In addition to all yard requirements specified in other sections of this Zoning Code, the following provisions shall be used for interpretation and clarification. Except as herein provided, every required yard shall be required open space other than a court unoccupied and unobstructed by any structure or portion of a structure from 3 feet above the general ground level of the graded lot upward, provided that accessories, ornaments, and furniture may be permitted in any yard, subject to height limitations and requirements limiting obstruction of visibility.
(a) Yard Requirements for Single Buildings. No required yard or other open space around a building shall be considered as a yard to open space for any other building. No required yard or other required open space on an adjoining lot shall be considered as providing the yard or open space on the lot whereon a building is to be erected or established.
(b) Yard Requirements for Multiple-Family Dwellings. Multiple-family dwellings shall be considered as one building for the purpose of determining front, side, and rear yard requirements. The entire group as a unit shall require one front, one rear, and two side yards as specified for dwellings in the appropriate district, except when the dwelling unit is located on a corner lot. Each individual building shall meet all yard requirements for the appropriate district as though it were on an individual lot.
(c) Visibility at Intersections. On a corner lot at the intersection of two streets (existing or proposed), or at the intersection of an alley and a street within any district, nothing shall be installed, erected, placed, planted, or allowed to grow in such manner as to impede vision materially between a height of 2 1/2 feet and 10 feet above the center line grades of the intersecting streets, or of the intersecting alley and street in the area bounded by the right-of- way lines of such corner lots and a line joining points along said street lines, or alley and street lines 60 feet from the point of intersection.
(d) Accessory Buildings.
(1) One-story garages as accessory buildings: In existing residential districts, 1-story detached garages or other accessory buildings may not be located within 6 feet from any side or rear property line, and may not be located closer than 15 feet to any principal building upon the same lot with such garage. Additionally, such garages or accessory buildings may not be located closer to the front building line than the principal building, unless the garage or accessory building is attached thereto. Any accessory building on any residential lot may not be larger than 45% of the gross floor area of the principal use or structure and is not to exceed a maximum of 1,200 square feet. Additionally, accessory buildings, together with the principal dwelling/building, may not exceed lot coverage requirements for a given zoning district. In any R-1A or R-1B Residential District, no detached garage may not exceed a single story or 15 feet in height at any highest point, except that balconies properly designed may be constructed in a detached private garage for storage in connection with the use of a single-family or two-family residential structure. No detached private garage shall exceed 26 feet in length or width in such Residence Districts.
(2) Utility buildings. A utility building (shed) that is 200 square feet or less in area under roof, does not have a permanent foundation, and is accessory to a single family dwelling, may be constructed in the rear yard of any zoning district provided it meets the setback, lot area, and height requirements of the R1A Zoning District.
(e) Use of Front Yard. Front yards in all districts shall be landscaped with living plant material with the exception of required driveways or required off-street parking for single- and two-family dwellings in accordance with the provisions of this Zoning Code. Driveways shall be permitted for multiple-family dwellings in the front yard, however, all parking shall be located in the side or rear yard of the lot, and the remainder of the lot shall be landscaped with living plant material.
(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01; Ord. 05-040. Passed 1-17-05; Ord. 10-013. Passed 8-10-10.)