Use of required yards
Yard regulations shall apply to that open area on the same lot with a principal building or structure and accessory structure located between the lot lines and the minimum setback lines which shall be unobstructed by buildings or structures from the ground to the sky, except as hereinafter provided.
(1) In any district, the front yard as established in section 19-145 and hereinafter provided shall be unoccupied and unobstructed by buildings or structures other than signs, poles, ornamental and similar structures and shall not be used to fulfill the off-street parking, loading or unloading requirements of this chapter or for outdoor storage or display, except that a driveway and walkways may be located in any required front yard. Parking in the front yard setback shall not exceed one-third of the overall lot width for one and two-family dwellings only. For residential structures only, a handicapped access ramp may be located within the required front yard. No fence or similar screen of solid appearance in a residential district shall exceed four feet in height where located in the required front yard or along property boundaries contiguous to the required front yard.
(2) In any district, the side and rear yards as established by the minimum required setback in section 19-145 and hereinafter provided shall be unoccupied and unobstructed by buildings or structures except as hereinafter provided. For residential structures only, a handicapped access ramp may be located within the required side and rear yard setback. (See section 19-144 for regulations pertaining to accessory uses and structures.
(3) Off-street parking, loading or unloading area in conformance with sections 19-276 through 19-284 or 19-285 through 19-290 and accessory to a permitted use located on the premises may be located within the required side or rear yard, except where such yard is located in a commercial or industrial district and abuts a residential or open space district, only if necessary to meet the minimum requirements of such sections as determined and approved by the zoning officer and city traffic engineer.
(4) In any district, any portion of a required yard not developed for a use expressly permitted under the terms of this chapter shall be landscaped and maintained to enhance the premises and to be attractive and acceptable to the neighborhood.
(5) No fence or similar screen of solid appearance in a residential district shall exceed six feet in height where located in the required rear yard or side yard or along property boundaries contiguous to the required rear yard or side yard when said boundary abuts another residential use. For a boundary between a residential and commercial or industrial use no fence or similar screen of solid appearance shall be less than six feet nor more than ten feet in height. These restrictions shall not apply to plantings such as arborvitae or other similar trees or shrubs. Said height shall be measured from the existing grade at the rear and side lot lines.
(Rev. Ords. 1987, § 19-135; Ch. 82, § I, 8-10-99; Ch. 146, § VII, 10-23-00; Ch. 198, § V, 2-19-02; Ch. 642, § VI, 3-15-16)