The regulations in this chapter shall be subject to the interpretations and exceptions in this article.

Essential services serving the City shall be permitted as authorized and regulated by law and ordinances of the municipality. Overhead or underground lines and necessary poles and towers to be erected to service primarily those areas beyond the municipality shall receive the review and approval, after a public hearing, of the City Council acting in the capacity of appeal board. Such review shall consider abutting property and uses as they relate to easements, rights-of-way, overhead lines, poles and towers, and further shall consider injurious effects on property abutting or adjacent thereto and on the orderly appearance of the City.

The provisions of this chapter shall not be so construed as to interfere with the temporary use of any property as a voting place in connection with a municipal or other public election.

The height limitations of this chapter shall not apply to farm buildings, chimneys, church spires, flagpoles, public monuments or television antennas for personal use; provided, however, that the City Council may specify a height limit for any such structure when such structure requires authorization as a conditional use.

Any lot existing and of record on June 10, 1994, may be used for any principal use permitted in the district which such lot is located, other than conditional uses for which special lot area requirements are specified in this chapter, whether or not such lot complies with the lot area and width requirements of this chapter. Such use may be made provided that all requirements other than lot area and width prescribed in this chapter are complied with and provided that not more than one dwelling unit shall occupy any lot except in conformance with the provisions of this chapter for required lot area for each dwelling unit. (See also § 86-334, pertaining to nonconforming lots.)

When yard regulations cannot reasonably be complied with, or where their application cannot be determined on lots of peculiar shape or topography or due to architectural or site arrangement, such regulations may be modified as determined by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

An open, covered, glass or screened in porch, or paved terrace may project into a front yard a distance not to exceed 10 feet excluding the necessary uncovered stairs, landing, or ramp. In no case shall such porch or terrace be nearer than 10 feet from the edge of the street right-of-way.

Architectural features, not including vertical projections, may extend or project into a required side yard not more than three inches for each one foot of width of such side yard, and may extend or project into a required front yard or rear yard not more than three feet.

For the purpose of this chapter, access drives may be placed in the required front or side yard so as to provide access to rear yards or accessory or attached structures. These drives shall not be considered as structural violations in front and side yards. Further, any walk, terrace or other pavement servicing a like function, and not in excess of nine inches above the grade upon which placed, shall for the purpose of this chapter not be considered to be a structure, and shall be permitted in any required yard.

Canopies and awnings offering partial protection from the weather, but not fully enclosed, and which extend into a public right-of-way or required yard, may be considered for approval subject to the following conditions:

A deck which is associated with a residential structure shall maintain a distance of at least 15 feet from the rear lot line and shall not occupy any required side yard or front yard area, and shall be subject to the following restrictions: