The requirements and regulations specified elsewhere in the Zoning Code shall be subject to additional requirements, exceptions, modifications, and interpretations contained in this section.
1. Use of Existing Lots of Record. In any district where dwellings are permitted, a single-family dwelling may be located on any lot official record as of the effective date of the Zoning Code, irrespective of its area or width; and in addition, any two-family dwelling may be located on any lot or plot in any R-2 or R-3 District that has a lot width of not less than 60 feet and is of official record as of the effective date of the Zoning Code; provided however:
A. The sum of the side yard widths of any such lot or plot shall not be less than 10 feet, but in no case less than five feet, for any one side yard.
B. The depth of the rear yard of any such lot need not exceed 20 percent of the depth of the lot, but in no case less than 10 feet.
C. In the case of a lot of record where the above requirements are greater than those of the district in which it is located, the lesser requirement shall apply.
D. In the case of building setback lines established on lots of record, as of the effective date of the Zoning Code, such setback lines may apply in lieu of those required by the Zoning Code unless existing adjacent building setbacks are greater than specified on the plat of record, in which case the provisions of Sections 165A.12 through 165A.29 of the Zoning Code shall apply.
2. Height and Size Limits. Height limitations stipulated elsewhere in the Zoning Code shall not apply in the following situations:
A. Barns, silos, or other farm buildings or structures on farms provided these are not less than 50 feet from every lot line;
B. Church spires or steeples, belfries, cupolas and domes, monuments, water towers, fire and hose towers, masts and aerials;
C. Parapet walls extending not more than four feet above the limiting height of the building. However, if in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator, such structure would adversely affect adjoining or adjacent properties, such greater height shall not be authorized unless it is approved by the Board of Adjustment.
D. Bulkheads, conveyors, derricks, elevator penthouses, water towers or tanks, monitors and scenery lofts to monuments, grain elevators, gas holders or other structures. Where the manufacturing process requires a greater height than specified, such may be authorized by the Board of Adjustment.
E. Telecommunication towers, the base of which shall be at least the height of the tower from all adjoining property lines, including public right-of-way. Amateur radio towers are exempt from the provisions contained herein.
3. Front Yard Exceptions and Modifications.
A. Front yard requirements do not apply to bay windows or balconies that do not project more than three feet into the front yard.
B. With the exception of the A-1 District and the M-1 and M-2 Districts, averaging front yard setbacks is allowed. Where the average depth of two or more existing front yards on lots within 100 feet of the lot in question and within the same block front is less or greater than the least front yard depth prescribed, front yards may be varied. The depth of the front yard on such lot shall not be less than the average depth of said existing front yards or the average depth of the two lots immediately adjoining or, in the case of a corner lot, the depth of the front yard on the lot immediately adjoining; provided, however, that the depth of the front yard on a lot in any residential district shall be at least 10 feet and need not exceed 60 feet.
C. For the purpose of determining lot width or front yard requirements, that portion of a flag lot used for ingress and egress shall not be included as a part of the required front yard.
D. An existing open porch may be remodeled or rebuilt to an enclosed non-habitable vestibule entrance-way (which may include closet space) when projecting not more than one-fourth the distance of the front yard setback and extending in width not more than one-fourth of the width of the residence.
4. Side Yard Exceptions and Modifications.
A. Along any district boundary line, any abutting side yard on a lot in the less restricted district shall have a least width equal to that required in the more restricted district.
B. Where a lot in a manufacturing district abuts a lot in a residential district, the side yard shall be increased by three feet for each foot that the building proposed on such lot exceeds the height limit of the said residential district.
C. On a corner lot the least width of a side yard along the side street lot line shall be equal to the required front yard along the side street. No part of any accessory building shall be nearer a side street lot line than the least depth on any front yard required along such side street.
D. The following projections or structures may be permitted in side yards:
(1) Accessory buildings or structures subject to the provisions contained elsewhere in the Zoning Code.
(2) Fences or walls not over eight feet above the average natural grade except as noted in Section 165A.23.
(3) Fire escapes, three feet from side lot line. Bays and balconies not more than three feet from the building, provided these projections are entirely within planes drawn from either main corner of the side wall.
(4) Chimneys, flues, sills, overhangs, pilasters and lintels, ornamental features, cornices, gutters and the like into or over a required side yard not more than two feet.
(5) Terraces, steps, uncovered porches, patios (not including decks), stoops, or similar features, not higher than the elevation of the ground story of the building and distant three feet from the side lot line.
5. Rear Yard Exceptions and Modifications. The following projections or structures may be permitted in rear yards:
A. In any commercial or residential district, a building which is non-conforming as to rear yard setbacks may be expanded or enlarged, provided the enlargement or expansion does not encroach closer to the rear property line than the already existing building, All other bulk requirements stated in the Zoning Code must be met.
B. Accessory buildings or structures subject to the provisions contained elsewhere in the Zoning Code.
C. Fences or walls, not over eight feet in height.
D. Chimneys, flues, sills, pilasters, lintels, ornamental features, cornices, eaves, and the like, into or over a required rear yard not more than two feet.
E. Terraces, steps, decks, uncovered porches, or similar features not more than 10 feet into a required rear yard, nor closer than four feet of an alley or within 10 feet of a rear lot line.
F. Swimming pools.