§ 17.06.331. Detached decks in residential zones.

The following standards shall apply to all detached decks in residential zones:

A.

Ground-Level Detached Decks. A ground-level deck, located no higher than twelve inches above natural/local grade, shall be permitted to extend to the property lines and count as lot coverage in accordance with Section 17.06.070.

B.

Above-Ground Detached/Hillside Decks. A deck, any portion of which exceeds twelve inches in height from natural/local grade, shall count as lot coverage in accordance with Section 17.06.070 and be subject to the following standards:

1.

The overall length of the deck shall not exceed fifty percent of the width of the lot. For the purpose of this section, the width of the lot and deck shall be measured as shown below:

2.

In no case shall the deck have a side yard setback of less than ten feet or a rear yard setback of less than ten feet;

3.

No decks or any portion of which exceeds twelve inches in height from natural/local grade shall be permitted within the front yard setback area;

4.

The overall height of the deck, including the safety railing (limited to four feet in height from the surface of the deck), lights or any other architectural features, when measured at its highest point from natural grade, shall not exceed sixteen feet in height. The planning director may administratively approve a deck up to twelve feet in height. Decks between twelve feet and sixteen feet in height shall require planning commission approval;

5.

Deck lighting shall be subject to the approval of the planning director. In no case shall deck lighting exceed the height of the safety railing or be more than twelve feet in height from natural/local grade, and all approved lights shall be shielded and directed onto the subject property in conformance with Section 17.42.030 (Lighting—Residential Districts);

6.

The deck shall be subject to neighborhood compatibility review as provided for in Chapter 17.62. All deck proposals submitted for such review must be accompanied by a plot plan and elevations. All adjacent property owners shall be notified of such deck proposals prior to any decision. The planning director may require additional information on the plans and/or additional notification to surrounding properties as deemed necessary;

7.

The deck shall be adequately screened from adjacent properties through the use of landscaping or other features as deemed appropriate by the planning director. The city may require submission of a landscaping and/or irrigation plan as a condition of approval of any deck in order to insure adequate screening.

C.

Decks Requiring Building Permits. A deck or any portion thereof equal to or greater than thirty inches in height from natural/local grade shall require a building permit duly issued by the department of building and safety.

(Ord. 558 § 1, 1993)