Village of Random Lake Ordinance
CHAPTER 17 - ZONING CODE

17.04 HEIGHT AND AREA EXCEPTIONS. 

The regulations contained herein relating to the height of buildings and the size of yards and other open spaces shall be subject to the following exceptions:

(1)CHIMNEYS, TOWERS, LOFTS, ETC.  Chimneys, cooling towers, elevator bulkheads, fire towers, monuments, windmills, stacks, scenery lofts, tanks, water towers, ornamental towers, spires, wireless or broadcasting towers, masts or aerials and necessary mechanical appurtenances exceeding the height regulations of this chapter may be permitted as conditional uses by the Plan Commission.

(2)STREET YARD MODIFICATIONS.  The yard requirements stipulated elsewhere in this chapter may be modified as follows:

(a)Uncovered Stair Restrictions.  Uncovered stairs, landings and fire escapes may project into any yard, but not to exceed 6 feet and be not closer than 3 feet to any lot line.

(b)Cul?]de?]Sac and Curve Restrictions.  Residential lot frontage on cul?]de?]sacs and curves and for single?]family residences in the R?]1 District may be less than 100 feet provided the width at the building setback line is at least 100 feet and the street frontage is not less than 45 feet.  Residential lot frontage on cul?]de?]sacs and curves for 2?]family and multi?]family residences in R?]2 and R-3 Districts may be less than 100 feet provided the width at the building setback line is at least 100 feet and the street frontage is not less than 55 feet.

(c)Residential Fence Restrictions.  Residential fences (in R-1 through R-6 Districts) are permitted only on the rear and side yards in the residential districts.  On the side yards, the fence shall not project into the principal building required setback distance and shall be in compliance with required vision clearance.  On corner lots, both yards fronting public roadways shall be considered front yards, and any fences constructed shall not extend past the corners of the dwelling.  Fences shall not be constructed of woven wire, barb wire or chain link material.  For property abutting Random Lake, no fence shall be erected within 25 feet of the meander line.  A building permit is required for the construction of all fences; See also section 17.041.

(d)Security Fence Restrictions.  Security fences are permitted in industrial and business districts with Village Board approval, but shall not be located more than 2 feet from the property line and shall not exceed 10 feet in height and shall be an open type similar to woven wire or wrought iron fencing.  A building permit is required.  See ch. 14 of this Code.

(e)Essential Services Exemptions.  Essential services, utilities, electric power and communication transmission lines are exempt from the yard and distance requirements of this chapter.

(f)Street Yard Restrictions.  With the approval of the Plan Commission, the required street yards may be decreased in any residential, business or industrial district to the average of the existing street yards of the abutting structures on each side, but in no case less than 15 feet in the residential districts and 5 feet in any business or industrial district.

(g) Grass seed or sod cover shall be applied to all yards within 1 year of commencement of construction.

(3)CORNER LOTS.  On corner lots the side yard facing the street shall not be less than 25 feet.

(4)LOTS ABUTTING DIFFERENT GRADES.  Where a lot abuts on 2 or more streets or alleys having different average established grades, the higher of such grades shall control only for a depth of 120 feet from the line of the higher average established grade plus 12 inches to the top of the basement wall.

(5)BUILDINGS ON THROUGH LOTS.  The requirements for a rear yard for buildings on through lots and extending from street to street may be waived by furnishing an equivalent open space on the same lot in lieu of the required rear yard provided that the setback requirements on both streets be complied with.

(6)ACCESSORY BUILDINGS.  Accessory buildings which are not a part of the main building shall not occupy more than 30% of the area of the required rear yard, shall not be more than 15 feet high and shall not be nearer than 5 feet to any lot line nor 5 feet to any alley line, and shall not extend into a front yard beyond the required setback.  See also Secs. 17.02(9) and 17.201(2)(e) of this chapter. 

• UNOBSTRUCTED YARDS.  Every part of a required yard shall be opento the sky unobstructed except for accessory buildings in a rear yard.