Dimensional standards
Extracted standards
63 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Fencing & walls
- Minimum screening heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft
Screening means a continuous fence, supplemented with landscaping or a continuous wall, evergreen hedge, or combination thereof, that effectively screens the property which it encloses, and is at least six feet high
- Fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. excluded from structure definition7 ft
Structure means anything constructed or erected on the ground, or which requires location on the ground, or is attached to something having a location on or in the ground, but not including fences or walls used as fences seven feet or less in height.
Height
- HeightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. increase with conditional useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. permit75 ft
Upon application for a conditional use permit, height limits may be increased for buildings to a height not exceeding 75 feet when set back an additional foot on all sides for each foot above that permitted.
- HeightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. increase setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. ratio1 ft/ft
when set back an additional foot on all sides for each foot above that permitted
Other
- Minimum access width12 ft
Other permanent access at least 12 feet wide to a street by a public easement or passageway other than an alley.
- Access requirements
every structure or building shall face or have frontage upon one of the following: (1) A dedicated and improved street; (2) An improved common parking lot approved by the city; or (3) Other permanent access at least 12 feet wide to a street by a public easement or passageway other than an alley.
- AccessoryAccessory useA secondary activity customarily incidental to the main use of the lot — a garage, a home office. building maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.16 ft
An accessory building shall not exceed 16 feet in height; provided, however, that the vertical height from the grade to the plate line of a gable hip or gambrel roof shall not exceed 13 feet.
- AccessoryAccessory useA secondary activity customarily incidental to the main use of the lot — a garage, a home office. building maximum plate heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.13 ft
the vertical height from the grade to the plate line of a gable hip or gambrel roof shall not exceed 13 feet.
Where a lot is devoted to a permitted principal use, customary accessory uses and structures are authorized except as prohibited specifically or by necessary implication.
- Administrative standards
Any administrative decision made under the provisions of this chapter shall be such that the result will not be contrary to the spirit and purpose of this chapter or injurious to the surrounding neighborhood or the community as a whole.
Accessory dwelling unit means an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family or multifamily dwelling is or will be situated.
- Appeal deadline5 days
The appeal shall be made in writing within five working days of the planning commission's decision
- Conditional useConditional useAllowed only after a discretionary approval — usually a public hearing and a board vote. permit required
Conditional uses are allowed only on permit granted by the city.
- Conflicting regulations
Where any provisions of this chapter impose more stringent requirements, regulations, restrictions or limitations than are imposed or required by the provisions of any other law or ordinance, then the provisions of this chapter shall govern
- Conformity required
land, building and premises in any district shall hereafter be used only in accordance with regulations herein established for that district
- Construction start deadline120 days
if construction is commenced within 120 days after the issuance of said permits and diligently pursued towards completion
- Continuity
The provisions of this chapter, to the extent that they are substantially the same as those in prior effect relating to the same subject matter, shall be construed as restatements and continuations thereof and not as new enactments.
- Coverage measurement
The percent of the site area covered by structures shall be measured by dividing the number of square feet of horizontal area covered by structures, open or enclosed, by the total horizontal area within the property lines of the site.
- Employee housing in R-16 persons
Employee housing for up to six persons per dwelling is permitted in the R-1 (single-family residential) zone
- Employee housing in RM6 persons
Employee housing for up to six persons per dwelling is permitted in the R-1 (single-family residential) zone, and in the RM (multiple family residential) zones, subject to density standards of the particular zone.
- Employee housing in UR12 units
In the UR (urban reserve) zone, employee housing is permitted for up to 12 units or 36 beds.
- Employee housing beds in UR36 beds
In the UR (urban reserve) zone, employee housing is permitted for up to 12 units or 36 beds.
- Farm building setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from lot lines50 ft
Farm buildings or structures, provided that these are not less than 50 feet from every lot line
- Fences, walls, hedges in yards
fences, walls, hedges, walks, driveways and retaining walls may occupy any required yard or other open spaces, unless necessary for public safety or as required by any law or regulation of the state or any agency thereof.
