§ 46-656. Accessory buildings.

Accessory buildings, except as otherwise permitted in this chapter, shall be subject to the following regulations:

(1)

Where a building accessory to a residential building is structurally attached to a main building, it shall be subject to, and must conform to, all regulations of this chapter applicable to main building.

(2)

Buildings accessory to a residential building shall not be erected in any required yard, except a rear yard.

(3)

Detached buildings accessory to a residential building shall not occupy more than 25 percent of a rear yard; provided that in no instance shall all of the accessory buildings exceed 65 percent of the ground floor area of the main building.

(4)

No detached building accessory to a residential building shall be located closer than ten feet to any main building nor shall it be located closer than three feet to any side or rear lot line.

a.

In those instances where the rear lot line is coterminous with an alley right-of-way, the accessory building shall not be closer than three feet to such rear lot line. In no instance shall an accessory building be located within a dedicated easement right-of-way.

b.

A detached accessory building may be located closer than ten feet to any main building if all walls of the accessory building which face the main building or other permanent structures, are constructed to meet or exceed a one-hour fire rating.

(5)

No detached accessory building in R-1 through R-4, RT, RM-1, RM-2, MH, RMH, OS-1, OS-2, B-1 and P-1 districts shall exceed one story or 20 feet in height. Accessory buildings in all other districts may be constructed to equal the permitted maximum height of structures in said district.

(6)

When buildings accessory to a residential building are located on a corner lot, the side lot line of which is substantially a continuation of the front lot line of the lot to its rear, said building shall not project beyond the front yard setback required on the lot in the rear of such corner lot. In no instance shall an accessory building be located nearer than ten feet to a street right-of-way line.

(7)

Buildings accessory to a nonresidential building must comply with all of the above requirements which apply to residential buildings or apply for and receive a variance from the zoning board of appeals.

(8)

The parking of a mobile home for periods exceeding 24 hours on lands not approved for mobile home parks shall be expressly prohibited. All mobile homes owned by residents of the city and stored on their individual lots shall be stored only within the confines of the rear yard and shall further respect the requirements of this section applicable to accessory buildings, insofar as distances from principal structures, lot lines, and easements are concerned. All mobile homes parked or stored, shall not be connected to sanitary facilities or public utilities and shall not be occupied.

(9)

Ground mounted satellite dishes, antennas, towers, privacy screens and similar structures are considered accessory structures when greater than nine inches in height and 50 square feet in projected silhouette, section 46-4, pertaining to the definition of structure, when not attached to a main building and when not the principal use on the property, and must conform to all regulations in this chapter applicable to accessory buildings and structures, including the obtaining of a building permit. Retaining walls must not extend more than nine inches above the highest grade, or they must comply with the city's fence ordinance. See article III of chapter 8, pertaining to fences. Exceptions are as follows:

a.

Essential services which comply with section 46-707.

b.

Commercial telecommunication towers and antennas which comply with sections 46-662 and 46-673.

(Prior Code, § 5.184; Ord. No. 80-004, 12-1-1980; Ord. No. 85-06, 4-1-1985; Ord. No. 90-15, 8-20-1990; Ord. No. 98-01, 3-2-1998; Ord. No. 98-25, 1-4-1999; Ord. No. 2001-13, 11-5-2001)