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Town of Stratford, CT
Fairfield County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
5.1.1 
Any use permitted in a single family RS District, subject to all of the provisions of Section 4.1.
5.1.2 
Dwelling for not more than two families provided the lot area per family dwelling unit is equal to 5,000 square feet.
5.1.3 
A boarding or roominghouse, subject to the provisions of these Regulations relative to density of residential use subject to the provisions of Section 4.1.4.
5.1.4 
A group of private garage units or paved parking areas for the storage of noncommercial vehicles and meeting the requirements of Section 12 of these Regulations.
5.1.5 
Accessory uses as provided in Section 4.1.8.
5.1.6 
All that area of the town included in the Res. "C" Zone at the time of the adoption of these Regulations is hereby included in and declared to be an RM-1 District. All uses legally existing as conforming uses in the Res. "C" Zone at the time of the adoption of these Regulations may be continued as conforming uses at the same locations, but none may be extended except in conformance with all the requirements of these Regulations for RM-1 Districts.
5.1.7 
Residence apartments subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.3 and subject to the approval of the Zoning Commission as a special case.
5.1.8 
Affordable housing developments subject to the requirements of Section 5.4 and Section 20 of the Zoning Regulations.
District
Lot Area
(sq. ft.)
Mini-
mum Lot Width
Mini-
mum Lot Depth
(feet)
Mini-
mum Front Yard
(feet)
Mini-
mum Side Yard
(feet)
Mini-
mum Rear Yard
(feet)
Maxi-
mum Bldg. Cov.
(%)
Max Bldg. Hgt.
(feet)
Min. lot area per fam. dwelling unit
(sq. ft.)
RM-1
7,500
60
100
15
10
25
33 1/3
30 or as specified in Section 5.3.4
3,750 or as specified in Section 5.3.3
5.3.1 
Residence apartment development defined.
A "residence apartment development" for the purpose of this chapter is defined to mean and include all buildings designed and constructed for use as a residence totaling eight or more families living independently of each other in apartments meeting all the requirements of the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut which applies to tenement houses.
5.3.2 
Apartment requirements.
Each apartment shall contain a bathroom equipped with a water closet, wash basin, and a bathtub or shower, a kitchen or kitchenette equipped with a sink and provided with facilities and space for cooking range and refrigerator, at least one room which shall be not less than 200 square feet in area, and, if the apartment shall have three or more rooms, one additional room which shall be not less than 100 square feet in area. No room in any apartment, other than the bathroom, shall be less than 80 square feet in area, and each room, including the bathroom, shall have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet eight inches in the clear and outside windows with a net glass area of not less than 1/8 of the floor area of the room. For the purpose of computing the number of rooms in an apartment, a bathroom, strip or pullman kitchen, hall or foyer, alcove, pantry, laundry, closet or storage space shall not be considered to be a room.
5.3.3 
Area and parking requirements.
A) 
The maximum building coverage shall be 20% of the lot area for all developments in an RS-1, RS-2, RS-3 and RS-4 District. The maximum building coverage shall be 25% of the lot area for all developments in an RM-1, CA, LB and LBB District. The maximum building coverage shall be 25% of the lot area and the maximum impervious area shall be 50% for all developments in an OPD District. The remainder of the lot shall be left open, and shall be appropriately landscaped with the exception of the required parking areas. Off street parking shall be subject to Section 12 of these Regulations. At least 1/3 of the number of required parking spaces shall be provided in open areas. The entire property must be at all times maintained in a neat, clean sanitary condition and free of noxious weeds.
[Effective 10-31-2021]
B) 
The maximum density of any residence apartment development will be determined by the district in which the development is located as shown on the following chart:
[Effective 10-31-2021]
Units Per 40,000 square feet of Lot Area (See Section 1.1)
RS-1
3.5 units
RS-2
4.0 units
RS-3
6.0 units
RS-4
6.0 units
RM-1, CA, LB, LBB, OPD
11.5 units
C) 
When the total number of dwelling units is equal to a fraction, such fractional dwelling unit total shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of below 0.5 and rounded up to the nearest whole number if the fraction is greater than or equal to 0.5.
D) 
A residence apartment development within the OPD shall be exempt from the provisions of Subsection 5.3.5.
[Effective 10-31-2021]
5.3.4 
Height limitations.
