Sec. 10-2.803. Height measurement and exceptions.

(a)    This section describes the required methods for measuring the height of structures in compliance with the height limits established by these Zoning Regulations and exceptions to the height limits.

(b)    The height of structures shall not exceed the standard for the applicable zoning district, except as otherwise provided by this article.

(c)    The maximum allowable height shall be measured as the vertical distance from the existing grade of the site to the allowed number of feet above grade. See Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1

HEIGHT MEASUREMENT

(d)    The review authority may approve exceptions to the height limits of these Zoning Regulations as follows:

(1)    Architectural features, including antenna supports (not over three (3) inches in diameter), chimneys, clock towers, cupolas, masts, poles, steeples, and similar structures, but not including freestanding lights, poles, masts, or antennas, may exceed the height limit by up to ten (10) feet.

(2)    These features shall not exceed a width of twenty-five (25) feet or one-third (1/3) of the length of the structure’s façade, whichever is less. Signs shall not be included within the additional height allowed. Height exceptions may not be granted for structural features designed or intended to provide floor space.

(e)    Development proposed adjacent to any public or private street or alley intersection shall be designed to provide a corner visibility area for pedestrian and traffic safety. See Figure 3-2.

(f)    A corner cutoff-intersection visibility area is a triangle measured as follows, and may include private property and/or public right-of-way:

(1)    At corner parcels, the visibility area shall be defined by measuring twenty-five (25) feet from the intersection of the extension of the front and street side property lines and connecting the lines across the property.

(2)    At alleys, the visibility area shall be defined by measuring ten (10) feet from the intersection of the extension of the front and side property lines and connecting the lines across the property.

(g)    Structures, fences, walls, or screening shall not exceed thirty-six (36) inches in height within the intersection visibility area, unless approved by the Community Development Director by a zoning clearance issued under Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 19 (Zoning Clearance). Hedges within the intersection visibility area must meet the standards set in Section 10-2.805(e) (Hedges).

Figure 3-2

INTERSECTION VISIBILITY AREA

(§ 3, Ord. 771, eff. February 13, 2004, as amended by § 3, Ord. 855, eff. May 28, 2015, and § 2, Ord. 910, eff. December 10, 2020)