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A. No yard shall be reduced in size so as to make it smaller than the minimum dimension required, except as allowed in the regulatory options found in the residential single (RS) and residential multi (RM) development standards.

B. No portion of any building or structure shall project into any required yard within a residential single (RS) or residential multi (RM) general use type, except as shown in Table 20.10.080, Permitted Yard Encroachments. Similar residential architectural features, mechanical equipment, and landscape structures not listed in Table 20.10.080 may be approved by the planning and community development director. Permitted encroachments into any yard are required to meet adopted building codes, and meet minimum vision clearance triangle on a corner lot.

Table 20.10.080 – Permitted Yard Encroachments 

P = Permitted

N = Not permitted

Encroachments

Front Yard Setback

Side Yard Setback on a Flanking Street

Side Yard Setback

Rear Yard Setback

Front Yard Setback Option (1)

Uncovered accessibility ramp

P

P

P

P

P

Accessory building

RS per BMC 20.30.100

RM per BMC 20.32.110

N

N

P

P

N

Landscape arbor or trellis

P

P

P

P

P

Awning/canopy for a window, porch or door

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

Cantilevered bay window

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum (5) (6) (7)

P

2' maximum

N

Green house window (manufactured window unit)

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum (7) (8)

P

2' maximum

N

Dormer(s)

P

2'/4' maximum (9)

P

2'/4' maximum (9)

P

2' maximum (5) (6) (7)

P

2' maximum

N

Chimney/fireplace

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

N

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

Fireplace with direct venting

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum (10)

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

Covered porch (2)

Single story main entry open on 3 sides

P

6' maximum

P

6' maximum

N

N

N

Roof; cornice, eave or overhang less than 4' in depth (4)

P

P

P

P

P

Uncovered deck less than 30" above grade (3)

P

P

P

P

P

Uncovered deck or balcony, exceeding 30" above grade (3)

P

6' maximum

P

6' maximum

P

2' maximum (6) (7)

P

5' maximum

N

Uncovered stairwell, stairway or steps not exceeding 4' above grade (2)

P

P

P

P

P

Uncovered stairways, stairwells exceeding 4' above grade

N

P

2' maximum

P

2' maximum

P

5' maximum

N

Fences and walls, per BMC 20.12.050

P

P

P

P

P

Hot tub

Swimming pool

Sport court

N

N

N

P

4' maximum

N

Mechanical equipment, such as: air condition unit, heat pump unit

P

6' maximum

(11)

P

6' maximum

(11)

P

(12)

P

(12)

2' maximum

(11)

Notes:

1Yard encroachments may be permitted per BMC 20.10.080(B).

2Uncovered steps leading into a porch or deck which are not exceeding four feet above grade are not counted towards the six feet front yard encroachment.

3Lower decks or balconies with decks or balconies above them are not considered roofed.

4Shall not be closer than three feet to a property line.

5Shall not exceed 12 feet in width and separated from like features by at least four feet.

6Prohibited within the side yard for residential single development.

7Prohibited within seven feet of a side property line for residential multi development.

8A manufactured green house window unit within the side yard is allowed as follows:

iLimited to the first floor;

iiMaximum width four feet; and

iiiMaximum height four feet.

9A dormer may encroach a maximum of two feet when located above a corresponding bay window, or four feet when located above a corresponding front porch.

10A wall bump-out for a gas fireplace with direct venting is allowed as follows:

iLimited to the first floor;

iiMaximum width six feet; and

iiiMaximum height six feet measured from finished floor.

11Mechanical equipment shall be screened with landscaping, fencing, or similar, when visible from the public street.

12Mechanical equipment is prohibited within three feet of a common property line with another lot. The maximum permissible noise level for mechanical equipment located within five feet of a common property line is 55 decibels (dBA).

C. For corner lots, the front yard shall be that yard which abuts a designated arterial. If neither or both of the abutting streets are designated arterials, the builder/owner shall have the option of selecting the front yard. The remaining yard shall be the side yard on a flanking street.

D. Whenever the right-of-way width is below minimum standards as specified in ordinance No. 8027, the centerline for setback purposes shall be the farthest edge of the existing right-of-way which was dedicated by the subject property. [Ord. 2024-02-002 § 2; Ord. 2011-07-036; Ord. 9024, 1982].