[Amended 3-6-2013]
The City of Fox Lake is hereby divided into the following districts:
R-1
One-Family Residence District
R-2
Two-Family Residence District
R-3
Multiple-Family Residence District
B-1
Downtown Business District
B-2
Business District
I-1
Light Industrial District
I-2
Heavy Industrial District
C-1
Conservancy District
A-1
Agricultural District
A. 
Official Zoning Map.[1]
(1) 
Adopted; to show districts and boundaries. The zoning districts enumerated in § 520-13 shall be designated on the Official Zoning Map of the City, which, together with all pertinent explanatory material thereon, is incorporated herein as though set forth in full. All changes in district boundaries and the creation of additional districts made as provided by law shall be recorded on the map.
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(2) 
Interpretation of map. Where uncertainty exists or the actual layout in the field varies from the layout on the map, the district boundaries shall be determined by the Building Inspector in accordance with the intent of this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Official Zoning Map is on file at the office of the City Clerk.
B. 
Boundary lines. The boundaries shall be construed to follow corporate limits; U.S. Public Land Survey lines; lot or property lines; center lines of streets, highways, alleys, easements and railroad rights-of-way; or such lines extended unless otherwise noted on the Zoning Map.
C. 
Vacation. Vacation of public streets and alleys shall cause the land vacated to be automatically placed in the same district as the abutting side to which the vacated land reverts.
D. 
Annexations and consolidations. Annexations to or consolidations with the City subsequent to the effective date of this chapter shall be placed in the A-1 Agricultural District unless the annexation ordinance temporarily places the land in another district. Within one year, the Planning Commission shall evaluate and recommend a permanent district classification to the Common Council.
[Amended 3-7-2006; 3-6-2013; 12-21-2016; 2-10-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-1]
In the R-1 One-Family Residence District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected, moved or structurally altered, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except in compliance with the following:
A. 
Principal permitted uses.
(1) 
Single-family detached dwellings, excluding all mobile homes; for purposes of this chapter manufactured homes are included in the definition of single-family dwelling.
(2) 
The home shall be a double wide of at least 24 feet in width and 36 feet in length having at least 1,100 square feet of livable floor area. A property owner may apply for a smaller livable floor area by making an application to the City Council. Before the City Council hears the application, the matter shall be referred to the Planning Commission which shall make a recommendation to the City Council.
(3) 
Churches and similar places of worship; public and parochial schools.
(4) 
Public parks, playgrounds, recreation and community center buildings.
(5) 
Municipal uses not detrimental to the character of a residential district.
(6) 
Community living arrangements and day-care centers which have a capacity for eight or fewer persons.
(7) 
Foster family care.
(8) 
Uses customarily incident to any of the above uses, provided that no such use generates traffic or noise that would create public or private nuisance.
(9) 
Cemeteries.
B. 
Accessory uses. The following uses shall be permitted when located on the same lot with the principal use:
(1) 
Private garages.
(2) 
Customary accessory buildings, structures and uses, provided they are clearly incidental to the principal use and do not include any activity commonly conducted as a business.
(3) 
Parish houses and convents.
(4) 
Accommodations for two paying guests other than members of the immediate family.
(5) 
Customary home occupations and professional home offices.
C. 
Conditional uses. The following uses shall be permitted upon issuance of a conditional use permit:
(1) 
Hospitals, except animal hospitals, sanitariums, convalescent and rest homes for the elderly and child-care centers.
(2) 
Golf courses, golf practice ranges, country clubs, tennis clubs, skeet ranges and similar public and private recreational uses.
(3) 
Kennels as prescribed in Chapter 197, Animals, § 197-3B.
(4) 
Bed-and-breakfast establishments pursuant to § 520-36.
D. 
Lots regulated.
(1) 
Minimum lot area and width. The lot area shall be not less than 6,000 square feet and the lot width not less than 60 feet. (Any lot platted prior to the adoption of this Zoning Code which is less than 60 feet wide shall be considered a legal nonconforming lot. However, any structure built on such a legal nonconforming lot shall be in compliance with all other provisions of this Zoning Code.) Lots not served by approved sanitary sewer shall conform to the requirements prescribed in Article II of this chapter.
(2) 
Lot coverage. All principal and accessory buildings shall not occupy more than 30% of the lot area.
(3) 
Required yards.
(a) 
All principal buildings and uses shall provide front, rear and two side yards having depths and widths of not less than the following:
[1] 
Front yard: 25 feet deep.
[2] 
Rear yard: 25 feet deep.
[3] 
Side yards: six feet minimum, provided that the sum of the two side yards shall be not less than 16 feet.
(b) 
A detached accessory building located between the front and rear lines of the principal building shall provide the side yard required for the principal building.
