§ 212.07 YARDS.
   Except as provided below, no lot, yard or other open space shall be reduced in area or dimension so as to make such lot, yard, or open space less than the minimum required by this title, and if the existing yard or other open space is less than the minimum required, it shall not be further reduced. No required open space provided around any building or structure shall be included as part of any open space required for another structure.
   (A)   Exceptions. The following shall not be considered as encroachments on yard setback requirements:
      (1)   Cantilevers up to 10 feet in width, chimneys, flues, leaders, sills, pilasters, lintels, ornamental features, cornices, eaves, gutters, and the like, provided they do not project more than 2 feet into a yard.
      (2)   Terraces, steps, decks, stoops, or similar structures:
         (a)   For lots of record. Except as may be limited within environmental protection districts, terraces, steps, decks, stoops, or similar structures may extend to within 5 feet of side yard and 10 feet of rear yard lot lines, but not more than 5 feet into a required front yard or side yard adjacent to a public right-of-way provided that the height of the structure is not more than 30 inches above the grade within the setback area.
      (3)   Recreational and laundry drying equipment, arbors and trellises, gazebos, and air conditioning or heating equipment shall be allowed only in a rear or side yard, provided they are at a distance of 5 feet from any lot line. No encroachment shall be permitted in existing or required drainage and/or utility easements.
      (4)   No encroachment shall be permitted in existing or required drainage and utility easements.
   (B)   Restricted uses and areas. In the case of a residential lot in an RR Rural Residential, R-1 Traditional Single-Family Residential, R-2 Suburban Single-Family Residential, and R-3 Medium Density Residential Zoning Districts backing onto a floodplain, a public open space, park, or other such similar publicly reserved and development restricted areas (excluding shorelands, wetlands, and streets), the required rear yard setback may be reduced 1 foot for each 5 feet of public space, but in no case shall the rear yard requirement be reduced to less than 20 feet.
   (C)   Required front yard setback exceptions. In the case of lots existing prior to June 7, 2011, the principal building setback requirements for front and side yards adjacent to a public right-of-way, as established by the respective zoning districts, may be reduced upon the approval of an administrative permit, to a distance equaling the average setback of principal buildings within the block frontage in which the lot is located. In no case shall this distance be less than 15 feet, nor shall a principal structure be placed more than 7 feet beyond the setback of any principal structure on a directly abutting lot.
   (D)   Triangular lots. In the case of triangular lots, where the rear lot line is a single vertex, the rear yard setback points of reference shall be determined by measuring the length of the setback distance from the vertex along the side lot lines. The rear setback line shall be determined by traversing the lot and connecting these points of reference.
(Ord. 2011-06-07A, passed 6-7-2011)