(a) Standards.
(1) Construction Standards. Minimum construction standards for all one-family dwellings shall be pursuant to all applicable State, Federal and/or local laws, codes and ordinances.
(2) Unit Size and Dimensions. Each dwelling unit shall comply with the minimum square footage requirements of the zoning district in which it is located. Each dwelling unit shall have a minimum width on all elevations of twenty-four (24) feet.
(3) Foundation and Anchoring.
A. One-family dwellings must be installed on a permanent foundation. At a minimum, this shall include a cement block or poured foundation with cement footings around the complete outside perimeter of the dwelling. A basement, in accordance with applicable City Codes, may be substituted for equivalent portions of the foundation. If the foundation or basement does not meet specifications for imposed load capacity, adequate additional support shall be provided.
B. A crawl space of not less than twenty-four (24) inches shall be provided between the bottom of the home and the ground level. The crawl space shall not be utilized for storage purposes.
C. A minimum of two (2) exterior doors must be provided. All means of access, such as porches, steps and ramps, shall be fixed to the foundation of dwellings.
(4) Roof Design. The roof of each dwelling unit shall be pitched with a minimum 5:12 slope and shingled, with an overhang of not less than six (6) inches on all sides. The roof must be permanently attached to and supported by the dwelling and not by exterior supports. All dwellings shall have roof drainage systems concentrating roof drainage at collection points. Eaves troughs must be provided where appropriate.
Exceptions to roof design and materials may be granted when said roof design and materials are typical of a particular architectural style and/or are compatible with dwelling units in the surrounding area. Sealed architectural plans shall be furnished to the Zoning Administrator for his or her review as to this exception.
(5) Sewer and Water Service. All one-family dwellings shall be served by public sewer and water service, where available, or approved on-site systems in the case where public sewer and water service are not available.
(6) Storage Areas. All one-family dwellings shall contain inside storage areas equal to ten (10) percent of the square footage of the building, or one hundred (100) square feet, whichever is less. Such storage areas may be located in a basement beneath the dwelling, in an attic area, in one (1) or more closet areas or in an attached or detached structure, with construction standards and material of equal quality and durability to the principal structure.
(b) Compatibility Determination.
(1) In terms of construction standards, character, materials, design, appearance, aesthetics and quality, all dwellings shall be compatible, (i.e. meet equal or greater standards), as compared with existing dwellings in the area. The Zoning Administrator shall make the determination of compatibility in the first instance, based upon the plans, specifications and elevations that shall be presented upon application for a building permit. Such determination shall be made in view of the following:
A. The area of consideration. If the dwelling is to be located in a platted subdivision, planned unit development or site condominium development, it shall be compatible with the houses in the plat. If not in a platted subdivision, planned unit development or site condominium development, it shall be compatible with the dwellings within five hundred (500) feet of the property in question.
B. The square footage of floor space.
C. The length, width and height of the structure.
D. The architectural type and design, including, without limitation, exterior materials, the custom nature of the design, the roof style and the like, to the extent that the same would likely bear upon property values.
E. The attachment of garages.
F. Maximum lot coverage shall be in accordance with Section 4.07(n).
These regulations shall not be construed to prohibit innovative design concepts involving such matters as energy conscious devices, including solar energy, view, unique land contour and/or custom qualities.
(2) The Zoning Administrator may request a review by the Planning Commission of any dwelling unit with respect to this section. The Zoning Administrator or the Planning Commission shall not seek to discourage architectural variation, but shall seek to promote the reasonable compatibility of the character of dwelling units, thereby protecting the economic welfare and property value of surrounding residential uses and the City at large.