- Maximum fire escape projection4 ft
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
- Guest house kitchen prohibition
Such quarters shall have no kitchen facilities and shall not be rented or otherwise used as a separate dwelling unit.
- HeightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first., density, and yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. restrictions
No building or structure hereafter shall be erected or altered to exceed the height, to accommodate or house a greater number of families or persons, to occupy a greater percentage of lot area, or to have narrower or smaller rear yards, front yards, or side yards than is specified herein for the zone in which such building or structure is located
No structure or part thereof shall be erected, reconstructed or structurally altered in excess of height limits hereafter designated for the zone in which such structure is located except as follows: (1) Farm buildings or structures, provided that these are not less than 50 feet from every lot line, church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes, monuments, water towers, fire and hose towers, observation towers, distribution and transmission towers, line and poles, chimneys, smoke stacks, flag poles, radio towers, masts and aerials, provided that they are safely erected and maintained.
Building or structure height means the vertical distance from the average finished grade of the lot to the highest point of the building or structure.
- Junior accessory dwelling unitAccessory dwelling unit (ADU)A second, smaller home on a lot that already has one — a garage flat, basement flat or backyard cottage. definition
A junior accessory dwelling unit may include separate sanitation facilities, or may share sanitation facilities with the existing structure.
- Junior accessory dwelling unitAccessory dwelling unit (ADU)A second, smaller home on a lot that already has one — a garage flat, basement flat or backyard cottage. maximum size500 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Junior accessory dwelling unit means a unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a single-family residence.
- Landscaping maintenance required
Landscaped areas shall be watered, weeded, pruned, fertilized, sprayed or otherwise maintained to ensure compliance with the regulations requiring landscaped areas as stated under site plan review.
- Landscaping requirement
A landscaped area provided in compliance with the regulations prescribed in this chapter or as a condition of a use permit, site plan review or planned unit development shall be landscaped with materials suitable for screening or ornamenting the site, whichever is appropriate.
- Manager/caretaker garage maximum size360 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
A garage for residential purposes not exceeding 360 square feet may be attached to the structure.
- Manager/caretaker unit maximum floor area percentage20 pct
Said dwelling may contain one kitchen or cooking facility, living and sleeping quarters, and shall be limited in floor area to a maximum of 20 percent of the total floor area of the existing primary use not to exceed a total of 1,200 square feet of living area.
- Manager/caretaker unit maximum floor area1,200 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Said dwelling may contain one kitchen or cooking facility, living and sleeping quarters, and shall be limited in floor area to a maximum of 20 percent of the total floor area of the existing primary use not to exceed a total of 1,200 square feet of living area.
- Provisions are minimum requirements
The provisions of this chapter shall be held to be minimum requirements.
- More restrictive regulation prevails
Whenever regulations or restrictions imposed by this chapter are either more or less restrictive than regulations or restrictions imposed by any governmental authority through legislation, rule or regulation, the regulation, rules or restrictions which are more restrictive or which impose higher standards or requirements shall govern.
- Prohibition in more restrictive zones
The express enumeration and authorization in this chapter of a particular use, building or structure in a zone shall be deemed a prohibition of such buildings, structures or use in all zones of more restrictive classification.
