Village of Mount Pleasant, WI Residential Districts

General. Residential zoning districts are primarily intended to create, maintain and promote a variety of housing opportunities for individuals and households of various ages, incomes and lifestyle preferences. The districts are also intended to maintain and promote the desired physical character of existing and developing neighborhoods. While the R Districts primarily accommodate residential uses, some nonresidential (public and civic) uses are also allowed.

RE Residential Estate District. The RE (Residential Estate) District is primarily intended to accommodate detached houses on very large lots, and very limited keeping of horses or farm animals.

RL Low-Density Residential District. The RL (Low-Density Residential) District is primarily intended to accommodate one or two dwelling units on lots of various sizes. When this chapter refers to RL Districts it is referring to all RL Districts.

RM Moderate-Density Residential District. The RM (Moderate-Density Residential) District is primarily intended to accommodate a range of residential building types and densities. When this chapter refers to RM Districts it is referring to all RM Districts.

RH High-Density Residential District. The RH (High-Density Residential) District is primarily intended to accommodate a range of residential building types and higher densities. When this chapter refers to RH Districts it is referring to all RH Districts. RH zoning is intended to be applied only in areas with excellent transportation/transit access, including major highway corridors.

§ 90-110.30 Allowed uses.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Uses are allowed in R Districts in accordance with the use regulations of Division 90-310.

§ 90-110.40 Allowed building types.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Allowed residential uses must occupy residential buildings which are allowed in R Districts in accordance with Table 90-110-2.

Allowed public and civic uses must occupy civic buildings which are allowed in R Districts as indicated in Table 90-110-2.

Table 90-110-2 R District Building Types
Building Type		Districts				See Section
Building Type		RE	RL	RM	RH	See Section
•	= permitted
— = prohibited
Residential Buildings
Detached house		•	•	•	•	§ 90-110.90
Two-unit house		—	•	•	•	§ 90-110.90
Twinhouse		—	•	•	•	§ 90-110.100
Townhouse building		—	—	•	•	§ 90-110.110
Multi-unit building		—	—	•	•	§ 90-110.120
Cottage court		—	—	•	•	§ 90-110.130
Backyard cottage		•	•	•	•	§ 90-110.140
Nonresidential Buildings
Civic building		•	•	•	•	§ 90-110.150

§ 90-110.50 Horses and farm animals.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

See Division 90-340.

§ 90-110.60 Gardening and farming.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

No more than 30% of any R-zoned lot may be used for gardens or the growing of crops.

§ 90-110.70 Garages.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Purpose. The garage regulations of this section are intended to help preserve the desired physical character of low-density residential areas and prevent garages from becoming the dominant feature of houses within such areas.

Applicability.

The garage regulations of this section apply to garages established after the effective date established in § 90-10.30 on lots occupied by detached houses, two-unit houses, twinhouses or townhouses. The regulations also apply to carports.

Garages and carports in existence on the effective date established in § 90-10.30 may be modified, reconstructed or replaced as long as the modification, reconstruction or replacement does not result in the garage or carport increasing the extent of noncompliance with the garage regulations of this section.

Detached houses, two-unit houses and twinhouses. Garages for detached houses two-unit houses and twinhouses must be front-loaded, side-loaded or rear-loaded, in accordance with the regulations of this subsection.

Front-loaded garages. Vehicle entrances to attached or detached front-loaded garages on lots occupied by detached houses, two-unit houses or twinhouses must be set back at least 25 feet from the street right-of-way or 20 feet from the back of sidewalk, whichever results in a greater setback. Front-loaded garages that are set back less than three feet from the front wall plane of the detached house, two-unit house, or twinhouse are subject to the following regulations:

The total area of any street-facing garage doors may not exceed 40% of the total exterior wall area on the garage-side facade of the detached house, two-unit house, or twinhouse; and

Garage doors must be wood-clad or include decorative windows.

Side-loaded garages. Side-loaded garages may be attached or detached, with the vehicle entrance generally oriented perpendicular to the street-facing plane of the detached house, two-unit house or twinhouse. The street-facing wall of an attached side-loaded garage must be set back from the street in accordance with the minimum street setback requirements of the subject zoning district and include at least 20 square feet of window area. The side-loaded vehicle entrance must be set back at least 28 feet from the side lot line.

