A. General Standards: No Accessory Structure or Accessory Use shall be built, moved or remodeled, established, altered or enlarged unless in keeping with the requirements of this Section (17.305), this Chapter and the City Code. Accessory uses are permitted in any zoning district in connection with any principal use that is permitted within such district.
B. Accessory Structures and Uses Limitations and Conditions. Each Accessory Structure and Accessory Use shall comply with the following:
1. No accessory structure or use shall be constructed, occupied or established on any lot prior to the completion of the principal structure to which it is accessory.
2. No accessory structure or use shall be permitted in any yard unless it is a permitted yard encroachment as provided in Table 3-1: Permitted Yard Encroachments.
3. Accessory Structures and Uses (including any permitted Outdoor storage) shall be maintained in such a manner so as to prevent the overgrowth of weeds, grasses and other obnoxious plant material.
4. On a corner lot occupied by a principal residential structure that is legally nonconforming with respect to the corner side yard setbacks, accessory uses and structures may be located in said corner side yard provided they maintain the same setback as the principal residential structure.
5. No Accessory Structure or Use, except fences, shall be constructed, occupied or established on any public utility, drainage, or pipeline easement, except with the written permission of the City and all utility companies having rights to use the easement.
6. No accessory structure shall be located in any floodplain.
7. The total area of permeable pavers, artificial turf, or other permeable surfaces shall not exceed 40% of any individual front, rear, side, or corner side yard. This limitation applies only to accessory structures or uses established, constructed, or modified after the effective date of this ordinance.
C. Permitted Yard Encroachments:
1. Accessory Structures and Uses may be permitted in established yards as indicated with a “P” in Table 3-1: Permitted Yard Encroachments..
2. Accessory structures and uses not listed in Table 3-1: Permitted Yard Encroachments shall be prohibited as in yards.
Table 3-1: Permitted Yard Encroachments 1. Arbors or trellises -- where trellises are attached to the principal building, they may also project into front yards and side yards.
2. Architectural entrance structures - on a lot not less than 2 acres or at entrance roadways into subdivisions containing 100 or more lots.
3. Awnings -- may project not more than 3 feet into a required yard.
4. Balconies -- not to extend more than 3 feet into the yard.
5. Basketball stanchions -- not closer than 2 feet to the adjacent lot.
6. Bay or bow window -- projecting no more than 2 feet into a yard.
7. Belt courses, cornices and ornamental features of the principal building -- projecting not more than 18 inches into a yard.
8. Canopies - permitted only when accessor to structures in a multiple-family district, business or manufacturing district.
9. Chimneys of buildings -- projecting not more than 24 inches into a yard.
10. Eaves and gutters -- on principal buildings or attached accessory buildings, projecting not more than 4 feet into a front and rear yard not more than 24 inches into a side yard.
11. Porch - open air and attached to the principal building, projecting not more than 6 feet beyond the required front and corner side building setback line.
12. Sheds and storage buildings -- for garden equipment and household items as accessory to dwellings.
13. Steps, open -- necessary for access to and from the dwelling or an accessory building, steps as access to the lot from the street, and in gardens or terraces.
14. Swimming pools, private - where conforming also with other codes or ordinances of the City.
15. The maximum sidewalk width for a private sidewalk in a residential district shall be five feet (5').
D. Additional Bulk Regulations for Accessory Structures:
1. Except as otherwise provided by this Chapter, all accessory structures and uses shall observe the bulk regulations of the district in which they are located, provided that Accessory Structures, including but not limited to porches, balconies and decks attached to the principal building, shall be considered part of the principal building and shall comply with the required yards for the principal structure, unless otherwise allowed.
Figure 3-2: Yard Requirements for Attached and Detached Accessory Structures
2. Detached Accessory Structures, Except Fences, Walls, Driveways, and Sidewalks:
a. Minimum rear and side yard: Detached accessory structures, shall be located at least five feet (5') from any side or rear lot line, or ten feet (10') from the centerline of the adjacent alley, if one exists. In no case shall an accessory structure be permitted in any public utility or drainage or access easement.
b. Maximum structure height: Detached accessory structures shall be no greater than fifteen feet (15') in height, except as provided otherwise in this Section (17.305).
c. Minimum building separation:
(1) Detached accessory structure may be located closer than ten feet (10') to the principal structure, except as provided otherwise in this Subsection (17.305.D.) or required by Chapter 12: Building Code of this Code.
