§ 17.84.030. Height limits—Exceptions.

The following general height regulations apply:

A.

Fences. The following shall apply, unless otherwise provided:

1.

The height of any fence, wall, hedge, screen planting or other dividing structure placed, grown or maintained in any residential or commercial district shall not exceed three feet within any required front yard or within any side yard on the street side of a corner lot, except as provided in subsection (A)(3).

2.

The height of any fence, wall or other dividing structure placed in any residential district shall not exceed six feet in any rear yard, or in any required side yard not subject to subsection (A)(1), except as provided in subsection (A)(3). A fence may exceed this height limit if a use permit is first secured.

3.

The height limits of this subsection do not apply to open wire fencing material used as a fence or dividing structure or placed atop any fence, wall or other dividing structure.

B.

Height Exceptions. The following exceptions apply to height regulations:

1.

Roof Structure. Roof structures for the housing of elevators, stairways, tanks, ventilating fans, solar equipment or similar equipment required to operate and maintain the building, and fire or parapet walls, skylights, towers, flagpoles, chimneys, smokestacks, wireless masts, radio and television antennas or similar structures may be erected above the height limits specified in this title, but no roof structure or any space above the height limit shall be allowed for the purpose of providing additional floor space.

2.

Slope. Where the average grade under any dwelling exceeds fifteen percent, the maximum height limit shall be increased by fifteen feet on the downhill side of the building.

3.

Transmission Lines. Height limitations provided in this title shall not apply to electric transmission lines or towers.

4.

Administrative/Use Permit. Except as otherwise provided in this section, any residential accessory structure, building or fence may be erected to a greater height or number of stories than the limit established for the district in which the structure is to be located, provided that an administrative permit is issued. For all other over-height structures, buildings or fences, issuance of a permit is required.

C.

Fire Safety. Whenever the lowest portion of the roof is greater than twenty feet from the ground, roof access for fire safety shall be provided as required by the local fire authority.

(Ord. 2003-1 § 23, 2003; prior code § 5.04.020)