Rear-loaded garages. Rear-loaded garages may be attached or detached, with the vehicle entrance generally oriented to the rear of the lot. Rear-loaded detached garages must be set back at least two feet from the alley right-of-way.

Townhouses. Garages for townhouses on lots taking access to local or collector streets may be rear-loaded, side-loaded or front-loaded, in accordance with the regulations of this section. Garages for townhouses on lots taking access from nonlocal or noncollector streets must be rear-loaded, in accordance with the regulations of this section.

Rear-loaded garages. Rear-loaded townhouse garages may be attached or detached, with the vehicle entrance generally oriented to the rear of the lot. Rear-loaded detached garages must be set back at least two feet from the alley right-of-way.

Front- and side street-loaded garages. Front-loaded townhouse garage entrances must be recessed at least 12 inches behind the front wall plane of the principal building or be located beneath a second-story building element that projects at least 12 inches forward of the garage entrance.

The total area of any street-facing garage doors may not exceed 40% of the total exterior wall area on the garage-side facade of the individual townhouse dwelling unit.

Vehicle entrances to all front- and side street-loaded garages must be setback at least 25 feet from the street right-of-way or 20 feet from the back of sidewalk, whichever results in a greater setback.

When garages are paired (abutting), driveways must be combined and centered on the property line between townhouse dwelling units. In all cases, driveways serving front- or side street-loaded townhouse garages must be designed to ensure at least 25 feet of uninterrupted curb length between single or paired driveways.

Exceptions. The Community Development Director is authorized to approve alternative garage placement and designs in accordance with the administrative adjustment procedures of Division 90-565. In reviewing requests for administrative adjustment approval, the Community Development Director must consider all of the following:

Whether the proposed alternative meets the purpose and intent of the garage regulations.

Whether the requested exception would adversely affect the safety of nonmotorized travel; and

Whether the proposed alternative design would have an adverse impact on the established character of the surrounding area and, if so, whether measures have been taken to mitigate such impacts.

(f)

Garage types.

Figure 90-110-1

Garage Types

§ 90-110.80 Other regulations.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Buildings and uses in R Districts are subject to all other applicable regulations of this zoning chapter, including the following:

Accessory uses and structures. See Division 90-330.

Parking. See Division 90-420.

Landscape and screening. See Division 90-430.

Signs. See Division 90-440.

Sewer and water service. See Division 90-410.

§ 90-110.90 Detached houses and two-unit houses.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Description.

A detached house is a residential building that contains only one dwelling unit and is located on a single lot not occupied by other principal buildings.

A two-unit house is a residential building that contains two dwelling units and is located on a single lot not occupied by other principal buildings.

Where allowed. Detached houses are allowed in all R Districts. Two-unit houses are allowed in all RL, RM, and RH Districts. The Village is authorized to approve multiple detached houses and multiple two-unit houses on a single lot if 1) approved in accordance with the plat procedures of Chapter 74 or 2) a plan is submitted showing that the lot could be subdivided so that each such principal and accessory building would comply with the lot and building regulations of the subject zoning district. Plans approved in this manner may be allowed by the Village to exceed the maximum lot area restrictions in Table 90-110-3 provided that:

[Amended 3-22-2021 by Ord. No. 05-2021]

Lot and building regulations. Detached houses and two-unit houses are subject to compliance with the lot and building regulations of Table 90-110-3.

Table 90-110-3 Detached House and Two-Unit House Lot and Building Regulations [Amended 3-22-2021 by Ord. No. 05-2021; 4-26-2021 by Ord. No. 09-2021; 2-28-2022 by Ord. No. 09-2022]
Regulation		RE	RL-1	RL-2	RM & RH
(a)	Lot
	Minimum lot area (square feet)	21,780	6,000	3,600	3,600
	Maximum lot area (square feet)	430,560	43,560	9,600	7,200
	Minimum lot width (feet)	100	55	35	35
	Maximum lot width (feet)	No max.	120	80	60
	Maximum building coverage (% of lot)	25	50	55	55
(b)	Principal Building Siting
	Street setback (minimum; feet)	20	15	15¹	15¹
	Interior side (minimum; feet)²	15	8	6	6
	Rear (minimum; feet)	25	25	25	25
(c)	Accessory Building Siting
	Front yard (minimum; feet)	100	None	None	None
	Secondary or side yard (minimum, feet)^4,5	20	15	15	15
	Side and rear setbacks (minimum; feet)	10	3	3	3
(d)	Garages
	Garage configuration	See § 90-110.70(c).
(e)	Maximum Building Height
	Principal building (feet)	40	35	35	35
	Accessory building (feet)	24	20	20	20
(f)	Minimum Heated Gross Floor Area (square feet)	2,500	1,250³	None	None