- NonconformingNonconformingLawful when built, but not compliant with the rules now in force; usually allowed to continue but not to expand. site regulations
may be used for any permitted use listed for the district in which the site is located, but shall be subject to all other regulations for such district notwithstanding previous violations of the Subdivision Map Act.
a site having an area, frontage, width or depth less than the minimum prescribed for the district in which the site is located, which is shown on a duly approved and recorded subdivision map, or for which a deed or valid contract of sale was of record prior to the adoption of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, and which had a legal area, frontage, width and depth at the time that the subdivision map, deed or contract of sale was recorded, may be used for any permitted use listed for the district in which the site is located
- NonconformingNonconformingLawful when built, but not compliant with the rules now in force; usually allowed to continue but not to expand. use continuation
The existing uses of all buildings improved on premises not in conformity with the standards or requirements of the zone in which they are located, and which uses are lawfully existing may continue as nonconforming uses
- NonconformingNonconformingLawful when built, but not compliant with the rules now in force; usually allowed to continue but not to expand. use no expansion
Any variance or permit of any kind and any nonconforming use now existing pursuant to any zone classification repealed by this chapter shall continue under the applicable new zone classification as a nonconforming use, but shall not be extended, expanded or enlarged in any way whatsoever.
Nonconforming uses and structures. (a) Purpose.
- Permit denial for nonconformance
If any proposed structure, use or occupancy for which a permit or license is sought conforms with this chapter in all aspects, the application therefor may be approved as to zoning; otherwise it shall be denied.
- Previous violations
Any uses of any sort that are in violation of any zoning regulations upon the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived and in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to have acquired the status of a nonconforming use
- Maximum projection into front or rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates.6 ft
into the required front or rear yard not more than six feet
- Minimum distance from property line for projections36 in
no projection shall project to within 36 inches of a property line
- Maximum projection into side yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates.36 in
none of the projections shall project into a minimum side yard more than 36 inches
Setback line means a line over which no portion of a building or structure including covered porches shall encroach, except the roof lines, which in no case shall extend over the property line or into a public utility easement.
- Severability
If any part, sentence, paragraph, subsection or clause is adjudged unconstitutional or invalid, it is hereby provided that the remainder of the chapter shall not be affected thereby.
- Minimum side yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. after reduction3 ft
the width of one side yard may be reduced when authorized by the approval authority to not less than three feet, provided the sum of the widths of the two side yards is not less than the required minimum
- Sunshade/patio cover minimum distance from property line36 in
no sunshade or patio cover which fails to conform to the fire resistance set forth in the state building standards code shall project to within 36 inches of a property line
- Sunshade/patio cover in side or rear yardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates.
sunshade and patio covers which are open on at least three sides, except for roof supports, may be located in any portion of a required side or rear yard, other than a street side yard, provided they do not encroach into a utility easement
- Through lot front yards
A front yard, the distance of which is specified in the district, shall be provided on each frontage of a through lot, except where a waiver-of-access to one of the frontages applies.
- Unlisted uses prohibitedProhibitedNot allowed in the district at all, short of rezoning or a variance.
Uses that are not specifically listed by this chapter in the purpose or uses permitted or uses conditionally permitted sections of each article are specifically prohibited, except by the amendment of this chapter.
- Findings for adding uses
the planning commission may add or delete a use to the list of permitted or conditional uses if the commission makes all of the following findings
- Use restrictions
No building, or structure, or lot hereafter shall be used or occupied, and no building or part thereof shall be erected, moved or altered unless in conformity with the regulations herein specified for the zone in which it is located
- Void permits
Any permit or license hereafter issued contrary to the provisions of this chapter shall be void and of no effect.
- YardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. exceptions
Residential yard requirements specified herein shall be subject to the following exceptions and modifications
- YardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. measurement
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
- YardYardThe open space left between a building and its lot line — the space a setback creates. openness
Every part of a required yard shall be open from its lowest point to the sky unobstructed, except for the ordinary projection of the sills, belt courses, cornices, buttresses, chimneys, ornamental features, rain gutters, eaves, balconies, and heating and cooling equipment
- Zero lot line
Zero lot line means the provisions of this Code in which dwelling units may be placed on the side yard property lines in R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 residential districts, with a common wall between adjacent units or a single wall placed on the property line, provided there is a permanent easement on the adjacent parcel for maintenance of the zero lot line wall.
From the ordinance
Accessory dwelling unit means an attached or a detached residential dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons.