Moraga Municipal Code Art. 4 Yards

Notwithstanding any provision in this title to the contrary, the front and side yard setbacks applicable to a lot on which a detached single family residence was constructed in the former R-10, R-15 and R-20 zones under county zoning regulations in effect prior to November 7, 1980 shall be the front and side yard setbacks that were in effect at the time of development pursuant to the subdivision's development standards or county zoning regulations. County zoning regulations prior to November 7, 1980 are shown below (updated adopted code):

These setbacks shall apply to additions and alterations to single family residences existing on the effective date of the ordinance from which this article derives but shall not apply to new, separate structures on the same lot as an existing single family residence such as a detached secondary or accessory dwelling unit or a detached accessory structure or building.

(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017)

A. Except as otherwise provided in this title, every part of a required yard area shall be open and unobstructed to the sky. However, a fire escape, open stairway or landing, ADA access facility, at-grade paving or decking materials, chimney, the ordinary projection of a sill, belt-course, cornice, eave, or bay window, or an ornamental feature which does not obstruct the light and ventilation on any adjoining parcel, is not considered an obstruction and does not violate the prescribed yard regulations.

B. Movable, disassemblable, and/or demountable objects or structures such as small-scale, children's play equipment (e.g., swing sets, climbing frames, slides, trampolines, basketball hoops, etc.), or shade structures such as shade sails and open-sided canopies, whether attached or unattached to the ground, are not obstructions and may be located within any required yard, subject to the following limitations:

1. Climbing frames, and similar structures shall have a deck height no greater than eight feet, and total height no greater than fifteen (15) feet.

2. Shade structures shall not block or cover a vehicle access easement, driveway, parking area, garage or carport. If visible from the public street, shade structures shall not be used for the purposes of covering vehicles or stored household items (other than outdoor furniture) for any period longer than seventy-two (72) hours.

3. Any object or structure permitted under this section shall not have a footprint larger than four hundred (400) square feet.

(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017)

An accessory building, accessory structure, or accessory use may occupy only up to thirty (30) percent of a required rear yard, except that swimming pools, tennis courts, and similar facilities located at or below grade are not counted toward this limitation.

(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017)

In each single-family residential district and each multiple-family residential district, there shall be a rear yard of not less than five feet wherever the rear yard of a lot or parcel of land abuts on a side yard.

(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017)

The front lot line of a corner lot shall be the lot line located on the principal street. In the event that it is unclear which of two intersecting streets is the principal street, the planning director or the public works director shall make a determination based on factors such as the orientation of the primary building on the lot and patterns of development in the vicinity of the subject lot.

(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017)

Where both the front and rear of a lot abut a public or private street a front yard shall be maintained from both streets.

(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017)

The front yard setback for a lot fronting on a private street shall be the front yard setback specified in the land use district plus one-half of the right-of-way width specified for a minor street for a subdivision measured from the center of the private street.

(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017)

A. The purpose of this section is to prescribe special regulations governing vehicle access to the garage structure on a corner lot in order to:

1. Minimize the number of access points on to and off of heavily traveled streets;

2. Provide adequate distance between the garage and the right-of-way so that a vehicle when parked upon the driveway apron within the side yard setback area does not encroach into the right-of-way.

B. Location of Access. Access to off-street parking on a corner lot shall be from the right-of-way having the lowest average daily traffic (ADT) as determined by the planning director.

(Ord. No. 268, § 6, 5-10-2017)