(c) 
A detached accessory building located in the rear yard shall be not less than three feet from any lot line and not less than 20 feet from any street line.
E. 
Building floor area.
(1) 
All principal buildings shall contain the following minimum livable floor area, exclusive of basements and attached garages:
(a) 
One story: 1,100 square feet.
(b) 
Multistory: 1,200 square feet.
(2) 
A property owner may apply for a smaller livable floor area by making an application to the City Council. Before the City Council hears the application, the matter shall be referred to the Planning Commission which shall make a recommendation to the City Council.
F. 
Zero lot line/common wall construction dwellings. For all attached zero lot line or common wall construction duplexes containing single-family dwellings, each unit shall have separate sewer and water lateral connections. The size, type and installation proposed to be constructed shall be in accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the Common Council, following a recommendation from the Planning Commission. A minimum one-hour fire-rated wall assembly division, separating living areas from the lowest level to flush against the underside of the roof, is required between each dwelling unit.
In the R-2 Two-Family Residence District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected, moved or structurally altered, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except in compliance with the following:
A. 
Principal permitted uses.
(1) 
All principal uses permitted in R-1 Districts as regulated in the R-1 District.
(2) 
Two-family dwellings.
B. 
Accessory uses. The accessory uses permitted when located on the same lot with the principal use shall be the same as those permitted in the R-1 District.
C. 
Conditional uses. The following uses shall be permitted upon issuance of a conditional use permit:
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(1) 
All uses permitted in the R-1 District.
(2) 
Bed-and-breakfast establishments pursuant to § 520-36.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
D. 
Lots regulated. The minimum lot area and width, the lot coverage and required yards shall be the same as in the R-1 District.
E. 
Building floor area.
(1) 
One-family dwellings: same as R-1 District.
(2) 
Two-family dwellings: 900 square feet per dwelling unit.
F. 
Zero lot line/common wall construction dwellings. For all attached zero lot line or common wall construction duplexes containing single-family dwellings, each unit shall have separate sewer and water lateral connections. The size, type and installation proposed to be constructed shall be in accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the Common Council, following a recommendation from the Planning Commission. A minimum one-hour fire-rated wall assembly division, separating living areas from the lowest level to flush against the underside of the roof, is required between each dwelling unit.
In the R-3 Multiple-Family Residence District, no land or building shall be used and no building shall be erected, moved or structurally altered, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except in compliance with the following:
A. 
Principal permitted uses.
(1) 
All principal uses permitted in the R-1 and R-2 Districts.
(2) 
Multifamily dwellings.
(3) 
Rooming houses and boardinghouses, provided that food service is limited to the occupants.
(4) 
Clubs and fraternal organizations, except when such uses include a service customarily carried on as a business.
B. 
Accessory uses. When located on the same lot with the principal use, all accessory uses permitted in the R-1 District, except home occupations in multifamily dwellings shall be permitted in the R-3 District.
C. 
Conditional uses. The following uses shall be permitted upon issuance of a conditional use permit:
(1) 
All uses permitted in the R-1 District.
(2) 
Mobile homes in existing mobile home parks.
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(3) 
Bed-and-breakfast establishments pursuant to § 520-36.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
D. 
Lots regulated.
(1) 
Minimum lot area and width.
(a) 
One- and two-family dwellings. Not less than 6,000 square feet in area and 60 feet in lot width.
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(b) 
Multifamily dwellings. For multifamily dwellings containing three dwelling units, not less than 9,000 square feet in area and 80 feet in width; for each additional dwelling unit, the lot area shall be increased by 3,000 square feet.
(c) 
Rooming houses and boardinghouses. Not less than 6,000 square feet in area and 60 feet in lot width for buildings providing accommodations for fewer than five roomers; for each additional roomer, the lot area shall be increased by 1,500 square feet.
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(2) 
Lot coverage. Same as R-1 District.
(3) 
Required yards. Same as R-1 District.
E. 
Building floor area. All principal buildings shall contain the following minimum livable floor area, exclusive of basements and attached garages:
(1) 
One-story one-family dwellings: 900 square feet.
(2) 
Multistory one-family dwellings: 1,200 square feet.
(3) 
Two-family dwellings: 900 square feet per dwelling unit.
(4) 
Multifamily dwellings: 750 feet per dwelling unit.
[Amended 3-6-2013]
In the B-1 Downtown Business District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected, moved or structurally altered, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except in compliance with the following:
A. 
Principal permitted uses.
(1) 
Retail establishments for the sale of goods at retail or the performance of services customarily incidental to retail sales.
(2) 
Banks and similar institutions, business and professional offices.
(3) 
Sales, storage, manufacture and distribution of products and merchandise, except the storage and dismantling of wrecked motor vehicles, junkyards, feed mills, creameries and similar operations.
