Division 5 — YARD STANDARDS

9605. • Front yards; requirements and exceptions.

In addition to the regulations prescribed within each residential district, the following regulations shall apply: Where sites comprising forty (40) percent of the frontage on a block in a residential district are improved with buildings, the minimum front yard shall be the average of the front yard depths for structures on each developed site on such block.

In addition to the regulations prescribed within each residential district, the following regulations shall apply:

A.

On a reversed corner lot the minimum rear yard shall not be less than the minimum side yard prescribed for the district if the side yard adjoining the street is not less than the required front yard on the adjoining key lot, or twenty (20) feet, whichever is greater.

B.

On the side street side of a corner lot, the minimum side yard for a garage, carport, or off-street parking space required to serve a dwelling in a residential district shall be twenty (20) feet; provided, that if the garage, carport, or off-street parking space is entered parallel to the street, the minimum side yard shall be the same as the side yard otherwise required on the site.

C.

On any lot located in the RV, RL, RS, and RM zones, the minimum side yard requirement for single-story development additions to existing residences shall be the existing distance of the structure from the side property line, or the distance prescribed for the district, whichever is less. All single-story development additions shall not encroach in the front and rear yards prescribed for the district, and the total square footage of the residence shall not exceed the building coverage prescribed for the district. This provision

shall not apply to new construction or substantial remodels which include the removal and reconstruction of square footage, as determined by the director of planning and community development.

D.

On any lot located in the RV, RL, RS, and RM zones, the minimum side yard requirement for second-story development additions shall be the existing distance of the first-story structure. The total combined side yard setback prescribed for the district shall be maintained. The combined side yard setback may be situated on any one (1) side of the property, or any combination of distances. No second-story cantilever is permitted into required side yards and all second-story development additions shall not encroach into the front and rear yards prescribed for the district. An application for a site plan review shall be required for all second-story additions which do not conform with the required yards prescribed for the district and shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter. This provision shall not apply to new construction or substantial remodels which include the removal and reconstruction of square footage, as determined by the director of planning and community development.

(Ord. No. 196, § 1, 7-24-91; Ord. No. 09-358, § 9, 1-18-2009; Ord. No. 11-388, § 53, 12-14-2011)

On a corner lot, no fence, wall, hedge, or other obstruction, except the natural grade of a site, within a triangular area formed by the street property lines and a line connecting points on the street property lines twenty-five (25) feet from the intersection of the projection of the streets right-of-way, shall exceed a height of three (3) feet above established grade at the edge of the street pavement on plans approved by the director of planning and community development or the existing pavement or traveled way if plans have not been approved.

Architectural projections, including eaves, awnings, louvers, and other similar shading devices; sills, belt courses, cornices, and similar features; and flues and chimneys may project not more than six (6) feet into a required front yard, rear yard, or street side yard and not more than two (2) feet into any interior side yard; provided that the distance between the architectural projection and a side property line shall not be less than five (5) feet. Existing dwellings shall be allowed an architectural projection of not more than eighteen (18) inches into any interior side yard; provided that the following findings are made:

A.

An unobstructed clear path shall be provided, located in the interior side yard of the projection, of at least three (3) feet and six (6) inches in width.

B.

The total number of architectural projections on a wall shall not cover more than twenty (20) percent of the length of the wall. Architectural projections which exceed twenty (20) percent of the length of the wall shall be subject to approval by the director of planning and community development. In considering the request, the director shall consider compatibility with adjoining structures relative to overall spacial separation between structures and any projections, and preservation of light, air and view.

C.

A minimum distance of eight (8) feet and six (6) inches shall be provided between an architectural projection and an adjoining structure or architectural projection.

Existing dwellings shall be allowed to project roof eaves of not more than eighteen (18) inches into any interior side yard; provided that the distance between the roof eave and a side property line shall not be less than three (3) feet and six (6) inches.

(Ord. No. 197, § 1, 9-11-91)

Oriel or bay windows may project not more than five (5) feet into a required front yard, rear yard, or street side yard, provided that the total width of oriel or bay windows shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the length of the wall on which they are located and the width of any individual oriel or bay window shall not exceed ten (10) feet.

Unroofed porches, steps, and terraces may project not more than six (6) feet into a required front yard or side yard on the street side of a corner lot, or to a point not closer than three (3) feet to an interior side or rear property line; provided, that the height including railings shall not exceed six (6) feet above the grade of the ground at the property line.

Balconies, decks over one (1) foot above the ground, terraces, and other similar unroofed structures at a height including railing more than six (6) feet above the level at which a yard must be provided, may project not more than six (6) feet into a required front yard or rear yard and five (5) feet into any other required yard; provided that such structures shall not reduce any yard to less than five (5) feet except on the street side of a corner lot. Such structures shall be cantilevered or supported only by necessary columns. A balcony or deck projecting from a higher story may extend over a lower balcony or deck but shall not in such case be deemed a roof for the lower balcony or deck.

Open, unenclosed fire escapes and fireproof outside stairways may project into any required yard with a maximum of four (4) feet; provided, that no yard shall be reduced to less than three (3) feet.

Covered patios attached to a main structure to within ten (10) feet of the rear property line and to within three (3) feet of the side property line and the covered patios shall not cover more than fifty (50) percent of the required yard. Such patio shall remain permanently unenclosed on at least two (2) sides, except for detachable screens. A covered patio not attached to a main structure shall be deemed an accessory structure.

Underground structures, such as swimming pools, may project without limit into any required yards; provided, that such structures shall not have a height of more than four and one-half (4½) feet and shall not be located closer than five (5) feet to any property line, or main structure.

(Ord. No. 98-291, § 1, 10-14-98)

Recreation vehicles and/or motorhomes that are over six (6) feet in height may project without limit into a required side yard, provided that such vehicles, if located within the RM or RS zones, shall not be parked for more than forty-eight (48) hours within five (5) feet of any side property line. No recreation vehicle or motorhome shall be located within required front or rear yards of a residential lot.

(Ord. No. 03-319, § 1, 4-9-2003)