Chatham City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Area and Bulk Regulations
§ 110-13 Purpose.
In order to provide adequate open space for access of light and circulation of air, to facilitate the prevention and fighting of fires, to prevent undue concentration of population and to lessen congestion on streets, no building or premises shall be erected, altered or used except in accordance with the standards set forth in this chapter.
§ 110-14 Density control regulations.
The Schedule of Density Control Regulations at the end of this chapter is hereby adopted and declared to be a part of this chapter and is hereinafter referred to as the "Density Control Schedule."
A.
Projections into required yards.
(1)
The following projections into required yards may be permitted, provided that such projection does not extend to within 7 1/2 feet of the property line:
[Amended 11-4-2019 by L.L. No. 2-2019]
(a)
Open fire escapes: four feet into any required yard.
(b)
Awnings or movable canopies and solar energy systems: six feet into any required yard.
(c)
Cornices, eaves and other similar architectural features: three feet into any required yard.
(d)
Open or screened porches: eight feet into any required yard.
(2)
An enclosed porch or carport shall be considered a part of the building in establishing the required yard.
B.
Height regulations. Except as stipulated below, structures shall not exceed the applicable district height regulations unless approved by the Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals may authorize a variance to the height regulation in any district, provided that such an increase will not be disruptive to its surroundings and provided that it does not constitute a hazard. The Building Inspector may authorize a height in excess of 35 feet if the structure is any of the following, provided that it does not constitute a hazard, does not substantially infringe upon the solar access of neighboring properties, is not located in the Historic Overzone and is no more than 10% of the roof area: television and radio towers, church spires, belfries, monuments, fire towers, ornamental towers and spires, chimneys, elevator bulkheads, smokestacks and flagpoles.
C.
Compliance with minimum-lot-area-per-dwelling-unit requirement.
(1)
Where two or more principal residential structures are permitted by this chapter to be located on the same lot, the minimum-lot-area-per-dwelling-unit requirement must be met.
(2)
A residential lot of required or larger than required size, as set forth in this chapter, shall not be reduced in size for transfer of ownership if such lot so subdivided will form a lot which shall not be in compliance with the requirements for the minimum lot area per dwelling unit for the district in which such lot or lots are situated except as provided in Article XIV.
D.
Side yard for semidetached and attached dwellings. Side yards for semidetached and attached dwellings shall be required at ends of the total structure only.
E.
Spacing between principal buildings on the same lot. No detached principal building shall be closer to any other principal building on the same lot than the average heights of such buildings. This distance shall also be maintained between main buildings and any major detached accessory building, such as a garage compound having ground coverage equal to that of a main building.