Highway Commercial

Building Placement / Parking / Vehicle Access

Building Placement, Pkg

1. Buildings shall be placed on the lot within zone represented by the hatched area. In most cases, the build to line will be 15 feet behind street ROW Special site conditions such as topography, pattern of lot widths, or setbacks of existing buildings permit a larger setback.

2. Setbacks may vary according to setting within limits indicated.

3. Building facades shall be generally parallel to frontage property lines.

4. Parking shall be located to the rear and/or side of the building. Except in the VS District, sideyard parking may occupy no more than 45% of the principle frontage line. In the VS District, sideyard parking may occupy 50% of the principal frontage line. Parking shall not be placed in any sideyard abutting an intersecting street. Where dimensions of existing lots restrict parking behind buildings, the limitations on sideyard parking may be modified.

5. Points of permitted access to the parking indicated by arrows.

6. Hedges, garden walls, or fences may be built on property lines or as the continuation of building walls. A garden wall, fence, or hedge (minimum 3 feet in height) shall be installed along any street frontage adjacent to parking areas.

7. Parking areas on adjacent lots shall be connected wherever practicable.

8. Trash containers shall be located in a rear parking area (see Parking Regulations).

9. Mechanical and utility equipment at ground level shall be placed in the side or rear yard and shall be screened from view by opaque screening from grade level along any public street or adjacent property (Article 7.6.2). Buildings that front on more than one public street may have mechanical and utility equipment located within a street facing yard, provided it is visually screened using compatible building materials and design as the principle structure. This is applicable only where no other reasonable option exists as determined by the Administrator. Examples of features limiting the location of mechanical and utility equipment may include, but not limited to, the physical layout of existing building, the presence of easements, elevation changes, etc.

Vehicular Circulation / Pedestrian Access

Ped Access

1. Main pedestrian access to the building may be from the side (indicated by the larger arrows). Secondary access must be from the street frontage (indicated by the smaller arrow).

2. Drive-throughs shall be located to the rear of the building.

3. Entrance canopies (for motels, etc.) shall face the street.

4. Typical vehicular circulation movement is indicated by thin line arrows.

Special Conditions

1. Buildings in all locations should relate a principal facade to the sidewalk and public space of the street.

2. Corners: Setback at street corners will generally replicate frontage conditions.


This building type generally comprises fast food retail, drive through banks, motels and other highway dependent uses. These regulations are designed to bring these building types into a framework of town streets. This building type shall be limited to the Highway Commercial, Campus Business, and Special Purpose Districts. Where possible, structures shall be designed to terminate vistas or serve as key focal points in the neighborhood.

Permitted Height & Uses

HC Height

1. Building height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the highest finished grade relative to the street frontage, up to the eaves or the highest level of a flat roof.

2. The height of parapet walls may vary depending upon the need to screen mechanical equipment.

3. Building height to the ridge may vary depending on the roof pitch.

4. Permitted uses are indicated above, and are further controlled by zoning district standards.

Architectural Standards Principles

A. Building elevations fronting or visible from public streets shall be clad with masonry, wood, vinyl siding, stucco, or similar material. Metal paneling may not comprise a street fronting building face. Decorative metal panels such as Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) panels may be used as an accent or trim material and as cladding for building accent elements such as canopies and their supporting structure. Decorative metal panel accents however, may no exceed 30% of any facade visible from the street.

B. All walls not visible from a public right-of-way may be constructed of cinder block, bricks, wood or vinyl siding, or approved metal paneling but shall be painted to match the overall color scheme of the rest of the building.

C. Trailers (mobile units) may not be used as permanent highway commercial buildings.


A. Two wall materials may be combined horizontally on one façade. The “heavier” material should be below (i.e. brick below wood siding).

B. Street level windows should be untinted. Tinted glass with a minimum visual transmittance factor of 35 is permitted. Mirrored or reflective glass is not permitted in any location.


A. All rooftop equipment shall be enclosed in a building material that matches the structure or is visually compatible with the structure.

Table of Contents

Zoning Ordinance Table of Contents