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PROJ0017-Residential_Accessory_Height-RCA_081213.doc Page 2 of 3 4.0B ACKGROUND 4.1Because this request is initiated by the City rather than by an outside applicant, the State- mandated 60-day timeline does not apply in this case; this is noted merely to explain the “n/a” (i.e., not applicable) notation in the Application Review Details section above. 4.2The mid- to late-1990s apparently saw several detached garages built which were so large as to raise concern about an overly-lax zoning code that allowed detached garages to be as large (or larger) than the principal residential structure. In November 1998, the City Council passed an ordinance constraining the floor area and height of accessory buildings to make them truly subordinate to the residential dwelling; most of these regulations have been carried over, at least in spirit, into the present zoning code. 4.3In the course of day-to-day use of the current zoning code, City staff has noticed the omission of a former provision that further limited the height of an accessory structure by prohibiting it from being taller than the principal structure. While no detached garages that are taller than the residential dwelling have been permitted since the zoning was updated in December 2010, Planning Division staff believes that such a limitation is still worthwhile and proposes to add it back into the regulations pertaining to residential accessory buildings. 5.0P ROPOSED Z ONING T EXT C HANGES The proposed zoning text change in Chapter 1004 (Residential Districts) is represented below; proposed insertions are represented in bold text, and proposed deletions are shown in strikethrough text. 1004.02:Accessory Buildings Table 1004 Ͳ 1 Accessory building Maximum combined storage size/area 864 square feet;up to 1,008 square feet by meeting performance standards in Section 1004.02A.2. In any case,combined area of accessory buildings shall not exceed 85%of the footprint of the principal structure. Maximum height 15 feet;9 feet wall height a Minimum front yard building setback 30 feet ab Minimum side yard building setback Rear 5 feet bc Interior side 5 feet Corner side Behind established building line of principal structure Minimum setback from any other building or structure on the lot 6 feet a Notwithstanding the allowed maximum height,the height of an accessory building shall not exceed the height of the principal structure. a b Where the natural grade of a lot at the building line of a house is 8 feet or more above the established street centerline,the Community Development Department may permit a detached garage to be erected within any required yard to enable a reduction of the slope of the driveway to as little as 10%,provided that at least one Ͳ half of the wall height is below grade level. b c Accessory buildings containing an Accessory Dwelling Unit shall have the same rear yard setback as required in Table 1004 Ͳ 3 for principal buildings.(Ord.1418,10 Ͳ 10 Ͳ 2011)