§ 703.1. Yard provisions

A. Front yards.

1. Front yard depth: Depth of front yards shall be measured at right angles to a straight line joining the foremost points of the side lot lines. The foremost point of the side lot line, in the case of rounded property corners at street intersection, shall be assumed to be the point at which the side and front lot lines would have met without such rounding.

2. Exterior yards—All lots.

a. At least one exterior yard shall have the full depth as required by the district regulations.

b. No other exterior yard shall have less than one half the full depth as required by the district regulations, except as provided below.

3. Exterior yards—Through lots.

Exterior yards shall be provided on all street frontages of through lots subject to the following special provisions: Where the enforcing officer finds that one of the two exterior yards that would normally be required along opposite non-intersecting streets is not in keeping with the prevailing yard depth pattern, the enforcing officer shall approve a special minimum depth of yard which shall be equal to the average of the yards actually provided or required on adjoining lots. When the city has approve a subdivision plat filed in the maps and plats records of the county and showing a building set back line along one of the two streets at less than the normal depth required, such line shall be the minimum yard depth for the lot.

B. Other yard provisions.

1. Interior yard required.

An interior yard shall be provided in the minimum width prescribed in the district regulations. The width shall be measured perpendicular to each interior lot line.

2. Yards—Accessory buildings.

a. No accessory building, except for carports as provided for below, shall be located in a minimum required front yard. An accessory building may be located along an interior lot line, if it is at least not closer than five (5) feet to the interior lot line. (Ord. No. 1432)

b. Carports may be allowed within the minimum required front yard with a special use permit only when reviewed by the planning and zoning commission and authorized by the city commission after public hearings provided that all of the following conditions are met:

(1.) Vehicular access to the rear yard is not reasonably available.

(2.) There is insufficient space for placement of carport in side yard.

(3.) The carport shall be attached to the structure, compatible with the neighborhood and does not negatively affect other nearby properties. A detailed drawing and material list must accompany the request for a special use permit.

(4.) If the carport is to be located on a corner lot, then no portion of the carport may extend into the area required to meet visibility standards as set out in this ordinance.

(5.) The carport shall have no more than six (6) supporting columns and they shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height from grade level. The roof height shall not exceed the height of the primary structure. The vertical plane from the ground to seven (7) feet above grade on the street facing end/side and its two adjacent ends/sides shall be left clear of any walls or sheathing.

(6.) This subsection does not allow portable carports. (Ord. No. 1432)

3. Other yard uses.

Fences, walls, poles, posts, customary fixed yard accessories and ornaments, and roof overhangs projecting not more than thirty-six (36) inches, may be permitted in any minimum interior required yard subject to height limitations and requirements limiting obstruction of visibility.

4. Setback along alley.

In lieu of interior yards along public alleys, buildings shall be setback from the center of the alley right-of-way as follows:

a. Ten (10) feet for a residential use.

b. Twelve (12) feet for a non-residential use.

(Ord. No. 1432)