Except as provided in this chapter, every structure shall be upon a parcel of such dimensions in relation to the structure as to provide for yards as specified in Tables 1 and 2 of Section 18.48.010 or the district in which the parcel is located.

A.

A required front yard is an open space extending along the front parcel line for the full width of the parcel with a depth equal to the least depth of front yard specified for the respective district.

B.

A required rear yard is an open space extending along the rear parcel line for the full width of the parcel with a depth equal to the required least depth of rear yard specified for the respective district.

C.

A required side yard is an open space extending along a side parcel line from the front yard to the rear yard with a width equal to the required least width of side yard specified for the respective district.

D.

The required least depth or width of any yard shall be measured at right angles to the parcel line adjoining except as follows:

1.

Where any future street right-of-way lines have been established by any specific plan for future street opening or widening, the required least depth or width shall be measured from such planned street right-of-way lines;

2.

Where special building setback lines have been established, such lines shall control the placement of structures in lieu of the yards otherwise required in the zoning district;

3.

Where an easement for vehicular access traverses all or a portion of a parcel, the required least depth or width of yard shall be measured from such easement. This provision does not apply to easements intended for occasional maintenance vehicular use such as utility easements.

(Ord. 1979-166 § 12, 1979; Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.1), 1967)

A structure shall not be erected or maintained on a parcel which abuts a street having only a portion of its required width dedicated and where no part of such dedication would normally revert to said parcel if the street were vacated, unless the yards provided and maintained in connection with the structure have a width or depth sufficient to complete the road width, plus the width or depth of the yards normally required on the parcel by this ordinance. This section applies to all districts and whether or not yards are normally required.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.2), 1967)

Where buildings are permitted by Chapter 18.54 to be erected to a height exceeding the height limit for the district in which located, the least width of required side yard and the least depth of required rear yard shall be increased by one foot for each two feet the structure exceeds the height limit for the district.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.3), 1967)

Where the wall or exterior line of a structure is not parallel to a parcel line, a portion of the structure may project into the required yard, provided that:

A.

The average depth or width of yard is at least equal to the required least depth or width otherwise required in the district;

B.

The yard is not less in depth or width at any point than eighty percent of the least width or depth otherwise required in the district.

(Ord. 1969-99 § 1 (part), 1969: Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.4 (A)), 1967)

Where the wall or exterior line of a structure adjacent to a parcel line does not follow a continuous unbroken alignment, a portion of the structure may project into the required yard provided that:

A.

The average depth or width of yard is at least equal to the required least depth or width otherwise required in the district;

B.

The yard is not less in depth or width at any point than eighty percent of the least width or depth otherwise required in the district.

(Ord. 1969-99 § 1 (part), 1969: Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.4 (B)), 1967)

Accessory structures may occupy required yard areas subject to the provisions of Chapter 18.42.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.4 (C)), 1967)

The following enumerated features may project into required yards as set forth in this section, provided that, in a case of an interior side yard, the projection shall not exceed one-fifth of the required least width of side yard:

A.

Cornices, canopies, eaves or any other similar architectural features may project a distance not exceeding three feet;

B.

An uncovered stair and necessary landings may project a distance not to exceed six feet provided that such stair and landings shall not extend above the entrance floor of the building except for a railing not to exceed three feet in height;

C.

Ramps used to provide handicapped access to a structure may extend into any required yards, including railings and guardrails in conformity with Title 24 standards for handicap access.

(Ord. 2011-390 § 11, 2011; Ord. 1969-99 § 1 (part), 1969: Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.4 (D)), 1967)

On any parcel, which parcel was under one ownership at the time of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this title, and which has an average width of less than seven times the required least width of side yard, the required least width of side yard may be reduced to fifteen percent of the width of such parcel, but in no case shall the width of any such side yard be less than five feet.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.4 (E)), 1967)

On any legally established parcel in existence at the time of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this title, a private garage, attached or detached, may be built to within five feet of the front lot line, but not closer than fifteen feet of the center line of a public or private street, provided such garage shall hold the side yard setbacks that are required for the main building when located in districts with required minimum building sites of twenty thousand square feet or less, provided the planning commission finds that:

A.

It is impractical to construct a private driveway with a grade of twenty percent or less to a garage site conforming to the requirements of this title;

B.

There are adequate guest parking spaces available to the parcel to obviate the need for parking on the driveway apron unless there is at least twenty feet between the street traveled way and the garage.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.4 (F)), 1967)

Exceptions to yard requirements may be permitted as a part of an approved planned unit development or planned community district provided the provisions of subsection C of Section 18.44.050 are met.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.4 (G)), 1967)

When a parcel does not abut on a street or gains access from an individual accessway, and is in a residential zoning district requiring a minimum parcel area of one acre of more, the required front yard shall be determined as follows:

A.

If the neighboring parcel(s) common to the front parcel line does not have a residence, the required front yard shall be the same as specified in Section 18.48.010 for the required rear yard.

B.

If the neighboring parcel(s) common to the front parcel line has a residence, the board of adjustment may grant an exception to reduce the required front yard but in no case to a dimension less than specified in Section 18.48.010 for the required rear yard, pursuant to the following:

1.

The board of adjustment shall consider the exception at a public hearing pursuant to the hearing requirements of Chapter 18.76; and

2.

The board of adjustment shall make a finding that the exception as granted will not be injurious to the neighboring parcel(s) common to the front parcel line.

(Ord. 1973-121 § 1, 1973: Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6202.4 (H)), 1967)

The planning commission may approve siting a wireless communication facility in a required front, side or rear yard if it makes the following findings:

A.

There is no reasonable alternative location on the site that conforms with required setbacks, is less visually obtrusive, and has at least equivalent access to necessary electromagnetic signals.

B.

The siting will not adversely impact emergency access.

C.

If existing vegetation, relied upon for antenna screening, is removed, the antenna will not become highly visible.

(Ord. 1997-295 § 3, 1997)