(a) Architectural Features
Cornices, eaves, fireplaces and similar architectural features, excluding flat or continuous walls or enclosures of usable interior space, may extend into a required side yard a distance not exceeding two feet, or may extend into a required front or rear yard a distance not exceeding four feet. Window surfaces, such as bay windows or greenhouse windows, may extend into a required front, side or rear yard a distance not exceeding two feet or into a required front yard a distance not exceeding three feet. In residential districts or nonresidential districts adjacent to residential districts, the window surface may not extend into any yard above a first story.
(b) Canopies and Patio Covers
A canopy or patio cover may be located in any residential district in the required rear yard or that portion of the interior side yard which is more than seventy-five feet from the street lot line measured along the common lot line. Such canopies shall be subject to the following conditions: The permit may be granted by the director without a requirement for public hearing and notice.
(1) A canopy or patio cover shall not be more than twelve feet in height.
(2) The canopy or patio cover shall be included in the computation of building coverage.
(3) The canopy or patio cover and other structures shall not occupy more than fifty percent of the required rear yard.
(4) The canopy or patio cover shall not be enclosed on more than two sides.
(c) Storage Structures
Structures not over six feet in height or twenty-five square feet in floor area, used exclusively for storage purposes, may extend into a required side yard a distance not exceeding two feet, or may extend into a required front or rear yard a distance not exceeding four feet.
(d) Porches, Stairways, Landings and Fire Escapes
Uncovered porches, stairways, landings, balconies or fire escapes may extend not more than six feet into a required front or rear yard, and may extend not more than three feet into a required side yard; provided that, in residential districts or in nonresidential districts adjacent to residential districts, these projections may not extend into any yard above a first story.
(e) Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs
Pools, spas and hot tubs may extend into a required rear yard a distance not to exceed fourteen feet, provided that a minimum setback of six feet from the property line shall be maintained.
(f) Building Extensions and Corner Lots
In residential districts, a portion of a main building which is less than half the maximum width of such building may extend into the required rear yard no more than six feet and with a height of no more than one story, except that a corner lot having a common rear property line with an adjoining corner lot may extend into the required rear yard not more than ten feet and with a height of no more than one story.
(g) Encroachment into a Special Setback
Subsections (a) through (d) of this section notwithstanding, a projection shall not be permitted to encroach into a special setback, as established by the setback map pursuant to Chapter 20.08 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
(h) Excavated Features: Terraces and Terraced Landscaping
In residential districts the terraced and landscaped portions of excavated features, such as below grade patios and sunken gardens, that comply with the provisions of Sections 18.10.090(c) or 18.12.090(c), as applicable, may extend into a required side yard a distance not to exceed two feet, or may extend into a required rear yard a distance not to exceed four feet.
(Ord. 5373 § 20 (part), 2016; Ord. 4934 § 3 (part), 2007)