(2) No minimum building separation is required between accessory structures, except as otherwise required by Chapter 12: Building Code of this Code.
3. Swimming Pools, Hot Tubs, And Outdoor Spas:
a. Swimming pools, hot tubs or outdoor spas and any deck attached thereto, may be located no closer than five feet (5') to any fence or property line.
b. Swimming pools, hot tubs and outdoor spas shall be set back from all overhead electric distribution, aboveground service utility transformer, pedestal, meter, and any buried electric distribution or service utility line as required by Chapter 12: Building Code of this Code.
c. All swimming pools, hot tubs, and outdoor spas, hereinafter referred to as "pool", shall provide adequate enclosure when not in use or supervised. Said enclosure shall comply with Building Code regulations as identified in Chapter 12: Building Code of this Code.
d. In ground pools, hot tubs, and outdoor spas shall count towards impervious lot coverage, however, above ground swimming pools shall not count towards lot coverage.
4. Detached Garages and Carports: In addition to the other requirements of this Section 17.305 Accessory Structures and Uses detached garages and carports shall be permitted in single family residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4) comply with the following:
Maximum area: One thousand (1,000) square feet or ten percent (10%) of the lot area, whichever is less.
a. Maximum number: One per single-family lot.
b. Access: A continuous hard dust free surface shall be provided between any garage or carport and the adjoining public right-of-way or alley.
c. Maximum height: Seventeen feet (17') to the peak of a pitched roof. Garages with a flat roof shall be no higher than thirteen feet (13').
5. Porte-Cocheres and Attached Carports: In addition to the requirements of this Section 17.305 Accessory Structures and Uses, porte-cocheres and attached carports shall comply with the following:
a. Number: One porte-cochere or carport (attached or detached) shall be permitted per Zoning Lot.
b. Maximum Height: The top of the porte-cochere or attached carport shall not be higher than the lowest eave line of the wall to which it is attached.
c. Yards: A porte-cochere or attached carport may extend into a required yard provided that it has no solid wall, other than the wall of the principal building to which it is attached, and is open to the elements year round.
d. Roof: The roof of a porte-cochere may be used as a deck, but shall not be enclosed and used as habitable space if the porte-cochere is located in a required yard.
6. Accessory structures (such as tool, garden storage sheds, gazebos, cabanas and other accessory structures not otherwise specified in Section 17.305 Accessory Structures and Uses shall comply with the following:
a. Maximum area: Combined square footage of all accessory structures, excluding flatwork such as driveways and sidewalks, shall not exceed twelve percent (12%) of the lot area.
b. Maximum number: One such structure may be permitted per Zoning Lot.
E. Bed and breakfasts and short-term rentals:
1. Bed and Breakfast. Bed and Breakfast establishments do not include motels, hotels, boarding houses, or food service establishments.
a. The Bed and Breakfast must be residential in nature and comply with the Home Occupation regulations of this Chapter.
b. No more than three (3) guest bedrooms are allowed.
c. Guest stays shall not exceed more than ten (10) nights in a 12-month period.
d. Breakfast may be provided to the guests only.
e. One (1) off-street, non-tandem parking space is required per bedroom; in addition to otherwise required off-street parking.
f. The operator of the Bed & Breakfast shall live on the premises.
2. Short Term Rental/Lodging. (i.e. AirBnB, Vacation Rentals)
a. Short term rentals are regulated by Chapter 6 Public Health and Safety, Article XVI Residential Rental Property.
b. The owner must apply for and obtain a residential rental property registration. .
