HomeMy WebLinkAboutA006 - Memo from Assistant City Attorney on maximum occupancy revisions Memo
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TO: Eden Schmitt and Ray Anderson, Planners
FROM: Judy K. Parks, Assistant City Attornell '
DATE: April 13, 2001
SUBJECT: Maximum Occupancy Revisions
Per our meeting at which you described the various options you were planning to outline for City
Council at their workshop, I have written up a draft of how the various options would read in the
Code.
It would be useful, as you read this,to keep handy the complete text of the definition of"family"so
you can handily look at it to recall the several categories of"family". Also remember the rental
housing code definition of"family",because it is referenced in one option. These definitions are set
out here.
"Sec. 29.201(62) Family means a person living alone, or any of the following
groups living together as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit and sharing common
living, sleeping, cooking, and eating facilities:
(a) Any number of people related by blood, marriage, adoption,
guardianship or other duly-authorized custodial relationship;
(b) Three unrelated people;
(c) Two unrelated people and any children related to either of them;
(d) Not more than eight people who are:
(i) Residents of a "Family Home" as defined in Section 414.22
of the Iowa code and this ordinance; or
(ii) "Handicapped" as defined in the Fair Housing Act,42 U.S.C.
Section 3602 (h) and this ordinance. This definition does not include those persons
currently illegally using or addicted to a "controlled substance" as defined in the
Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. Section 802 (6).
(e) Not more than five people who are granted a Special Use Permit as
a single nonprofit housekeeping unit (a "functional family") pursuant to Section
29.1503(4)(d) of this ordinance.
(i) Exceptions - The definition of a "Family" does not include:
a. Any society, club, fraternity, sorority,
association, lodge, combine, federation, coterie, or like organization;
b. Any group of individuals whose association is
temporary or seasonal in nature; and
C. Any group of individuals who are in a group living
arrangement as a result of criminal offenses.
Sec. 13.3(5) Family: An individual, or two (2) or more persons related to each
other by blood, marriage, or legal adoption, including foster children, and not more
than two (2) roomers; or in the alternative, not more than three (3) unrelated
persons.
1. In all cases, each dwelling unit shall provide habitable floor space totaling at least eighty(80)
square feet for the first occupant and sixty (60) square feet for each additional occupant.
2. RL and UCRM - Single Family
Notwithstanding an excess of floor space over that required by subsection (1), above, in all
single family dwellings in the RL and UCRM zoning districts, the maximum occupancy shall
be one family, as defined by Sec. 29.201(62), except that for those dwelling units which are
owner-occupied and which also had a valid rental housing letter of compliance on the date this
ordinance went into effect, the maximum occupancy may also include up to two (2) roomers.
3. RH and RM Districts - Single Family and Duplexes
Notwithstanding an excess of floor space over that required by subsection (1) above, in all
single family and two family homes in the RH and RM zoning districts, the maximum
occupancy shall be:
OPTIONS (a) A family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62)
(b) A family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62(a)(c), (d) and (e), and if the
dwelling unit is owner-occupied, up to two (2) roomers may also
reside there
(c) A family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62) except that where parking
spaces and parking lot landscaping are provided in conformance with
current zoning code requirements for newly constructed apartment
buildings, a maximum occupancy of up to five(5) unrelated persons
are permitted.
(d) A family, as defined at Sec. 29.201(62), except that dwelling units
may be permitted to continue the occupancy that is indicated on their
letter of compliance if they had an existing letter of compliance on
the date this ordinance went into effect that allowed a greater
occupancy than the new ordinance authorizes.
4. All zoning districts other than RH and RM Districts - Existing Apartments
Notwithstanding an excess of floor space over that required by Subsection (1) above, in all
existing apartments in zoning districts other than RH and RM,the maximum occupancy shall
be a family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62).
5. RH and RM Districts - Existing Apartments
Notwithstanding an excess of floor space over that required by Subsection (1) above, in all
apartments existing in the RH and RM zoning districts on the date that this ordinance went into
effect, the maximum occupancy shall be:
OPTIONS: (a) A family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62)(a),(c),(d)or(e),or up to five
unrelated adults.
(b) A family as defined at Sec. 13.3(5)
(c) A family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62)(a), (c), (d) or (e), or for
unrelated persons, a number equal to the number of bedrooms in the
unit,plus one.
(d) A family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62) except that where parking
spaces and parking lot landscaping are provided in conformance with
current zoning code requirements for newly constructed apartment
buildings,a maximum occupancy of up to five(5)unrelated adults is
permitted.
6. RH and RM Districts - Newly Constructed Apartments
Notwithstanding an excess of floor space over that required by Subsection (1) above, in all
newly constructed apartments in the RH and RM zoning districts, the maximum occupancy
shall be:
OPTIONS: (a) A family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62)(a),(c),(d)or(e),or up to five
unrelated adults.
(b) A family as defined at Sec. 29.201(62)(a), (c), (d) or (e), or for
unrelated persons, a number equal to the number of bedrooms in the
unit, plus one.