1180.04 YARD PROJECTIONS.

   (a)   Architectural Features. Certain architectural features may project into required yards or courts as follows:

(1)   Front and side yards. Into any required front yard, or required side yard adjoining a street lot line;

A.   Cornices, canopies, eaves or other architectural features may project a distance not exceeding four feet.

B.   Fire escapes may project a distance not exceeding four feet, six inches.

C.   An uncovered stair and necessary landings may project a distance not to exceed six feet, provided such stair and landing shall not extend above the entrance floor of the building, except for a railing not exceeding three feet in height.

D.   Bay windows, balconies and chimneys may project a distance not exceeding four feet, provided such features do not occupy, in the aggregate, more than one-third of the length of the building wall on which they are located.

(2)   Interior side yards. Subject to the limitations in subsection (a)(1) hereof, the above named features may project into any required side yard adjoining an interior side lot line, a distance not to exceed one-third of the required least width of such side yard, but not exceeding three feet in any case.

(3)   Rear yards. Subject to the limitations in subsection (a)(1) hereof, the features named therein may project into any required rear yards the same distances they are permitted to project into a front yard; provided, however, that landings or porches may be covered and may project a distance not exceeding ten feet but not closer than ten feet from the rear lot line.
(Ord. 81-92. Passed 7-13-92.)

   (b)   Fences, Walks and Hedges. Fences, walks and hedges may be located in required yards as follows:

      (1)   Except as provided in subsection (b)(3) hereof, fences and hedges may be located only in side or rear yards, except that on corner lots, fences and hedges are not permitted in the street side yard or in that portion of the rear yard which is closer to the side street right-of-way line than the required zoning front yard depth for a principal structure. Such fences and hedges shall not exceed six feet in height above the elevation of the ground where located. No fence or hedge shall be located or erected other than as provided above unless it is specifically authorized by a variance granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Any fence which has fifty percent (50%) or more opacity shall have the posts and supporting rails located on the inside of the fence or shall be constructed so that the slats of the fence alternate on the inside and outside of the posts and supporting rails. A no-cost zoning certificate as described in subsection 1135.03(a) shall be applied for and obtained prior to erection of any fence four (4) feet or less in height.

   (Ord. 180-04. Passed 12-13-04.)

(2)   Walks may be located in any required yard.
(Ord. 67-92. Passed 5-26-92.)

(3)   Hedges and Decorative Fences. Hedges and decorative fences such as split rail, picket, wrought iron or other decorative varieties, but not including chain link, which hedges or decorative fences do not form an enclosure or boundary are permitted only in the front yard of an interior lot as follows:

A.   An aggregate of sixteen lineal feet of hedge or decorative fences shall be permitted within the front yard and in no case shall any hedge or decorative fence greater than eight feet in length be erected along the front lot line or within twenty feet of the front lot line, except as provided in subsection (b)(3)B. below.

B.   In the case of driveway or corner demarcation, no section of hedge or decorative fence shall exceed eight feet in length, and a maximum of sixteen feet is permitted but must be joined at an angle no greater than 90°. No more than two angled sections of sixteen feet each as described in this subsection (b)(3)B. shall be permitted in a front yard. If angled hedge or decorative fence is used for driveway or corner demarcation under this subsection (b)(3)B., it shall also be included for purposes of the aggregate amount of hedge or decorative fencing permitted under subsection (b)(3)A. above.

C.   The height of any hedge or decorative fence under this subsection (b)(3) shall not exceed four feet and hedges or decorative fences under this subsection (b)(3) must have no greater than fifty percent (50%) opacity.

D.   Hedges and decorative fences under this subsection (b)(3) shall be located at least one foot from the nearest public right of way.

E.   For purposes of this subsection (b), a hedge is a row of closely planted shrubs, bushes or low growing trees.
(Ord. 81-92. Passed 7-13-92.)

   (c)   Retaining Walls. Retaining walls may be located in any required yard provided such walls are necessary to properly maintain/retain an elevation of the yard and provided such walls do not exceed at any point, forty-eight inches in height above the elevation of the surface of the ground at such point, except that retaining walls in rear or side yards may be no more than seventy-two inches in height. Retaining walls must be shown on any plot plan submitted and shall not be deemed approved if not accurately shown on the plot plan. The Building Superintendent may require that a retaining wall be designed by a registered design professional if determined to be necessary for the safety of the wall in the discretion of the Superintendent. (Ord. 180-04. Passed 12-13-04.)

   (d)   Batting Cages and Animal Enclosures. Batting cages and animal enclosures must be located in the rear yard of an interior lot and must be included in the calculation of the accessory use limitation contained in Section 1143.06(a). These structures, whether permanent or temporary, must be no greater than six foot from grade to the top of structure unless specifically authorized by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
(Ord. 154-96. Passed 10-15-96.)