§ 9.1. Division of city into districts.

For the purpose of this ordinance, the City of Ringgold, Georgia, is divided into 11 districts designated with the following purposes, as follows:

A-1	Agricultural district. This low density residential district establishes a minimum lot size of one acre per dwelling unit. Single-family detached homes must meet type IV appearance standards. The district is characterized as rural and on the fringe of the more intense urban core, where larger tracts sizes are common and certain agricultural processes and uses remain evident. Multiple agricultural buildings may occupy the parcel with or without a principal dwelling.   Family relationships. Individuals owning land at the time of the enactment of this ordinance in an area designated A-1 may convey to his or her child, stepchild, or family member related by blood or marriage, out of the then currently owned tracts, sufficient land for a building site that is less than one acre in size. The latter allowance precludes the necessity for a rezoning or variance, so long as said land is intended for and used exclusively as a residence for a family member. The said conveyance shall not consist of less than the requirements set by the subdivision regulations or the requirements of the Catoosa County Health Department, whichever is greater, and shall have a minimum width of 100 feet at the building line. The aggregate of conveyances shall not exceed 50 percent of the total land originally owned by the individual.
R-1	Residential district (low density). This low density residential district encourages the placement of one single-family detached dwelling per lot or parcel. The homes in this district are site built only and the district allows an approximate density of three dwelling units per acre when the dwellings are served by an approved community water supply and wastewater treatment system. Alternative public water and individual disposal systems are allowed, however, lot sizes increase. Development is limited to single-family detached dwellings meeting type I appearance standards.
R-2	Residential district (low density). This district is low density, allowing one single-family detached dwelling per lot or parcel. The homes in this district are site built only and the district allows an approximate density of five dwelling units per acre with each meeting type II appearance standards and service by an approved community water supply and wastewater treatment system. Overall density is reduced if service is other than public water and individual disposal systems.
R-3	Two-family/multi-family residential district (medium density). This district is designed to accommodate increased density allowing a smaller lot size for single-family detached homes, allowing two-family dwellings (duplexes) per lot, and also allowing multi-family dwelling units. The multi-family dwelling units may be assembled with more than one principal building per lot. The maximum density of nine dwelling units per acre is achieved with multi-family development. Because of increased densities, public water and sewer is preferred in this district, however, areas not served by such systems shall comply with section 70-39 of the Official Code of Ordinances of Ringgold. Single-family detached dwellings are site built only and adhere to type III appearance standards. The district allows some governmental, educational, and religious uses, subject to requirements necessary to preserve and protect the district's medium density character.
R-4	Manufactured home district. This district is designed for the location of approved manufactured home parks in compatible areas of the city at a maximum density of eight dwelling units per acre. Single-family detached homes meeting the type IV appearance standards are allowed per lot outside a park environment. Manufactured home park designs require adequate space and facilities for healthful living conditions for occupants; paved roadways are required for easy accessibility; suitable water and sewer facilities are required in accordance with all applicable state and county health regulations and statutes; and long-term residential use is required (as opposed to those units occupy a recreational vehicle park).
R-T/Z	Residential townhouse/zero lot line district. A district to provide regulations for the development of townhouses (also called row houses and single-family attached dwellings), single-family zero lot line dwelling (also called patio homes), and/or mixed use moderated density residential development in a manner which is attractive, provides for efficient use of land, and is compatible with surrounding development, particularly lower density, standard single-family uses. The district, allowing up to eight dwelling units per acre for attached dwellings (like condominiums or townhouses), can be transitional between low and medium density residential uses and other more intense zone districts. The district depends on creative designs to make use of open space and would often include other resident amenities. The district is established to create ownership opportunities in preference to rental opportunities. Single-family detached dwellings are limited to one per lot meeting type II appearance standards.
	Within this district, the term "exterior street" refers to any public, dedicated and accepted street existing prior to the R-T/Z development and the term "interior street" refers to any street built as part of the R-T/Z development, both sides of which are zoned R-T/Z. The district requires the approval of a site plan and subdivision regulations may also apply.
O-1	Office-commercial district. A district designed to accommodate selected services as opposed to the general type of retail commercial establishments. The regulations which apply within this district are designed to encourage a noncongested environment for office type businesses or professional firms which will provide a positive transition between busy thoroughfares and those residential uses that lie in and adjacent to this district. Single-family detached dwellings are limited to one per lot meeting type II appearance standards.
C-1	Sidewalk commercial district. This district is intended to promote commercial activities in appropriate and concentrated locations on the fringe of the downtown area.
C-2	General commercial district. This district allows the broadest, most intense mix of commercial retail and service uses with associated storage capabilities oriented to major streets, particularly collectors and arterials. The district requires construction of a principal building and also allows multiple buildings to occur per lot, all served by public sewer service, and significant traffic is a by-product of the uses typically found in this district. Shopping centers and big-box retailers are common along with a host of supporting commercial uses developed in concert with shared accesses, private streets, and other mechanisms that discourage strip developments.
C-3	Downtown commercial district. The central business district (CBD) is the center for commercial retail and service uses, financial, office, government, and limited residential uses of the city. The district is characterized by shared parking and loading, and buildings typically occupying the full area of the lot. The CBD is the core activity center around which the city has historically developed and remains central to the development success of the entire community and trade area as a whole.
I-1	Industrial district. This district is intended for wholesale and light industrial uses where resultant noise, odors, pollution and congestion are minimized. The district is characterized by large tracts of land occupied by multiple buildings that can be large in square footage and dedicated to full manufacturing, processing, assembly of raw materials, or warehousing. Some operations occur continuously, around the clock and delivery by truck may be a necessary by-product of the uses allowed in this district. Some of the uses allowed by this district can generally be considered incompatible to residential uses, hence residential development is prohibited in this district.

 

(Ord. No. 2014-0224, § 1, 2-24-14)