(a) Primary structure required.
An accessory building or structure shall only be allowed where a primary building exists, except on land zoned AG agricultural.
(b) Temporary accessory buildings and structures.
A temporary accessory building or structure shall be constructed in such a manner that it shall be portable, easily transportable, and capable of being moved without disassembly or damage and shall comply with the following:
(1) Property location criteria: A temporary accessory building or structure may be placed on an adjacent lot or tract, provided that the two properties are contiguous, fenced as one lot, and under common ownership.
(2) Applicable zoning districts: Temporary accessory buildings and structures shall be allowed in any residential district, or the AG agricultural district.
(3) Front building line: A temporary accessory building or structure shall not be located in the front yard.
(4) Side building line:
a. Interior lots: three feet
b. Corner lots:
1. Three feet on the interior side;
2. Same as the primary building for the side yard adjacent to the street.
Exception: The temporary building may be within five feet of the property line when it is located behind a solid fence that is a minimum of six feet in height.
(5) Rear building line: Three feet and may encroach a utility easement, but not a drainage easement.
(7) Maximum total floor area: 200 square feet.
(8) Maximum number allowed: Two with minimum three-foot separation.
(9) Effect on rear yard open space: Temporary accessory buildings or structures shall have no effect in calculating the rear yard open space requirement.
(10) Use: A temporary accessory building shall not be used for business or dwelling purposes.
(11) Masonry requirement: None.
(c) Permanent accessory buildings and structures.
Permanent accessory buildings and structures include detached garages, storage sheds, gazebos, and similar structures that are constructed as an integral part of a concrete slab, concrete beam or with concrete piers. All permanent accessory buildings shall comply with the following standards:
(1) Property location criteria: A permanent accessory building or structure shall be located on the same tract or lot as the primary building.
(2) Applicable zoning districts: Permanent accessory buildings and structures shall be allowed in any zoning district.
(3) Front building line: A permanent accessory building or structure shall not be located in the front yard.
(4) Side building line: The side yard setback shall be the same as for the primary building structure.
Exception: In the R-1, RE-1, RE-2, R-2, R-3, R-4-D, and R-8 districts, side yard setback shall be as follows:
Building size | Side building line (interior) | Side building line (corner) |
|---|
500 square feet or smaller | 6 feet | 20 feet adjacent to street |
501 square feet or larger | 10 feet | 20 feet adjacent to street |
(5) Rear building line: Ten feet or as required by the base zoning district, whichever is greater.
(6) Maximum height: Permanent accessory buildings shall be limited to one story in height. The height is measured from ground level to the highest point of the roof surface.
Building size | Maximum wall height | Maximum building height |
|---|
500 square feet or smaller | 10 feet | 15 feet |
501 square feet or larger | 12 feet | 25 feet |
(7) Maximum floor area: The building may include an attic or loft provided the attic or loft does not contain heated or air conditioned space. Square footage within an attic or loft shall be excluded from the calculation of the maximum floor area.
Lot size | Maximum floor area |
|---|
20,000 square foot lot or smaller | 500 square feet |
20,001 square foot lot or larger | Equivalent of 2.5 percent of the lot area |
(8) Maximum number allowed: One.
(9) Effect on rear yard open space: Permanent accessory buildings and structures shall have no effect in calculating the rear yard open space requirement.
(10) Use: An accessory building shall not be used for business or dwelling purposes in any residential zoning district.
(11) Easements: A permanent accessory building or structure shall not be located within a utility, access, or drainage easement.
(12) Design criteria:
a. Roof pitch: Roofs shall have a minimum pitch of 4:12 on each side of the ridge.
b. Masonry requirement: The structure shall conform to the masonry requirement of the base zoning district.
c. Detached garages: Buildings used as detached garages or for the parking of vehicles shall include a concrete driveway that connects to the street. The minimum distance between a garage entry and a side or rear property shall be 22 feet.
(13) Special use permit provision for lots of 40,000 square feet or more. Accessory buildings located on lots of 40,000 square feet or more may request a special use permit for the purpose of varying from the maximum floor area, height limit, pitch of roof, concrete access to a public street and masonry requirements contained herein. Permanent accessory structures may not exceed the square footage of the primary residence. The cumulative square footage of all accessory buildings is limited to five percent of the total lot or tract area.
(d) Carport regulations.
A carport shall comply with the following:
(1) Property location criteria: A carport shall be located on the same tract or lot as the primary structure.
(2) Applicable zoning districts: A carport shall be allowed in any zoning district.
(3) Front building line: A carport shall not extend beyond the front building line.
(4) Side building line: Side yard setback shall be the same as for the primary structure.
Exception: In the R-1, RE-1, RE-2, R-2, R-3, R-4-D, and R-8 districts, side yard setback shall be as follows:
b. Corner lots:
1. Six feet on the interior side.
2. Same as the primary structure for the side yard adjacent to the street.
(5) Rear building line: Ten feet rear yard setback the same as for the primary structure.
