The requirements and regulations specified in this chapter are subject to the additional requirements, exceptions, modifications and interpretations in the following.

   1.   Height Limits. Height limitations stipulated elsewhere in this chapter shall not apply to:

      A.   Barns, silos, or other farm buildings or structures on farms, provided these are not less than 50 feet from every lot line; church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes, monuments, water towers, fire and hose towers, masts and aerials; and parapet walls extending not more than four feet above the limiting height of the building. However, if, in the opinion of the Building Inspector, such structures would adversely affect adjoining or adjacent properties, such greater height shall not be authorized except by the Board of Adjustment.

      B.   Places of public assembly such as churches, schools, and other permitted public and semi-public buildings not to exceed six stories or 75 feet, provided that for each foot by which the height of such building exceeds the maximum height otherwise permitted in the district, its side and rear yards shall be increased in width or depth by an additional foot over the side and rear yards required for the highest building otherwise permitted in the district.

      C.   Bulkheads, conveyors, derricks, elevator penthouses, water tanks, monitors and scenery lofts; to monuments, fire towers, hose towers, cooling towers, grain elevators, gas holders or other structures, where the manufacturing process requires a greater height. Where a permitted use requires greater heights than specified, such may be authorized by the Board of Adjustment.

      D.   Security fences in business and industrial districts.

   2.   Front Yard Exceptions and Modifications.

      A.   Front yard requirements do not apply to:

         (1)   Bay windows, awnings or balconies occupying in the aggregate not more than one-third of the front wall; provided, that these projections come entirely within planes drawn from either main corner of the front wall, making an interior angle of 22.5 degrees in the horizontal plane with the front wall;

         (2)   Chimneys, flues, belt courses, leaders, sills, pilasters, uncovered porches, plantings, or similar features not over three feet high above the average finished grade and distant five feet from every lot line.

         (3)   Fences, provided that the same are at least 80 percent open rather than of solid composition, are not in excess of four feet in height, and do not otherwise obstruct the view of traffic in the case of corner lots.

         (4)   Decorative fences three feet or less in height.

         (5)   A fence not more than six feet in height, situated in a front yard area along the side yard boundary line up to a point of 40 feet from the center of a public right-of-way of 80 feet or less; in case of a right-of-way larger than 80 feet, then the fence shall not project into the public right-of-way. In case of a paved road surface wider than 31 feet, a fence over four feet in height and not made of an 80 percent open material shall meet the minimum front yard depth of the district in which it is located.

      B.   In all residential districts, there shall be a required minimum front yard as stated in each individual residential zoning classification district. However, in the case where lots within 200 feet on either side of a lot of record are developed with a greater or lesser setback than required in each individual zoning district, the front yard setback for this particular lot shall be the average of the building setbacks for the lots of record within 200 feet on either side of said lot. The final determination of the setback shall be computed by the Building and Zoning Administrator.

   3.   Side Yard Exceptions and Modifications.

      A.   Along any district boundary line, any abutting side yard on a lot in the less restricted district shall have a least width equal to that required in the more restrictive district. Where a lot in an I or B District abuts a lot in an R District, the side yard shall be increased by three feet for each story that the building proposed on such lot exceeds the height limit of the said R District.

      B.   Side yards shall be increased in width by two inches for each foot by which the length of the sidewall of the building, adjacent to the side yard, exceeds 40 feet in any R-1 District, or 50 feet in any R-2 District.

      C.   Side yards may be reduced by three inches from the otherwise required least width of each side yard for each foot by which a lot of record at the time of enactment of this chapter is narrower than the lot width specified for the district in which the lot is located, in the case of buildings not higher than two and one-half stories, and in case the owner of record does not own any adjoining property; provided, however—and irrespective of the provisions of subparagraph F(1) of this subsection—that no side yard shall be narrower at any point than three feet.

      D.   Side yards may be measured to the centerline of adjoining alleys. But in no case shall a building or structure for which a side yard is required be erected within six feet of such alley. However, fences may be located three feet from an alley.

      E.   On a corner lot the least width of a side yard along the side street lot line shall be equal to the required front yard along the side street. In the case of a corner lot of record existing on May 21, 1973, the least width of the yard abutting a side street may be reduced to 20 feet.

      F.   Structures or projections into side yards may be permitted as follows: (i) walls not over five feet above the average natural grade; (ii) fire escapes, three feet from side lot line; and (iii) bays and balconies not more than three feet from the building, provided these projections are entirely within planes drawn from either main corner of the side wall, making an interior angle of 22.5 degrees in the horizontal plane with the side wall. The sum of the lengths of such projection shall not exceed one-third of the length of the wall of the main building.

         (1)   Chimneys, flues, belt courses, leaders, sills, pilasters and lintels, ornamental features, cornices, eaves, gutters, and the like, into or over a required side yard not more than one and one-half feet.

         (2)   Terraces, steps, uncovered porches, stoops, or similar features, not higher than the elevation of the ground story of the building and distant three feet from a side lot line.

   4.   Rear Yard Exceptions and Modifications.

      A.   Rear yards may be reduced by three inches from the required least depth for each foot by which a lot (on January 15, 1973) is less than 100 feet deep, in the case of a building not higher than two stories, and in case the owner of record does not own adjoining property to the rear; provided, however, that no required rear yard shall be less than 10 feet deep.

      B.   Rear yards may be measured to the centerline of adjoining alleys. But in no case shall a building or structure be erected within six feet of such an alley. However, fences may be located three feet from an alley.

      C.   Fences shall not be over six feet in height above the natural grade; walls not over five feet above the natural grade; fire escapes, six feet; bays and balconies, not more than three feet, provided these projections are entirely within planes drawn from either main corner of the rear wall, making an interior angle of 22.5 degrees in the horizontal plane with the rear wall. The sum of the lengths of such projections shall not exceed one-half of the width of the rear wall. Chimneys, flues, belt courses, leaders, pilasters, lintels, ornamental features, cornices, eaves, gutters, and the like, into or over a required rear yard not more than one and one-half feet.

   5.   Awnings and Canopies in Other Than Residential Districts. Awnings, canopies and similar unenclosed coverings located in other than residential districts shall not be subject to front yard requirements.

   6.   Exceptions to Building Permit Requirements. Except as specified in paragraph A of this subsection, no building or structure regulated by this chapter shall be erected, constructed, enlarged or altered unless a separate permit for each such building or structure has first been obtained from the Zoning Administrator.

      A.   Exempted Improvements. A building permit shall not be required for any of the following activities:

         (1)   One-story detached accessory buildings used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses or for similar purposes, provided the projected roof area does not exceed 120 square feet.

         (2)   Fences not over three feet high.

         (3)   Platforms, walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade.

         (4)   Window awnings supported by an exterior wall.

         (5)   Prefabricated swimming pools in which the walls are entirely above grade and the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons.

      B.   Exemption Limitations. The aforementioned exemptions shall not be construed as authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of these Zoning Regulations and of this Code of Ordinances. Unless otherwise specified an exemption from building permit requirements is not an exemption from plumbing permit requirements.