A. Spaces:
1. No yard space about any structure in compliance with the regulations for the district in which it is located shall be deemed to provide a yard for any other structure, and no yard on one site shall be deemed to provide a yard space for a structure on another site.
2. Where two (2) or more dwellings are located on the same lot, and any one of them has a door facing a side yard, such dwelling shall be located not less than ten feet (10') from the adjacent side lot line. A door shall be deemed to face a side yard if the wall in which the door is set is located at an angle of forty five degrees (45°) or less to the side yard.
B. Measurements: Required yards shall be measured as the minimum horizontal distance from the property line of the site or street line to a line parallel thereto on the site; provided that where a precise street plan has been adopted by the city council, required front yards shall be measured from the plan line, and no provision of this title shall be construed to permit a structure or use to extend beyond such line; and provided further that where a site abuts on a street having only a portion of its required width dedicated or reserved for street purposes, site area and required yards shall be measured from a line representing the boundary of the additional width required for street purposes abutting the site. (Ord. 622, 9-2-1980)
C. Exceptions:
1. Architectural features including sills, chimneys, fireplaces, cornices and eaves may extend into a required side yard, a required rear yard, or a space between structures not more than thirty six inches (36") and may extend into a required front yard not more than six feet (6'), provided that where an architectural feature extends more than twelve inches (12") into a required side yard, said extension shall be protected by a minimum one hour fire resistant standard and further provided that no architectural features of any kind shall extend into a side yard required in accordance with the provisions of subsection 10-6B-5E3e of this title. No building or projection thereof may extend into a public easement.
2. Open, unenclosed, uncovered metal fire escapes and depressed ramps or stairways may project into any required yard or space between buildings not more than four feet (4') provided that said features shall not protrude into a side yard required pursuant to subsection 10-6B-5E3e of this title; planter boxes attached to a building, may be extended into a required front yard by not more than three feet (3').
3. Fences, walls, hedges, walks, driveways and retaining walls may occupy any required yard or other open spaces, subject to the limitations prescribed in the district regulations, and except that the provisions of this title shall not apply to a fence or wall necessary for public safety or as required by any law or regulation of the state or any agency thereof.
4. Where more than sixty percent (60%) of such portion of the linear frontage of lots improved with residential buildings within any block is comprised of lots with less than the minimum front yard requirement, the minimum front yard requirement for other residential buildings in such block may be reduced to the average of the actual front yards of all the lots in such block improved with residential buildings, counting those which have front yards greater than the minimum front yard requirement of the district as having the minimum requirement. (Ord. 786, 8-24-1993)