144

SEC. 144. STREET FRONTAGES IN RH, RTO, AND RM DISTRICTS. (See Interpretations related to this Section.) (a) Purpose. This Section 144 is enacted to assure that in RH, RM, and RTO Districts the ground story of dwellings as viewed from the street is compatible with the scale and character of the existing street frontage, visually interesting and attractive in relation to the pattern of the neighborhood, and so designed that adequate areas are provided for front landscaping, street trees and on-street parking between driveways. The design of ground story frontages subject to this Section 144 shall also be reviewed for consistency with applicable design guidelines, including the Ground Floor Residential Design Guidelines. (b) Controls. (1) Entrances to Off-Street Parking. Except as otherwise provided herein, in the case of every dwelling in such districts no more than one-third of the width of the ground story along the front lot line, or along a street side lot line, or along a building wall that is set back from any such lot line, shall be devoted to entrances to off-street parking, except that in no event shall a lot be limited by this requirement to a single such entrance of less than 10 feet in width, or to a single such entrance of less than eight feet in RTO Districts. In addition, no entrance to off- street parking on any lot shall be wider than 20 feet, and where two or more separate entrances are provided there shall be a minimum separation between such entrances of six feet. Lots are limited to a total of 20 feet per block frontage devoted to entrances to off-street parking. Street-facing garage structures and garage doors may not extend closer to the street than a primary building facade unless the garage structure and garage door are consistent with the features listed in Section 136 of this Code. Entrances to off-street parking shall be located at least six feet from a lot corner located at the intersection of two public rights-of-way. (A) Exceptions. The requirements of this Subsection (1) shall not be applicable where the lot has an upward or downward slope from the front lot line to the forward edge of the required rear yard, along the centerline of the building, of more than 20 percent; or where the lot depth and the requirements of this Code for dimensions, areas and open spaces are such that the permitted building depth is less than 40 feet in an RH-2 District or less than 65 feet in an RH or RM District.

(2) Features To Be Provided. In the case of every dwelling in such districts, no less than one-third of the width of the ground story along the front lot line, along a street side lot line, and along a building wall that is set back from any such lot line, shall be devoted to windows, entrances for dwelling units, landscaping, and other architectural features that provide visual relief and interest for the street frontage. (3) Parking Setback. In RTO and RTO-M districts off-street parking is not permitted on the ground floor within the first 20 feet of building depth from any facade facing a street at least 30 feet in width, unless such parking occupies the space otherwise used as the drive-aisle or driveway (such as in cases of tandem parking). All off-street parking along these frontages must be wrapped with dwelling units, entrances to dwelling units, commercial uses where permitted, and other uses (other than storage) and building features that generate activity or pedestrian interest. (Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 72-08, File No. 071157, App. 4/3/2008; Ord. 298-08, File No. 081153, App. 12/19/2008; Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011; Ord. 56-13 , File No. 130062, App. 3/28/2013, Eff. 4/27/2013; Ord. 245-25, File No. 250701, App. 12/12/2025, Eff. 1/12/2026, Oper. 1/12/2026) AMENDMENT HISTORY Section header and division (a) amended; new division (b) added; former divisions (b) and (c) amended and redesignated as new divisions (b)(1), (b)(1)(A), and (b)(2); former division (d) redesignated as new division (b)(3); Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. Graphical material following division (b)(1)(A) amended; Ord. 56-13 , Eff. 4/27/2013. Section header and divisions (a) and (b)(1) amended; Ord. 245-25. Eff. 1/12/2026.

SEC. 144.1. MODERATION OF BUILDING FRONTS IN RM-1 AND RM-2 DISTRICTS. (a) General. This Section is enacted to assure than in RM-1 and RM-2 Districts new dwellings will be compatible with the established mixture of houses and apartment buildings in terms of apparent building width, requiring that on wider lots the front of the building be divided visually into narrower segments, according to the predominant existing scale in such areas. (b) Stepping of Building Height and Walls. Except as provided in Subsection (c) below, in the case of every dwelling in such districts on a lot with a width of more than 35 feet, there shall be a stepping of the building along the front lot line, or along the front of the building where it is set back from such lot line, by at least one of the following methods: (1) Variation of the upper limit of the front elevation of the building, at intervals of not more than 35 feet, by a minimum of two feet in height. Not less than 30 percent of the width of such elevation shall be varied in this way from the height of the remainder of such elevation. For purposes of this provision, the term "front elevation" shall mean the front wall and other portions of the building to a significant depth on the lot.

(2) Variations of the depth of the front building wall from the front lot line, at intervals of not more than 35 feet, by a minimum of two feet in depth. Not less than 30 percent of the width of such front building wall shall be varied in this way from the depth of the remainder of such wall. For purposes of this provision, the term "front building wall" shall mean such wall exclusive of all projections and other obstructions permitted by Section 136 of this Code for required front setback areas.

(c) Entrances to Dwelling Units. As an alternative to the requirements of Subsection (b) above, there may be provided for such dwelling a minimum of one pedestrian entrance serving a dwelling unit or units within each portion of the front of the building that has a full width of 25 feet. (Amended by Ord. 443-78, App. 10/6/78; Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011) AMENDMENT HISTORY Former Sec. 145 renumbered as this new Sec. 144.1; section header amended; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. SEC. 145. FRONTAGES, OUTDOOR ACTIVITY AREAS, WALKUP FACILITIES, AND GROUND FLOOR USES AND STANDARDS IN COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL, NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL, MIXED USE, AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS. The purpose of the following controls is to preserve, enhance and promote attractive, clearly defined street frontages that are pedestrian-oriented, fine-grained, and which are appropriate and compatible with the buildings in Commercial, Residential-Commercial, Neighborhood Commercial, Mixed Use, or Industrial Districts. (Added by Ord. 63-11, File No. 101053, App. 4/7/2011, Eff. 5/7/2011) AMENDMENT HISTORY New Sec. 145 added and former Sec. 145 renumbered as new Sec. 144.1; Ord. 63-11, Eff. 5/7/2011. SEC. 145.1. STREET FRONTAGES IN NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL-COMMERCIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND MIXED USE DISTRICTS. (See Interpretations related to this Section.) (a) Purpose. The purpose of this Section 145.1 is to preserve, enhance, and promote attractive, clearly defined street frontages that are pedestrian-oriented, and fine-grained, and that are appropriate and compatible with the buildings and uses in Neighborhood Commercial Districts, Commercial Districts, Residential-Commercial Districts, and Mixed Use Districts. (b) Definitions. (1) Development Lot. A "development lot" shall mean: (A) Any lot containing a proposal for new construction; or (B) Building alterations that would increase the gross square footage of a structure by 20 percent or more; or