List of Zoning Districts

Section 4.01    Classification of Districts

Section 4.02    Use Must Conform to District Regulations

Section 4.03    District Boundaries Shown on Zoning

Section 4.04    Interpretation of Zoning Map

Section 4.05    Classification of Newly Annexed Lands

Section 4.06    Plat Book - Supplement to Zoning Code

Section 4.07    Establishment of Regulations Governing Use of Land and Buildings

Section 4.08    Transitional Accessory Uses

Section 4.01      Classification of Districts

                        Oak Ridge shall be and is hereby divided into Districts as enumerated in Articles V through IX.

Section 4.02      Use Must Conform to District Regulations

                        Except as otherwise provided in this code, no structure or land shall hereafter be used or occupied and no structure or part thereof shall be erected, moved or altered except in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the District in which the structure or land is located.

Section 4.03      District Boundaries Shown on Zoning Map

                        The boundaries of said Districts are hereby established as shown on the current Zoning Map, certified by the Planning Commission.  Said Zoning Map with all notations, references, and other information shown thereon shall be as much a part of this code as if fully described herein.  (The Zoning Map is available for public inspection in the office of the City Manager or the City Manager’s authorized representative.)

Section 4.04      Interpretation of Zoning Map

                        Where due to the scale, lack of detail or illegibility of the Zoning Map accompanying this code, there is an uncertainty, contradiction, or conflict as to the intended location of any District boundary as shown thereon, interpretation concerning the exact location of the District boundary line shall be determined by the Board of Appeals.

Section 4.05      Classification of Newly Annexed Lands

All new additions and annexations of land to the City of Oak Ridge shall be in a RG‑1 zone unless otherwise classified by the City Council, as herein­after provided, for a period of time not to exceed one (1) year from the effective date of the Ordinance annexing said addition.  Within this one-year period of time the City Council shall instruct the City Planning Commission to study and make recommendations concerning the use of land within said annexation to promote the general welfare and in accordance with the comprehensive city plan, and upon receipt of such recommendations the City Council shall, after public hearings as required by law, establish the district classification of said annexation; provided, however, that this shall not be construed as preventing the City Council from holding public hearings prior to annexation and establishing the district classification at the time of said annexation.

Section 4.06      Plat Book - Supplement to Zoning Code

The current Plat Book of the Planning Commission with all notations, references, and other information shown thereon shall be as much a part of this code as if fully described herein.  (Note:  The Plat Book is available for public inspection in the office of the City Manager or the City Manager’s authorized representative.)

Section 4.07      Establishment of Regulations Governing Use of Land and Buildings

Any use not expressly permitted is prohibited.  Uses requiring Board of Appeals permit are permissible if in the opinion of the Board of Appeals adequate conditions exist or can be imposed that will make such uses compatible with the purposes of this code.  Uses which would have a material adverse effect upon the surrounding property, or interfere with vehicle and pedestrian traffic, or create noise, dirt, smoke, odor or other nuisances, which are detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare of the surrounding area shall be denied.  Except as otherwise provided herein, regulations governing land and building use are hereby established as shown in Articles V through IX.  (See also Article I Section 1.02, Article III Sections 3.11 through 3.19, Article XI Sections 11.01 through 11.04, Article XII, Article XIII Sections 13.01 through 13.06, and Article XIV)

Section 4.08      Transitional Accessory Uses

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sec. 3.06, the Board of Appeals may grant a special exception permit to allow a use accessory to a principal use in zoning districts O-1, O-2, B-2, UB-2, and B-3 to be located in an abutting zoning district, with the exception of Greenbelt and Floodway Districts, and subject to the following conditions:

(a)        The accessory use may not extend farther than one hundred and fifty (150) feet into the abutting zoning district and may not cross a street.

(b)        Extra setback, landscaping, berms, structural fence, and/or wall may be required to buffer the adjoining portions of the zoning district from the proposed accessory use and, if the abutting zoning district is residential, a landscaped buffer, meeting the standards of Section 11.03 (g)3a and with a depth of at least twenty (20) feet, shall be mandatory.

(c)        The proposed accessory use has no other feasible location within the appropriate zoning district where the principal use is located.

(d)        If buildings or structures are proposed, they shall be designed to be in character and scale with the uses permitted in the zoning district into which they extend.

(e)        The Board shall determine that hours of operation, traffic circulation patterns, noise, lights and other characteristics of the proposed accessory use will not have a material negative impact on the character of the zoning district into which it extends.

(Ord No. 4-98 Revised Effective 1/15/98)