Chapter 19.54 — YARDS

A required yard is meant to provide light, air, access, separation, privacy, fire protection and space for permitted accessory uses and structures. (Ord. 94-884)

A yard may be occupied by the following:

• A. Trees, shrubs, grass and other landscaping and irrigation;

• B. Fences and walls as permitted in Chapter 19.46 ;

• C. Operable vehicles, trailers, furniture and accessory objects;

• D. Signs as permitted in Chapter 19.52 ;

• E. Uncovered patios, sidewalks, driveways, concrete slabs, uncovered porches and uncovered stairs meeting all requirements of the Uniform Building Code;

• F. Gas or electric lighting devices and electric poles;

• G. Swimming pools as permitted in Chapter 19.70 ;

• H. Underground structures, required utility structures, mailboxes and other objects required by law;

• I. Clothes lines, flagpoles, antennas, masts, basketball poles, etc.;

• J. Material stored for use of owner or tenant;

• K. Refuse and recycling storage structures as permitted in Section 19.74.090., except in the required front or street side yards.

L. Collector equipment for approved water heaters may be permitted in rear and side yards. (Ord. 94-884)

The following are prohibited in yards:

• A. Any use which interferes with the health, safety or convenience of the public or the occupants;

• B. Any use which prohibits access to a building on the same lot.

• C. Temporary awnings, temporary structures designed to cover automobiles, and other temporary shade structures in the front yard setback of any property located in a residential zone (as defined in Section 19.04.650 of this code) for periods longer than forty-eight consecutive hours within any thirty-day period.

• D. The storage of machinery or parts thereof, or material or equipment associated with building, painting, plumbing and electrical contracting and services and similar activities, including implements or tools (other than what is stored and carried in a motor vehicle) having a power rating of greater than one horsepower on properties located in a residential zone (as defined in Section 19.04.650 of this code). Equipment includes any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight greater than ten thousand pounds.

• (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 94-884; Ord. 98-931 § 10, 1998; Ord. 98-933 § 1(3), 1998)

For purposes of determining minimum yard requirements, the yards shall be measured from the nearest vertical wall, post or structural member of a building to the property line. (Ord. 94-884)

The following may project into required yards, as permitted:

• A. Chimneys and Fireplaces. Chimneys may project into any required yard not more than twentyfour inches.

• B. Carports and Open Patio Covers. Carports and open patio covers which are attached to residential structures and which are completely open on three sides may extend into a required rear yard to within five feet of the property line.

• C. Building Projections. Eaves, roof extensions, cornice sills, buttresses, false balconies above the first floor, building trim, bay windows and similar architectural features may extend into any required yard not more than twenty-four inches.

• (Ord. 94-884)

The following provisions regard front yards:

• A. Selection of Corner Lots. Where a lot abuts two or more public streets (not alleys), the required front yard may be provided from either street. Buildings need not be aligned or designed to face the front yard, nor shall they be required to have addresses on the front street.

• B. Lots Reduced by Street Widening. Where the depth of a lot is reduced through taking of part of the lot for street widening, the required front yard shall be reduced by the depth of the lot taken, but in no case shall the front yard in any zone be less than ten feet for residential uses (see Section 19.42.040 ).

• C. Beach Club Heights. In that portion of Beach Club Heights, Map No. 1830, on file in the office of the recorder of San Diego County, the required front yard shall be fifteen feet.

• D. Average of the Block. Where lots comprising fifty percent or more of the frontage of a block face are developed with buildings, and where all the lots on such block face have the same zoning

classification, the required front yard shall be either the amount specified in the particular zone or the mean average of the existing setbacks for all developed lots, whichever is less. (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 94-884)

The following provisions regard side yards:

• A. Reverse Corner Lots. In the case of a reverse corner lot, the required side yard facing the street shall be one-half the front yard required for the lot abutting the rear yard.

• B. Reduced by Street Widening. Where the required side yard is reduced through taking of part of the lot for street widening so that the resulting lot width is less than fifty feet, the required side yard shall be reduced by the amount of the width of the lot taken, but in no case shall be required side yard for residential uses be less than three feet (see also Subsection B of Section 19.54.060 ).

• (Ord. 94-884)

Accessory buildings may not occupy more than fifty percent of any required rear yard. (Ord. 601 § 1, 1983; Ord. 94-884)