Chapter 17.44
YARD, BUFFER AND OTHER DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
17.44.030 Lots must meet minimum requirements.
17.44.040 Reduction in lot size prohibited.
17.44.050 Compliance with yard requirements.
17.44.055 Setbacks for uncovered decks.
17.44.060 Height limitations, conditional uses and exemptions.
17.44.070 General requirements for accessory buildings.
17.44.080 Occupation of recreational vehicle.
17.44.010 Purposes.
The purpose of this chapter is to define and designate the dimensional requirements for the land use zoning districts in the city. (Ord. 1438 §2(part), 2014)
17.44.030 Lots must meet minimum requirements.
No building, structure or use shall hereafter be erected, constructed or established on a lot that does not meet the requirements for lots as contained in this chapter and for the district in which the lot is located, except for nonconforming lots of record as specified in Section 17.56.020, or planned unit developments as provided in Chapter 17.30. (Ord. 1438 §2(part), 2014)
17.44.040 Reduction in lot size prohibited.
A. No lot shall be reduced, divided or changed in size so that lot width, size of yards, lot area per dwelling unit, minimum lot size or other requirement of these regulations is not maintained, unless such reduction or division is necessary to provide land which is acquired for a public purpose unless otherwise specifically authorized.
B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a residential legal lot of record that at the time of adoption of the ordinance codified in this section was occupied by two or more legally constructed residences. In such case, the lot may be divided so as to provide for the legal sale, lease or transfer of ownership of the residences. The land division shall be configured so as to provide the greatest degree of compliance with the current base zoning designation. (Ord. 1438 §2(part), 2014)
17.44.050 Compliance with yard requirements.
Where a front, side or rear yard is required, no principal building shall hereafter be erected or altered so that any portion thereof lies within the specified depth of said yard; provided, however, the eaves, cornices, chimneys, ground level decks, and similar projections may extend over a required front, rear, or side yard by not more than two feet. Accessory uses and structures may be located within required yards only as specifically provided in this chapter. (Ord. 1438 §2(part), 2014)
17.44.055 Setbacks for uncovered decks.
All uncovered decks thirty inches above grade or less may extend to a maximum of five feet from the rear and side yard property lines. In order to meet the intent of open space and visibly separating uses through distance and to shield and block noise or visual impact to neighboring properties, the uncovered deck shall be buffered from the adjoining property with trees and shrubs. (Ord. 1438 §2(part), 2014)
17.44.060 Height limitations, conditional uses and exemptions.
No building or structure shall hereafter be erected, constructed, reconstructed or altered, except as otherwise specifically exempted in this chapter, to exceed the maximum height for the district in which said building or structure is located; provided, however, that the city council may permit buildings and structures to exceed height limitations upon approval of conditional uses as specified in this title.
The height limitations established in this title shall not apply to chimneys, smokestacks, church spires and steeples, domes, flag poles, public monuments, observation towers, water towers, noncommercial radio and television towers, electricity transmission towers, utility poles and similar structures. (Ord. 1438 §2(part), 2014)
17.44.070 General requirements for accessory buildings.
Accessory buildings shall meet the following requirements:
A. Setbacks. Accessory buildings shall not be required to observe side and rear yard requirements for principal buildings but they shall not be located in front yards, and such buildings and uses shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any property lines; provided, however, that no setback shall be required from a rear property line adjacent to an alley. In no case shall an accessory building be located within required buffers or landscape strips.
B. Lot Coverage. Accessory buildings shall occupy no more than twenty percent of the lot area and shall not exceed sixty percent of the footprint of the building in a residential district.
C. Height. In no case shall an accessory building exceed the maximum height for the companion principal building as measured to the ridgeline or parapet of the principal building.
D. Subordination to Principal Building. An accessory building shall not be erected unless there exists one or more principal buildings on that lot. (Ord. 1438 §2(part), 2014)
17.44.080 Occupation of recreational vehicle.
It shall be unlawful to occupy any recreational vehicle for residence purposes anywhere in the city, except in a duly established trailer park maintained in accordance with all applicable state statutes and city ordinances; provided, however, that occupation for residence purposes for a period of not more than fourteen consecutive days, not to exceed thirty days in a calendar year, shall not be construed to be a violation of this section. (Ord. 1438 §2(part), 2014)