(A) Definitions.
ACCESSORY BUILDING. A use or building subordinate to the principal use of the land or a building on the same lot and serving a purpose customarily incidental to the principal use or structure.
POLE BUILDING. A post and frame structure consisting of primary members (posts, beams and single span trusses or ceiling joists and rafters) and secondary members (roof purlins, wall girts, bracing and sheathing) where all loads are transmitted from the sheathing and the secondary members to the primary members which transfer them to the ground through vertical posts bearing on footings embedded in the soil.
PRINCIPAL BUILDING. The main building on the property. For a residential property, it is the house. For non-residential property, it is the main building that is used for the purposes of the business.
REAR YARD. An open space extending the full width of the lot, the depth of which is the minimum horizontal distance between the rear lot line and the nearest point of the main building. In the case of a corner lot, the REAR YARD may be opposite either street frontage.
SIDE YARD. An open space between a main building and the side lot line, extending from the front yard to the rear yard, the width of which is the horizontal distance from the nearest point of the side lot line to the nearest point of the main building.
(B) Regulations.
(1) Accessory uses, or structures are permitted only when auxiliary to a principal use or structure as permitted in this chapter and may not exist as a principal use or structure in their own stead.
(2) Any permitted accessory structure shall have an architectural design, roof, pitch or lack of it, roof overhang, or lack of it, and exterior material and color similar to and consistent with the principal structure, whether attached to or detached from the principal structure. When constructed in a residential area, accessory buildings shall be constructed in a manner arranged so as to conform with and maintain the residential character of the neighborhood.
(3) The structure shall not be primarily made of metal, including the use of carports, which is prohibited.
(4) An accessory building shall not be of a pole building type construction.
(5) Accessory buildings shall not be constructed on any lot prior to the time of construction of the principal building in which it is its accessory.
(6) With the exception of agricultural buildings, no accessory building shall exceed the height of the principal building, be nearer the front lot line than is the principal building of the lot or fail to otherwise comply with any other setback or side yard restrictions applicable to any other structures on the premises.
(7) Residential accessory buildings may not be used to carry on commercial activities, other than lawfully permitted home occupations, or store commercial vehicles which exceed a gross weight of 9,000 pounds.
(8) There shall be no more than two accessory buildings in addition to one garage, whether attached or detached, per residence or lot which shall be considered the area upon which the residence is located, regardless of number of lots indicated by plat or tax parcel.
(C) Size.
(1) No accessory building or garage per single family home shall occupy more than 25% of a rear and side yard. The size of detached (accessory) garages are regulated per the below table:
Lot size
|
Maximum Accessory Building Size (Cumulative)
|
Less than 12,000 sq ft | 1,000 sq ft |
12,001 sq ft to 21,000 sq ft | 1,250 sq ft |
21,001 sq ft to 43,000 sq ft | 1,500 sq ft |
43,001 sq ft to 87,000 sq ft | 1,750 sq ft |
87,001 sq ft or more | 2,000 sq ft |
(2) No accessory structure(s), including garages and utility buildings shall occupy more than 25% of a rear/side yard.
(D) Variances.
(1) Variances shall not be granted so as to allow accessory buildings to occupy more than 25% of the rear or side yard wheresoever located.
(2) Variances shall not be granted so as to allow an accessory building (other than agricultural buildings) to be greater than 20 feet tall.
(E) Special use permit. Notwithstanding that the foregoing language that accessory buildings may only be permitted when auxiliary to a principal use or structure that is permitted by this chapter, an accessory building or use may be authorized by a special use permit issued by the city that may be applied for and considered in the event that a property has land topography making a primary structure impossible.
(Ord. 216, passed 6-17-2023) Penalty, see § 10.99