On through lots one hundred fifty feet or less in depth, the height of a building on such lot shall be measured from the sidewalk level of the street on which the building fronts. On through lots more than one hundred fifty feet in depth, the height regulations and basis of height measurements for the street permitting the greater height shall apply to a depth of not more than one hundred fifty feet from that street.

Penthouses or roof structures for the housing of elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the building; fire or parapet walls, skylights, towers, roof signs to identify occupancies; flagpoles, chimneys, smokestacks, water tanks, wireless masts, television antennas and similar structures; church steeples and belfries; solar photovoltaic or heating panels; may be erected above the height limits by this title prescribed, but no penthouse or roof structure, or any other space above the height limit prescribed for the zone in which the building or structure is located shall be allowed for the purpose of providing floor space other than that necessary to installing or servicing equipment of the building.

Prior to commencing electrical, plumbing and/or mechanical insulations into the frame of a structure, a report certifying the building height shall be approved by the department of building and safety. The certified report shall be prepared by a licensed surveyor or civil engineer.