"Accessory building or structure" shall mean a structure and/or use which is subordinate, secondary, incidental to and customary in connection with the principal building or use and located on the same lot as the principal building or use. Residential accessory structures may include but are not limited to detached garages, tool and garden sheds, swing sets and playground units, tennis courts, swimming pools and similar structures or facilities. Such accessory structures are subject to the following additional requirements:
(a) The use of all accessory structures shall conform to the definition above.
(b) No accessory structure shall be used for human habitation, or for commercial purposes.
(c) In the R Districts, no separate accessory structure can be erected on a vacant lot, or any lot where there is no principal residential structure.
(d) An accessory structure shall not exceed eighteen (18) feet in height, unless the subject property is subject to historic design review, and specific approval for a higher accessory building is granted by the Historic District Review Board, in order to promote consistency with the architectural character of the other structures on the site.
(e) An unattached accessory use or structure shall be located to the rear of the front building line of the principal structure, within any side or rear yard no closer than six (6) feet from any side or rear lot line in the R-1 and R-2 Districts and three (3) feet in the R-3, RO or MH-R Districts. In any other district, the location of accessory structures must be approved by the Planning Commission.
(f) The total area of all accessory uses or structures shall not exceed the greater of 1,000 square feet or three and one-half percent (3.5%) of the total area of the lot. Such area shall be considered as the area of all accessory uses and structures covered by a roof. Swimming pools, tennis courts and similar uncovered areas shall be exempt from these area requirements.
(g) Not more than one (1) moveable storage building shall be allowed on any single residential property, and such structure shall comply with the location requirements of subsection (e) hereof.
(h) The above restrictions shall not apply to temporary storage structures in place for less than ninety (90) days.
(Ord. 27-11. Passed 3-14-11.)