F. Sustainable energy systems:
1. Solar Energy Systems (SES): Purpose: The purpose of this Section (17.305.F.1.) is to encourage safe and efficient use of solar energy and reduce the use and impact of fossil fuels. The Section (17.305.F.1.) also seeks to ensure that Solar Energy Systems are compatible in character and appearance with the principal structure and surrounding area in which they are located.
(1) SES are permitted as an accessory structure mounted to a principal or other accessory structure.
(2) SES shall be subject to the development standards specified in this Section (17.305.F.1.) and other City Code requirements.
(3) Energy produced by SES shall be used on site, except that surplus energy may be delivered to the power grid.
(4) Solar panels may only be located on the roof of a structure and shall be mounted flush with the slope of the roof.
(5) Solar shingles are permitted and shall be integral to the roof of the structure on which they are installed.
(6) Solar collection devices may not extend beyond the roof edge or the exterior perimeter of a structure.
(7) Solar collection devices may not be located on the vertical portion of a mansard roof.
(8) SES shall be subject to the yard, height and any other bulk requirements of the zoning district in which it is located.
(9) Ground mounted solar panels or SES are prohibited.
b. Appearance and Materials: Solar energy systems shall be neutral in color and generally matching the roof color of the principal structure. All such devices shall have the following characteristics:
(1) Not be plastic or other non-UV stable material.
(2) Include frames, where applicable, of anodized aluminum or painted steel.
(3) Where devices are encased with glass, the glass shall be nonreflective tempered glass.
(4) Solar panels must be placed so that concentrated solar radiation or glare is not directed onto any nearby properties or roadways.
c. Height: SES shall be subject to the following height requirements:
(1) SES shall not exceed the maximum structure height requirements for the district in which they are located.
(2) SES on sloped roofs shall not exceed the highest point of roof on which they are mounted.
(3) SES located on sloped roof buildings shall not extend beyond one foot (1') above the roof surface at any point in residential zoning districts and fifteen inches (15") for all other zoning districts.
(4) SES located on flat roofed buildings shall not extend beyond two feet (2') in overall height above the roof on which they are mounted in residential zoning districts or eight feet (8') in all other districts. In no case shall solar collection devises extend above the parapet wall of the structure.
2. Wind Energy Systems (WES):
a. Purpose: The purpose of this Section (17.305.F.2.) is to encourage safe and efficient use of wind energy and reduce the use and impact of fossil fuels. The Section (17.305.F.2.) also seeks to ensure that Wind Energy Systems are compatible in character and appearance with the principal structure and surrounding area in which they are located.
b. General Provisions: Wind energy systems are permitted as an accessory structure to a principal Permitted or Special Use subject to the standards of this Section (17.305.F.2.) on and the City Code.
c. No more than one WES is permitted per residential zoning lot.
d. No more than one WES is permitted per Commercial or Industrially zoned properties, unless approved as a Special Use.
e. WES may be permitted on a Commercial or Industrially zoned property adjacent to a residential zoning lot only upon approval by as a Special Use.
f. WES structures shall comply with all regulations of the City Code regarding their construction, design, operation and maintenance.
g. Energy produced by WES shall be used on site, except that surplus energy may be delivered to the power grid.
h. WES shall be designed to withstand a minimum wind velocity of one hundred (100) miles per hour, with an impact pressure of forty (40) pounds per square foot.
i. As part of a building permit submitted for a WES, a statement and evidence shall be provided by the applicant that the proposed WES will not adversely impact adjacent properties.
j. In no event shall the noise level produced by a WES continuously exceed sixty-five (65) decibels as measured at the property line.
k. No WES shall cause electromagnetic degradation in performance of other electromagnetic radiators, receptors, or generators of quality and proper design. The City may revoke any permit for a WES system should electromagnetic interference from the WES be evident and cannot be corrected.
l. WES shall not be artificially lighted, except to the extent required by the FAA or other applicable government authority.
m. All wind turbines shall have an automatic braking, governing or feathering system to prevent uncontrolled rotation, over speeding and excessive pressure on the tower structure, rotor blades and turbine components.
n. Abandonment: If a WES is inoperable or abandoned for a period of six (6) consecutive months; the owner may be notified by the City that the energy system must either be repaired or removed within an established cure period.
