Except as otherwise authorized by this chapter, each structure shall comply with the height limit specified in this title for the district in which the structure is located. See Tables 1 and 2 of Section 18.48.010.

(Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6203.1 (part)), 1967)

A. 1. Building height is the vertical distance at any point from the natural ground level which existed prior to grading for any building, or from the building pad if excavated below natural ground level, whichever elevation is lower, to the highest part of the building directly above.

2.

When a retaining wall is incorporated into a building and earth is backfilled against the retaining wall, the height of the building shall be referenced to the extension of contour lines from the ground along the perimeter of the building. In no case shall the extended contour lines exceed the contour lines established by the natural ground.

3.

Maximum building height is the vertical distance between the lowest point of contact with the finished ground surface to the highest point of the building or its appurtenance.

B.

In combining districts 7.5M, 15M and 20M no portion of a building shall intercept a theoretical plane which starts at the natural ground surface at the property line and increases in height at a ratio of one and one-half vertical to one horizontal up to a maximum horizontal distance of twenty-four feet from the property line provided, however, that such provision shall in no case prohibit any portion of a building fifteen feet or less in height as measured from the finished ground surface adjoining the wall of the building nearest said portion of the building.

C.

Fence height measurement is subject to the provisions set forth in Section 18.43.030.A.

D.

Height of other structures shall be determined in the same manner as height of buildings.

(Ord. 2005-360, § 4, 2005; Ord. 1988-242 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 1988: Ord. 1979-166 § 13 (part), 1979; Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6203.1 (A)), 1967; )

A. Chimneys, flag poles, and radio and television antennas may exceed the height limits established for the district in which they are located provided they do not exceed a height of fifty feet, unless a greater height is authorized under the terms of a conditional use permit.

B.

Power distribution poles and lines, where permitted in accordance with subsection B of Section 18.36.010, may exceed the height limits established in this title for the district; provided they do not exceed a height of fifty feet, unless a greater height is authorized under the terms of a conditional use permit as provided in Chapter 18.72.

C.

In districts in which a lower height limit is established places of assembly in schools, churches, and other permitted public and semipublic buildings may be erected to a height not exceeding seventy-five feet provided that the rear and side yards shall be increased as specified in Section 18.52.030.

D.

Upon the securing of a conditional use permit as provided in Chapter 18.72, towers or lofts needed for utility or communication purposes or required for operations in conjunction with a permitted principal use, architectural features, such as spires or belfries, flag poles, and similar structures may be constructed and used to a greater height than the limit established for the district in which the structure is located.

E.

Exceptions to height requirements may be permitted as a part of an approved planned unit development or a planned community district.

(Ord. 1997-295 § 4, 1997: Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6203.1 (B)), 1967)

No building or buildings shall be constructed or enlarged so as to cover a greater percentage of the parcel than the building coverage limit established in this title for the district in which such parcel is located except as authorized below.

A.

Building coverage is the percent of total parcel area covered by all buildings on the parcel. The area covered shall be measured in a horizontal plane and may exclude the features enumerated in Sections 18.52.040 through 18.52.110 to the extent such features are permitted to extend into required yards and courts by those sections. Uncovered decks which are no more than two feet above the average level of the finished ground surface shall not be included in figuring building coverage. Average level of the finished ground surface for the purpose of measuring the height of decks is the average of the highest and lowest points of the ground surface directly below the deck.

B.

Exceptions to coverage limitations may be permitted as a part of a planned unit development of a planned community district.

C.

On legally buildable parcels with a total parcel area less than the minimum parcel area required for the district in which located, the building coverage may be further increased as follows:

Permitted building coverage in percent = coverage limit × factor

with

Factor = 1 + 0.5 ( MPAR-APA / MPAR )

where MPAR = Minimum parcel area required,

APA = actual parcel area,

and 1.25 is the maximum value permitted for the factor.

(Ord. 1969-95 § 2, 1969; Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6203.2), 1967)

A. For residential uses, the floor area is the total floor area, as measured from exterior walls, for all buildings on a parcel. For nonresidential uses, the floor area ratio is the ratio of total net floor area to the area of the parcel on which it is located. For the purpose of this chapter, net floor area is the area of all floors included within surrounding walls off a building or portions thereof, exclusive of vent shafts, courts and floor area permanently allocated for parking or loading spaces.

B.

The floor area of a basement, whose volume does not exceed that which would be obtained by constructing a basement with a ceiling height not exceeding twelve feet directly under the first floor of the building above, will not be counted as floor area. Any additional basement floor area will be counted as floor area.

C.

Exceptions to floor area ratio limits may be permitted as part of a planned unit development or a planned community district.

(Ord. 1999-323 § 2, 1999; Ord. 1995-285 § 1 Exh. A (part), 1995; Ord. 1991-263 § 9, 1991; Ord. 1988-242 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 1988: Ord. 1979-166 § 13 (part), 1979: Ord. 1967-80 § 1 (6203.3), 1967)

When conditional use permits are approved for the uses listed below, the planning commission or town council may allow floor areas in excess of those specified in Section 18.54.050, which uses were in existence as of January 1, 1990, when it finds there is no reasonable way to meet the normal floor area standards and that the use as approved will still in all other ways meet the requirements of Chapter 18.72. The deviation from normal floor area standards shall be only to the extent necessary to render the project reasonable and acceptable by the planning commission or town council. The uses subject to this provision are as follows:

Sections 18.12.030 D 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 and 18.36.020 A and C.

(Ord. 1990-254 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1990)

A. Commercial and office uses shall not have gross floor areas that exceed the following limitations:

1.

Offices of all types, except medical and dental offices—1,500 square feet

2.

Medical and dental offices—2,000 square feet

3.

Physical therapy and fitness training—3,000 square feet

4.

Consumer services—2,000 square feet

5.

Convenience goods—2,500 square feet

6.

Restaurants—3,000 square feet

7.

Veterinary clinics—3,000 square feet

8.

Automotive repair—4,000 square feet

9.

Hardware—5,000 square feet

10.

Foodstores—12,000 square feet

B.

If the approving authority is presented with clear and convincing evidence that a use will derive in excess of a majority of its clientele from the town and its spheres of influence, floor area limitations may be increased up to twenty percent to accommodate the use.

C.

Commercial and office uses that were approved by the town prior to August 24, 2001, and that exceed the floor area limitations of Section 18.54.052A. may continue to occupy the same floor area in the same location as approved. Any such existing use, however, may be increased beyond the standards of Section 18.54.052A. only pursuant to the provisions of Section 18.54.052B. If the type of approved use changes, the new use shall conform to the standards of Section 18.54.052A.

(Ord. 2001-337 § 3 (part), 2001)