All structures shall meet the following standards relating to height, except for fences and walls, which shall comply with § 17.300.030 (Fences, Hedges, and Walls), and the allowable exceptions identified in Subsection 17.300.025.C. (Exceptions to Height Limits) below.
A. Maximum Height. The height of structures shall not exceed the standard established by the applicable zoning district in Article 2 (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses and Zone-Specific Standards).
B. Height Measurement. The maximum allowable height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the existing grade of the site to an imaginary plane located the allowed number of feet above and parallel to the grade. See Figure 3-3 (Height Measurement) at top of next page. “Existing Grade” shall be established by the Director, consistent with parcels in the immediate vicinity, and shall not be, nor have been, artificially raised to gain additional building height.
C. Exceptions to Height Limits. Exceptions to the height limits identified in this Title shall apply in the following manner, except where otherwise required by the Building Code:
1. Notwithstanding any other regulation of this Title, the Council, after consideration of recommendation by the Commission, may by resolution establish a maximum building height for new construction in the Redevelopment Project Area Component Areas 1 through 3, consistent with the Design for Development established by the Redevelopment Agency.
2. Roof-mounted structures for the housing of mechanical equipment, antennas, elevators, stairways, tanks, towers, ventilating fans, or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the structure, shall be allowed as follows, except that where the requirements for screening pursuant to Section 17.300.035.C.1. conflict with the requirements of this Section 17.300.025, such conflict shall be resolved at the discretion of the Director.
a. In multiple-family residential zones, up to a maximum of 13 feet 6 inches above the height of a building. Any roof mounted structure or equipment exceeding the parapet height shall be set back 5 feet from the edge of the structure, except stairs shall not be required to be set back from the edge of the structure.
b. In non-residential zones, up to a maximum of 13 feet 6 inches above the height of a building; except that elevators shall be allowed up to a maximum of 19 feet 6 inches above the height of a building.
c. In single-family residential zones, mechanical equipment located on roofs, upper level terraces, patios and balconies, and structures housing mechanical equipment shall not exceed the maximum zoning envelope and shall not encroach upon a 1:1 upward- and inward-inclining plane starting at the base of the roof or exterior deck surface along front and side yard-facing facades.
Figure 3-4 1:1 Allowable Placement for Roof-Mounted and Upper-Story Mechanical Equipmen
3. Fire or parapet walls may extend up to 5 feet above the building height limit of the structure, and as may otherwise be required by the California Building Code. In the R1 Zone, the height limit shall be inclusive of fire or parapet walls.
4. In non-residential zones, architectural features that are non-habitable design elements, such as spires, turrets, bell towers, clock towers, cupolas and similar design elements as determined by the Director, shall be allowed, up to a maximum of 13 feet, 6 inches above the height of a building, and are limited to 15% of the total roof area.
5. Chimneys may project up to 4 feet above the height of the building.
6. In non-residential zones, trellis and carport-style structures installed on a parking structure roof deck for the purpose of supporting solar panels and solar equipment and installations shall be allowed up to a maximum of 13 feet 6 inches above the height of a building.
(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2018-012 § 2; Ord. No. 2020-010; Ord. No. 2021-012 § 3 (part))