This section establishes standards to ensure the provision of
open areas for access to and around structures, access to natural
light and ventilation, landscaping, recreation, separation of incompatible
land uses, space for privacy, traffic safety and visibility.
(1) Setback Requirements.
(A) All structures shall conform to the setback requirements identified for each zoning district by Chapters
21.04 through
21.14 of this title, and with any special setbacks established for specific uses by this title.
(B) Each yard shall be open and unobstructed from the ground upward,
except as provided in this Section.
(2) Exemptions from Setback Requirements. The minimum setback requirements
of this title shall apply to all uses except for the following:
(A) Fences or walls constructed within the height limitations of this
title;
(B) Decks, with or without handrails, freestanding solar devices, steps,
terraces and other site design elements that are placed directly upon
the finish grade and are less than eighteen inches above the surrounding
finish grade;
(C) Porches may encroach up to four feet into a required front yard setback
in the R1 and GH zoning districts;
(D) Architectural features may extend into the front, side and rear yard
setbacks in the following manner:
(i) A chimney or fireplace up to six feet in width, may extend three
feet into a required setback, but no closer than three feet to a side
or rear property line;
(ii)
Cantilevered architectural features on the main structure, including
balconies, bay windows, canopies, cornices, eaves and solar devices
that do not increase the floor area enclosed by the structure, may
extend into required yards as follows:
a.
Front Yard Setback. Up to three feet into the required front
yard,
b.
Side Yard Setback. Up to two feet into a required side yard,
but no closer than three feet to a side property line, and
c.
Rear Yard Setback. Up to five feet into the required rear yard;
(iii)
Covered, unenclosed porches, located at the same level as the
entrance floor of the structure, and fire escapes, landings and outside
stairways that are not enclosed, may extend into required yards as
follows:
a.
Front Yard Setback. Up to four feet into a required front yard,
b.
Side Yard Setback. Up to four feet into a required side yard,
but no closer than three feet to a side property line, and
c.
Rear Yard Setback. Up to fifteen feet into a required rear yard,
but no closer than ten feet to the rear property line.
(3) Measurement of Setbacks. Setbacks shall be measured as follows:
(A) The front yard setback shall be measured at right angles from the
nearest point on the front property line to the nearest wall of the
structure, except as follows:
(i) The measurement shall be taken from the nearest point of the structure
to the nearest point of the property line adjoining the street to
which the property is addressed and the street from which access to
the property is taken. Whenever a future street right-of-way line
is officially established, the required setback shall be measured
from the established line(s).
(ii)
The measurement shall be taken from the nearest wall of the
structure to the point where the access strip meets the bulk of the
parcel, establishing a building line parallel to the lot line nearest
the public street or right-of-way.
(B) The side yard setback shall be measured at right angles from the
nearest point on the side property line to the nearest wall of the
structure, establishing a setback line parallel to the side property
line, that extends between the front and rear yards.
(C) The side yard on the street side of a corner parcel shall be measured
at right angles from the nearest point on the street side property
line to the nearest wall of the structure.
(D) The rear yard shall be measured at right angles from the nearest
point on the rear property line to the nearest wall of the structure,
establishing a setback line parallel to the rear property line, that
extends between the side yards, except:
(i) The rear yard on the street side of a double frontage lot shall be
measured from the nearest point of the rear property line adjoining
the street. If an access easement or street right-of-way line extends
into or through a rear yard, the measurement shall be taken from the
nearest point of the easement or right-of-way line.
(ii)
Where the side lot lines converge to a point, a line five feet
long within the parcel parallel to and at a maximum distance from
the front lot line, shall be deemed the rear lot line for the purpose
of determining the depth of the required rear yard.
(E) Where a structure wall is not parallel to a side or rear lot line,
the required dimension of the side or rear yard along the line, may
be averaged. The resulting side yard shall not be less that three
feet in width, and the rear yard shall not be less than ten feet in
depth, at any point.
(F) In situations different from the above, the director shall have the
authority to determine how setbacks shall be measured.
(Ord. 1308 § 5, 2000)