23-372 - Distance between legally required windows and lot lines

LAST AMENDED
12/5/2024

R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12

The minimum distance between #legally required windows# and walls or #lot lines# shall be as set forth in this Section.
For the purposes of this Section, #abutting# #buildings# on the same #zoning lot# shall be considered a single #building#.

(a)   Exceptions

       This Section shall not apply to #legally required windows# in #buildings# containing #residences# with a maximum
       height of 35 feet, as measured from #base plane#, and with a maximum of three #dwelling units#.

(b)    Basic provisions

       The minimum distance between a #legally required window# and:

       (1)    any wall;

       (2)    a #rear lot line#, or vertical projection thereof; or

       (3)    a #side lot line#, or vertical projection thereof;


       shall be 20 feet, measured in a horizontal plane at the sill level of, and perpendicular to, such window for the full width of
       the rough window opening.

       The obstructions permitted for any #yard# set forth in Section 23-311 shall be permitted in such minimum distance.

(c)   For shallow lots

       For #interior lots#, where the depth is less than 95 feet deep at any point, the minimum distance between a #legally
       required window# and a #rear lot line#, or vertical projection thereof, may be modified to equal the #rear yard# depth
       required for shallow lots pursuant to the provisions of Section 23-342 (Rear yard requirements). However, in no event
       shall such minimum distance between a #legally required window# and a #rear lot line#, or vertical projection thereof, be
       less than 10 feet.

(d)    Special provisions for R3 through R5 Districts

       In R3, R4 and R5 Districts, the minimum dimension between a #legally required window# and a #side lot line# shall be
       15 feet. Such 15-foot dimension shall be measured in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the #side lot line# or vertical
       projection thereof. Furthermore, such area with a 15-foot dimension shall be open from its lowest level to the sky for the
       entire length of the #side lot line#. Only #accessory# mechanical equipment limited in depth to 18 inches from an exterior
       wall, chimneys, downspouts, eaves, #qualifying exterior wall thickness#, gutters, open #accessory# off-street parking
       spaces, ramps for access by people with disabilities, and steps shall be permitted obstructions in such open area, subject to
       the conditions set forth in Sections 23-311 or 23-312, provided that such obstructions, not including #qualifying exterior
       wall thickness# and #accessory# mechanical equipment, will not reduce the minimum width of the open area by more
       than three feet.