NOTES:
¹	Ten-foot minimum street setback on lots with alley access to parking/garage
²	Driveways must be set back at least two feet from interior side lot lines.
³	Applies only if one or more abutting lots is occupied by a detached house or two-unit house.
⁴	Garages with doors facing the secondary or side street yard must comply with setbacks in § 90-110.70, Garages.
⁵	The street-facing wall of a secondary or side street yard accessory building must include at least 20 square feet of window area or comply with one of the R District Screening Options in Table 90-430-2.
⁶	Duplexes or two-unit houses may increase the maximum lot width or area of a single lot by 50% in RL-2, RM, and RH zones.

Figure 90-110-2

Detached House

(See Table 90-110-3)

Figure 90-110-3

Two-Unit House

(See Table 90-110-3)

Additional regulations for RE Districts.

At least 60% of street-facing facades on detached houses in the RE District must be brick masonry, stone masonry or cast stone masonry. The Plan Commission is authorized to approve the use of alternative high-quality, durable building materials if approved through the Plan Commission site plan review process of Division 90-540. Detached accessory buildings that are visible from and located within 200 feet of a public right-of-way must match the architectural style and major building materials of the principal dwelling unit.

Lots occupied by detached houses in the RE District must include at least one canopy tree per 40 linear feet of street frontage. Canopy trees must be located within 50 feet of the street right-of-way and comply with the canopy tree specifications of § 90-430.70.

§ 90-110.100 Twinhouses.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Description. A twinhouse is a residential building occupied by two dwelling units, each of which is located on its own lot with a common or abutting wall along the dwelling units' shared lot lines. Each dwelling unit has its own external entrance.

Where allowed. Twinhouses are allowed in all RL, RM and RH Districts.

Lot and building regulations. Twinhouses are subject to compliance with the lot and building regulations of Table 90-110-4.

Table 90-110-4 Twinhouse Lot and Building Regulations
Regulation		RL-1	RL-2	RM & RH
(a)	Lot
	Minimum lot area (square feet)	3,000	1,800	1,800
	Maximum lot area (square feet)	7,200	3,600	3,600
	Minimum lot width (feet)	30	24	24
	Maximum lot width (feet)	55	35	35
	Maximum building coverage (% of lot)	50	55	55
(b)	Principal Building Siting
	Street setback (minimum; feet)	15	15¹	15¹
	Interior side (minimum; feet)²	6	6	6
	Rear (minimum; feet)	25	25	25
(c)	Accessory Building Siting
	Allowed location	Allowed in rear yard only
	Side and rear setbacks (minimum; feet)	3	3	3
(d)	Garages
	Garage configuration	See § 90-110.70(c).
(e)	Maximum Building Height
	Principal building (feet)	35	35	35
	Accessory building (feet)	20	20	20

NOTES:
¹	Ten-foot minimum street setback on lots with alley access to parking/garage
²	Interior side building setbacks apply only to end units (i.e., on nonattached side). Driveways must be set back at least two feet from interior side lot lines.

Figure 90-110-4

Twinhouses

(See Table 90-110-4)

Ownership. A twinhouse dwelling lot may be paired with only one other lot, and both lots must be held under the same ownership at the time of construction of both twinhouses. Both attached twinhouse dwelling units must be constructed as a single unit and project during the same construction time period.

Covenants and restrictions. A declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions or a similar enforceable agreement must be submitted with the plat (or CSM) if new lots are being created or with the zoning compliance application if no new lots are being created. The declaration must specify respective owner obligations and rights with regard to any common structures, such as shared walls, roof, and other inseparable improvements.

§ 90-110.110 Townhouse buildings.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Description. A townhouse building is a residential building occupied by three or more dwelling units, each of which is located on its own lot and has one or more common or abutting walls with other dwelling units in the townhouse building. Each dwelling unit has a front and back and its own external entrance. Townhouse dwelling units do not share common floors/ceilings with other dwelling units.

