§ 9136.29. 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 the 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 § 9136.22 .
B. Free-standing mechanical equipment is not permitted in any required yard except those additional yard areas required because of building or structure height greater than thirty (30) feet (CR Zone only.)
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 § 9136.7 .
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 (20) feet or twenty (20) 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 are permitted as required by other laws or regulations or as a condition of a tract or parcel map approval, or shall not be higher than six (6) feet above finished grade in a future right-of-way area, front yard, side yard abutting a street, or yard abutting a residential zone. In a required front yard and any 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.
G. Landscaping (other than hedges) is permitted in any required yard or open space.
H. Outdoor display of goods for sale or rental. 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 .

I. Outdoor storage is permitted only in the CG Zone and 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

area shall be screened from view from any adjoining public street or walkway.

J. Parking is permitted in required yards except the area within five (5) feet of an existing or future right-of-way. (See CMC § 9162.52 .)
K. Building encroachments may be permitted in the front yard setback subject to the approval of a Development Plan by the Planning Commission pursuant to CMC § 9172.23 (Site Plan and Design Review) for properties within the Mixed-Use Residential (MUR) overlay zone district only. A building encroachment shall not exceed five (5) feet provided that the development provides affordable housing opportunities as defined by this Chapter.
L. Vehicle dealerships may have encroachments, see CMC § 9138.15(D) for encroachments in the CA Zone.
(Ord. 03-1279 § 12; Ord. 95-1074 § 1)