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13-172-140  Obstruction of courts and yards.
   (a)   Permissible projections. Every required court and yard shall remain unobstructed for its required area and full height, except for the projections permitted in subsections (b) through (f) of this section.
   (b)   Maximum encroachment. A part of any building or structure shall not extend into side courts, inner courts or yards required for light and ventilation of habitable and occupiable rooms unless permitted by the Chicago Zoning Ordinance. The encroachment shall not exceed 20 percent of the legal area of the yard or court which is required for light and ventilation purposes.
   (c)   Accessories. In Class A (residential) and Class B (institutional) occupancies, clothes poles, arbors, garden trellises and other such accessories shall not be prohibited in the open spaces at ground level.
   (d)   Steps and architectural features. Steps, window sills, belt courses and similar architectural features, as well as rain leaders and chimneys, shall not project more than 2 feet (610 mm) beyond the face of the wall.
   (e)   Exterior stairways and fire escapes. Outside stairways, smokeproof tower balconies, fire escapes or other required elements of a means of egress shall not project more than 4 feet (1,219 mm) beyond the face of the wall.
   (f)   Motor vehicle parking. Where approved, required court and yard areas for automobile parking spaces or private garages not exceeding one story in height where accessory to and only for the occupants of a Class A (residential) occupancy are permitted, provided that required windows for light and ventilation are not obstructed thereby.
(Added Coun. J. 4-29-98, p. 66679, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 4-15-15, p. 106130, § 12; Amend Coun. J. 9-14-16, p. 31143, § 7)