Where allowed. Townhouses are allowed in RM and RH Districts.

Lot and building regulations. Townhouses are subject to compliance with the lot and building regulations of Table 90-110-5.

Table 90-110-5 Townhouse Lot and Building Regulations
Regulation		RM-1	RM-2	RH
(a)	Lot
	Minimum lot area (square feet)	1,800	1,800	1,800
	Maximum lot area (square feet)	3,600	3,600	3,600
	Minimum lot width (feet)	18	18	18
	Maximum lot width (feet)	35	35	35
	Maximum building coverage (% of lot)	55	55	55
(b)	Principal Building Siting
	Street setback (minimum; feet)	15	15¹	15¹
	Interior side (minimum; feet)²	6	6	6
	Rear (minimum; feet)	25	25	25
(c)	Principal Building Width
	Maximum number of attached units	6	12	No maximum
(d)	Garages
	Garage configuration	See § 90-110.70(d).
(e)	Accessory Building Siting
	Allowed location	Allowed in rear yard only
	Side and rear setbacks (minimum; feet)	3	3	3
(f)	Maximum Building Height
	Principal building (feet)	35	35	35
	Accessory building (feet)	20	20	20

NOTES:
¹	Ten-foot minimum street setback on lots with alley access to parking/garage
²	Interior side building setbacks apply only to end units (i.e., on nonattached side). Driveways must be set back at least 2 feet from interior side lot lines.

Figure 90-110-5

Townhouses

(See Table 90-110-5)

Ownership. All townhouse dwelling units with shared structural elements (e.g., walls or roofs) must be constructed as a single unit and project during the same construction time period.

§ 90-110.120 Multi-unit (three or more) buildings.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Description. A multi-unit building is a residential building that is located on a single lot and occupied by three or more dwelling units.

Where allowed. Multi-unit buildings are allowed in all RM and RH Districts.

Lot and building regulations. Multi-unit buildings in RM and RH Districts are subject to compliance with the lot and building regulations of Table 90-110-6.

Table 90-110-6 Multi-Unit Building Lot and Building Regulations
Regulation		RM-1	RM-2	RH-1	RH-2
(a)	Lot
	Minimum lot area (square feet)	7,200	7,200	7,200	7,200
	Minimum lot area per dwelling unit (square feet)	2,400	1,500	1,000	500
	Minimum lot width (feet)	60	60	60	60
	Maximum building coverage (% of lot)	55	55	55	55
(b)	Principal Building Siting
	Street setback (minimum; feet)	20	20	20	20
	Interior side (minimum; feet)¹	8	8	10	10
	Rear (minimum; feet)	25	25	25	25
(c)	Principal Building Size
	Maximum number of dwelling units	6	20	No maximum	No maximum
(d)	Accessory Building Siting
	Allowed location	Allowed in rear yard only
	Side and rear setbacks (minimum; feet)	5	5	5	5
(e)	Maximum Building Height
	Principal building (feet)	35	40	60	90
	Accessory building (feet)	20	20	20	20

NOTE:
¹	Interior side building setbacks apply only to end units (i.e., on nonattached side). Driveways must be set back at least two feet from interior side lot lines.

Figure 90-110-6

Multi-Unit Building

(See Table 90-110-6)

§ 90-110.130 Cottage courts.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Description. A cottage court development is a grouping of small detached houses, two-unit houses, twinhouses, or backyard cottages clustered around a common open space or shared courtyard.

[Amended 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 30-2021]

Where allowed. Cottage courts are allowed in all RM and RH Districts.

Lot and building regulations. Cottage courts in RM and RH Districts are subject to compliance with the lot and building regulations of Table 90-110-7.

Table 90-110-7 Cottage Court Lot and Building Regulations
Regulation		RM	RH
(a)	Lot
	Minimum lot area (square feet)	7,200	7,200
	Minimum lot area per dwelling unit (square feet)	1,400	1,400
	Minimum lot width (feet)	60	60
	Maximum building coverage (% of lot)	55	55
	Minimum court yard/common open space area (square feet per unit)	400	400
(b)	Principal Building Siting
	Street setback (minimum; feet)	10	10
	Interior side (minimum; feet)	6	6
	Rear (minimum; feet)	15	15
(c)	Accessory Building Siting
	Allowed location	Allowed in rear yard only
	Side and rear setbacks (minimum; feet)	5	5
(d)	Maximum Building Height
	Principal building (feet)	35	35
	Accessory building (feet)	20	20

Figure 90-110-7

Cottage Court

(See Table 90-110-7)

Additional regulations. Cottage courts in RM and RH Districts are subject to compliance with the following additional regulations.

