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City of Cortland, NY
Cortland County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (5) Index Notes (1)
A. 
All uses permitted by this chapter shall be subject to such exceptions, additions or modifications as are provided in the following supplementary regulations.
A. 
The height limitations of this chapter shall not apply to church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes, chimneys, ventilators, skylights, water tanks, similar features and necessary mechanical appurtenances usually carried above the roof level. Such features, however, shall be erected only to such height as is necessary to accomplish the purpose which they are to serve.
A. 
The space in any required yard shall be open and unobstructed except for the ordinary projections of windowsills, cornices, eaves and other architectural features; provided, however, that such features shall not project more than two feet into any required yard.
B. 
A patio may extend into a required side or rear yard to a point no closer than four feet at any point to any lot line.
C. 
A deck may extend into a required side or rear yard to a point no closer than four feet at any point to any lot line.
D. 
A stoop may extend into a required side yard no more than two feet.
E. 
A driveway and required parking spaces may be constructed within a required yard, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
A. 
Whenever a single lot is located within two or more zoning districts, each portion of that lot shall be subject to all the regulations applicable to the zoning district in which it is located, as they apply to the abutting lot.
A. 
In residential districts where the average front yard for buildings existing on contiguous lots on either side exceeds the minimum specified, a front yard shall be provided equal to this greater average depth, but need not exceed 50 feet. Where such average front yard is less than the minimum specified, the building may be built to this lesser depth, but shall not be less than 20 feet. A contiguous vacant lot shall be considered as having the minimum front yard as required in the district.
A. 
On every lot in a residential district there shall be a four-foot vegetative strip along all required side and rear yards and in which strip a fence may be erected.
B. 
65% of all front yards shall be maintained in a vegetative state.
A. 
In all residential districts, corner lots shall have a front yard on each abutting street with a minimum depth equal to the required front yard depth.
A. 
Garage sales are allowed as an accessory use in conjunction with residential occupation of a lot. However, no garage sale shall be conducted on the same lot for more than three days (whether consecutive or not) during any ninety-day period.
A. 
In any district, fences, trees, shrubs and other plantings are permitted in required yards, including front yards, provided that they do not block a clear view or vision for vehicular traffic. In residential districts, a clear sight triangle at street intersections shall be maintained. The "clear sight triangle" is an area encompassed by the intersecting street lines of a corner lot and a straight line joining said street lines at points which are 30 feet distant from the point of intersection of the street lines.
B. 
The height of any vegetation or any other obstruction, whether manufactured or natural, except the natural grade of the land, shall not exceed 3.5 feet above the top of the curb or, if no curb exists, above the level of the intersecting center lines of the street. All corner lots shall comply with this standard within six months after the effective date of this chapter.
C. 
All other nonconforming fences shall be removed or made conforming within a period of two years from the effective date of this chapter.
D. 
Fences that are an integral part of the historic nature of any historical property are exempt from this provision.
E. 
The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to enforce the removal of any materials that are in violation of this chapter. Failure to comply with their written order within 10 days shall be considered a violation. If after 30 days from the date of such notice the material has not been removed, the City of Cortland shall have the authority to remove such material and will charge the owner for the cost of the removal.
F. 
An administrative fee of $25 shall be assessed when removal services are performed on behalf of a property owner who is in violation of this section. If such cost, with interest and administrative fee, is not paid by December 31 of the year in which it is incurred, such cost and interest shall be added to the real property City tax rolls chargeable to said property and shall be collected in the same manner as any unpaid real property City tax.