Accessory buildings located on site areas north of Santa Monica Boulevard shall comply with the following standards:
A. Height: Accessory buildings located in the accessory structure area of site areas north of Santa Monica Boulevard shall not exceed a height of fourteen feet (14'), except as authorized by a minor accommodation or a Central R-1 permit as provided in subsections E and F of this section, respectively. However, under no circumstances shall the height of an accessory structure be permitted to exceed the maximum height that would be allowed in the principal building area.
B. Side Setback Encroachment: Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an accessory building located on a site north of Santa Monica Boulevard may be erected within a required side yard if:
1. The side lot line abuts an alley and no portion of the building within the side yard exceeds a height of fourteen feet (14'); or
2. The side lot line does not abut an alley and no portion of the building within the side yard exceeds a height of fourteen feet (14') or intersects a plane commencing seven feet (7') in height, measured at the side lot line, and extending at a slope of two horizontal to one vertical (2:1) toward the interior of the site area. See Figure 1 of this section.
However, notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, an accessory building located on a site north of Santa Monica Boulevard shall maintain a side setback of four feet (4') unless the accessory structure is located in a side yard abutting an alley.
For an accessory building located in a required side yard on a site north of Santa Monica Boulevard, the limitations set forth in subsections B1 and B2 of this section may be modified by a minor accommodation issued in accordance with the procedure set forth in subsection E of this section provided the accessory structure complies with all of the requirements set forth in subsection G of this section or by a Central R-1 permit issued in accordance with the procedure set forth in subsection F of this section. However, under no circumstances shall the height of an accessory structure be permitted to exceed the maximum height that would be allowed in the principal building area.
C. Rear Setback Encroachment: Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an accessory building located on a site north of Santa Monica Boulevard may be erected within a required rear yard if:
1. The rear lot line abuts an alley and no portion of the building within the rear yard exceeds a height of fourteen feet (14'); or
2. The rear lot line does not abut an alley and no portion of the building within the rear yard exceeds a height of fourteen feet (14') or intersects a plane commencing seven feet (7') in height, measured at the rear lot line, and extending at a slope of two horizontal to one vertical (2:1) toward the interior of the site area. See Figure 2 of this section.
D. Setbacks For Single-Story, Detached Garages: Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections B and C of this section, a single- story, detached garage accessory structure located on a site north of Santa Monica Boulevard may be erected on the side and rear lot lines provided all of the following criteria are satisfied:
1. The accessory structure is detached from all other structures on the property; and
2. The accessory structure is only used as a garage; and
3. a. The side or rear lot line abuts an alley and no portion of the building within the side or rear yard exceeds a height of fourteen feet (14'); or
b. The side or rear lot line does not abut an alley and no portion of the building within the side or rear yard exceeds a height of fourteen feet (14') or intersects a plane commencing seven feet (7') in height, measured at the side or rear lot line, and extending at a slope of two horizontal to one vertical (2:1) toward the interior of the site area; and
4. As a condition precedent to the issuance of a building permit for the accessory structure, the owner of the property files with the City building official a covenant, approved by the City Attorney, for recording with the County Recorder that restricts the use of the accessory structure to garage purposes and prohibits the addition of a second story to the accessory structure.
For a garage accessory building located in a required side or rear yard or both the required side and rear yards on a site north of Santa Monica Boulevard, the limitations set forth in subsections D3a and D3b of this section may be modified by a minor accommodation issued in accordance with the procedure set forth in subsection E of this section. However, under no circumstances shall the height of the garage accessory structure be permitted to exceed: a) one- story; b) a plate height of ten feet (10') at the side or rear lot line; and c) a maximum height of fourteen feet (14').
E. Minor Accommodation: The height limitation set forth in subsection A of this section, the limitations set forth in subsections B1 and B2 of this section, and the limitations set forth in subsections C1 and C2 of this section may be modified by a minor accommodation issued pursuant to article 36 of this chapter provided the reviewing authority finds that the increased height will not have an adverse impact on:
1. The scale and massing of the streetscape;
2. The neighbors' access to light and air;
3. The neighbors' privacy;
4. The garden quality of the City;
5. Adjacent properties; and,
6. The public welfare.
F. Central R-1 Permit: Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Planning Commission may modify the height limitation set forth in subsection A of this section, the limitations set forth in subsections B1 and B2 of this section, and the limitations set forth in subsections C1 and C2 of this section by a Central R-1 permit issued pursuant to article 24.5 of this chapter. In addition to the findings required by section 10-3-2453 of this chapter, the Planning Commission shall not issue a Central R-1 permit to allow an accessory structure to exceed fourteen feet (14') in height unless the Planning Commission additionally finds that the proposed accessory structure will not have a substantial adverse impact on adjacent properties or the public welfare. In making this determination, the Planning Commission may look at such factors as the impact of the accessory structure on the scale and massing as viewed from adjacent properties, the impact of the accessory structure on available light in neighboring yards, and the cumulative impact to adjacent properties from the proposed accessory structure in combination with existing accessory structures in the vicinity. However, under no circumstances shall the height of an accessory structure be permitted to exceed the maximum height that would be allowed in the principal building area.
G. Additional Criteria: If the provisions of this section require an accessory structure to comply with this subsection, the accessory structure shall satisfy all of the following criteria:
1. The accessory structure shall not exceed a height of twenty two feet (22');
2. The total length of the accessory structure, including the combined length of an existing structure and any proposed addition thereto, along the closest side property line shall not exceed a length of twenty four feet (24');
3. The accessory structure is located entirely within thirty feet (30') of the rear lot line;
4. Any window located over fourteen feet (14') above grade on an elevation facing an alley or the closest adjacent side property line shall be fitted with translucent glass and either fixed (unopenable) or awning style with a maximum opening of twenty five degrees (25°);
5. A detailed landscaping plan shall be submitted to and approved by the Director of Planning and Community Development as part of the application for a minor accommodation. The landscaping plan shall include landscaping of an appropriate height and density to soften the appearance of the accessory structure from adjacent properties.
(1988 Code; amd. Ord. 04-O-2440, eff. 2-6-2004; Ord. 19-O-2774, eff. 3-8-2019; Ord. 24-O-2894, eff. 6-7-2024)