Article IV — I Zone, Institutional Zone

The I zone is intended to implement the General Plan Institutional land use designation, and to permit public uses that support the functions and purposes of other land uses, as well as the functions of City government and other government entities. (Ord. 16-1679 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

In the I zone, unless otherwise exempt under Chapter 17.04 , Article I, no building or structures shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, or structurally altered, nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose except as is hereinafter specifically provided and allowed by this chapter, and subject to the provisions of Chapter 17.03 , Articles II and III, governing off-street parking and sign requirements, and Section 17.02.205 , governing precise development plans.

In the I zone, the following uses are permitted:

• A. Government facility and office, developed to be the primary or dominant use of a property. Government facilities include:

  1. City Hall,

  2. Corporate yard,

  3. Courthouse,

  4. Fire station,

  5. Fueling station,

  6. Hospital,

  7. Police or sheriff station,

  8. Public library,

  9. Other similar uses, approved in accordance with the procedures in Section 17.02.270;

• B. Uses that provide economic development opportunities promoting employment, education, and business training resources or services to the public, as determined by the City of Norwalk; and

• C. Wireless telecommunications facilities, as provided by Chapter 17.04 , Article IV.

D. Low barrier navigation centers, subject to the approval of a conditional use permit. (Ord. 16-1679 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2; Ord. 23-1746, 12/5/2023; Ord. 25-1764, 12/16/2025; Ord. 251764, 12/16/2025)

No building or structure in an I zone shall exceed eight stories in height or 120 feet in height, whichever is the lesser; provided, however, that no building shall exceed 10 feet in height if located within 10 feet of a property line.

(Ord. 16-1679 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. No lot or parcel in the I zone shall not be required to have a front yard setback unless as provided for by subsection C of this section.

• B. Walls and fences shall be permitted within the front yard as measured from the property line adjacent to the public right-of-way. The space between the building wall, structure or fence and the front property line shall be landscaped and permanently maintained as required by Chapter 17.03 , Article I.

• C. When a lot or parcel in the I zone contains a portion of the frontage on a block in which the majority of the lots or parcels are zoned for residential uses, the front yard of every lot or parcel in the I zone shall conform to the front yard requirement of such residential zone and the front yard shall be landscaped and permanently maintained as required by Chapter 17.03 , Article I.

• (Ord. 16-1679 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

No side yard is required in the I zone except for the street side of a corner lot where the setback shall be 10 feet.

(Ord. 16-1679 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every lot and parcel in the I zone, which abuts property with a residential use, and does not abut an alley or other commercially zoned properties, shall provide a rear yard of not less than five feet. For lots or parcels that abut an alley or other commercially zoned properties, no rear yard is required in the I zone.

(Ord. 16-1679 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

No requirement. (Ord. 16-1679 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

No requirement. (Ord. 16-1679 § 2; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)