Chapter 18.94
OUTLINE OF YARDS REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
18.94.010 General exceptions to yard standards.
18.94.020 Building permits for structures exceeding the basic height limits.
18.94.030 Yard regulations.
18.94.040 Exemption of rooftop appurtenances.
18.94.010 General exceptions to yard standards.
The general exceptions to yard standards are:
A. Cornices, eaves, canopies, sunshades, gutters, chimneys, flues, belt courses, leaders, sills, pilasters, lintels, ornament features, and other similar architectural features, in addition to common mechanical equipment such as air conditioners, heat pumps, and the like, may project not more than two feet into a required setback or into required open space as established by coverage standards.
B. Except for that portion of the setback which is listed in subsection (C) of this section, the following are exceptions to the front yard requirement for a dwelling:
1. If there are dwelling units on both abutting lots with front yards of less than the depth otherwise required, the front yard for a lot need not exceed the average front yard of the abutting dwelling units.
2. If there is a dwelling unit on one abutting lot with a front yard of less than the depth otherwise required, the front yard for a lot need not exceed a depth one-half way between the depth of the abutting lot and the required front yard depth.
C. To permit or afford better light, air and vision on more heavily traveled streets and on streets of substandard width, to protect arterial streets, and to have the location of structures compatible with the need for the eventual widening of streets, additional yard setbacks may be required. Where a street is not standard width, the required yard width shall be increased by half the amount of the additional right-of-way needed to create a standard width street. (Ord. 026/2011 § 2 (Exh. 1); Ord. 033/2008 § 6; Ord. 922, 1989)
18.94.020 Building permits for structures exceeding the basic height limits.
No building permits for structures, which exceed the basic height limits, may be issued until such time as the hearing body has reviewed and approved an application for height exception. All applications for building permits for structures authorized under this section shall conform strictly to the plans approved by the hearing body in its variance. (Ord. 922, 1989)
18.94.030 Yard regulations.
A. Fences, walls, poles, posts and other customary yard accessories, ornaments, and furniture may be permitted in any yard subject to height limitations and requirements limiting obstruction of visibility to the detriment of public safety.
B. In the case of through lots, unless the prevailing front yard pattern on adjoining lots indicates otherwise, front yards shall be provided on all frontages.
C. Where the front yard that would normally be required on a lot is not in keeping with the prevailing yard pattern, the zoning code administrator may waive the requirement for the normal front yard and substitute therefor a special yard requirement which shall not exceed the yards provided on adjacent lots.
D. In the case of corner lots, a front yard of the required depth shall be provided in accordance with the prevailing yard pattern and a second front yard of one-half the depth required generally for front yards in the district shall be provided on the other frontage.
E. In the case of corner lots with more than two frontages, the city shall determine the front yard requirements, subject to the following conditions:
1. At least one front yard shall be provided having the full depth required generally in the district.
2. No other front yard on such lot shall have less than one-half the full depth required generally.
3. In the case of through lots and corner lots, there will be no rear yards but only front and side yards.
4. In the case of through lots, side yards shall extend from the rear lines of front yards required. In the case of corner lots, yards remaining after full and one-half depth front yards have been established shall be considered side yards. (Ord. 922, 1989)
18.94.040 Exemption of rooftop appurtenances.
The height limitations specified in this chapter shall not apply to church spires, monuments, chimneys, water towers, elevator towers, mechanical equipment, flag poles, television and radio antennas and other similar rooftop appurtenances usually required to be placed above the roof level and not intended for human occupancy of the provision of additional floor area; provided, that mechanical equipment rooms or attic spaces are set back at least ten feet from the edge of the roof and do not exceed twenty feet in height. (Ord. 922, 1989)