Development size. Cottage courts must contain at least four and no more than 10 houses arranged around at least two sides of a courtyard or common open space.

Open space. A unified, contiguous courtyard or common open space must be provided as the focal point of the cottage house development.

Building orientation.

Houses adjacent to minor streets must have their front building elevation facing the street, including a building entrance. All other houses in a cottage court development must be oriented to, and have a main entry onto a courtyard or common open space area that is accessible to residents in the cottage court development.

Required courtyards and common open space areas must have houses on at least two sides.

All houses within a cottage court must be located within a walking distance of 75 feet of a required courtyard or common open space area.

(4)

Vehicular access and parking.

Vehicular access to parking areas within the cottage court development may come from the street, an alley or a private drive.

Parking may be provided in attached or detached garages or in a shared parking area. Common parking areas containing six or more spaces must be screened from view of abutting R-zoned lots in accordance with the vehicular use area screening standards of § 90-430.30. Parking may not be located in street yards or in the required courtyard or common open space area. Garages must comply with the regulations of § 90-110.70(c).

§ 90-110.140 Backyard cottages.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Description. A backyard cottage is a small accessory residential building occupied by a single, self-contained accessory dwelling unit. Backyard cottages are located on the same lot as but not attached to a detached house. See also § 90-330.110, Secondary suites.

Where allowed. Backyard cottages are allowed in all R Districts on lots occupied by a single detached house.

Lot and building regulations. Backyard cottages are subject to compliance with the lot and building regulations of Table 90-110-8.

[Amended 1-10-2022 by Ord. No. 31-2021]

Table 90-110-8 Backyard Cottage Lot and Building Regulations
Regulation		All R Districts
(a)	Lot
	Minimum lot area (square feet)	Same as required for detached house
	Minimum lot width (feet)	Same as required for detached house
(b)	Building Siting
	Street setback (minimum; feet)	Permitted in rear yard only
	Interior side and rear (minimum; feet)	10¹
(c)	Maximum Building Size
	Building height (feet)	24 or height of principal building, whichever is less
	Building floor area (square feet)	700
NOTES: ¹Two-foot minimum rear setback on lots with alley access to parking/garage.

Additional regulations.

Code compliance. Backyard cottages must comply with all applicable building and fire codes.

Number. No more than one backyard cottage is permitted on a single lot. Backyard cottages are not permitted on lots occupied by a secondary suite. (See § 90-330.110.)

Rental. No more than one of the dwelling units on a lot occupied by backyard cottage may be a rental dwelling unit. Backyard cottages may not be rented for periods of less than seven consecutive days.

(4)

Parking. No additional parking is required for a backyard cottage.

(5)

Number of residents. The total number of residents that reside in the backyard cottage and the detached house, combined, may not exceed the number permitted for a household.

(6)

Design. The design regulations of this subsection apply to all newly constructed backyard cottages.

Exterior finish materials. The exterior finish material must be the same or visually match in type, size and placement, the exterior finish material of the principal dwelling unit.

Roof pitch. The roof pitch must be the same as the predominant roof pitch of the detached house.

Trim. Type, size and location of trim elements must match those of the detached house.

Entrances. Entrances to backyard cottages may not face the nearest side or rear property line unless there is an alley abutting that property line.

(7)

Deed restriction. Before issuance of any permits for a backyard cottage, the subject property owner must file a deed restriction with the Register of Deeds stating that the owners of the subject property agree to comply with all applicable regulations and to notify all prospective purchasers of such regulations. The deed restriction must run with the land and be binding upon the property owner, their heirs and assigns, and upon any parties subsequently acquiring any right, title, or interest in the property. The deed restriction must be in a form prescribed by the Community Development Director.

§ 90-110.150 Civic buildings.

[Ord. No. 19-2020, 6-8-2020]

Description. A civic building is a building occupied by a public or civic use.

Where allowed. Civic buildings are allowed in all R Districts.