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If
I want to start a home based business, what kinds
of business can I operate and what are the applicable
regulations that I need to be aware of? |
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Home-based
businesses are restricted to office use only. Your
home may not function as a retail shop, be used
to store materials, or operate mechanical equipment
other than that necessary for housekeeping purposes. |
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How
tall of a fence/wall can I build on my property
and are there any limitations on the construction
material? |
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For
residentially zoned properties, a wall, fence, or
hedge constructed on the back or side yards of the
property may not exceed six (6) feet in height.
A solid wall, fence, or hedge constructed in the
front yard may not exceed four (4) feet in height
with a maximum of five (5) feet allowed if at least
fifty percent (50%) of the wall is constructed with
decorative wrought iron and block pilasters. The
use of barbed, pointed, spiked, razor, or piercing
materials is prohibited in residential zones. Commercial
or industrial zoned properties may construct solid
masonry or wrought iron walls or fences with an
overall height not exceeding eight (8) feet. If
a wall separates a commercial use from a residentially
classified property, it must be constructed of solid
masonry and be six (6) feet in height. However,
if the wall is located along the front property
line of the residentially classified property it
should be four (4) feet in height. |
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I
would like to display a banner to increase the visibility
of my business, am I required to obtain a permit? |
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Yes,
a no fee temporary sign permit must be obtained
prior to the display of any banner. An application
for a temporary sign permit may be obtained at the
Planning Division counter on the second floor of
City Hall West. A banner may be displayed for a
maximum of thirty (30) days in a six month (180
day) period. |
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I
received a public notice with information about
a public hearing for a planned project near my house,
how can I obtain information about the project? |
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You
may obtain information by coming to the Planning
Division of City Hall West and requesting to review
the file or plans for the project. If you wish to
provide a public testimony on the proposed project
you should attend the public hearing or submit written
documentation to the Planning Division prior to
the hearing date. |
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If
I have a building that does not comply with today’s
zoning standards on my property, can I rebuild the
building if it has been damaged or destroyed? |
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Yes,
the building may be rebuilt if the extent of the
damage is less than fifty percent (50%) of the replacement
cost of the building as determined by the Building
Official. The building may then be restored to its
prior state provided that the restoration commence
within 180 days. |
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If
I want to construct an addition to my house, what
are the setbacks? |
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The
setbacks vary from zone to zone. To find out what
zone you are in, you may call the Planning Division.
( * IT - refer to setbacks summary of planning website
to fill in). |
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How
many residential units can I construct on my property? |
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Because
different zones allow for different building densities,
the number of units you can construct depends on
the zone in which your property is classified. |