17.54.050 Yards.
A. Measurement. The measurement of a yard shall be made perpendicular from the property line to the nearest portion of the building.
B. Requirement exceptions. The following exceptions to the front-yard requirements for a dwelling are authorized for a lot in any zone:
1. If there are dwellings on both abutting lots with front yards of depths less than the required depth for the zone, the depth of the front yard for the intervening lot need not exceed the average depth of the front yards of the abutting lots.
2. If there is a dwelling on one abutting lot with a front yard of less depth than the required depth for the zone, the front yard for the lot need not exceed a depth halfway between the depth of the abutting lot and the required front-yard depth.
3. Whether attached to a residence or as a separate structure, a covered storage facility (garage) for a vehicle on which the main opening is toward a street shall be located not less than 20 feet from the property line bordering the street.
C. Projections into yards. Architectural features such as cornices, canopies, sunshades, windows, chimneys, and flues shall not project more than 18 inches into a required yard. Eaves may extend a distance not to exceed 30 inches into a required yard. Stairs may encroach up to five feet into a required front yard provided that the stairs are not covered or enclosed, except for an eave not exceeding the 30-inch encroachment as noted above.
D. In a district where automobile service stations are permitted or conditionally permitted, freestanding gasoline pumps and pump islands shall not be closer than 10 feet to a street property line.
E. In a commercial or industrial zone, if an alley is adjacent to a required side or rear yard, the distance for a required yard may be measured from the center of the alley.
F. Yards required along arterial streets. Except in zones where greater setbacks are required, a minimum five-foot yard shall be provided where a lot or parcel abuts an arterial street, as those streets are defined in the city’s Transportation Master plan. The required five-foot yard shall be maintained as a clear vision area as defined in MMC 17.54.080 except that the following uses may be allowed when alternatives are unavailable:
1. The exceptions described in MMC 17.54.080.
2. Signs and signposts provided that the body of the sign is below three feet in height or above eight feet in height when measured from the top of the curb, or where no curb exists, eight and one-half (8.5) feet from the edge of the pavement or top of asphalt measured at the property line.
G. A building may be constructed with a cantilever which extends up to two feet over the setback at a height greater than eight feet when measured from the top of the curb, or where no curb exists, from eight and one-half (8.5) feet above the edge of the pavement, or top of asphalt measured at the property line.
H. Setback variance requests shall be processed under the provisions of Chapters 17.72 (Applications and Review Process) and 17.74 (Review Criteria) MMC, except that:
1. The applicant must prove that the vision of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians will not be blocked or adversely affected as a result of the variance:
2. Variances to the requirements of this section which do not involve building setbacks must comply with subsection (H)(1) of this section, but need not comply with MMC 17.74.110. (Ord. 4128 (part), 1981; Ord. 3380 (part), 1968).