The following explain how various measurements referenced in this Zoning Code are to be calculated.
(a) Distances. The distances are measured horizontally. When determining distances for setbacks and structure dimensions, all distances are measured along a horizontal plane from the appropriate line, edge of building, structure, storage area, parking area or other object. These distances are not measured by following the topography of the land. When measuring a required distance, such as the minimum distance between a structure and a lot line, the measurement is made at the closest or shortest distance between the two objects. Exceptions to this rule are as follows:
(1) Measurement of vehicle stacking or travel areas. Measurement of a minimum travel distance for vehicles, such as garage entrance setbacks and stacking lane distances, is measured down the center of the vehicle travel area. For example, curving driveways and travel lanes are measured along the arc of the driveway or traffic lane.
(2) Measurements involving a structure. Measurements involving a structure are made to the closest wall of the structure. Chimneys, eaves and bay windows up to 12 feet in length, are not included in the measurement. Other features, such as covered porches and entrances, are included in the measurement.
(3) Underground structures. Structures or portions of structures that are entirely underground are not included in measuring required distances.
(b) Fractions. When calculations result in fractions the results are rounded as follows:
(1) Minimum requirements. When a regulation is expressed in terms of a minimum requirement, any fractional result over 0.5 is rounded up to the next consecutive whole number.
(2) Maximum limits. When a regulation is expressed in terms of maximum limits, any fractional result will be rounded down to the next lower whole number.
(c) Structure height.
(1) Principal structure height is measured from the finished grade at the building line, if higher to the top of the cornice of flat roofs, or to the deck line of a mansard roof, or to the mid-height of the highest gable or dormer in a pitched or hipped roof, or, if there are no gables or dormers, to the mid-height of a pitched or hipped roof. Exceptions to the height limitations on structures are as follows: Height limits do not apply to farm buildings and structures, church steeples, spires, belfries, cupolas, domes, false mansards, monuments, water towers, fire and hose towers, windmills, chimneys, smoke stacks, or flag poles.
(2) Other structures. The height of other structures such as fences is the vertical distance from the ground level immediately under the structure to the top of a structure. Special measurement provisions are also provided below.
A. Measuring height of fences on top of retaining walls. Fences on the top of retaining walls are measured from the top of the retaining wall.
B. Measuring height of decks. Deck height is determined by measuring from the ground to the top of the floor of the deck if there is no rail and from the average finished grade to the top of the rails for all other situations.
C. Building and mechanical equipment. Upon approval of the Planning Commission, building and mechanical equipment within the Industrial, Commercial, or Open Space and Public Lands Districts may be placed on the roof of structures resulting in a combined structure and equipment height that exceeds the height limit within the respective district, provided:
1. The equipment itself does not exceed ten feet in height;
2. The equipment is set back a minimum of 15 feet from exterior walls; and
3. The equipment is adequately screened from view.
(d) Lot width. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines as measured from the midpoint of one side lot line to the midpoint of the other side lot line.
(e) Minimum and maximum separation distance. In cases where a minimum or maximum separation distance applies, the minimum or maximum distance is measured in a straight line, without regard to intervening structures, from the closest property line of the use being regulated to the closest property line, district boundary line or use from which the minimum or maximum distance is required.