Chapter 19.740 — Development Standards—Utilities and Mechanical Equipment

• A. In connection with the new construction or relocation of a main building, or a change of use to a nonresidential use, all utility lines within the site boundaries shall be placed underground. Necessary surface-mounted utility equipment is permitted, provided it is screened from public view in the same manner as required for mechanical equipment as provided in Section 19.740.020 .

• B. The provisions of this section may be waived pursuant to the procedure provided under Section 19.128.060 .

• (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)

• A. All exterior equipment, whether freestanding or attached to a building, including pipes, conduit, and duct work shall be effectively screened from public view or architecturally integrated into a building structure, with the following exceptions:

  1. Vents less than two (2) feet in height.

  2. Window-mounted air conditioning units on multi-family dwellings.

  3. Free-standing or roof-mounted solar equipment.

  4. Outdoor lighting standards and fixtures.

• B. All utility equipment shall be located out of the pedestrian path of travel. All utility equipment shall be purposefully and aesthetically placed adjacent to alleyways, within parking areas, rear or side yards, or within building "notch outs" and screened from public view.

• C. If the mechanical equipment cannot be placed in the back, it shall be either placed on the ground and screened with landscape or placed on the roof and screened with architectural materials such as roof or parapet consistent with the overall architectural style.

• D. All electrical utility equipment, electrical meters, and junction boxes shall be placed within a utility room. If a utility room is not feasible, then all utility equipment shall be purposefully designed as an integral part of the building development, placed adjacent to alleyways, within parking areas, or within rear or side yards, and screened from public view.

• E. Trees and shrubs shall be placed a minimum of 5 feet away from water meter, gas meter, or sewer laterals; a minimum of 10 feet away from utility poles; and a minimum of 3 feet away from fire hydrants and fire department sprinkler and standpipe connections, unless another dimension is approved by the local Authority Having Jurisdictions (AHJ).

F. Design/Materials.

1. Screening must be architecturally consistent and/or integrated with the facility in terms of design, screening materials, and colors.

2. No raw or untreated materials shall be used on roof or building mounts. Fire Code requirements for the particular use and/or building will determine the permitted combustible or non-combustible material.

3. Roof-Mounted Equipment. Building parapets or other architectural elements in the building's architectural style shall screen roof-mounted equipment.

   • a. New buildings shall be designed to provide a parapet or other architectural element that is as tall or taller than the highest point on any new mechanical equipment to be located on the roof of the building.

   • b. For existing buildings with no parapet less than two (2) feet in height, mechanical equipment shall be surrounded on all sides by an opaque screen wall as tall as the highest point of the equipment. The wall shall be architecturally consistent with the building and match the existing building with paint, finish, and trim cap detail.

4. Wall- and Ground-Mounted Equipment.

   • a. Equipment is not allowed between front or side street facades and the street.

   • b. All screen devices shall be as high as the highest point of the equipment being screened.

• c. Equipment and screening shall be in compliance with the setbacks of the zone.

  - d. Screening shall be architecturally compatible and include matching paint, finish, and trim cap of the building. 
  
  - e. On ground mounts, view obscuring ornamental block, wood, and earth berms with acceptable landscaping may be used to provide effective architectural screening, if the treatment is deemed to be consistent with the overall design concept. 
  

• G. Treatment of Above-Grade Transformers; Meters; Gas Manifolds, etc. It is the intent to encourage the placement of such equipment in underground vaults. If placed above grade for a multi-family dwelling, such equipment shall be located in a side yard out of direct view from the street. If placed above grade for other than a multi-family dwelling, such equipment shall be located and screened from public view by an architectural screen and landscaping.

• H. Maintenance. All screening devices shall be permanently maintained as a condition of the use. (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)

• A. Communication antennae (including guy wires, supports, and antennae elements) shall be permitted anywhere on a lot except in front or side yard setback areas abutting a street and in required rear and side yard setback areas.

• B. Communication antennae shall not be supported by wooden towers. (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)

A. Receive-Only Antennae.

1. Any receive-only antenna may be mounted in the rear yard, interior side yard, or on the roof of any mixed-use structure, subject to all conditions hereinafter provided.

B. Screening Required.

1. Each receive-only antenna visible to the public which has a surface area exceeding 20 square feet, shall be screened. All such screening shall be on three sides and shall be sufficiently high so as to screen 90 percent or more of the antenna from public view.

C. Location.

1. No receive-only antenna, or its supporting structure, shall be installed in any required setback or in any other location which would impede emergency access to any portion of the subject property.

• D. Height.

  1. No receive-only antenna shall exceed 10 feet in height above the peak roof line of the structure upon which such antenna is mounted or ten feet above the peak roof line of the closest building or residential structure located on the subject property if such antenna is not to be roof mounted.

  2. Nothing herein shall excuse any person from obtaining all permits otherwise required or from complying with any and all applicable local and State codes, laws and regulations pertaining to the installation of antennae and/or antenna supporting structures.

• E. Receive-Only Antenna Permit Application.

  1. Where a permit is required, or application therefore is authorized, under any provision of Section 19.740.030 or this section, each person desiring a permit shall apply to the City's Planning Division. The applicant shall provide a completed application on a form provided by the Planning Division containing at minimum, the following:

     • a. Name, address, and telephone number of the applicant.

     • b. The specific location where the applicant proposes to install the antenna, including a detailed description of the antenna design and any supporting structure proposed to be utilized, including size, weight, and such other information as the Planning division may require.

     • c. Specific reasons as to why the antenna proposed to be installed should not be mounted in the rear yard, or otherwise, in accordance with the preferred order of placement, as herein prescribed.

     • d. If required herein, a description of the screening proposed to be utilized by the applicant.

     • e. A sketch or other drawing, satisfactory to the Director, showing:

       • (i) Location of physical features on the subject property.

       • (ii) Approximate dimensions (plus or minus one foot) of the subject lot and physical features thereon.

       • (iii) The specific location where the antenna, and screening if required, are proposed to be installed.

       • (iv) Any other physical features in the area of the subject property which applicant feels would adversely affect reception in those areas set forth herein as "preferred," and

     • (v) The design of the antenna and proposed support structure.

• f. A statement as to why the proposed antenna may not be satisfactorily installed, or will not satisfactorily function, in a preferred area, as prescribed herein.

  • g. A declaration made under penalty of perjury that either the property upon which the antenna is proposed to be installed is not subject to any contractual covenants, conditions, or restrictions, or alternatively, that any applicable contractual covenants, conditions, or restrictions do not preclude the installation of the antenna, as proposed by the applicant.

  • h. All applicants for an antenna permit may be required to show to the satisfaction of the Director that circumstances preclude installation in a preferred area, or that reception quality in the preferred area or areas is insufficient, as herein prescribed.

  • i. Any person aggrieved by any provisions of this section due to exceptional circumstances may apply for an antenna permit in accordance with the provisions of subsection E of this section.

• (Ord. 1754, 6/24/2025)