17.300.020 Setback Regulations and Exceptions

A.    Purpose and Intent. This Section establishes standards to ensure the provision of open areas for access to and around structures, access to natural light and ventilation, landscaping, recreation, separation of incompatible land uses, and space for privacy, traffic safety, and visibility.

B.     Setback Requirements

1.     All structures shall conform to the setback requirements identified for each zoning district as outlined in Article 2 and with any special setbacks established by this Title for specific uses.

2.     All setbacks shall be open and unobstructed from the ground upward, with the exception of trees and other plant materials and except as provided elsewhere in this Title.

C.    Exemptions from Setback Requirements. The minimum setback requirements of this Title shall apply to all uses/structures with the exception of:

1.     Fences, hedges, walls and other like structures as listed in Section 17.300.030, and within the height limitations of this Title;

2.     Landscaping;

3.     Grade-level decks, with or without hand rails, steps, terraces, and other site design elements that are placed directly upon the finish grade and are up to 24 inches above the surrounding finish grade;

4.     Refuse and recyclable materials storage areas as provided in Section 17.300.045 (Refuse and Recyclable Materials Storage Requirements).

D.    Limitations on the Use of Setback Areas. Required setback areas shall only be used as follows:

1.     Structures. Required setback areas shall not be occupied by structures other than:

a.     Structures and uses that are exempt from the setback requirements as outlined in Section 17.300.020.C;

b.     Accessory structures in compliance with Section 17.400.130, Residential Uses—Accessory Structures;

c.     Detached accessory structures and architectural features as outlined in Table 3-1.

2.     Parking. Required residential front and street side yard setbacks shall be landscaped and may not be used for off-street parking, the temporary standing of vehicles or for the permanent storage of motor or recreational vehicles, except as may be permitted under the provisions of Section 17.320.030.J, Parking Standards for Recreational Vehicles in the R1 Zoning District. In the R1 zoning district, and for single-family uses in any residential district, temporary standing of vehicles shall be permitted on driveways in required front yards and street side yards. Driveways, inclusive of walkways, shall not cover more than the percentages listed below unless the property contains an SB 9 Two-Unit Housing Development, Accessory Dwelling Unit and/or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit in which case the maximum width for driveways, excluding walkways, shall be allowed an additional 5 feet:

a.     Fifty percent of the front yard for lots greater than or equal to 60 feet wide.

b.     Fifty-five percent of the front yard for lots less than 60 feet wide, but greater than or equal to 55 feet wide.

c.     Sixty percent of the front yard for lots less than 55 feet wide, but greater than or equal to 50 feet wide.

d.     Sixty-five percent of the front yard for lots less than 50 feet wide, but greater than or equal to 45 feet wide.

e.     Seventy percent of the front yard for lots less than 45 feet wide, but greater than or equal to 40 feet wide.

f.      Seventy-five percent of the front yard for lots less than 40 feet wide.

g.     Fifty percent of the street side yard on corner lots.

E.     Measurement of Setbacks. Setbacks shall be measured as follows. See Figure 3-1, Location and Measurement of Setbacks, for illustration.

Figure 3-1
Location and Measurement of Setbacks

1.     Future right-of-way improvements. Setbacks shall be measured from the line shown on any Street Improvement Plans and/or resulting from corner cut-off required by the Public Works Department.

2.     Front setback. The front setback shall be measured at right angles from the nearest wall of the structure to the front lot line, except as follows:

a.     Corner parcels and reverse corner lots. The setback measurement of corner parcels and reverse corner lots shall be taken from the lot line separating the narrowest street frontage of the lot from the street.

b.     Flag lots. The setback measurement of flag lots shall be taken from the nearest point on the wall of the structure facing the street to the point where the access strip (“flag pole”) meets the bulk of the parcel, establishing a building line parallel to the lot line nearest to the public street or right-of-way. See Figure 3-2, Flag Lot, for illustration.

Figure 3-2
Flag Lot

3.     Side and street-side setback. The side and street-side setbacks shall be measured at right angles from the nearest point on the side property line to the nearest wall of the structure establishing a yard that extends from the rear line of the required front yard, or front property line where no front yard is required, to the rear yard.

4.     Rear setback. The rear setback shall be measured at right angles from the nearest point on the rear property line to the rear line of the main building nearest the rear lot line, establishing a yard that extends across the full width of the lot.

F.     Allowed Projections/Intrusions into Setbacks. Architectural features and accessory uses/structures may extend into the front, side, and rear setbacks, as well as required open space, as outlined in Table 3-1.

(Ord. 2580U § 5, Ord. 2575 § 2, 2021; 2022; Ord. 2511 § 2, 2014; Ord. 2478 § 2, 2011; Ord. 2456 § 2, 2010)