A. Purpose: The spacing of buildings and structures away from property lines, rights-of-way, physical hazards and natural features such as streams and other buildings, are essential elements of land use planning and of urban design. In particular, setbacks may provide for privacy, light, shadow, air movement, passive and active space, vegetation and also contribute directly to physical and psychological well being. Setbacks should vary proportionally depending upon the size and shape of the properties and also upon the type of the existing and proposed land use. In some instances setbacks should be uniform assuming there is a specific desired outcome for the setback, such as protection of views, public safety, economic development, etc. In other instances, variability and flexibility of setback may produce equally important outcomes such as the protection of natural features, aesthetically pleasing streetscapes, creativity in architectural design, and retention of fragile housing stock or other important goals. Due to the evolution of housing styles over the last few decades, the relative high value of land within the community, the desire for architectural creativity, and especially the dramatic increase in average house size, setbacks shall be applied within a flexible envelope. (Ord. 2012-15, 9-20-2012)
B. Implementation: Averaging of setbacks in all yard areas shall be allowed as shown below. Variations across the setback line may not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the minimums required. Calculation of the average shall require at least ten (10) equally spaced measurements across any one "building line", as defined in section 13.04.040 of this title, and shown in figure 13.32.081 of this subsection. The minimum setback requirements for a main building are shown on table 13.32.081 of this subsection. (Ord. 2019-03, 2-28-2019)
(Ord. 2012-15, 9-20-2012)
R-2-8 | R-2-10 | R-M |
R-2-8 | R-2-10 | R-M | |
Front setback: | |||
The minimum setback in feet from the front lot line for a structure containing 1 or more dwelling units shall be | 25 | 25 | 25 |
No accessory structure or parking area may be constructed in the required front yard | |||
Rear setback: | |||
The minimum setback in feet from the rear property line for a structure containing 1 or more dwelling units shall be | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Accessory buildings located entirely within the rear yard and a minimum of 6 feet from any other structure may have a minimum setback from any property line of | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Side setback: | |||
The minimum side setback in feet for a structure having 1 or more dwelling units shall be | See note 1 | See note 1 | 15 |
Other main buildings shall have a minimum side setback in feet of | Equal to abutting plus graduated height | ||
The minimum side setback in feet for an accessory building not located entirely within the rear yard shall be the same as for any dwelling or main building | |||
The minimum corner side setback in feet for any structure | 20 | 20 | 20 |
Building separation: | |||
The minimum separation between structures containing more than 1 dwelling unit in feet shall be | 8 | ||
The minimum separation for single- family detached structures in feet shall be | 13 | 13 | 13 |
The minimum separation for any accessory structure from another structure in feet shall be | Per Fire Code | 2 | |
Note:
1. All structures containing 1 or more dwelling units shall have a total side setback of 25 percent of the required lot width, with no single side setback less than 10 percent of the lot width. In no case shall any side setback be less than 6.5 feet or 13 feet combined.
(Ord. 2019-03, 2-28-2019)
C. Front Setbacks On Private Rights-Of-Way: The minimum front setback for a main building fronting on a private right-of-way is shown on table 13.32.082 of this subsection.
Right-Of-Way Width | Front Setback |
Less than 20 feet | 30 feet from the centerline of the right-of-way |
20 feet and above | 20 feet from the right-of-way line |
(Ord. 2015-05, 5-21-2015)