(7) Maximum size: 360 square feet.
Exception: In the R-7-MF district there shall be allowed a maximum of 180 square feet per covered parking space.
(8) Maximum number allowed: One.
Exception: In the R-7-MF district: unrestricted.
(9) Vehicle parking surface: A carport shall be on concrete and have concrete access to a public street.
(10) Effect on rear yard open space: A carport shall have no effect in calculating the rear yard open space requirement.
(11) Use: A carport shall not be used for business or dwelling purposes in any residential zoning district.
(12) Carport entry distance: Minimum distance between a side or rear property line and a carport entry shall be 22 feet.
(13) Design criteria:
a. Pitch of roof: Flat or nearly flat roofs are not permitted. The pitch of the roof shall be a minimum of at least four vertical to 12 horizontal (4:12) on each sides of the ridge, or be architecturally designed so as not to appear flat.
b. Posts: Common metal posts are not permitted. The structure shall have masonry or other alternative architecturally enhanced materials.
(e) Secondary living unit.
A second single-family residential living unit with kitchen facilities, also known as a mother-in-law unit or granny flat, located on the same lot as the primary living unit shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Use. The secondary living unit is only for use by domestic persons and their family or a relative of the occupants of the primary living unit. This unit shall not be rented or leased and shall not have a separate utility meter.
(2) Connection to primary residence. Secondary living units shall be constructed no more than 25 feet from the primary living quarters and be connected by a breezeway a minimum of six feet wide, attached to the roofline.
(3) Architecture. The unit must be of the same architectural style as the primary structure and meet all standards as applied to the primary structure except: the requirement for minimum gross living area; the requirement for a garage/carport; and the off-street parking requirements.
(4) Maximum total floor area: 650 square feet.
(5) Special use permit provision: Modifications to or deviations from the standards related to the connection to the primary residence, architecture, or maximum total floor area may be approved through approval of a special use permit.
(f) Solar panel systems.
Solar panel systems which meet all applicable building codes as well as the following standards shall be permitted in any zoning district only after issuance of a building permit.
(1) Roof mounted solar panel systems:
a. Location: Roof mounted solar panel systems may be located on any roof slope. Solar panels may not extend beyond roof edges. See Figure I-14: Roof-Mounted Solar Panel Location Standards.
b. Maximum height, pitched roof: Roof mounted solar panel systems shall have a top edge that does not project above the roofline, shall conform to the slope of the roof, and shall not exceed an 8-inch separation between the roof and the system. See Figure I-14: Roof-Mounted Solar Panel Location Standards.
c. Maximum height, flat roof: Solar panel systems mounted on flat roofs shall not exceed the maximum height permitted within the zoning district and shall be screened in accordance with section
118-877(a), mechanical equipment screening for nonresidential uses and nonresidential zoning.
(2) Ground mounted solar panel systems. Ground mounted solar panel systems shall comply with all standards for permanent accessory buildings and structures, except:
a. Roof pitch and masonry requirement shall not apply.
b. Screening required: An opaque screening fence shall be provided to screen the system from adjacent properties.
c. Maximum height: Shall not exceed the height of the required opaque fence and in no case shall exceed eight feet.
d. Long lengths of conduit and wiring associated with the system's connection to the primary electrical panel shall be placed underground.
(3) Special use permit provision. Properties not able to justifiably meet the criteria provided herein may apply for a special use permit.
(4) Maintenance, removal of unsafe or inoperable solar panel systems. A solar panel system shall be maintained in compliance with standards contained in applicable building codes so as to ensure the structural integrity and operability of the system and its underlying roof if roof mounted. If upon inspection by the building official the system is determined not to comply with the code standards, is inoperable, or constitutes a danger to persons or property and the system is not made safe or removed within 60 days of notification from the city notifying the owner of the unsafe or inoperable system, the owner will be considered in violation of this ordinance. Any solar panel which is visibly damaged by hail or other debris shall be removed or replaced within 60 days of notification.
(5) Pre-existing solar panel systems and nonconforming uses. A solar panel system operative prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this section is derived and which may not meet all the regulations of this section shall be allowed to continue its present usage as a nonconforming use and shall be treated as a nonconforming use in accordance with this chapter. Routine maintenance shall be permitted on the existing system. New construction other than routine maintenance on an existing solar panel system shall comply with the requirements of this article.
(Ordinance 1874, art. 6, § 630, adopted 3/22/1993; Ordinance 2367, adopted 2/22/1999; Ordinance 3068, § 3, adopted 9/14/2009; Ordinance 3343, § 4, adopted 12/8/2014; Ordinance 3358, § 1, adopted 5/18/2015; Ordinance 3381, § 6, adopted 11/9/2015; Ordinance 3492, § 1, adopted 12/11/2017; Ordinance 3837, §§ 19, 20, adopted 1/22/2024)