Norristown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XXII
Accessory Uses
§ 320-230 Uses accessory to dwellings.
A.
Accessory uses.
(1)
Accessory uses and detached accessory structures shall be permitted in the rear yard only, not in a front yard or side yard, unless otherwise specified. Accessory structures shall not occupy more than 20% of the rear yard in all districts except the business and manufacturing districts where such uses and structures shall not occupy more than 50% of the rear yard area. When permitted in the side or front yard, accessory structures shall not occupy more than 10% of the yard area.
(2)
The nearest point of any accessory building shall be located no closer than five feet from the permitted principal structure; shall be placed on a pad of concrete, asphalt, wood, or metal and shall not exceed 15 feet in height.
(3)
Any accessory building for motor vehicles shall be placed on a concrete floor or pad.
(4)
No more than one accessory building shall be erected on a lot in any residential district when the principal dwelling has an attached garage. No more than two accessory buildings shall be erected on a lot in any residential district when there is no attached garage.
(5)
Central air conditioning compressors are permitted in the rear yard or the side yard without a building permit. Where it is determined that it is impractical to locate a central air conditioning compressor in the side or rear yard, the unit may be placed front yard provided that the air conditioning compressor is screened from view.
(6)
Private swimming pools shall be walled or fenced by a detached wall or fence at least four feet high and no closer to the perimeter walls of the pool than four feet at any point. Such wall or fence must be constructed so as to prevent uncontrolled access by children from the street or adjacent properties. All fence openings or points of entry into the pool area enclosure shall be equipped with gates that have self-closing and self-latching devices placed at the top of the gate.
(a)
Properties containing private swimming pools are not subject to the above regulations if the private swimming pool is an aboveground swimming pool with a deck, the bottom of said deck to be at least 48 inches above grade level and extended out perpendicular from the sides of the pool. Such deck shall have, on its outer edges, a fence at least 32 inches in height above such deck level, and be of a type which will prevent uncontrolled access by children from the street or adjacent properties. Such fence and deck shall have a ladder at the opening of the fence, with a gate which is equipped with self-closing and self-latching devices placed at the top of the gate.
§ 320-231 Setbacks for accessory buildings.
No accessory building shall be located within the required front yard setback or closer than five feet to a rear or side lot line.
§ 320-232 Size limit for accessory buildings.
A.
Size limit.
(1)
Any garden shed, private greenhouse or shelter for pets which exceeds 150 square feet in area or 12 feet in height shall be permitted only by special exception.
(2)
Any other freestanding accessory use building which exceeds 600 square feet in area or 12 feet in height shall be a special exception, subject to the following standards: