§ 1280.19. STANDARDS FOR DWELLINGS.

A dwelling located on an individual lot or parcel is permitted if the following standards are met:

(a)

It complies with the minimum square footage requirements of this Zoning Code for the district in which it is located.

(b)

It complies, in all respects, with the B.O.C.A. National Building Code, including minimum heights for habitable rooms. Where a dwelling is required by law to comply with any Federal or State standard or regulation for construction, and where such standard or regulation is different from that imposed by the B.O.C.A. National Building Code, such Federal or State standard or regulation shall apply.

(c)

All dwellings must be firmly attached to a permanent foundation constructed on the site, in accordance with the B.O.C.A. National Building Code, and must have a wall of the same perimeter dimensions as the dwelling, and must be constructed as required in the B.O.C.A. National Building Code for single-family dwellings.

(d)

If a dwelling is a mobile home, it shall be installed with the wheels removed. Additionally, no dwelling shall have any exposed towing mechanism, undercarriage or chassis.

(e)

The dwelling is connected to a public sewer and water supply or to private water and sewer facilities approved by the local health department.

(f)

The lot on which a dwelling is located must contain at least 450 square feet of enclosed storage capacity not including closets, attic or basement. The space may include an attached garage or detached accessory building or other structure.

(g)

All dwellings must be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance with other dwellings in the vicinity. The following standards shall be used in determining acceptable similarity in appearance between dwelling units:

(1)

The width of the main body of the dwelling unit shall be not less than twenty-four feet, as measured at the narrowest portion.

(2)

The pitch of the main roof shall be not less than four feet of rise for each twelve feet of horizontal run (4:12 pitch). In general any roofing material may be used that is a generally acceptable material if applied in a manner consistent with other dwellings in the vicinity.

(3)

The dwelling shall have a roof overhang of not less than six inches on all sides, or alternatively, window sills or roof drainage systems concentrating roof drainage at collection points along the sides of the dwelling.

(4)

The dwelling shall have not fewer than two exterior doors, with the second one being at either the rear or the side of the dwelling. Steps to such exterior doors shall be provided where a difference in elevation exists between the bottom of the door and the ground.

(5)

Any material that is generally acceptable, as determined by comparison to dwelling units in the vicinity, may be used for exterior finish if applied in such a manner as to be similar in appearance. However, reflection from such exterior shall not be greater than from siding coated with clean, white, glossy exterior enamel.

(6)

The top plate of the front wall foundation of a dwelling shall not exceed twenty-four inches above the approved natural or engineered grade, nor shall any grade be altered in a manner as to cause adverse impacts to neighboring properties. Exception: The Zoning Administrator may waive the requirements of the front wall foundation height due to hardship not caused by the property owner.

The compatibility of design and appearance shall be determined in the first instance by the Planning Director upon review of the plans submitted for a particular dwelling, subject to appeal by an aggrieved party to the Board of Zoning Appeals within a period of fifteen days from the receipt of notice of the Planning Director's decision. A determination of compatibility shall be based on the standards set forth in this subsection as well as on the character, design and appearance of one or more residential dwellings, located outside of mobile home parks, within 2,000 feet of the subject dwelling where such area is developed with dwellings to the extent of not less than twenty percent of the lots situated in such area, or where the area is not so developed, on the character, design and appearance of one or more residential dwellings, located outside of mobile home parks, throughout the City. This provision shall not be construed to prohibit innovative design concepts involving such matters as solar energy, view, unique land contour or relief from the common or standard designed home.

(h)

The dwelling contains no additions or rooms or other areas which are not constructed with workmanship similar in quality to the original structure, including permanent attachments to the principal structure and the construction of a foundation as required in this paragraph.

(i)

All dwellings must comply with all pertinent building and fire codes.

(j)

The standards in this paragraph do not apply to a mobile home located in a licensed mobile home park except to the extent required by State or Federal law or otherwise specifically required in the Ordinances of the City pertaining to such parks.

(k)

All construction required in this paragraph shall be commenced only after a building permit has been obtained in accordance with the applicable provisions and requirements of the B.O.C.A. National Building Code.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90; Ord. 322. Passed 8-9-99; Ord. 352. Passed 6-25-01; Ord. 379. Passed 1-10-05.)