Long Hill Township City Zoning Code
§ LU-136.2
Yard Modifications.
[Ord. No. 125-03 § 1; Ord. No. 230-08 § 6; Ord. No. 394-2017 § 2]
a.
In the case of lots upon which an existing structure is located, the combined total side yard requirements may be reduced by six inches for each foot by which a lot is less than the minimum width requirement for the zone in which located. In any case, the side yard width for either side yard shall not be reduced to less than 50% of the requirement of the zone.
b.
Additions to existing single family dwellings and permitted accessory buildings which would extend into required front, side or rear yards, shall be permitted without variance if the following conditions are met:
1.
The existing and proposed residential use is permitted in the zone in which it is located.
2.
The total lot coverage, off street parking, garage, and building height requirements of the application zone are met.
3.
The existing residential structure does not reduce any required setback by more than 50%, and the proposed setback of any addition does not increase any yard setback deficiency of the existing dwelling.
4.
The length (front yard to rear yard) of the proposed violation of any side yard shall not exceed 35 feet.
5.
All other applicable zone requirements affected by the proposed addition are met, except that existing lot area and lot width deficiencies shall not require variances provided all other requirements of this subsection are met.
c.
Any parcel of land with an area or width less than that prescribed for a lot in the zone in which such lot is located, which parcel was under one ownership or control at the date of adoption of this Ordinance, and where the owner thereof owns no adjoining land, may be used as a lot for any purpose permitted in the zone in which it is located, provided that the area of the lot is not less than 1/3 of the zone requirement and the width of said lot is not less than 1/2 of the zone requirement and further provided that all other zone regulations are complied with.
d.
Roofed entrances to single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings which extend into required front yards shall be permitted without variance if the following conditions are met:
1.
The area of the enclosure or roof plane is not over 50 square feet.
2.
The roofed entranceway is open on its sides and is not an enclosed vestibule or similar structure.
3.
The front of the roof setback is not less than 1/2 of the zone requirement.
4.
The proposed modification or addition matches the existing structure in terms of color, materials and design.
5.
Only one such permitted modification shall be permitted per residence. Any additional roofed entranceways that extend into the required front yard shall require variances.
6.
No commercial buildings or multifamily residences are eligible under this section.
7.
No other bulk or use variances are created or intensified, or result from the proposed new construction.
f.
The erection of a roof or similar structure over an existing deck, patio or walkway of a single-family residence shall not be counted as new or additional lot coverage.
g.
These regulations are applicable to decks for one and two family homes in residential zone districts.
1.
If a deck is not covered, it is eligible for a 50% reduction in lot coverage provided it meets the following requirements:
(a)
Decks shall conform to all principal structure setbacks.
(b)
Homes with nonconforming side setbacks shall provide a minimum deck setback of six feet from the side plane of the home. Decks shall provide a minimum 30% aggregate side yard setback.
(c)
Homes with conforming side setbacks shall place the deck no closer than the required side yard setback.
(d)
There must be a minimum gap of 3/16 of an inch between any adjoining floor boards of the deck.
(e)
To accommodate storm water drainage one of the following shall be installed:
(1)
Uniformly graded crushed stone, in a bed eight inches deep under the deck, with any necessary filter fabric to prevent clogging of the stone; or
(2)
A dry well with an effective volume equal to eight inches of uniformly graded crushed stone times the area of the deck, with any necessary piping and filter fabric to prevent clogging of the stone.