(a) Distance Measurements. Unless otherwise expressly stated, distances specified in this code are to be measured as the length of an imaginary straight line joining those points.
(b) Lot-Area Measurements. The total area of a lot includes the total horizontal surface area within the lot's boundaries.
(c) Reduction in Area Prohibited. No lot, yard, court, parking, or other space shall be reduced in area or dimensions so as to make said area or dimensions less than the minimum required by this code unless approved as part of a PUD; and, if already less than the minimum required by this code, said area or dimensions shall not be further reduced.
(d) Setbacks and Yards.
(1) Measurements. Setbacks refer to the unobstructed, unoccupied open area between the furthermost projection of a structure and the property line of the lot on which the structure is located. Setbacks shall not contain any structure except when in conformance with this code (see Subsection 1173.01(d)(4) Architectural Projections). (See Figure 1173.01-1.)
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Figure 1173.01 1: Measurement of front yard setback
(2) Yards Required for Buildings. A yard or other open space required for a building shall not be included as part of a yard or other open space for another building.
(3) Front Yard Modifications. In any residential district, no front yard depth shall be required to exceed the average minimum depths of the existing front yards on the lots adjacent to each side, if each of such lots is within the same block and within 100 feet of the principal building. Modification of the front yard in accordance with this section will not create a nonconforming lot unless the lot or structure does not meet other applicable provisions of this code. See Figure 1173.01-2.
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Figure 1173.01-2: Illustration of the averaging of front yard setbacks. For example, in a district with a minimum front yard setback requirement of 50 feet, smaller setbacks may be allowed if the average front yard setbacks of surrounding properties are less than 50 feet.
(4) Architectural Projections.
A. Cornices, eaves, sills, canopies, or similar architectural projections may extend or project into required side yards not more than two inches for each one foot of width of such side yard, and may extend or project into a required front or rear yard not more than 30 inches.
B. Bay windows and chimneys may project into a required front, side or rear yard not more than 18 inches, provided that the side yard is not reduced to less than eight feet.
C. Open structures, such as porches, balconies, platforms, carports, and covered patios, shall be considered a part of the building to which they are attached and shall not project into the required minimum front, side, or rear yard.
D. Ramps, elevators, escalators, and similar improvements or devices constructed or installed to provide access by persons with disabilities may extend or project into a required front, side or rear yard to the extent necessary to conform the accessibility device to design and materials specifications set forth in regulatory standards promulgated under the authority of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(e) Interior Lots.
(1) The required minimum front yard setback shall be measured from the street right-of-way or, where a right-of-way is not identified, the front lot line. See Figure 1173.01-3.
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Figure 1173.01 3: Typical yard locations on an interior lot.
(2) The lot line located directly behind the rear of the structure, as determined by the zoning commissioner, shall be the rear lot line and the rear yard setback shall be applied. See Figure 1173.01-3.
(3) All other lot lines shall be considered the side lot lines and the side yard setback shall be applied. See Figure 1173.01-3.
(f) Corner Lots.
(1) Lots having a frontage on more than one street shall have the required front yard setback along each street. See Figure 1173.01-4.
(2) On any corner lot, in any district except the B-2 District, no fence, structure or planting shall be erected or maintained within 20 feet of the corner right-of-way at a height between two feet, six inches and 10 feet above the curb or street grade, or so as to interfere with traffic visibility across the corner. See Figure 1173.01-4.
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Figure 1173.01 4: Typical yard locations for a corner lot.
(g) Panhandle Lot. Panhandle lots are not permitted.
(h) Double Frontage Lot.
(1) Where a lot is considered a double frontage lot, the required minimum front yard setback shall be provided from both streets. See Figure 1173.01-5.
(2) The remaining lot lines shall be considered side lot lines and the side yard setback shall be applied to those lot lines. See Figure 1173.01-5.
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Figure 1173.01 5: Yard locations on double frontage lots.
(i) Cul-de-Sac or Curved-Street Lot.
(1) For a cul-de-sac lot or a lot abutting a curved street, the front yard setback shall follow the curve of the front property line. See Figure 1173.01-6.
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Figure 1173.01 6: Setback line of a lot with frontage on a curved street or cul-de-sac.
(2) Lots on a cul-de-sac shall be required to have a minimum lot width of 40 feet measured at the right-of-way line.
(3) On a cul-de-sac or curved roadway, the required 40-foot street frontage is to be measured at the street right-of-way on the curve of the cul-de-sac or curved roadway. (Ord. 7675. Passed 11-11-14.)