in the wording, context, or substance of this Regulation, or an addition

               or deletion or a change in the district boundaries or classifications upon the zoning map.

 

2.03.29      ANIMAL HOSPITAL shall mean a facility where animals or pets are given medical or surgical treatment and

               are cared for during the time of such treatment.  The animals \ pets shall be under the supervision of a

               practicing licensed veterinarian.  Such facilities may include veterinarian’s offices, administrative offices,

               space for examination, surgery and recovery, and for boarding of animals while under treatment. 

 

2.03.30      ANIMAL UNIT (see Livestock Feeding Operation)

 

2.03.31      ANIMALS, DOMESTIC shall mean an animal that is customarily kept for personal use or enjo