(A) General. Accessory buildings shall occupy the same lot as the principal use or main building.
(B) Separation from main building. All accessory buildings shall be separated from the main building by no less than ten feet. Attached private garages shall contain the setback requirements for the main building, and that such attached private garages are part of condominium developments. Attached accessory dwelling units shall be considered a component of the principal structure and shall comply with the height and setback requirements for the principal structure.
(C) Private garage. An accessory building used as a private garage shall be permitted to be located in the rear yard or side yard and that the such structure is setback not less than one foot and no more than three feet from the rear lot line, not less than ten feet from the principal building, and not less than a combined six feet on the sides with a minimum of not less than one foot on one side. Private garages shall not encroach into any recorded easements. A private garage shall be constructed with access only from a public alley. A garage shall be permitted to be constructed with access from a public street only if an accessible public alley does not exist or if there is an existing city authorized curb cut and an existing city authorized driveway. (Please reference definition of "garage, private" for more details).
(D) Storage buildings. No storage building shall be located in the front yard. A storage shed shall be no greater than 80 square feet.
(E) Solar energy systems. Solar energy systems, designed to service the energy needs of the property where the structure is located shall be allowed as an accessory structure in all districts, subject to the following requirements:
(1) Solar energy systems shall meet the requirements of this section and all other applicable construction codes.
(2) The design of the solar energy system shall conform to applicable industry standards.
(3) Solar energy systems shall be screened per the discretion of the Community and Economic Development Department.
(4) Solar energy systems shall meet height and setback requirements of the zoning district in which they are located.
(5) Solar energy systems shall be securely anchored to the ground or a permanent structure.
(6) A ground-mounted solar energy system shall comply with the accessory structure restrictions contained in the zoning district where it is located.
(7) All exterior electrical and/or plumbing lines must be buried below the surface of the ground in compliance with current code.
(8) Any solar energy system not used for one year or longer shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall be promptly dismantled and removed from the property by the owner of the solar energy system.
(9) Upon request, the plan commission may grant waivers of the setback or height requirements, provided that the waiver will not present any undue hardships on adjoining properties. The Plan Commission shall take into consideration the support or opposition of adjacent property owners in granting waivers of setback or height requirements.
(F) Accessory dwelling units. Accessory dwelling units shall be considered a permitted use on lots of 3,000 square feet or larger in area or in the R, Residential district, subject to the following standards:
(1) The unit shall be connected to public water and wastewater systems.
(2) The unit shall include, at a minimum, a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area separate from the primary residence, and shall meet all provisions of the Building Code and regulations of the City's Housing Code before being issued a certificate of occupancy.
(3) The exterior design of an accessory unit, whether a detached structure or attached to the principal structure, shall be compatible with the existing residence on the lot.
(4) The building form, construction materials, dimensions, and landscaping shall remain consistent with the principal structure and in harmony with the character and scale of the surrounding neighborhood.
(5) The accessory dwelling shall not result in excessive traffic, parking congestion, or noise.
(6) No more than one accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted on a single parcel.
(7) Accessory dwelling units intended to be rented shall comply with applicable City codes for non-owner-occupied units. An accessory dwelling unit shall be owned by the same person who owns the principal dwelling unit and the lot and shall not be sold separately from the principal structure and/or lot.
(8) Accessory dwelling units shall not encroach into any recorded easements.
(9) Attached accessory dwelling unit dimensional requirements:
(a) Attached accessory dwelling units shall be considered a component of the principal structure and shall comply with the dimensional requirements for the principal structure.
(b) Attached accessory dwelling units shall occupy no more than one-third of the total floor area of the principal structure.
(10) Detached accessory dwelling unit location and dimensional requirements:
(a) Location. Detached accessory dwelling units shall be permitted only in the rear yard of a lot.
(b) Setbacks. Detached accessory dwelling units shall be setback not less than one foot and no more than three feet from the rear lot line, and not less than a combined six feet from the side lot lines with a minimum of not less than one foot on one side lot line. Detached accessory dwellings shall be setback a minimum of ten feet from the principal building.
(c) Unit size. Detached accessory dwelling units shall have a minimum building footprint no greater than 600 square feet. The total floor area of all the floors within a detached accessory dwelling unit shall not be area greater than 66% of the total floor area of all the floors within the principal structure on the lot.
(d) Lot coverage. Detached accessory dwelling units shall be included in the calculation for maximum lot coverage for the lot.
(e) Height. A detached accessory dwelling unit shall have no more than two stories. A single story detached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 14 feet in height. A two-story detached accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 28 feet in height.
(Ord. 497, passed 2-3-2004; Am. Ord. 523, passed 6-13-2006; Am. Ord. 2011-7, passed 12-13-2011; Am. Ord. 2019-02, passed 10-8-2019; Am. Ord. 2020-28, passed 3-3-2020; Am. Res. 2021-46, passed 4-13-2021; Am. Ord. —, passed 12-12-2023)