Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Santa Maria City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 12

26 INTRUSIONS INTO YARDS

Section 12-26.01 Official plan lines.

Whenever an official plan line has been established for any street required, yards shall be measured from such line, and in no case shall the provisions of this title be construed as permitting any encroachment upon any official plan line.
(Prior Code § 10-89.1)

Section 12-26.02 Porches, outside stairways, patio covers, trellises.

(a) 
Uncovered Intrusions:
(1) 
Front and Rear Yards. In any district, open, uncovered, raised porches, landing places or outside enclosed stairways shall not exceed six feet (6′) into required front or rear yards.
(2) 
Side Yard. In any district, open, uncovered, raised porches, landing places or outside enclosed stairways may project not closer than three feet (3′) to any side lot line, except in the R-1 (single-family residential) district where such projections may not exceed one foot (1′) into any required ten foot (10′) side yard. Exception: Exterior unenclosed stairways shall meet side yard setbacks of the zoning district in which they are located.
(b) 
Covered Intrusions:
(1) 
Front Yard. Open, covered porches in the R-1 (single-family residential) district may project into the front yard not more than six feet (6′) nor wider than twenty feet (20′).
(2) 
Side Yard.
(A) 
In residential developments with approved zero side yards, patio covers, open on three sides, and trellises shall have a setback not less than five feet (5′) from the side property line provided the structure is not higher than ten feet (10′) nor longer than twenty feet (20′).
(B) 
In the R-1 (single-family residential) district, patio covers open on three sides and not exceeding ten feet (10′) in height, no larger than 200 square feet and no wider than twenty feet (20′) may be located in the required side yard provided that the vertical supports are five feet (5′) from the property line and that the eaves are a minimum of four feet (4′) from the property line.
(3) 
Rear Yard.
(A) 
In the RSL-1 (single-family small lot residential) district, patio covers, open on three sides, shall have a setback not less than five feet (5′) from the rear property line provided the structure is not more than twenty feet (20′) wide.
(B) 
In the R-1 (single-family residential) district, patio covers, open on three sides, shall have a setback not less than five feet (5′) from the rear property line provided the structure is not more than twenty feet (20′) wide.
(c) 
Trellises and Arbors. Open trellises and arbors, not exceeding eight feet (8′) in height and 200 sq. ft., may be located in the rear yard setback, adjacent to one side and/or rear property line(s) provided the setback for the trellis and/or arbor, including supports, is not less than three feet (3′) to the property line.
(Prior Code § 10-10.2; Ord. 88-6 § 1(E), eff. 6/2/88; Ord. No. 95-11, eff. 12/07/95; Ord. 2000-18, eff. 12/5/00; Ord. 2005-04, eff. 5/19/05; Ord. 2008-15, eff. 9/4/08)

Section 12-26.03 Architectural features.

(a) 
Architectural features on the main building, such as cornices and eaves may extend a maximum of thirty inches (30″) into a required yard.
(b) 
One fireplace, not exceeding eight feet (8′) in width, may extend not more than thirty inches (30″) into a required yard.
(c) 
One bay window, not exceeding eight feet (8′) in width, may extend a maximum of thirty inches (30″) into a required yard.
(Prior Code § 10-89.3; Ord. 95-11, eff. 12/07/95)