(A) Continued conformity with bulk regulations. The maintenance of yards and other open space and minimum lot area legally required for a building shall be a continuing obligation of the owner of such building or of the property on which it is located, as long as the building is in existence. Furthermore, no legally required yards, other open space or minimum lot area allocated to any building shall, by virtue of change of ownership or for any other reason, be used to satisfy yard, other open space or minimum lot area requirements for any other building.
(B) Division of zoning lots. No improved zoning lot shall hereafter be divided into two or more zoning lots and no portion of any improved zoning lot shall be sold, unless all zoning lots resulting from each such division or sale shall conform with all the applicable bulk regulations of the zoning district in which the property is located.
(C) Location of required open space. All yards and other open spaces allocated to a building or dwelling group shall be located on the same zoning lot as such building or dwelling group.
(D) Required yards; existing buildings. No yards, now or hereafter provided for a building existing on the effective date of this chapter, shall subsequently be reduced below, or further reduced if already less than, the minimum yard requirements of this chapter for equivalent new construction.
(E) Permitted obstructions in required yards. The following shall not be considered to be obstructions when located in the required yards specified:
(1) In all yards. Open terraces not over three feet above the average level of the adjoining ground, but not including a permanently roofed-over terrace or porch; awnings and canopies; steps four feet or less above grade which are necessary for access to a permitted building or for access to a zoning lot from a street or alley; chimneys projecting 24 inches or less into the yard; approved free-standing signs; arbors and trellises; flagpoles; window unit air conditioners projecting not more than 18 inches into the required yard; and fences or walls subject to applicable height restrictions of § 156.007.
(2) In front yards. One-story bay windows projecting three feet or less into the yards; and overhanging eaves and gutters projecting three feet or less into the yard.
(3) In rear yards. Open off-street parking spaces; balconies; recreational and laundry drying equipment; outside elements of heating or central air conditioning systems, extending not more than four feet into the yard; breezeways and open porches; one- story bay windows projecting three feet or less into the yard; and overhanging eaves and gutters projecting three feet or less into the yard.
(4) In side yards. Overhanging eaves and gutters projecting 30 inches or less into the yard; open off-street parking spaces.
(F) Limitations on obstructions. Permitted obstructions and detached accessory structures shall not, in the aggregate, occupy more than 40% of any required yard.
(`95 Code, § 156.010) (Ord. 83-11, passed 9- -83)