City of Greenfield
 
Current Unified Development Ordinance (Zone Code)
 
  
The City of Greenfield has updated the zoning and subdivision ordinances and the Official Zone Map. The new Ordinance, called a Unified Development Ordinance, combines the Greenfield Code of Ordinances Title XV Land Use, Chapter 152 Subdivision Code and Chapter 155 Zoning Code into one document. The Zone Map has been updated to identify the new Zone Districts.
 
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO):
 
Zone Map:
 
If you have questions about your property or the current UDO, please contact the Planning staff at (317) 477-4320, or email any comments/questions to jfitzwater@greenfieldin.org
 
View our previous code of ordinance chapters 152, 155 here:
 
Upcoming Meetings:
December 9, 2019: Public Plan Commission Hearing for recommendation to the Common Council, Council Chambers, City Hall 10 S, State Street.
January 8, 2020: Public meeting of the Common Council presentation and potential amendments or vote for adoption on first reading.
January 22, 2020: Public meeting of the Common Council for adoption on second and third reading.
 
New UDO and Zone Map proposed to take effect March 1, 2020.
 
Past Meetings and Relevant Documents:
 
July 22, 2019: Public Joint Board meeting, Council Chambers, City Hall 10 S, State Street
 
May 29, 2019: Public Joint Board meeting, Council Chambers, City Hall 10 S, State Street
 
 
Various Steering Committee meetings
July 13, 2017: Public Kickoff meeting of Zone and Municipal Code Updates
Online Survey for Accessory Dwelling Units
 
FAQ
 
What is a zoning ordinance?
A zoning ordinance divides land into districts or zones. Within the zones, the ordinance regulates how the land is used, the placement and materials of buildings, parking, landscaping, signs, and other aspects of development. The zoning ordinance implements the goals of the Greenfield Comprehensive Plan by providing regulations that supports community health; promotes a sustainable and efficient balance of land uses; encourages a mix of housing options; and enhances the character and authenticity of the community.
 
Why is the City updating its zoning ordinance?
The last comprehensive update to the current zone code was in 1999. The new ordinance is designed to respect existing development patterns and character of various areas within the City. The new code promotes mixed uses and pedestrian oriented development for easy accessibility. The ordinance has been reviewed to remove regulations that no longer relate to the public interest. The proposed ordinance streamlines regulations, incorporates simplified language, and easy to read graphics and tables.
 
How do the new zoning districts compare to the old?
Districts have been renamed to reflect the areas and the prevalent uses within those areas. Generally, the residential development patterns will remain the same but with easier District names. Districts named A, B & C will become Residential Low Density, Residential Moderate Density, and Residential Urban Density.
 
The State Street Commercial corridor will be known as Commercial North Gateway, Traditional Neighborhood, Downtown District, and Commercial South Gateway. Similarly the Main Street Corridor will be renamed National Road Gateway East and West.
 
The industrial area on the north side of New Road was developed as Planned Unit Developments, or PUD’s. This area will be rezoned to Innovation and Manufacturing District, removing regulatory filings needed for every simple property improvement. The Quick Guide document from the July 22nd meeting and relevant documents above has more information on the comparison between old and new districts.
 
I took the survey on accessory dwelling units. What were the results and how does that affect the ordinance?
Accessory dwelling units are proposed in this code as a Conditional Use (see Use Table, page 12). That means that a property owner would be only able to place an ADU on their property after receiving approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals. Page 161 details additional requirements for ADU’s, including that only one ADU may be on a property, that the structure shall follow the setbacks of the primary structure, and limits the size to 850 square feet or 80% of the square footage of the primary structure, whichever is less. In addition, accessory structures and dwelling units of larger sizes would be subject to design standards that promote it looking like the main house. Those design standards can be found on page 172.
 
What are some of the new features of this Unified Development Ordinance?
This UDO introduces a formalized landscaping section, overhauls the uses allowed in the Downtown, and updates design standards. While many of our districts will have a lot of similarities to the previous code in terms of development patterns and allowed uses, chapters have tables and graphics to better organize requirements, and all of the uses are combined in one table early in the document so that the user may quickly determine where their type of development is allowed. If you have questions about specific districts or ordinances from the previous code and how those are maintained or changed in the new UDO draft, please contact our staff.
 

City Phone Directory

Mayor's Office - 317-477-4300
Clerk Treasurer - 317-477-4310
Utility Billing - 317-477-4330
Planning (Permits) - 317-477-4320
Street Department - 317-477-4380
Power and Light - 317-477-4370
Wastewater Department - 317-477-4360
Park Cemetery - 317-477-4387
Pothole Hotline - 317-325-1680
Parks and Recreation - 317-477-4340
Water Department - 317-477-4350
Animal Management - 317-477-4367