The provisions of Section 1205 of IBC are not adopted. The following language is adopted as Section 1205:
"1205. YARDS AND COURTS
1205.1 General.
This section shall apply to yards and courts adjacent to exterior openings that provide natural light or natural ventilation. Such yards and courts shall be on the same lot as the building. For purposes of this section, width shall be measured perpendicular to the plane of openings and length shall be measured parallel to the plane of openings.
1205.2 Yards.
Yards shall be not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in width for an exterior wall not more than 40 feet (12.2 m) in height above the lowest floor receiving natural light or natural ventilation or grade plane, whichever is higher. Where the exterior wall exceeds 40 feet (12.2 m) in height, the minimum width of the yard shall be increased 2 inches (76 mm) for each 1 foot (305 mm) or fraction thereof in height up to a maximum width of 15 feet (4572 mm).
1205.3 Courts.
The length of a court shall be at least 150% of the horizontal dimension of required openings. Outer courts shall comply with Section 1205.3.2. Inner courts shall comply with Section 1205.3.3.
1205.3.1 [Reserved.]
1205.3.2 Outer courts.
Outer courts shall be not less than 3 feet (914 mm) in width for an exterior wall not more than 40 feet (12.2 m) in height above the lowest floor receiving natural light or natural ventilation or grade plane, whichever is higher. Where the exterior wall exceeds 40 feet (12.2 m) in height, the minimum width of the outer court shall be increased 2 inches (76 mm) for each 1 foot (305 mm) or fraction thereof in height up to a maximum width of 15 feet (4572 mm). Openings on opposite sides of an outer court shall be separated by not less than 6 feet (1829 mm).
1205.3.3 Inner courts.
Inner courts shall be not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) in width for an exterior wall not more than 40 feet (12.2 m) in height above the lowest floor receiving natural light or natural ventilation or grade plane, whichever is higher. Where the exterior wall exceeds 40 feet (12.2 m) in height, the minimum width of the inner court shall be increased 4 inches (102 mm) for each 1 foot (305 mm) or fraction thereof in height up to a maximum width of 15 feet (4572 mm). For irregularly-shaped inner courts, the average width shall be at least as great as the minimum width required by this section and the width shall not be less than 5 feet (1524 mm) at any point.
1205.3.3.1 Court access.
Access shall be provided to the bottom of inner courts for cleaning purposes.
1205.3.3.2 Air intake.
Inner courts more than two stories in height shall be provided with a horizontal air intake at the bottom with a cross-sectional area not less than 10 square feet (0.93 m
2
) and leading to a yard or public way. Air intakes shall be of construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than two hours and shall be open at both ends and unobstructed for their full size and length, except that grilles of noncombustible construction are permitted at both ends.
Exception: In buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, the fire-resistance rating shall be not less than one hour.
1205.3.3.3 Court drainage.
The bottom of every inner court shall be properly graded and drained to a public sewer or other approved drainage system complying with the Chicago Plumbing Code.
1205.4 Easements.
The building official may adopt rules for considering permanent and perpetual easements or restrictive declarations on adjoining lots as a means of creating spaces equivalent to courts or yards."
(Amend Coun. J. 6-25-21, p. 32180, Art. II, § 22; Amend Coun. J. 1-26-22, p. 43756, Art. II, § 16)