The maximum height of all buildings in a residence apartment development in an RS-1, RS-2, RS-3 and RS-4 District shall be 30 feet. The maximum height of all buildings in a residence apartment development in an RM-1, CA, LB and LBB District shall be 40 feet, and in an OPD District shall be 60 feet, if the Commission finds that the height, size and location of the proposed buildings are well sited within existing topographical features so as to minimize visibility and intrusion to adjacent residential areas and is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood. Otherwise, the maximum height in any zone shall be 30 feet.
[Effective 10-31-2021]
5.3.5 
Apartment unit equivalents.
A) 
Residence apartments may be approved as special cases as provided in Section 20 of these Regulations but in an amount not to exceed the following in each neighborhood. The boundaries of these neighborhoods are hereby established as shown on a map entitled "Ultimate Neighborhoods, Showing Existing and Proposed Elementary School Locations," dated September 1964, revised to December 8, 1964, which map is hereby declared to be a part of these Regulations. Copies of said map are on file in the Town Clerk's office and office of the Planning Commission and Zoning Commission. The unused balance of 504.5 apartment unit equivalents plus an additional 100 Equivalents, permitting a total of 604.5 apartment unit equivalents, shall apply to any of the 13 neighborhoods, listed below, in the Town of Stratford provided that no more than 100 of the equivalents shall be used in any one neighborhood.
Neighborhood
Franklin
Oronoque-James Farm
Birdseye
Whitney
Center-Academy Hill
Garden
Wilcoxson
Lordship
Second Hill
Chapel
Johnson-Fox Hill
Nichols
Stonybrook
B) 
Apartment unit equivalents shall be determined by assigning the following values to apartments containing
1 room
0.5 equivalent
2 or 3 rooms, 1 bedroom
1.0 equivalent
4 rooms, 2 bedrooms
2.0 equivalents
5 rooms, 3 bedrooms
3.0 equivalents
C) 
For the purpose of these Regulations, libraries, dens, studios, studies, lofts and other similar spaces shall be deemed to be bedrooms if the Commission finds that the size, design, and layout of these rooms are generally similar to bedrooms.
D) 
The Planning and Zoning Administrator shall keep an accurate record of the units which have been approved for residence apartments in each neighborhood and the number of units remaining for residence apartments in each neighborhood shall be public information.
5.3.6 
Front yards.
The minimum front yard setback for all buildings in a residence apartment development shall be 40 feet.
5.3.7 
Side and rear yards.
The minimum side yard and rear yard setback for all buildings in a residence apartment development shall be 35 feet but may be reduced to 30 feet if the Commission finds that the size and location of the proposed buildings are well sited and landscaped so as to minimize visibility and intrusion to adjacent property and are compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
5.3.8 
Fire safety.[1]
A) 
To promote fire safety all residence apartment buildings shall have full basements, with headroom of seven feet, six inches below the lowest joist or girder and in full compliance with all requirements of the local and state fire and building codes.
B) 
No individual oil heating or oil cooking equipment shall be permitted within the confines of any apartment.
[1]
Editor's Note: Effective 3-23-1982; 11-13-1982.
5.3.9 
Storage.[2]
A separate storage space, having a minimum floor space of 10% of the apartment it serves, shall be provided for each apartment. In the case of a storage space located within the living area of a resident apartment building, said storage space shall have no windows and shall meet all requirements of the local and state fire and building codes. In basement storage areas, separation walls between storage spaces shall be of four-inch cinder block or hollow tile, extending from floor to ceiling.
[2]
Editor's Note: Effective 11-13-1981.
5.3.10 
Sanitation.
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any residence apartment unit until such unit has been connected to the Town sanitary sewer system, or to private sanitary disposal facilities meeting the minimum requirements of both the Town and state departments of health.
5.3.11 
Potable water.
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any residence apartment unit until such unit has been connected to a supply of potable water sufficient to furnish at least 100 gallons of water per day. If said water is supplied from any system other than a public water supply, its potability shall be certified by the Health Officer of the Town of Stratford.
5.3.12 
Petitions.
Petitions shall be considered in the order in which they are filed. Incomplete applications shall not be accepted for filing. Each application shall be accompanied by preliminary plans prepared by a land surveyor licensed as such by the state board of registration for professional engineers and land surveyors of the State of Connecticut. Such plans shall show the size, floor plan and location of each proposed building or accessory building, all proposed driveways, parking spaces and easements, all public highways or streets, all boundary lines and the names of adjacent land owners and any existing buildings on the property. To enable the Zoning Commission to consider the application it shall be accompanied by a zoning compliance chart and a perspective sketch of one of the buildings showing the type of architecture to be used.
