23-411 - General permitted obstructions

LAST AMENDED
12/5/2024


In all #Residence Districts#, the following obstructions shall be permitted to penetrate a maximum height limit or #sky exposure
plane#. These allowances are generally common to #Residence#, #Commercial# and #Manufacturing Districts#.

(a)    Awnings and other sun control devices, provided that when located at a level higher than the first #story#, excluding a
       #basement#, all such awnings and other sun control devices:

       (1)    shall be limited to a maximum projection from a #building# wall of 2 feet, 6 inches, except when located on the
              first #story# above a setback;

       (2)    shall have solid surfaces that, in aggregate, cover an area no more than 30 percent of the area of the #building#
              wall (as viewed in elevation) from which they project; and

       (3)    may rise above the permitted #building# height, up to the height of a parapet wall or railing permitted in
              accordance with this Section. When located on the first #story# above a setback, awnings and other sun control
             devices shall be limited to a projection of 50 percent of the depth of the required setback, and shall be limited, in
             total, to 50 percent of the width of the #building# wall from which they project;

(b)   #Building# columns, having an aggregate width equal to not more than 20 percent of the #aggregate width of street
      walls# of a #building#, to a depth not exceeding 12 inches, in an #initial setback distance#, optional front open area, or
      any other required setback distance or open area set forth in the applicable height and setback regulations;

(c)   Chimneys or flues, with a total width not exceeding 10 percent of the #aggregate width of street walls# of a #building# at
      any level;

(d)   Decks, and other surfaces for recreational activities, not more than 3 feet, 6 inches in height, as measured from the
      maximum height limit;

(e)   Flagpoles or aerials;

(f)   Parapets, railings, or safety guards, whether applied singly, or in combination, provided that:

      (1)    parapets shall not exceed four feet in height;

      (2)    railings shall not exceed 4 feet, 6 inches in height, and shall be at least 50 percent open for the portion that exceeds
             four feet in height; and

      (3)    safety guards shall not exceed 10 feet in height and shall be at least 90 percent transparent for the portion that
             exceeds four feet in height;

(g)   #Qualifying exterior wall thickness#;

(h)   Roof thickness, up to 12 inches, to accommodate the addition of insulation, for #buildings# or portions of #buildings#
      constructed prior to December 5, 2024. For a #building# that has added roof thickness pursuant to this paragraph, the
      height of any other permitted obstruction may be measured from the finished level of the roof instead of the maximum
      height limit or #sky exposure plane#;

(i)   Skylights, clerestories or other daylighting devices, not more than four feet in height, as measured from the maximum
      height limit. Such devices shall be limited to a #lot coverage# not greater than 10 percent of the #lot coverage# of the roof
      and be located at least eight feet from the #street wall# edge. However, such devices shall not be permitted obstructions
      above a roof with a slope greater than 20 degrees;

(j)   Solar energy systems, #accessory# or as part of an #energy infrastructure equipment#:

      (1)    on the roof, or any portion thereof, of a #building#, with a slope less than 20 degrees: up to a height of 15 feet, or,
             when located on a bulkhead or other obstruction of this Section, a height of six feet; or

      (2)    on the roof, or any portion thereof, of a #building#, which has a slope of more than 20 degrees: up to a height of
             60 inches in height, as measured perpendicular to the roof surface;

(k)   Vegetated roofs, not more than 3 feet, 6 inches in height, excluding vegetation, as measured from the maximum height
      limit. On roofs with slopes greater than 20 degrees, vegetated roofs shall be limited to a height of 12 inches measured
      perpendicular to such roof surface;

(l)   Weirs, check dams and other equipment for stormwater management, not more than 3 feet, 6 inches in height, as
      measured from the maximum height limit;
(m)     Window washing equipment mounted on a roof;

(n)    Wire, chain link or other transparent fences.