A.

Intent and Purpose. In order to provide for adequate open spaces and the admission thereto of light and air, and to provide adequate visibility to the operators of motor and other vehicles along streets, highways and parkways, and at the intersection thereof, the yards provided in Chapters 17.08 through 17.20, and the yards and highway lines provided for in this chapter, are created and established as part of a comprehensive system of yard and highway lines covering the unincorporated territory of the county.

B.

Prohibition. A person shall not use any building, structure, equipment or obstruction within any yard or highway line except as hereinafter specifically permitted in this title and subject to all regulations and conditions enumerated in this title.

(Prior zoning ord. §§ 451—451.2)

A.

To Exclude Drainage Easements. Where a lot or parcel of land includes a portion of a required drainage channel easement, any required yard which would normally fall within such easement shall be located outside of and abutting the easement within the lot or parcel.

B.

Projections Permitted in Yards. The following projections are permitted in required yards subject to the provisions of this title and of Ordinance No. 2225 (Building code). Projections specified are permitted only where also authorized by said Building Code.

1.

Eaves and cantilevered roofs may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into any required yard provided:

a.

That such eaves or cantilevered roofs are not closer than 2 1/2 feet to any lot or highway line; and

b.

That no portion of such eaves or cantilevered roofs is less than 8 feet above grade; and

c.

That there are no vertical supports or members within the required yard.

2.

Fireplace structures, not wider than 8 feet measured in the general direction of the wall of which it is a part, buttresses and wing walls may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into any required yard provided:

a.

That all walls of such structures are of one-hour fire resistant construction; and

b.

That such structures are not closer than 2½ feet to any lot or highway line; and

c.

That such structures shall not be utilized to provide closets or otherwise usable floor area.

3.

Uncovered porches, platforms, landings and decks, including access stairs thereto, exceeding an average height of one foot which do not extend above the level of the first floor may project a maximum distance of 3 feet into required interior side yards, and a maximum distance of 5 feet into required front, rear and corner side yards provided:

a.

That such porches, platforms, landings and decks shall not be closer than 2 feet to any lot or highway line; and

b.

That such porches, platforms, landings and decks are open and unenclosed, provided, however, that an open-work railing not to exceed 3½ feet in height may be installed.

4.

Rain conductors, spouts, utility service risers, shutoff valves, water tables, sills, capitals, bases, cornices and belt courses may project a maximum distance of one foot into any required yard.

5.

Awnings or canopies may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into required interior side yard and 5 feet into required front, rear and corner side yard provided:

a.

That such awnings or canopies are not closer than 2½ feet to any lot or highway line; and

b.

That such awnings or canopies have no vertical support within such yard; and

c.

That such awnings or canopies extend only over the windows or doors to be protected and for not more than one foot on either side thereof.

6.

Water heaters, water softeners and gas or electric meters, including service conduits and pipes, enclosed or in the open, may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into a required interior side or rear yard provided that such structures or equipment are not closer than 2½ feet to any lot line. Gas meters, if enclosed or adequately screened from view by a structure permitted in the yard, may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into a required front or corner side yard provided that such equipment is not closer than 2½ feet to any lot or highway line.

7.

Stairways and balconies above the level of the first floor may project a maximum distance of 2 feet into a required interior or corner side yard or 4 feet into a required front or rear yard provided:

a.

That such stairways and balconies shall not be closer than 3 feet to any lot or highway line; and

b.

That such stairways and balconies are open and unenclosed; and

c.

That such stairways and balconies are not covered by a roof or canopy except as otherwise provided by subsection B.5. of this section.

8.

Wall and window mounted air conditioners, coolers and fans may be used in any required yard provided that such equipment is not closer than 2½ feet to any lot line.

C.

Fences and Walls Permitted. Fences and walls may be erected and maintained in required yards subject to the requirements in Section 17.12.130.B.2 for the C zone and Section 17.16.220.A.8 for the I zone.

D.

Landscaping in Required Yards. Trees, shrubs, flowers and plants may be placed in any required yard provided that all height restrictions applying to fences and walls shall also apply to hedges planted within yards and forming a barrier serving the same purpose as a fence or wall.

E.

Public Use Exceptions. The commission, without notice of hearing, may grant a modification of yard and setback regulations for public sites unless such modification would be incompatible with adjoining development.

(Prior zoning ord. §§ 452.8.2, 452.9, § 452.13—452.15)

(Ord. No. 1070, § 4(Exh. A), 1-14-2020; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)

In all zones highway lines are established parallel to the centerline established by the city engineer for the regional arterial, primary arterial, secondary arterial, and other streets in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 16.20.050 of this code.

(Ord. 711 § 37, 1995: prior zoning ord. § 467)

In all zones on the intersections of parkways, major and secondary highways and streets:

A.

A person shall not use any building or structure within those triangles formed by the intersections of the highway lines on such parkway, major and secondary highways and streets for a distance of 17 feet from such intersection on each of such lines and a line connecting the end of such lines, except as permitted within a yard by subsection B.1. of Section 17.28.030, and provided that such structures do not constitute a visual obstruction between 3½ feet and 8 feet above the level of the ground.

(Ord. 711 § 38, 1995; prior zoning ord. § 468)

A.

Exceptions. This section does not apply to the following buildings or structures which, if they comply with all other provisions of this title, may be used without complying with any provision of this section:

1.

Accessory agricultural buildings where used primarily for agricultural purposes including but not limited to: barns, silos, chicken houses, rabbit hutches and roadside stands;

2.

Gas measurement, distribution and meter control stations;

3.

Outdoor advertising;

4.

Residences, single-family (see Chapter 12.12, Streets, Curbs and Sidewalks, of this code);

5.

Temporary carnivals and revival meetings;

6.

Other similar uses which, in the opinion of the commission, will not generate a greater volume of traffic than the uses enumerated in this section.

B.

Existing Structures. This section does not apply to the use, alteration or enlargement of an existing building or structure or the erection of one or more buildings or structures accessory thereto, or both, on the same lot or parcel of land, if the total value of such alteration, enlargement or construction does not exceed ½ of the current market value (as determined by the assessor's records, appraisal or other method acceptable to the director) of all existing buildings or structures on such lot or parcel of land.

C.

Adequate Streets Adjacent to Structures. Except as otherwise provided in subsections A and B of this section, a building or structure shall not be used on any lot or parcel of land any portion of which abuts upon a street unless said street which abuts such lot or parcel of land has been dedicated and improved as provided in Article II of Chapter 16.20 of this code.

D.

Dedication Standards. Regional arterial, primary arterial, secondary arterial, and other streets shall be dedicated to the width from centerline as specified in Section 16.20.050 of this code including corner cutoffs as specified by the city engineer or director of public works, except that dedication in any case shall not be required to such an extent as to reduce the area or width of any parcel of land to less than that specified in Section 17.40.080 or 17.40.090.

E.

Improvements. Before a structure subject to the provisions of this section may be used, curbs, gutters, pavement, sidewalks, and drainage structures shall be constructed at the grade and at the location specified by the city engineer or the director of public works per the typical street cross sections as specified in Section 16.20.050 of this code. Such curbs, gutters, pavement, sidewalks, and drainage structures shall comply with the standards of the city engineer or director of public works.

F.

Variance to Requirements of This Section. Any person deeming himself aggrieved may apply for a variance from any provision of this section pursuant to Article II of Chapter 17.32 whether he has applied for a modification or not.

(Ord. 711 § 39, 1995: prior zoning ord. §§ 490.000—490.090)