5.3.13 
Compliance.
All residence apartment developments shall comply with Section 4.1.6.11 of these Regulations.
5.3.14 
Recreational set-aside.
A minimum of 10% of the total lot area shall be established for either active or passive recreational purposes to serve the residents of said development. This land shall be in one piece and lawn or trim areas between walks and building or between walks and paving shall not be considered as recreational area. A layout of proposed recreational facilities shall be shown on the site plan submitted for approval. All open spaces shall be landscaped to conform to the surrounding area and shown on the site plan prepared by a landscape architect or landscape contractor.
5.3.15 
Performance bond.
To assure conformance with all proposals (excluding buildings) shown on the approved site plan and other approved documents, a performance bond shall be posted in an amount determined by the Administrator to cover the cost of the required work.
5.3.16 
Redevelopment and/or adaptation of an existing building.
A) 
For the redevelopment and/or the adaptation of an existing building for residential use in a CA, LB or LBB District only, where said building has been in existence for a minimum of 25 years and where the existing footprint of the building will not change, the foregoing provisions of Section 5.3 shall not apply to yard setbacks, exterior building heights, building coverages and lot area but shall revert to provisions of the underlying zone in which the building is situated, but in no event shall these Regulations preclude preexisting conditions as to all coverages and yard setbacks. The provisions set forth in Section 5.3.3A) as to coverage and the Section 5.3.3B) as to density only shall not apply and the minimum lot area shall be 20,000 square feet and the permitted density for living units shall be not less than 1,500 square feet of lot area per living unit.
B) 
In the event of the adaptive reuse of existing hotel buildings located in the CA District, the use of said building may be converted into residence apartments and the preceding Sections 5.3.5 and 5.3.8 shall not apply provided the number of dwelling units proposed does not exceed 2/3 of the number of hotel rooms which exist at the time of the application for adaptive reuse.
C) 
Interior height limitations shall not apply to 1/3 of the residential units so long as the interior heights of the units comply with the state building code in effect at the time the applications are made to the Zoning Commission. The recreational requirements of Section 5.3.14 shall not apply.
D) 
Parking requirements of Section 12.5.2 shall apply.
E) 
All applications under this section shall be reviewed on an individual basis. The Zoning Commission shall give full consideration to the character of existing land uses and zoning districts in the vicinity of this proposed use to assure the feasibility of providing a quality residential environment.
5.4.1 
Purpose and intent.
A. 
The purpose of the affordable housing development regulations is to authorize construction of affordable housing by establishing more flexible standards in order to increase the number of affordable housing units for the elderly and young families, consistent with terrain, infrastructure capacity and available services. All such affordable housing shall be developed in a fashion that is generally consistent with the housing patterns of the neighborhood in which it is located.
B. 
An affordable housing development shall be deemed to mean a housing development a) which is assisted housing or b) which not less than 20% of the dwelling units will be held or conveyed by deeds containing covenants or restrictions which shall require that such dwelling units be sold and rented at, or below, prices which will preserve the units as affordable housing as defined in Section 8-39a, as amended from time to time, of the Connecticut General Statutes for persons and families whose income is less than or equal to 80% of the area median income for at least 20 years after the initial occupation of the proposed development.
5.4.2 
Eligible zoning districts.
Affordable housing developments are permitted in RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RM-1, LB, LBB, and CA Districts.
5.4.3 
Development standards.
Minimum Lot Area
120,000 square feet
Maximum Lot Area
400,000 square feet
Minimum Road Frontage
60 feet
Required Lot Shape
A square 250 feet by 250 feet to fit on lot in an RS-1 District. A 200-foot square is required in all other districts.
Minimum Front Yard
1.5 times the zoning requirements in which the development is located
Minimum Side Yard
1.5 times the zoning requirements in which the development is located
Minimum Rear Yard
1.5 times the zoning requirements in which the development is located
Maximum Building Height
30 feet
Maximum Building Coverage
20% of lot area
Maximum Impervious Area
45% of lot area
Minimum Open Space
55% of lot area
Any affordable housing development constructed within the Town shall be in full compliance with all of the requirements of this regulation as well as all other applicable Town ordinances and regulations.
5.4.4 
Density.
A. 
