§ 93.03

• A. Permitted Projections Above Building Height Limit.

  1. Roof structures for the housing of elevators skylights and required stairways, or the screening of mechanical equipment, and chimneys may be erected above the height limits herein prescribed when approved by the director of planning and building or the planning commission.

  2. No penthouse or roof structures or any space above the height limit shall be allowed or may be used to provide additional living or floor space.

  3. Pedestrian entry features which encompass an area no greater than 60 square feet, and do not provide usable interior space, may be erected above the height limits herein prescribed, but to no greater height than 15 feet, when approved by the director of planning and building or the planning commission.

• B. Buildings or Structures, Including but not Limited to Mobilehomes, Erected in all Zones or Districts.

No mechanical equipment or duct work shall be allowed on the roof unless it is located in an orderly fashion to blend in with its surroundings and is concealed by roof structure, or other approved screening, which is no less than six inches greater in height than the equipment being screened. Required screening shall be an integral part of the architecture. The planning commission or the director of planning and building may otherwise approve such equipment which may not meet this requirement if it is located in an orderly fashion to blend in with its surroundings; in no case shall duct work be exposed.

• C. Evaporative Coolers.

  1. Existing Construction.

Evaporative coolers shall be allowed on the roof of residential structures built before April 15, 1981. Those existing structures covered by Section 94.04.00 (Architectural approval) shall completely screen all mechanical equipment of roof areas unless, in the opinion of the planning director, the placement of evaporative coolers would not be detrimental to the architectural character of the structure. No exposed ducting shall be allowed. For flat roof structures and pitched roof structures without attic space, the evaporative cooler is to be located as far to the rear of the structure as practicable. For pitched roof structures with attic space, the evaporative cooler shall be side mounted under the eave. If a side mount is not practical due to setback restrictions, then an installation as though it were a flat roof structure is allowed.

2. New Residential Construction.

New residential construction shall take into consideration the future use of evaporative coolers and shall incorporate into the design or so place such equipment on the structure so such equipment is not seen from any public right-of-way. Custom designed residences may be granted an exemption from this requirement if, in the opinion of the building and safety director, the size or design of the structure precludes the efficient use of evaporative cooling.

(Ord. 1294, 1988; Ord. 1347, 1990; Ord. 1418, 1992; Ord. 1553, 1998; Ord. 2004 § 3, 2019)