§ 9146.29. Yards and Open Spaces - Encroachments. — Carson Zoning Code

Every part of a required yard or open space shall be open and unobstructed from finished grade to the sky except for facilities and activities as follows:

A. Projections from buildings (such as eaves, awnings and shading devices; signs; architectural features; utility meters; conduits and pipes; unenclosed and unroofed stairways, landings, porches and balconies; chimneys; and mechanical equipment) may project into a required yard not more than one-half of the width of the required yard, except that only such projections permitted into a required front yard or a required side yard abutting a street shall be for eaves, awnings, shading devices, architectural features and signs. No projections are permitted into future right-of-way areas as determined under CMC § 9146.22 .
B. Free-standing mechanical equipment is not permitted in any required yard except those additional yard areas required because of building height.
C. Utility-owned facilities are permitted in any required yard if also located in an approved utility easement.
D. Signs are permitted in required yards other than in existing or future street rights-of-way if in accordance with the provisions of CMC § 9146.7 .
E. Swimming pools are permitted in required yards other than future right-of-way areas provided the pool is set back from the front lot line at least twenty-five (25) feet or twenty-five (25) percent of the lot depth, whichever is less, and is not less than five (5) feet from any other lot line.
F. Fences, walls, and hedges shall not be higher than eight (8) feet above finished grade in a future right-of-way, front yard, or in a side or rear yard which abuts a residential zone. In a required front yard or abutting future right-of-way area, any portion of a fence, wall or hedge above three and one-half (3-1/2) feet in height shall not impair vision by obscuring more than ten (10) percent of the area in the vertical plane unless approved by the Director pursuant to the procedures and requirements for Site Plan and Design Review contained in CMC § 9172.23 .
G. Landscaping (other than hedges) is permitted in any required yard or open space.
H. Outdoor display of goods. The following items may be displayed in any required yard area, but not in a required parking area:

Vehicles (automobiles, motorcycles, motorscooters, bicycles, recreational vehicles, trucks, mobile homes, or other vehicles).

Boats.

Agricultural produce.

Nursery stock.

Flowers and plants.

Christmas trees.

Similar items as determined in accordance with the Interpretation procedure of CMC § 9172.24 .

The following items may be displayed in yard areas other than a required front yard and any abutting future right-of-way area, but not in a required parking area:

Garden equipment and supplies.

Building materials.

Monuments, tombstones, statuary.

Similar items as determined in accordance with the Interpretation procedure of CMC § 9172.24 .

Items displayed must be in the form in which marketed (no raw materials or subassemblies).

I. Outdoor storage is permitted only in yards other than a required front yard and abutting future right-of-way area, but not in a required parking area.

Outdoor storage areas shall be screened from view from any adjoining public street or walkway.

J. Employee recreation and eating facilities (no buildings) are permitted in any yard other than a required front yard and adjacent future street right-of-way, but not in a required parking area.
K. Parking is permitted in required yards except the area within ten (10) feet of an existing or future street right-of-way. (See CMC § 9162.52 .)
L. Railroad spur tracks are permitted in any yard other than a required yard adjacent to a street (front or side) and any adjacent future street right-of-way.

Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this Section shall be guilty of an infraction and shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 2 of Article I of this Code. (Ord. 91-945 § 1; Ord. 90-905 § 1; Ord. 79-479 § 8)