17.400.130 Residential Uses—Accessory Structures
A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this Section is to provide general development standards for accessory structures in residential districts.
B. Detached Accessory Buildings. Detached accessory buildings or structures shall not be used as habitable space, and shall observe the following restrictions:
1. An accessory building or structure 120 square feet or less and 7 feet or less in height including children’s play houses shall be exempt from development restrictions (except Building and Fire codes) provided it is placed behind a line extending from the exterior wall of the main dwelling unit nearest the streets but not closer than the minimum setback line and no part of the building or structure extends beyond any property line and that any portion of an accessory structure designed as a deck, platform, or walking or play area including the top portion of an elevated playhouse/treehouse or platform, swimming pool slide, must maintain a 15-foot side and rear setback. This restriction does not apply if the adjacent properties are not zoned for residential use.
2. For an accessory building or structure over 120 square feet in area, or one that is greater than 7 feet in height, the following restrictions shall apply:
a. The maximum cumulative area of a non-garage detached accessory structure(s) shall not exceed 200 square feet provided at least 1,000 square feet of contiguous open space remains in the rear yard.
b. A 3-foot setback shall be maintained from the interior side and rear property lines when a detached structure is located within the rear 1/3 of the lot. Detached, accessory structures in the front 2/3 of the lot shall maintain side and rear setbacks established for main buildings.
c. A 10-foot street side setback shall be maintained for all corner lots.
d. Any portion of an accessory structure designed as a deck, platform, or walking or play area, including the top portion of an elevated playhouse/treehouse or platform, swimming pool slide, diving board, must maintain a 15-foot side and rear setback. This restriction does not apply if the adjacent properties are not zoned for residential use.
e. The maximum height of the building or structure shall not exceed 15 feet to the roof peak, except where structures contain a flat roof or shed roof, then the plate line shall not exceed
10 feet in height. For non-roofed structures, the maximum height shall be 10 feet to the highest portion of the structure, including, but not limited to, play equipment.
f. Eave overhangs or other similar projections shall not be closer than 2 feet to any side or rear property line.
g. The detached accessory structure shall maintain a minimum 6-foot separation from dwelling units.
h. When designed and used for a garage, workshop or shed, the building or structure shall be consistent with the architecture of the surrounding neighborhood and shall be compatible with the materials, color palette, architectural theme, and roof pitch of the main building.
i. Accessory structures may not contain temporary or permanent kitchen or cooking facilities.
j. Accessory structures may not be used for cooking or sleeping purposes. No person may sleep or otherwise reside in an accessory structure at any time whether such use is temporary or permanent, and whether or not compensation is provided.
k. Accessory structures may not contain bathroom fixtures except for a lavatory, toilet, and shower if in conjunction with an on-site, permanent, in-ground swimming pool. Spas, whether in-ground or above ground, and above-ground pools are not considered swimming pools for the purposes of this Section.
3. Plumbing fixtures in an accessory structure other than those provided subject to subsection B.2.k are limited to one of the following: 1 single-basin wet-bar sink not exceeding 1 cubic foot in size; or 1 laundry sink if located adjacent to a laundry appliance fixture.
4. The owner or applicant shall allow authorized City officials, or their designees, access to the premises where there is reasonable cause to believe that the accessory structure or its use is not in compliance with the approval or this Title.
(Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)