§ 106.42.200. Residential Accessory Uses and Structures

This Section provides standards for residential accessory uses and structures, where allowed by Article 2 (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses). These requirements do not apply to accessory dwelling units, which are instead regulated by Section 106.42.015 (Accessory Dwelling Units).

A.

Relationship to primary use. An accessory use and/or structure shall be incidental to the primary residential use of the site, and shall not alter the character of the primary use.

B.

Timing of installation. An accessory structure shall only be constructed concurrent with or after the construction of the primary structure on the same site, unless construction in advance of a primary structure is authorized through Minor Use Permit approval.

C.

Attached structures. An accessory structure attached to the primary structure shall comply with all zoning district requirements applicable to the primary structure, including height limits and site coverage; and shall also comply with any applicable requirements of Subsection E. below, for the specific type of structure.

D.

Detached structures. An accessory structure that is detached from the primary structure shall comply with the following standards, except where Subsection E. below, establishes a different requirement for a specific type of accessory structure. A residential accessory structure may be located between the primary dwelling and a street only with Design Review approval.

1.

Setback requirements.

a.

Front setback. An accessory structure shall not be located within a required front setback except as may otherwise be provided by Subsection E below.

b.

Side and rear setbacks. An accessory structure not exceeding 16 feet in height shall maintain interior side and rear setbacks of at least five feet; except that the Director may authorize a minimum side and/or rear setback of three feet. An accessory structure with a height greater than 16 feet shall increase the setback one foot for each foot above 16 feet. (i.e., an 18-foot high structure shall be set back seven feet.)

c.

Separation between structures. An accessory structure shall maintain at least a five-foot separation from other accessory structures and the primary dwelling unit.

d.

Double-frontage lot. An accessory structure shall not occupy the front half of a parcel, or either front quarter of a double-frontage lot, unless it is setback at least 75 feet from any street lot line.

e.

Reverse corner lot. On a reverse corner lot that abuts a key lot, no accessory structure shall be located less than 12.5 feet from the street property line. See Figure 4-3.

f.

Garages accessible from an alley. Where an accessory garage is accessible to vehicles from an alley, it shall be located not less than 25 feet from the opposite side of the alley.

2.

Height limit. An accessory structure shall not exceed a maximum height of 16 feet except where an accessory dwelling unit is located above a detached garage or other accessory structure, or a height greater than 16 feet is authorized through Minor Use Permit approval.

3.

Lot Coverage and size limitations. Residential accessory structures shall be included when calculating lot coverage requirements of Section 106.24.060 (Residential District Site Planning and Building Standards).

a.

The combined square footage of all accessory structures shall not exceed 2,400 square feet unless authorized through Minor Use Permit approval.

E.

Standards for specific accessory uses and structures. The following requirements apply to the specific types of accessory structures listed, in addition to the requirements of Subsection D. above, as applicable.

1.

Patio covers. A patio cover that is attached to or detached from the primary dwelling, and open on at least three sides, may be located within the required rear setback subject to the following:

a.

The five-foot separation from the primary dwelling unit required by Subparagraph D.1.c (Separation between structures), above does not apply;

b.

The structure shall comply with the coverage and size limitations of Subparagraph D.3 (Coverage and size limitations), above; and

c.

No part of a detached patio cover shall be closer than five feet to a rear property line, five feet to interior side, and 12.5 feet to street side property line.

2.

Carports. The five-foot separation from the primary dwelling unit required by Subparagraph D.1.c (Separation between structures), above does not apply to a carport. Design review is required for a carport located between the front property line and the residence.

3.

Swimming pools. A non-commercial swimming pool is an allowed accessory use in any zoning district, provided that no swimming pool shall be located within a required front or side setback, closer than three feet to any property line, or within three feet of a dwelling unit as measured to the surface of the water. No swimming pool shall be located within a utility easement.

4.

Tennis and other recreational courts. Non-commercial outdoor tennis courts and outdoor courts for other sports, including basketball and racquetball, accessory to a residential use shall comply with the following requirements:

a.

Setbacks. No court shall be located within a required setback, or within 10 feet of a property line.

b.

Fencing. Court fencing shall comply with Section 106.30.050 (Fences and Walls).

c.

Lighting. Court lighting shall require Minor Use Permit approval, and shall not exceed a maximum height of 20 feet, measured from the court surface. The lighting shall be directed downward, shall only illuminate the court, and shall not illuminate adjacent property, in compliance with Chapter 106.35 (Outdoor Lighting).

d.

Lot coverage. Tennis and other recreational courts shall be exempt from any lot coverage limitations of the applicable zoning district.

5.

Workshops or studios. An accessory structure intended as a workshop or studio for artwork, crafts, light hand manufacturing, or hobbies, shall be limited to: non-commercial hobbies or amusements; maintenance of the primary structure or setbacks; artistic endeavors, including painting, photography, or sculpture; or for other similar purposes. Any use of an accessory workshop for any commercial activity shall comply with Section 106.42.100 (Home Occupations).

6.

Entryway trellises. A trellis structure may be located over a walkway that extends between a public sidewalk and the front entrance of a single dwelling adjacent to the intersection of the public sidewalk and the on-site walkway, provided that the trellis shall not:

a.

Exceed 10 feet in height;

b.

Be more than 10 feet wide;

c.

Encroach into or over the public sidewalk or public right-of-way; and

d.

Block or impede pedestrian circulation.

Each trellis shall also comply with all applicable Building Code requirements and any Fire Department requirements.

(Ord. No. 2008-15, § 1, 12-11-2008; Ord. No. 2013-011, § 3, 11-14-2013; Ord. No. 2017-002, § 3(Exh. A-1), 7-13-2017)