14.319: PERMITTED OBSTRUCTIONS:

   A.   Permitted Obstructions In Required Yards: Permitted obstructions in the C-R District are regulated in article VII of this chapter. For all other zoning districts, the following regulations shall be applicable to structures located within the required yards. For structures located within the buildable area (outside of the required yards), bulk, lot coverage and other associated regulations within this chapter shall apply.

	Encroachments Permitted In Required Yards As Determined By The Building Setback Line
	Front	Exterior Side	Side	Rear
Arbors, not to exceed a width of 5', a depth of 3', and a height of 8', with a minimum setback of 3' from side lot lines			P	P
Boat slips, when adjacent to a navigable waterway				P
Central air conditioning units, generators, and similar mechanical equipment, subject to the requirements in subsection C of this section				P
Decorative outdoor structures, maximum footprint of 4 sq. ft., maximum of 2 structures per lot, with a maximum height of 8'	P	P	P	P
Driveways subject to the regulations noted in article XXII of this chapter	P	P	P	P
Eaves, gutters, chimneys, bay windows encroaching not more than 24", no closer than 12" to a lot line	P	P	P	P
Handicap ramps in side yards, encroaching no more than 50%			P
Landscape terraces and retaining walls, subject to approval by the Engineering Division and issuance of a building permit	P	P	P	P
Maximum of 4 rain barrels per lot, up to 55 gallons in size each, subject to the requirements in subsection C of this section		P	P	P
Off street parking pads subject to the regulations noted in article XXII of this chapter			P	P
Open stoops and canopies no larger than 8' x 5', excluding steps	P	P	P	P
Outdoor storage cabinets, subject to requirements in subsection C of this section				P
Patios, balconies, and decks with a minimum setback of 15' from the rear lot line and outside the required side yard				P
Service walks, sidewalks, steps, and handicap ramps up to 8' in width	P	P
Service walks, sidewalks, steps, and handicap ramps up to 3' in width			P	P
Sport courts with a minimum setback of 15' from the rear lot line and a minimum 5' from the side lot line, including associated equipment such as basketball standards				P
Stationary basketball standards, when adjacent to an existing driveway	P	P	P	P
Trellises, not to exceed 8' in height and a total width of 10', maximum of 2 structures per lot			P	P
Unenclosed porches, not to encroach more than 7' into the required setback, excluding steps	P
Window wells encroaching not more than 3', no closer than 12" to a lot line, subject to approval of a grading plan by the Engineering Division and issuance of a building permit	P	P	P	P

 

   B.   Exceptions:

      1.   Lot Coverage And Floor Area Ratio: Permitted obstructions shall comply with requirements for "impervious surface" and floor area ratio as defined in this chapter with exception of outdoor storage cabinets, decorative outdoor structures, rain barrels, arbors and trellises.

      2.   Building Permits: A building permit is not required for the following permitted obstructions: outdoor storage cabinets, basketball standards, decorative outdoor structures, rain barrels, arbors and trellises, as defined in this chapter.

      3.   Number Permitted: Permitted obstructions as listed in this section shall not contribute to the total number of accessory structures permitted per lot as regulated in section 14.306 of this article.

   C.   Additional Requirements For Permitted Obstructions:

      1.   Rain Barrels: Rain barrels located in exterior side yards shall be screened via landscaped hedge. Rain barrels shall be equipped with a screen to prevent insect nesting and provide an overflow system to direct excess rainwater away from the primary building structure.

      2.   Mechanical Equipment: Central air conditioning units, generators and similar mechanical equipment shall be located on the rear elevation of any principal structure. If the units cannot be reasonably placed on the rear elevation because of operational reasons, such units may be placed in up to twenty five percent (25%) of a required side yard, provided such location does not result in exhaust discharge upon any adjoining building or vegetation. Documentation verifying that the units cannot be located at the rear of the structure shall be submitted by the installer and approved by the Director of Community Development. A screening plan which includes fencing or landscaping must be submitted with the permit and approved by the Director of Community Development.

      3.   Outdoor Storage Cabinets:

         a.   Number Permitted: A maximum of one (1) outdoor storage cabinet is permitted per lot.

         b.   Size: Outdoor storage cabinets shall not exceed one hundred (100) cubic feet in size, and shall not exceed a height of seven feet (7').

         c.   Location: Outdoor storage cabinets shall not be located in a required front or exterior side yard. On lots fifty five feet (55') in width or less, outdoor storage cabinets shall be set back three feet (3') from any interior side or rear lot line. On lots greater in width than fifty five feet (55'), outdoor storage cabinets shall be set back five feet (5') from any interior side or rear lot line.

      4.   Unenclosed Porches:

         a.   No Site line obstruction shall be created;

         b.   Building materials shall be consistent with the remainder of the structure;

         c.   The design shall blend with eth existing structure and neighboring homes; and

         d.   The porch shall be in character with the neighborhood. (Ord. 6286, 12-6-2016; amd. Ord. 6528, 9-2-2020; Ord. 6583, 9-5-2021; Ord. 6657, 12-20-2022)