The following shall not be considered to be obstructions when located in the required yards and open spaces specified.
(A) In all required yards.
(1) Open terraces not over 4 feet above the average level of the adjoining ground but not including a permanently roofed-over terrace or porch, awnings and canopies.
(2) Steps 4 feet or less above the grade which are necessary to provide access to a permitted building, or for access to a building lot from a street or alley.
(3) Chimneys projecting 24 inches or less into the yard but not occupying more than 2% of the required yard area.
(B) In front yards.
(1) One-story bay windows, balconies and overhanging eaves or gutters, none of which shall project more than 4 feet into a required yard.
(2) Open covered porches shall be permitted to extend into the front yard but shall not exceed 8 feet in front of the building line.
(3) Hedges or other natural growth shall be permitted such that the height and placement does not obstruct traffic sight lines, as determined by the Code Compliance Officer and is consistent with the Landscaping Ordinance.
(C) In side yards. Bay windows, overhanging eaves or gutters projecting 2 feet or less into a required yard, but in no case shall such eaves or gutters be closer than 3 feet from the side lot line.
(D) In rear yards. Detached off-street parking structures; open off-street parking spaces; servants quarters; accessory sheds; tool rooms; and, similar buildings or structures for domestic or agricultural storage, balconies, breezeways and open unroofed porches, 1-story bay windows and overhanging eaves or gutters.
(E) Public open space easement (P.O.S.E.) and sight obstructions.
(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to erect or place or cause to be erected or replaced on any property under his or her control any hedge, tree, shrub, or other growth or any fence or other structure in such manner or at such location as to constitute an obstruction to view creating a traffic hazard. The following conditions shall be adhered to in regards to landscaping and sight obstructions.
(2) Whenever an access way intersects a public right-of-way or when the subject property abuts the intersection of 2 or more public rights-of-way, a triangular visibility area, as described below, shall be created. Landscaping within the triangular visibility area shall be designed to provide unobstructed cross-visibility at a level between 3 and 6 feet. Trees may be permitted in this area provided they are trimmed in such a manner that no limbs or foliage extend into the cross-visibility area. The triangular areas are:
(a) The areas of property on both sides of the intersection of an access way and a public right-of-way shall have a triangular visibility area with 2 sides of each triangle being 10 feet in length from the point of the intersection and the third side being a line connecting the ends of the other 2 sides.
(b) The areas of property located at a corner formed by the intersection of 2 or more public rights-of-way shall have a triangular visibility area with 2 sides of each triangle being 20 feet in length from the point of the intersection and the third side being a line connecting the ends of the other 2 sides. Landscaping, except required grass and low ground cover, shall not be located closer than 3 feet from the edge of any access way pavement. In the event other visibility obstructions are apparent in the proposed landscape plan, as determined by the Director, the requirements set forth herein may be reduced to the extent to remove the conflict.
(Ord. O-12-743, passed 12-3-2012)