(A) Authorization. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, accessory uses and structures shall be allowed only in connection with any lawfully established principal use.
(B) General standards. All accessory uses shall comply with the following standards.
(1) Unless otherwise expressly stated, accessory uses and structures shall be located on the same zoning lot as a lawfully established principal use and cannot continue in the absence thereof unless lawfully converted to a permitted principal use. Notwithstanding the above, an underground improvement such as a septic system and/or well located on an abutting parcel under common ownership is allowed.
(2) No accessory structure or use shall be constructed or established on any lot prior to the issuance of a building permit for the principal structure or an occupancy permit for a principal use to which it is accessory.
(3) (a) Unless otherwise expressly stated, accessory structures and uses shall comply with all applicable regulations of this chapter, including lot coverage, height and setback regulations (see also division (C) below).
(b) No accessory use or structure shall cause any of these standards to be exceeded for the underlying zoning district.
(4) No accessory structure maybe located within four feet of any other structure except fences, any at-grade improvements, or any other structures that do not unreasonably impede access for emergency and/or maintenance purposes or otherwise create a fire or safety hazard.
(5) (a) Accessory uses and structures must be subordinate to the principal use and structure on the subject lot in terms of area, extent, and purpose.
(b) The total gross floor area of all accessory structures on a lot shall not exceed one and one-half times the total gross floor area of the principal structure on the lot.
(6) Signs shall be subject to Chapter 158.
(7) (a) No more than three accessory buildings associated with a principal residential use shall be located on a single parcel in a residential district.
(b) There shall be no limit on the number of accessory buildings that may be located on a parcel in a nonresidential zoning district or on a parcel in a residential zoning district containing a principal nonresidential use, provided that they comply with all other general accessory use standards of this section.
(8) A basement shall not be permitted in any accessory structure; however, a crawl space may be permitted. An attic shall be permitted in an accessory structure for storage purposes only.
(9) Uses prohibited as accessory uses:
(a) Recreational use of motorized vehicles as residential accessory uses;
(b) Temporary hoophouses, greenhouses, or other frame-designed structures not meeting applicable building codes;
(c) Temporary storage structures, including trailers and freight containers not meeting building codes; and
(d) Donation drop-off containers.
(C) Height and setback standards.
(1) Height. The following height standards shall apply to accessory uses and accessory structures unless otherwise expressly stated. No accessory use or accessory structure in residential zoned areas for residential zoned uses shall be higher than the principal building to which it is accessory, and in no event shall an accessory structure or accessory use exceed a height of 18 feet. Refer to § 154.078(B)(7) for property located within the downtown zoning districts.
(2) Setbacks.
(a) Residential development. In residential zoning districts, accessory uses and structures shall meet the front setback requirement of the underlying zoning district. No accessory use or structure may be located within three feet of any side or rear property line.
(b) Nonresidential. In nonresidential zoning districts, accessory uses and structures shall meet all the setback requirements of the underlying zoning district.
(Ord. passed 2-18-64; Am. Ord. 1988-O-35, passed 9-20-88; Am. Ord. 2000-O-20, passed 11-21-00; Am. Ord. 2001-O-15, passed 5-15-01; Am. Ord. 2003-O-22, passed 8-5-03; Am. Ord. 2014-O-5, passed 3-18-14; Am. Ord. 2018-O-14, passed 10-16-18)