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Article 8-2 DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS, GUEST HOUSES, VENTILATION COURTS, AND PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINERS

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A. DETACHED ACCESSORY BUILDINGS. In all Residential Districts, detached accessory buildings shall conform to the following restrictions concerning locations within lots:

1. Location. Detached accessory buildings or pads may be located in the front or rear of a lot. The location of the accessory building will determine the setback requirements, use and height of said accessory buildings which include the following criteria:

a. Front accessory buildings are defined as buildings located in the front half of the lot. These buildings are limited in use to either a garage or a casita. A casita being defined as a living area used as a bedroom, home office or other use that would be allowed and typical within the main building. The casita may also include a bathroom, but no kitchen facilities.

1. Architecture of accessory buildings must be the same as the main building. When viewed from the front of the lot, the accessory building should appear as an extension of the main building.

2. Setback and height requirements for a front accessory building must be the same standards as for the main building, but shall not exceed the height of the main building.

b. Rear accessory buildings are defined as buildings located in the rear half of the lot. Their use is limited to standard uses that are allowed in the main building, with the exception of the kitchen.

1. Setback requirements for rear accessory buildings are modified to allow encroachment into the required side and rear yard except for the following:

(a) One (1) foot setback shall be required on all sides of an accessory building for each one (1) foot in height (to the peak of the building) above the lot perimeter fence or wall, which shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

(b) Through lot. The accessory building shall not be located closer to the rear property lines than the distance required for front yard setback.

(c) Corner lot. The accessory building shall not be located closer to the street or side property line than the setback required for the main building.

(d) Corner lot contiguous to key lot. No detached rear accessory building shall be located closer to the street side of a corner lot than the front yard required on the key lot, except such setback need not be greater than one-half (1/2) the width of the corner lot.

2. No building, which is accessory to any residential building, shall be erected to a height greater than twelve (12) feet unless it is within the same setback requirements as the main building, but may not exceed the height of the main building.

3. All accessory buildings designed or used for sleeping or living purposes shall be within the same setback requirements as that of the main building.

2. Detached accessory buildings shall be permanently affixed to the ground by anchoring or slab attachment.

3. No accessory buildings shall occupy more than twenty five (25) percent of the area lying between the rear of the main building and the rear property line.

B. Guest House shall be restricted to lots having areas of not less than fifteen thousand (15,000) square feet. Guest house, whether detached or attached, shall not have an address separate from the principal residence on the lot or parcel. Where a guest house is structurally attached to a main building, it shall be subject to and must conform to all regulations of this Ordinance applicable to the main building. Not more than one (1) guest house shall be permitted on any one (1) lot or parcel.

1. General Provisions.

a. A guest house shall be constructed of similar materials, colors and architectural style to the main building.

b. On lots having principal building and guest house, maximum lot coverage of all buildings shall not exceed sixty (60) percent.

c. A guest house shall have no separate utility services and no entry visible from public right-of-way.

d. No guest house shall be leased or rented.

e. A guest house shall have no separate driveway or parking area from that of the principal residence. The principal residence shall have not less than three (3) enclosed covered parking spaces and paved access to each of the spaces.

f. No guest house shall be constructed on any lot or parcel until the main building has been fully constructed and ready for occupancy.

2. Detached guest house is subject to the following additional criteria:

a. Detached guest house may encroach into the required site and rear yard setback of the lot, provided that setbacks of five (5) feet shall be maintained from side and rear property lines. On a through lot, the detached guest house shall not be located closer to the rear property line than the distance required for front yard setback. On any corner lot, the detached guest house shall not be located closer to the street side property line than the setback required for the main building.

b. No detached guest house shall have floor areas exceeding fifty (50) percent of the principal building nor exceed a height of twenty (20) feet.

C. VENTILATION COURTS. Rooms in which persons live or sleep, not having at least one wall abutting on a street or alley, or on a yard, shall be supplied natural light and air from a ventilation court conforming to the following:

Number of Stories Above Bottom of Court

Minimum Width of Court in Feet

1

20

2

30

3

40

4 or more

50

D. PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINERS.

1. In all Multi-Family, Commercial, and Industrial zoning districts, portable storage containers are permitted only in accordance with the following:

a. As a temporary use during construction, remodeling, or redevelopment of permanent onsite buildings and facilities, subject to approval of a Zoning Permit by the Community Development Department. Such permit shall specify and limit the number, size, location, and duration of the storage containers.

b. As a periodic, intermittent, or recurring use accessory to a primary permitted use, subject to approval of a Zoning Permit by the Community Development Department. In addition to specifying and limiting the number, size, location, and duration of the storage containers, the Zoning Permit may require additional measures, such as increased setbacks, screen walls, landscaping, exterior materials, and colors, to ensure compatibility with adjacent land uses. Zoning Permits granted for portable storage containers in Commercial and Industrial zoning districts shall be permitted for a period of time not to exceed sixty (60) days, with one renewal permitted for a period of time not to exceed thirty (30) days, in a calendar year.

c. In no case shall storage containers be located in required yards, landscape areas, open space, retention basins, drive aisles, required parking spaces, fire lanes, loading zones, or any other location that may cause hazardous conditions, constitute a threat to the public safety, or create a condition detrimental to surrounding land uses and developments.

2. In all Single-Family zoning districts, portable storage containers are permitted only for the purpose of loading and unloading household contents for a period of time not to exceed ten (10) days in a calendar year.

E. DONATION DROP-OFF BOXES. In all non-residential zoning districts, Donation Drop-Off Boxes are permitted only in accordance with the following standards and procedures:

1. Donation Drop-Off Boxes are permitted only as a use accessory to an established and primary permitted use. Donation Drop-Off Boxes are subject to the approval of a Zoning Permit by the Community Development Department, and upon receipt of written authorization by the property owner, or his legal representative.

2. Donation Drop-Off Boxes shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation, nor be located in public rights-of-way, required building setbacks, landscape areas, drive aisles, required parking spaces, fire lanes, loading zones, or any other location that may cause hazardous conditions, constitute a threat to the public safety, or create a condition detrimental to surrounding land uses and developments.

3. Each Donation Drop-Off Box shall have a firmly closing lid and shall have a capacity no greater than six (6) cubic yards. No Donation Drop-Off Box shall exceed seven (7) feet in height.

4. Donation Drop-Off Boxes may be constructed of painted metal, rubber, wood, or plastic and shall be properly maintained in a safe and good condition.

5. Donation Drop-Off Boxes shall be clearly marked to identify the specific items and materials requested to be left for donation, the name of the operator or owners of the donation container, and a telephone number where the owner, operator or agent of the owner or operator may be reached at any time. The Donation Drop-Off Box shall also display a notice stating that no items or materials shall be left outside of the Donation Drop-Off Box.

6. Occupation of parking spaces by the Donation Drop-Off Boxes shall not reduce the number of available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the site.

7. All donated items must be collected and stored in the Donation Drop-Off Box. Donated items or materials shall not be left outside of Donation Drop-Off Boxes, and the area around each Donation Drop-Off Box shall be maintained by the owner or operator, or the property owner, free of litter and any other undesirable materials.

8. Donation Drop-Off Boxes not located or maintained in compliance with this Article shall be subject to revocation of the Zoning Permit.