(4) 
Funeral and mortuary establishments.
(5) 
Hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, and motels.
(6) 
Animal hospitals.
(7) 
Parking lots.
(8) 
Churches, cemeteries, and similar places of worship.
(9) 
Public parks, playgrounds, recreation and community center buildings.
(10) 
Municipal uses not detrimental to the character of the district.
(11) 
Multiple permitted uses within the same building.
(12) 
Uses clearly similar in character to those listed above and customarily carried on in a downtown business district.
B. 
Conditional uses. All uses allowed in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts.
C. 
Uses prohibited. No use shall be permitted in the B-1 District which, by established standards and experience, is dangerous or generates noise, smoke, or air and water pollution or is a public or private nuisance.
D. 
Lots regulated.
(1) 
Minimum lot area and width. No minimum lot area and width requirement.
(2) 
Lot coverage. No lot coverage requirement.
(3) 
Required yards. No required yards.
[Added 3-6-2013]
In the B-2 Business District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected, moved or structurally altered, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except in compliance with the following:
A. 
Principal permitted uses.
(1) 
All uses permitted in the B-1 Downtown Business District.
(2) 
Multiple permitted uses within the same building.
B. 
Uses prohibited. No use shall be permitted in B-2 District which, by established standards and experience, is dangerous or generates noise, smoke, or air and water pollution or is a public or private nuisance.
C. 
Lots regulated.
(1) 
Minimum lot area and width.
(a) 
The minimum lot area shall be 6,000 square feet and the lot width not less than 60 feet.
(b) 
Lots not served by approved sanitary sewer shall conform to the requirements prescribed in § 520-12 of this chapter.
(2) 
Lot coverage. All principal and accessory buildings shall not occupy more than 50% of the lot area.
(3) 
Required yards. All principal buildings shall provide front, rear and two side yards having depths and widths of not less than the following:
(a) 
Front yard: 25 feet deep.
(b) 
Rear yard: 25 feet deep.
(c) 
Side yards: six feet minimum, provided that the sum of the two side yards shall be not less than 16 feet.
In the I-1 Light Industrial District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected, moved or structurally altered, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except in compliance with the following:
A. 
Principal permitted uses.
(1) 
Industries of a restricted character which by established standards and experience are not detrimental to and do not adversely affect the district or adjacent residential districts due to appearance or by the emission of dust, smoke, odor, gas, fumes, noise, vibration, traffic or similar substances or conditions.
(2) 
Any commercial use permitted in the B-1 District, except hotels and motels.
B. 
Accessory uses. The following uses shall be permitted when located on the same lot with the principal use:
(1) 
A single-family dwelling for occupancy by a watchman employed on the premises.
(2) 
Dormitories and similar housing for seasonal workers employed on the premises under a conditional use permit.
C. 
Lots regulated.
(1) 
Minimum lot area and width.
(a) 
None for buildings or land used exclusively for commercial uses.
(b) 
Residence for watchman shall comply with § 520-15D(1).
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(2) 
Lot coverage. Residence for watchman shall comply with § 520-15D(2).
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(3) 
Required yards.
(a) 
Any permitted light industrial use shall be located not less than 25 feet from any lot or street line abutting or adjacent to a residential district.
(b) 
Any permitted residential use for a watchman on the premises shall provide the yards prescribed for residences in the R-1 District.
In the I-2 Industrial District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected, moved or structurally altered, unless otherwise provided in this chapter, except in compliance with the following:
A. 
Principal permitted uses.
(1) 
Any industrial use except those which by established standards and experience are dangerous, generate excessive noise or air and water pollution or create a public or private nuisance.
(2) 
Any commercial use permitted in the B-1 District, except hotels and motels.
B. 
Accessory uses. The following uses shall be permitted when located on the same lot with the principal use:
(1) 
A single-family dwelling for occupancy by a watchman employed on the premises.
(2) 
Dormitories and similar housing for seasonal workers employed on the premises.
C. 
Lots regulated.
(1) 
Minimum lot area and width.
(a) 
None for buildings or land used exclusively for commercial uses.
(b) 
Residence for watchman shall comply with § 520-15D(1).
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(2) 
Lot coverage. Residence for watchman shall comply with § 520-15D(2).
[Amended 3-6-2013]
(3) 
Required yards.
(a) 
Any permitted industrial use shall be located not less than 50 feet from any lot or street line abutting or adjacent to a residential district.
(b) 
Any light industrial use shall be located not less than 25 feet from any lot or street line abutting or adjacent to a residential district.
(c) 
Any residence for a watchman on the premises shall provide the yards prescribed for dwellings in the R-1 District.
D. 
Building floor area. None required.
A. 
