Chapter 17.64
ADDITIONAL YARD SETBACK REQUIREMENTS AND EXCEPTIONS
Sections:
17.64.020 Additional setback from centerline required.
17.64.030 No yard required – Structure not on property line.
17.64.040 Exceptions to yard requirements.
17.64.050 Projections into required yards.
17.64.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to permit or afford better light, air and vision clearance on more heavily traveled streets and on streets of substandard width, to make the location of structures compatible with the need for the eventual widening of streets by providing for additional yard setback distances, to ensure there is adequate distance between buildings on the site and to provide standards for projections into yard areas. (Ord. 2875 § 1.104.010, 2003)
17.64.020 Additional setback from centerline required.
(1) To ensure improved light, air, and sight distance and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, structures in any zoning district which abut certain arterial and collector streets shall be set back a minimum distance from the centerline of the street.
(2) Where the street is not partially or fully improved, the measurement shall be made at right angles from the centerline or general extension of the street right-of-way:
(a) Arterial Streets. The required setback distance for buildings on arterial streets is the setback distance required by the zoning district plus the following distances measured from the centerline of the street:
|
TSP Street Classification |
Additional Centerline Setback Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Major Arterial |
50 feet |
|
Minor Arterials |
30 feet |
(b) Collector Streets. The required setback distance for buildings on collector streets as classified by the transportation system plan is the setback distance required by the zoning district plus 25 feet measured from the centerline of the street.
(3) The minimum yard requirement shall be increased in the event a yard abuts a street having a right-of-way width less than required by its functional classification on the city’s transportation plan map and, in such case, the setback shall be not less than the setback required by the zone plus one-half of the projected road width as shown on the transportation map.
(4) The minimum distance from the wall of any building (except fences or other structures allowed in this code) to the centerline of an abutting street, however, shall not be less than 25 feet plus the yard required by the zone. This provision shall not apply to rights-of-way of 60 feet or greater in width. (Ord. 3164 § 3 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 2875 § 1.104.020, 2003)
17.64.030 No yard required – Structure not on property line.
In zoning districts where a side yard or a rear yard setback is not required, a structure which is not to be built on the property line shall be set back from the property line by a distance in accordance with the applicable building code (as administered by the building official) requirements. (Ord. 3164 § 3 (Att. B), 2012; Ord. 2875 § 1.104.030, 2003)
17.64.040 Exceptions to yard requirements.
(1) If there are dwellings on both abutting lots with front yard depths less than the required depth for the zone, the depth of the front yard for the intervening lot need not exceed the average depth of the front yards of the abutting lots.
(2) If there is a dwelling on one abutting lot with a front yard of less depth than the required depth for the zone, the front yard for the lot need not exceed a depth halfway between the depth of the abutting lot and the required front yard depth.
(3) Detached accessory structures that do not require a permit pursuant to SHMC 17.124.030(1)(a) do not need to comply with the yard requirements of the zoning district but shall still comply with SHMC 17.64.050(6) and shall not encroach into any easement or over any public utility or other infrastructure. Chapter 17.76 SHMC still applies. (Ord. 3264 § 2 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2875 § 1.104.040, 2003)
17.64.050 Projections into required yards.
(1) Cornices, eaves, belt courses, sills, canopies/awnings, or similar architectural features may extend or project into a required front, interior, rear or side yard not more than four feet provided the width of such yard is not reduced to less than three feet.
(2) Fireplace chimneys may project into a required front, interior, rear, or side yard not more than four feet provided the width of such yard is not reduced to less than three feet.
(3) Open porches, decks, or balconies not more than 48 inches in height and not covered by a roof or canopy may extend or project into a required rear or side yard provided such natural yard area is not reduced to less than three feet and the extension is screened from abutting properties. This does not apply to exterior side yards (on corner lots).
(4) Porches may extend into a required front yard or exterior side yard (on corner lots) not more than four feet. Porches may be covered but shall not include any other floor space horizontally (e.g., non-porch area on the same floor) or vertically (e.g., floor space directly above the porch on the second floor) for this to be allowed.
(5) Unroofed landings and stairs may project into required front, interior or rear yards, or exterior side yards (on corner lots) only.
(6) When there is a minimum yard requirement of the zoning district, no building, structure, or portion thereof, regardless of size and whether or not a permit is required for its placement, shall be placed closer than three feet to a property line or to another building or structure.
(7) Table summarizing applicability of this section by yard type:
|
|
Front |
Rear |
Side |
Exterior Side (on corner lots) |
Interior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
17.64.050(1), eaves, etc. |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
17.64.050(2), chimneys |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
17.64.050(3), open porches, etc. |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
17.64.050(4), porches |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
17.64.050(5), stairs and landings |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
(Ord. 3264 § 2 (Att. A), 2021; Ord. 2875 § 1.104.050, 2003)