Each area of the city has different zoning. The best way to find out the current zoning is to call the Planning Office at 629-8930. The Ogden City Web site also has a section called maps (hyperlink http://www.ogdencity.com/index.cfm/busdev.maps) that gives the zoning, but it may not be current since some large rezonings may take some time to enter into the site. Another section (link: http://www.ogdencity.com/pdf/zoning%20map%2010-02.pdf) in the City Web site also has the zoning map but it is always best to call and verify.

The reason for a specific zoning of property is based on the general plan of the City and the community plans. As those plans are developed and updated there may be changing conditions that are discussed in the plan updating and rezoning the properties may be the best way to meet the goals of the plan. Other times individual property owners may petition the city to rezone a specific area. After review the request for being consistent to the general plan, a rezoning may take place if it is consistent with the plan?s intent. In either case, during the time of rezoning consideration the property owner of record, based on the Weber County tax records, is notified of the consideration of a rezoning consideration so they can voice their opinions prior to any action being taken.

Property lines are determined by subdivision of land into lots or parcels. Legal descriptions define the location of the property on the ground. The newer subdivisions at the time of their creation will have metal bars with a cap (called a hub) that identifies the corners of lots. The surveyor hired by the developer of the subdivision establishes these physical points. Older subdivisions may not be able to find those physical features and if there is a dispute between property owners the only correct way to find the property line locations is by hiring a private surveyor to mark those corners. The City only has the records of the length of the lot lines and the size of the lot but not its actual location on the ground.

A no-fee permit is required for fence construction. To obtain the permit a sketch showing were the fence is desired, its height and the materials it will be made out of is required to be submitted. If the desired fence meets the City regulations it will be approved on the spot. The purpose of the permit process is to ensure that the fence is constructed according to City ordinances and to avoid possible questions of the fence being allowed. To understand the regulations governing fencing a brochure (link: http://www.ogdencity.com/index.cfm/plan.brochures) explaining the regulations can be found on the City Web site.

A no-fee permit is required to be obtained prior to installing a concrete slab. The purpose of the regulation is to avoid problems with proposed work that may be contrary to City regulations. This is a quick check to make sure the proposed project meets the City zoning regulations. The permit can be issued at the counter. Bring in a sketch showing the location and size of the proposed work and its distances from property line. To understand the regulation requirements for additional parking slabs a brochure (link: http://www.ogdencity.com/index.cfm/plan.brochures) explaining the regulations can be found on the City Web site.

The Ogden City Planning Commission (a group of citizens of Ogden appointed by the mayor and who serve voluntarily) meets the first Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the third floor of the Municipal Building. Items required to be reviewed by them are required to be submitted to the Planning office a minimum of 16 days prior to the meeting date.

In 2001, the City went through a large public involvement process to develop goals and strategies to guide the city in the future. Through this process a common vision was created which is called Involve Ogden (link: http://www.ogdencity.com/index.cfm/plan.involvepdfs) which is the general plan of Ogden City. This plan outlines the future of Ogden City and can give you a sense of what Ogden wants to see happen in the future. More specific plans are developed for each area and they are called community plans. Community plans are a part of the Involve Ogden Plan though the community plans are related to a specific area and are on- going in their development. The community plans use the Involve Ogden plan for direction and then through a series of meetings, with the community which is being planned for, takes those ideas and develops the community plan.

Yes they are. They are located in what is called the Municipal Code (link: http://www.ogdencity.com/index.cfm/about.municipal). The sections that deal with zoning are in Title 15, Subdivisions title 14, Sign Ordinance title 18 and Landmarks Ordinance Title 17.

The Planning Office also serves as the office for the Ogden City Landmarks Commission and we do have some photos and histories of important historic buildings in Ogden City that can be copied for public use. The Union Station Collection found in the 2nd Floor of the Union Station at 2501 Wall Avenue has a much more extensive collection of historic photos which are also available for review and can be copied for a fee for public use.

"Grandfathered" is a common term for a nonconforming use. What this means is that at one time a use was allowed, but either the zoning or the ordinances have changed since the use was allowed and would not be permitted today if the use was being proposed. A key to a nonconforming use is that it had to be legal when it was created. A use that was added without approvals and contrary to the ordinance of the time is illegal and not nonconforming no matter how long it has existed. To determine if a property is nonconforming, research into the ordinances that were in existence at the time of the nonconforming use is required. It is also required that the use has continued over the period of time when it was legally established in order to be nonconforming. The City issues a nonconforming permit to properties that have this legal right upon request of the property owner. The property owner must offer the proofs needed and then the planning staff researches the information with other information to make the final determination that the use was legal when it was introduced to the site.