(1) Rooftop mounted WES shall be set back at least twenty feet (20') from front or exterior building lines, and at least ten feet (10') from side building lines. Setbacks shall be measured to the widest point of blade rotation or to the side of the WES, whichever is greater.
(2) Rooftop mounted WES shall be limited to a height of no more than fifteen feet (15') above the roof peak or top of a parapet wall, whichever is greater. Total height shall be measured from the highest point of blade rotation or the highest point of the WES, whichever is greater.
(1) Ground mounted WES shall be allowed only in the Industrial zoning district, after having received approval by as a Special Use.
(2) Ground mounted WES shall be permitted only in a rear yard.
q. The WES tower or any associated structure shall comply with the minimum setback requirements of the zoning district in which the WES is located or be set back a distance equal to 1.1 times the total height of the structure from any property line, whichever distance is greater. Total structure height shall be measured from the highest point of blade rotation to the ground.
r. A WES tower shall be set back a minimum of twenty feet (20') from any principal structure on the property.
s. The maximum permissible height of a WES tower shall not exceed seventy feet (70').
t. Rotor blades or airfoils must maintain at least twelve feet (12') of clearance between their lowest point of rotation and the ground.
u. All climbing apparatus affixed to a WES tower shall terminate twelve feet (12') short of ground level.
v. All WES facilities shall be surrounded by a six foot (6') high safety fence.
w. All WEC towers shall be constructed with an approved concrete foundation.
3. Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS):
a. Purpose: The purpose of this Section (17.305.F.3.) is to encourage safe and efficient use of electric vehicles in the City of Wood Dale to reduce the use and impact of fossil fuels. The below provisions also seek to ensure the appearance of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are compatible with the character of the principal structure and surrounding neighborhood.
b. General Provisions: Electric vehicle charging stations are permitted as an accessory structure to a principal permitted or Special Use in Commercial, Industrial, or Multifamily Residential zoning districts. The accessory structure requirements in this section shall not apply to EV charging equipment installed on properties zoned for Single-Family Residential.
c. Location: Electric vehicle charging station equipment shall not block any public right-of-way. If located within a parking lot, electric vehicle charging stations shall not impede the movement or site access for motor vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, or any other road user.
d. Signage: Signage shall be regulated by Sec. 13.309.
e. Parking: Charging station spaces reserved only tor electric vehicles may be included in the overall calculation of minimum parking spaces required for the primary use by this Chapter, provided that such charging station spaces do not:
(1) Account for more than 10% of the minimum required number of on-site parking spaces. Subject to the conditions of this Article, additional charging station spaces may be constructed but they will not count towards the minimum parking requirement.
(2) Reduce the dimensions of adjoining spaces or the parking aisle or reduce the number of available spaces below the minimum required by Article V Off Street Parking and Loading.
(3) Accessibility: If any EV charging stations are constructed in non-single family residential districts, a minimum of one accessible charging station with an adjacent accessible parking space shall be installed per development in compliance with all local, state, and federal accessibility requirements. Accessible charging stations are not required to be designated tor exclusive use of persons with disabilities, unless required to meet the overall minimum number accessible parking spaces per [Sec.17.502.G] Accessible Parking.
f. Screening: Charging station equipment must be screened from adjacent properties and the right-of-way with native ornamental grasses that are sufficiently tall and dense, as feasible. Documentation providing the rationale tor screening that is not feasible shall be submitted by the installer and approved by the Director of Community Development.
g. Pavement Marking: Lettering that states "EV Charging" or "EV Charging Only" and any marking to delineate accessible spaces, shall be the only pavement marking permitted to identify charging station spaces.
h.. Equipment Protection: All equipment shall be protected via curbing, bollards, or similar protective structure or device.
(Ord. O-22-017, 5-19-2022; amd. Ord. O-24-032, 10-3-2024; Ord. O-25-11, 3-20-2025; amd. Ord. O-26-07, 4-2-2026)