Chapter 18.140
YARDS
Sections:
18.140.010 Minimum area of lots.
18.140.020 Required yard areas not to be divided.
18.140.030 Yards apply to only one main building.
18.140.040 Yards to be unobstructed.
18.140.050 Parking in required yards.
18.140.060 Average setback from street.
18.140.070 Projections into required front yards.
18.140.080 Projections into required side yards.
18.140.090 Projections into required rear yards.
18.140.100 Projections above required heights.
18.140.010 Minimum area of lots.
No lot or parcel shall be divided or reduced in area in such a way as to violate the minimum area and width requirements of a zone in which the lot or parcel is located. No nonconforming lot of record shall be divided or reduced in area in such a way as to violate further the area and width requirements of the zone in which the lot or parcel is located. (Code 1983 § 96.205.)
18.140.020 Required yard areas not to be divided.
No portion of a lot or parcel necessary to provide the lot area or density of dwelling units required by the zone or plan designation in which that lot or parcel is located shall be divided or reduced in area. No yard, landscaped area, open space, or common area required by this title shall be reduced in area or divided from the lot or parcel for which it is required. (Code 1983 § 96.210.)
18.140.030 Yards apply to only one main building.
No yard, landscaped area, open space, or common area required for a lot or a main building shall be counted as meeting the yard, open space, or area requirements of another lot or building. (Code 1983 § 96.215.)
18.140.040 Yards to be unobstructed.
Every required front, side, and rear yard shall be open and unobstructed by buildings or structures from the ground to the sky except for those projections and accessory structures permitted by this title. (Amended by Ord. 1281, August 3, 2010. Code 1983 § 96.220.)
18.140.050 Parking in required yards.
Parking in required yard areas is permitted in certain cases depending upon the zoning of both the subject property and the zoning of adjacent property, and subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.130 MCC, Parking. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.225.)
18.140.060 Average setback from street.
(1) Every building in a zone permitting residential uses shall be set back from the front lot line at least 15 feet, except for the Main Street district and mixed density residential zones.
(2) The average setback shall be found by measuring the distance from the front lot line to the closest part of the foundation for all dwellings which are within 200 feet of the subject property and which adjoin the same side of the street as that abutting the subject property. Buildings closer than 10 feet or farther than 20 feet from the front lot line shall not be counted in determining average setback.
(3) When other sections of this title or any other ordinance require a greater setback than is specified in this section, the greater setback shall apply. (Code 1983 § 96.230.)
18.140.070 Projections into required front yards.
The following projections and structures may project or extend into a required front yard:
(1) Planter boxes;
(2) Chimneys and flues;
(3) Steps;
(4) Cornices;
(5) Eaves;
(6) Gutters;
(7) Belt courses;
(8) Headers;
(9) Sills;
(10) Pilasters;
(11) Lintels;
(12) Other ornamental features not extending more than two inches from the main building;
(13) Uncovered porches;
(14) Covered but unenclosed porches not more than 15 feet above grade and the floors of which are not more than four feet above grade.
In no case shall any of the above projections or structures come closer than 10 feet from the front lot line. (Code 1983 § 96.235.)
18.140.080 Projections into required side yards.
(1) Cornices, eaves, gutters, and fire escapes may project into a required side yard not more than one-half of the width of the side yard or more than three feet, whichever is less.
(2) Chimneys, flues, belt courses, leaders, sills, pilasters, lintels, and ornamental features may project not more than one and one-half feet into a required side yard.
(3) Uncovered decks and patios attached to the main building when measured directly beneath the outside edge of the deck or patio may be extended to the side yard property line provided they are less than two feet in height from ground level. (Code 1983 § 96.240.)
18.140.090 Projections into required rear yards.
(1) Cornices, eaves, gutters, fire escapes, outside stairways or other unenclosed, unroofed projections may extend into a required rear yard a maximum distance of five feet.
(2) Chimneys, flues, belt courses, leaders, sills, pilasters, lintels, gutters, and other ornamental features may project not more than one and one-half feet into a required rear yard.
(3) Uncovered patios, porches, and decks attached to the main building and having a height of two feet or less may extend to the rear property line. (Amended by Ord. 1305, § 1 (Exh. A), November 6, 2012. Code 1983 § 96.245.)
18.140.100 Projections above required heights.
Towers, chimneys, steeples, electronic communication antennas, and similar projections from the roof of a main building may exceed the height requirements of the zone in which they are located. Such projections shall not contain any habitable space and shall not exceed a total height above-ground of 50 feet in any residential zone, or 85 feet in another zone. (Code 1983 § 96.250.)
18.140.110 Vision clearance.
Vision clearance shall be provided as follows at the end of this section.
There shall be no sight obstruction in any zone (except commercial retail) between two and one-half and eight feet above street grade within the triangular vision clearance area of any lot at the intersection of two streets or public ways.
Two sides of this triangle are curb lines at pavement measured back from that intersection as follows:
|
|
Paved Street |
Alley |
|---|---|---|
|
Residential Zones |
30 feet |
15 feet |
|
Commercial, Public or Industrial Zones |
25 feet |
15 feet |
The vision clearances described above shall be considered minimum standards applicable to level, right angle intersections for local streets. For other intersections where a vision hazard is believed to exist, the City Council, Planning Commission, or City Manager may order that an investigation be done by the Police Department and/or Department of Public Works. In conducting such investigations, the standards of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) may be relied upon in determining whether or not a hazard exists, and the Council may order the removal of the hazard by and at the expense of the property owner involved.
Traffic control signs, utility poles, tree trunks less than 12 inches in diameter, and signs erected for public safety shall be excepted from these provisions. (Code 1983 § 96.255.)