The maximum density of any affordable housing development will be determined by the district in which the development is located and the percentage of affordable housing units within the development and shall be based upon the following matrix:
Units Per 40,000 square feet of Lot Area (See Section 1.1)
Zone
Allowed Density
20% - 39% Affordable
40% - 79% Affordable
80% - 100% Affordable
RS-1
1.00
1.25
2.25
3.50
RS-2
2.00
2.25
3.00
4.00
RS-3
4.00
4.25
5.00
6.00
RS-4
5.30
5.50
5.50
6.00
RM-1, CA, LB, LBB
10.60
10.80
11.00
11.50
B. 
When the total number of dwelling units is equal to a fraction, such fractional dwelling unit total shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of below 0.5 and rounded up to the nearest whole number if the fraction is greater than or equal to 0.5.
5.4.5 
Recreation area.
A minimum of 10% of the total lot area shall be established for outside recreational purposes to serve the residents of the affordable housing development. The area devoted to this purpose shall be in one piece and shall not be less than 50 feet in width. The recreation area shall be level with slopes not to exceed 4% and shall be landscaped primarily as lawn.
5.4.6 
Parking.
A. 
Parking for Affordable Housing Developments shall be as provided in Section 12.5.14 of the Zoning Regulations.
B. 
All parking areas must be set back a minimum of 15 feet from all property lines.
5.4.7 
Landscaping.
All buildings, parking areas, driveways and walkways shall be substantially screened from all streets and adjoining properties by a landscaped treatment acceptable to the Commission. A mix of shade trees, evergreen trees, flowering trees and shrubs shall be planted in all buffer areas and around the buildings to provide suitable year-round screening and a pleasant aesthetic environment. To the greatest extent possible, all mature trees shall be retained on the site.
5.4.8 
Utility and driveway requirements.
A. 
There shall be a public water supply and municipal sewer system adequate to meet the needs of the development.
B. 
All utilities shall be installed underground.
C. 
All common areas and elements are to be maintained by an association of homeowners and/or a common interest association.
D. 
All internal roads and driveways shall be private.
E. 
The applicant shall prepare pre-development and post-development calculations of the stormwater runoff and provide a design that demonstrates a zero impact to the Town's storm drainage system, including natural waterway systems. Accordingly, the applicant shall evaluate the impacts to downstream conditions. The analysis shall include impacts from the quantity of runoff as well as the quality of the runoff. The drainage collection system shall be designed in accordance with the requirements of the Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual, as amended, as well as the requirements of Town stormwater ordinances. In addition to best management practices currently available and in the absence of specific design criteria which may not be identified in these documents or other requirements of the Town, the applicant shall, at a minimum, design the stormwater collection system to retain the first inch of runoff on site, and provide a zero increase in the peak rate of runoff from the site for the twenty-five-year storm, with an evaluation of the impacts from a fifty- and 100-year storm. After the evaluation is complete, if a larger design storm is warranted as determined in consultation with the Town Engineer, the applicant shall design the drainage for no net increase in the runoff from the 100-year storm.
5.4.9 
Design requirements.
All units in an affordable housing development shall be one-family detached dwelling units or multifamily attached dwelling units not to exceed four units per building. All buildings shall have a minimum setback of 25 feet to any other building. The exterior design of all multifamily attached dwellings shall incorporate varying gable rooflines and building facades to break up the building mass. Choice of the building materials and color scheme for all units shall be generally consistent with the existing neighborhood. All deed-restricted affordable units shall be substantially similar to market-rate units in terms of building design, materials, finish quality and unit size and shall be dispersed throughout the development.
5.4.10 
Location standards.
A. 
The affordable housing development shall be located within three miles of an existing fire station.
B. 
All affordable housing developments containing units for the elderly shall be located within a one-half-mile radius of a Stratford CA, CF, LB, or LBB Zoning District and all units for the nonelderly shall be located within a one-mile radius of a Stratford CA, CF, LB or LBB Zoning District.
C. 
Continuous sidewalks must exist between the development and above commercial districts to allow for safe pedestrian access.
D. 
All affordable housing developments containing units for the elderly shall be located on a public transit route or be located within 1/2 mile of a public transit route if there are continuous sidewalks between the development and the public transit route. All units for the nonelderly shall be located on a public transit route or be located within a one-mile radius of a public transit route if there are continuous sidewalks between the development and the public transit route.
5.4.11 
Submission and procedural requirements.
A. 
All affordable housing developments shall be considered as a special case subject to all requirements of this section and Section 20 of the Zoning Regulations and all pertinent sections of the Connecticut General Statutes.
B. 
All applications for an affordable housing development shall be on a form supplied by the Zoning Commission.