Permitted uses. For the purpose of regulating the use of land which is subject to periodic flooding and land which is unfit for urban development due to adverse drainage and soil conditions, and to preserve the natural resources and scenic values of the community, the following uses are permitted in the C-1 Conservancy District:
(1) 
The harvesting of wild crops.
(2) 
Forestry and tree farms.
(3) 
Hunting, fishing and trapping, unless otherwise prohibited by law.
(4) 
Recreation and similar activities consistent with the public welfare.
A. 
Purpose. The A-1 Agricultural District is intended to provide for the continuation of general farming and related uses in those areas of the City that are not yet committed to urban development. It is further intended for this district to protect lands contained therein from urban development until their orderly transition into urban-oriented districts is required.
B. 
Permitted uses.
(1) 
General farming, including agriculture, dairying, floriculture, forestry, grazing, hay, orchards, truck farming and viticulture (grape growing); provided, however, that farm buildings housing animals, barnyards, and feed lots shall not be located in a floodplain and shall be at least 100 feet from any navigable water or district boundary.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
(2) 
Keeping and raising of domestic stock for agribusiness, show, breeding, or other purposes incidental to the principal use of the premises, and for the use of the occupants of the premises, provided that such use shall not be located within 150 feet of a dwelling unit other than the dwelling unit on the property in question.
C. 
Permitted accessory uses.
(1) 
Attached or detached private garages and carports accessory to permitted or permitted accessory uses.
(2) 
General farm buildings, including barns, silos, sheds, and storage bins and including not more than one roadside stand for the sale of farm products produced on the premises. Any such stand shall conform to the setback, sign and other provisions of this chapter.
(3) 
One farm dwelling. The only residences allowed as permitted uses on newly established parcels are those to be occupied by a person who or a family at least one member of which earns a substantial part of his or her livelihood from farm operations on the parcel or is related to the operator of the larger farm parcel from which the new parcel is taken. Preexisting residences located in areas subject to zoning under this section which do not conform to this subsection may be continued in residential use. The minimum parcel size to establish a residence or a farm operation is 35 acres. No structure or improvement may be built on the land unless consistent with agricultural uses.
(4) 
Private garages and parking space.
(5) 
Private swimming pool and tennis court.
(6) 
Home occupation.
(7) 
Signs as regulated by the City.
(8) 
Buildings temporarily located for purposes of constructing on the premises for a period not to exceed time necessary for such constructing.
(9) 
Gardening and other horticultural uses where no sale of products is conducted on the premises.
D. 
Conditional uses.
(1) 
Airports, airstrips and landing fields, provided that the site is not less than 20 acres.
(2) 
Commercial feed lots, livestock sales facilities and fur farms.
(3) 
Housing for farm laborers and seasonal or migratory farm workers.
(4) 
Transmitting towers, receiving towers, and relay and microwave towers without broadcast facilities or studios.
(5) 
Utilities.
(6) 
Veterinary clinics, provided that no structure or animal enclosure shall be located closer than 150 feet to a property boundary.
(7) 
Public and parochial schools, provided that no building shall be located within 50 feet of any lot line.
(8) 
Churches, including those related structures located on the same site which are an integral part of the church proper, convents or homes for persons related to a religious function on the same site, provided that no more than 10 persons shall reside on the site and no building shall be located within 50 feet of any lot line.
(9) 
Golf courses, country clubs, tennis clubs or public swimming pools serving more than one family. The principal structure for any of the above-listed uses shall be 100 feet or more from any abutting lot in a residential district, and accessory structures shall be a minimum of 50 feet from any lot line.
(10) 
Essential service structures, including but not limited to buildings such as telephone exchange stations, booster or pressure-regulating stations, wells, pumping stations, elevated tanks, lift stations and electrical power substations, provided that no building shall be located within 10 feet from any lot line of an abutting lot in a residential district. Prior to granting such permit, it shall be found that the architectural design of the service structure is compatible with the neighborhood in which it is to be located and thus will promote the general welfare.
(11) 
Hospitals for human care, sanitariums, rest homes, and nursing homes, provided that all structures, except fences, shall be located 100 feet or more from the lot line of any abutting lot in a residential district.
(12) 
Cemeteries.
E. 
Lot, yard and building requirements.
(1) 
Lot frontage. Minimum 200 feet.
(2) 
Lot area. Minimum two acres.
(3) 
Principal building.
(a) 
Front yard: minimum 80 feet.
(b) 
Side yards: minimum 50 feet.
(c) 
Rear yard: minimum 50 feet.
(4) 
Accessory building.
(a) 
Front yard: minimum 80 feet.
(b) 
Side yards: minimum 45 feet.
(c) 
Rear yard: minimum 45 feet.
(d) 
Building height: maximum 50 feet.