20C.40.55 Residential Yard Requirements.

20C.40.55-010 Purpose.

Yards shall be provided for the purpose of creating light, air, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, emergency access and general aesthetic improvements. All lots shall have one front yard and one rear yard, with the exception of through lots (lots with two fronts), which may have two front yards and no rear yard. Where a residential use is above ground floor commercial/office, the side and rear yard setbacks shall apply only to the residential use. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.55-020 Measurement.

All yard areas shall be measured from the property lines, except as noted in the Downtown Districts Site Requirements Chart, RCDG 20C.40.40-045. All yards shall be measured after dedication for required rights-of-way. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.55-030 Permitted Structures in Required Yard Areas.

The following features are permitted within front, rear and side yard setback areas, provided that they project no closer than five feet to a property line and do not project more than five feet into the setback area. Except on Type V and Va pedestrian streets per RCDG 20C.40.105-020, projections may project over street sidewalks up to the property line provided they do not project more than five feet into the setback area. The projections may be further restricted through the site plan review process. Permitted projections include building extremities, such as balconies, patios, porches, architectural protrusions, subterranean garages and structures (below natural grade), bay windows, and chimneys. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.55-040 Front Yards.

Front yard depths shall conform to the standards specified in the Downtown Districts Site Requirements Chart, RCDG 20C.40.40-045. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.55-050 Side Yards.

Side yards shall be determined by structure depth and height, according to Table 20C.40.55-050. The depth of the building shall be measured at right angles, or as near to right angles as possible, from the front property line in a horizontal plane to the ground.

Table 20C.40.55-050
Residential Side/Interior Setbacks

Height of Side/Interior Facade at Highest Point in Feet

Structure Depth in Feet

0 – 30'

31 – 40'

41'+

Minimum Side Setback in Feet1

65' or less

5'

6'

7'

66' to 80'

6'

6'

8'

81' to 100'

8'

9'

11'

101' to 120'

11'

12'

14'

121' to 140'

14'

15'

17'

141' to 160'

17'

18'

20'

161' or more

19'

21'

23'

1    Buildings built to the property line, such as townhouses, are exempt from this requirement along that property line. See example on next page.

(Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.55-060 Rear Yards.

Rear yard setbacks shall be provided for all residential uses per the Downtown Districts Site Requirements Chart, RCDG 20C.40.40-045. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)

20C.40.55-070 Distance Between Buildings.

(1)    Principal Buildings. Two or more detached principal use buildings on the same lot shall have a minimum separation of 15 feet.

(2)    Accessory Structures. A detached accessory structure shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any structure to which it is not attached. This restriction shall not apply to air conditioners, heaters, vents, pumps, solar collectors or similar equipment.

(3)    Roof Eaves. Roof eaves of principal and accessory use structures shall have a minimum separation of five feet. This restriction shall not apply to patio covers and similar structures with open lattice, grill work or uncovered roof beams. (Ord. 2302; Ord. 1901)