Certain architectural features may project into required yards or courts as follows.
(a) Front and side yards.
(1) Required yards. In any required front yard, or required side yard adjoining a side street lot line, cornices, canopies, eaves or other architectural features may project a distance not exceeding three feet, except as provided for in subsection (a)(2) below. Fire escapes may project a distance not exceeding four feet, six inches. An uncovered stair, necessary landings and ramps may project a distance not to exceed 44 inches; provided, that the stair and landing shall not extend above the entrance floor of the building, except for an open railing not exceeding three feet, six inches in height. Bay windows, balconies and chimneys may project a distance not exceeding three feet; provided that such features do not occupy, in aggregate, more than one-third of the length of the building wall on which they are located.
(2) Front yards only. In any residential district, in any required front yard, a porch may project a distance not exceeding eight feet. This porch may be covered with an awning or other type of roof projection not exceeding nine feet. The covered porch shall remain open between the floor line and eave line, except for an open railing not exceeding three feet, six inches in height. In no case shall the projection be nearer than ten feet to the front lot line. An uncovered stair, necessary landing and ramp may project a distance not to exceed 44 inches beyond the covered porch, but in no case may be nearer than ten feet to the front lot line.
(b) Interior side yards. Subject to the limitations above, the above named features may project into any required side yard adjoining an interior side lot line, a distance not to exceed one-fifth of the required least width of the side yard, but not exceeding three feet, in any case.
(c) Rear yards. Subject to the limitation above, the features therein may project into any required rear yards, the same distance they are permitted to project into a front yard.
(d) Existing porches. All covered porches may be enclosed; provided, that at least 50% of the total area of the front and two sides, between the floor line and eave line, shall be limited to screen or window.
(e) Exceptions. Handicap ramps to be added to existing one- and two-family residential structures. Uncovered ramps designed for the handicapped shall not be constructed or extended closer than five feet from any lot line, but are exempt from all other projection limitations of this section, and must conform to all other Federal, State or local requirements.
(Ord. 2046, passed 4-11-1968; Ord. 2616, passed 11-28-1977; Ord. 2881, passed 7-11-1983; Ord. 2887, passed 12-12-1983; Ord. 3266, passed 1-24-1994)