Chapter 15.30
HEIGHT LIMITS

Sections:

15.30.010    Height measurement.

15.30.020    Roof projections.

15.30.030    Flagpoles.

15.30.040    Park and playfield lights.

15.30.050    Structures exceeding height limits.

15.30.010 Height measurement.

For purposes of this code, the maximum height of buildings and other structures shall be defined as the vertical distance from finish grade to an imaginary plane directly above the building site. The imaginary plane shall be established above and parallel to the finish grade adjacent to the exterior walls at a vertical distance equal to the specified maximum height.

[Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

15.30.020 Roof projections.

Architectural features not containing usable floor space, such as chimneys, towers, gables, and spires, are permitted to extend up to five feet above the maximum structure height set out in AVMC 15.10.030, 15.18.030 and 15.26.030. The aggregate floor or “footprint” area of such architectural features shall encompass no more than five percent of the ground floor area of the building. [Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

15.30.030 Flagpoles.

Flagpoles may be permitted up to a height of 35 feet in residential districts and 50 feet in nonresidential districts. [Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

15.30.040 Park and playfield lights.

The height of park and playfield lights shall conform to the provisions of AVMC 15.22.110, Outdoor lighting. [Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].

15.30.050 Structures exceeding height limits.

A. Structures up to 50 Feet. Notwithstanding any lower height limits set out for the applicable zone, structures up to a height of 50 feet may be approved in conjunction with approval of an exception permit pursuant to AVMC 15.74.070 provided the decision-making authority makes the following finding in addition to those required for the exception approval:

The increased height will not create adverse visual impacts due to abrupt changes in vertical scale between the affected structure(s) and other nearby buildings or public spaces.

B. Structures above 50 Feet. Notwithstanding any lower height limits set out for the applicable zone, structures over a height of 50 feet may be approved in conjunction with approval of a specific plan or conditional use permit provided the decision-making authority makes all of the following findings in addition to those required for the specific plan or conditional use permit approval:

1. The increased height will result in more open space in the affected project or specific plan area than would be the case under the basic height limit;

2. The increased height will result in a more desirable architectural and site design for the affected project or specific plan area than would be the case under the basic height limit;

3. The increased height will not create adverse visual impacts due to abrupt changes in vertical scale between the affected structure(s) and other nearby buildings or public spaces. [Ord. 2010-126 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2010-123 § 3 (Exh. A)].