Washington, MO Zoning

10 districts. 4 overlays.
This profile is an earlier edition — some fields may be incomplete. An updated profile is in progress.

Overview

Worth knowing
  • 2020 PGAV Planners Comprehensive Code Modernization with zoning matrix table for easy reference
  • Four-tier R-1 single-family gradient (R-1A through R-1D) enabling fine-grained neighborhood character control without state preemption
  • No state residential preemptions — full local control over density, height, parking, ADU permissions

+ 3 more in Quirks & notes

Districts

res_sf 4com 2ind 2res_th 1res_mf 1
CodeNameCategory Min lotHeight CoverageFAR Du/acParking Setbacks F/S/R
R-1ASingle-Family Residential (R-1A)res_sf8,750 sf[1]35 ft0.450.6251.7522 / 6.5 / 17
R-1BSingle-Family Residential (R-1B)res_sf7,500 sf35 ft0.50.8261.7522 / 6.5 / 15
R-1CSingle-Family Residential (R-1C)res_sf6,750 sf35 ft0.50.887.51.7517 / 5 / 15
R-1DSingle-Family Residential (R-1D)res_sf6,000 sf35 ft0.551.1101.7515 / 5 / 15
R-2Two-Family Residentialres_th7,500 sf37 ft0.550.88101.7517 / 5 / 15
R-3Multi-Family Residentialres_mf15,000 sf52 ft0.651.5201.1215 / 10 / 15
C-1Limited Commercialcom6,250 sf45 ft0.71.1530 / 0 / 0
C-2General Commercialcom10,000 sf60 ft0.822.50 / 0 / 0
I-1Light Industrialind20,000 sf52 ft0.1530 / 20 / 20
I-2Heavy Industrialind40,000 sf70 ft0.150 / 50 / 50

Confidence: confirmed partial under review not found

Overlays

HPO
Historic Preservation Overlay
HP
Washington Municipal Code

Downtown historic district designation (municipal determination); Franklin County historical core

reviewDesign review required for exterior alterations and major modifications
scopeFacade, window, roofline, and door replacement restrictions
standards19th-century commercial vernacular and residential character
FPO
Floodplain Overlay
FP
Washington Municipal Code

FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Zone A/AE (100-year floodplain); regional river/stream proximity

elevationElevation requirements for structures in mapped floodplain
wet_floodproofingWet floodproofing standards for non-residential uses
density_restrictionsDevelopment density restrictions within floodplain zones
ENV
Environmental / Wetlands Overlay (Potential)
ENV
Missouri Department of Natural Resources jurisdiction

State-protected wetlands and tributaries

buffers25-50 foot buffer zones
restrictionsNo-fill restrictions; mitigation for unavoidable impacts
COR
Commercial Corridor / Mixed-Use Overlay (Potential)
COR
City-designated revitalization areas

US 50 corridor and downtown commercial spine

modificationsModified setbacks, frontage requirements, mixed-use compatibility standards
permitted_usesUses not by-right in base district (e.g., residential above retail)

Adopted building codes

Local adoption

Local adoption
2018
2017
Local
IECC (Residential)
Local
IECC (Commercial)
Local

Click a code label to open its state-by-state adoption atlas.

Quirks & notes

  • 2020 PGAV Planners Comprehensive Code Modernization with zoning matrix table for easy reference
  • Four-tier R-1 single-family gradient (R-1A through R-1D) enabling fine-grained neighborhood character control without state preemption
  • No state residential preemptions — full local control over density, height, parking, ADU permissions
  • County seat downtown preservation focus with historic overlay integration with modern C-1/C-2 commercial zoning
  • Zoning matrix table modern feature enabling efficient reference by district/use combination
  • Subdivision & Zoning integration in unified Development Code

Formulas

Definitions

height
Grade to highest point of structure
lot_coverage
Building footprint / lot area. Principal + accessory.
far
Gross floor area / lot area
du_ac
Dwelling units per gross acre
impervious_cover
setback_front
Front property line to nearest building face
setback_side
Side property line to nearest building face
setback_rear
Rear property line to nearest building face
parking
Spaces per dwelling unit unless noted

Capacity calculations

max_footprint_sf
lot_area_sf * lot_coverage
max_gfa_sf
lot_area_sf * far
max_units_from_density
lot_area_sf * du_ac / 43560
buildable_width_ft
lot_width_ft - setback_side_ft * 2
buildable_depth_ft
lot_depth_ft - setback_front_ft - setback_rear_ft
parking_required
units * parking

Massing explorer

Interactive 3D comparison across every district. Drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, use the slider to walk districts, and toggle applicable overlays in the right-side panel.

Sort by
LOW
HIGH
drag to orbit · scroll to zoom
Max height
ft
Floor area ratio
Lot coverage
%
Setbacks (F / S / R)
ft
Parking
/unit
Max density
du/ac
Min lot size
sf
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District Category Height FAR Coverage Setbacks Parking Density Min lot Overlays

Sources & references

Citations
  1. [1] i

Research status

Data quality

65%completeness12 confirmed42 partial18 inferred
Documented gaps
  • Specific R-1A through R-1D lot sizes, heights, setbacks, FAR verified through ranges; exact thresholds require code table review
  • C-1/C-2 conditional use matrices and height limits confirmation needed
  • I-1/I-2 permitted use lists and setback requirements confirmation needed
  • Historic district overlay design standards detail pending code review
  • Floodplain overlay coverage percentage and development standards pending FEMA/county verification
  • Sign regulations (2020 update) specific standards pending

Known issues

schema:v1-legacypriority:lowdata:gaps-present

Other cities in this state

Nearest-alphabetical profiles. Click through to compare zoning patterns side-by-side.