Grayson › Zoning Ordinance

Article 6 — Exceptions

current as of 2025-02-17verified current · checked 2026-08-24Officialofficial source ↗10 sections · full chapter

§ 600

HEIGHT EXCEPTIONS, GENERAL RULE

Any structure hereafter erected or altered shall comply with the height limitations of the district in which it is located except as specified below.

§ 601

STRUCTURES EXCLUDED FROM HEIGHT LIMITATIONS

The height limitations of this Ordinance shall not apply to church spires, belfries, flag poles, monuments, cupolas, domes, ornamental towers, nor to observation towers not intended for human occupancy, or water towers. These exceptions shall not apply in the vicinity of airports.

Telecommunication antennas and towers are regulated by Article XVI.

§ 602

WALLS AND FENCES

The setback requirements of this ordinance shall not prohibit any necessary retaining wall or fence except that in a residential district:

A.Front yard fences and walls shall not exceed four (4) feet in height and shall not extend into public right-of-way.

B.Front yard fences shall not be made of wire, woven metal, or chain link unless located on property of an agricultural or undeveloped use or of a lot size larger than three (3) acres.

C.Ornamental or decorative fences constructed of brick, stone, stucco, split rail, wood or wrought iron and not constructed of exposed block, tires, junk or other discarded material shall be permitted within the front yard setback.

D.No fence shall exceed six (6) feet in height within a rear or side yard.

Community and public recreation facilities, within a subdivision, shall be exempt from the requirements of this section.

§ 603

YARD SPACE, GENERAL RULE

Any building, structure or use hereafter erected, altered or established shall comply with the yard space requirements of the district in which it is located except as specified below. The required yard space for any building, structure, or use shall be contained on the same zoning lot as the building, structure or use and such required yard space shall fall entirely upon land in a district or districts in which the principal use is permitted.

§ 604

SUBSTANDARD LOTS OF RECORD

Any lot of record existing at the time of adoption or amendment of this Ordinance, which has an area or width which is less than required by this Ordinance, shall be subject to the following exceptions and modifications.

A.Adjoining Lots. When two (2) or more adjoining and vacant lots within a non-approved development with continuous frontage are in a single ownership at the time of application, and such lots have a frontage or lot area less than is required by the district in which they are located, such lots shall be re-platted so as to create one (1) or more lots which conform to the minimum frontage requirements of the district.

B.Lots Not Meeting Minimum Lot Size Requirements. When a lot has an area or frontage which does not conform to the requirements of the district in which it is located, but was a lot of record at the effective date of this Ordinance, such lot may be used for any use allowed in the zoning district in which it is located provided that all other requirements of this Ordinance are met.

§ 605

FENCES AND HEDGES, CORNER VISIBILITY

On corner lots within all zoning districts, no fence, shrubbery, or other obstruction to traffic line of sight vision shall exceed a height of two and one-half (2½) feet within the triangular area formed by the intersection of right-of-way lines at two points measured twenty (20) feet along the property line from the intersection. Within said triangle there shall be no sight obscuring wall, fence or foliage higher than thirty (30) inches above grade or in the case of trees, foliage lower than eight (8) feet. Vertical measurement shall be made at the top of the curb on the street or alley adjacent to the nearest side of the triangle or if no curb exists, from the edge of the nearest traveled way.

§ 606

FENCES AND HEDGES, MEASUREMENT RULE

Heights of fences, hedges, and other continuous foliage shall be measured from the adjacent top of the street curb, surface of an alley, or the official established grade thereof, whichever is higher. Along interior lot lines, the measurement shall be from the average grade of the lot line of the parcel on which the fence is located.

§ 607

FENCES AND HEDGES, EXCEPTION

The Mayor and Council or Board of Appeals may approve, or may direct as a condition for granting approval, that fences or plantings of a height in excess of these regulations be placed as shielding between different uses, or between like uses upon agreement between the parties affected thereby, provided that no such approval shall have the effect of reducing corner visibility as provided for herein.

§ 608

PERMITTED ENCROACHMENTS UPON REQUIRED SETBACKS

The following setback encroachments are permitted as follows:

A.Cornices, eaves, chimneys, porches, bay windows, or other similar architectural features may extend in to the required front, side and rear yard provided such extensions do not exceed three (3) feet. Decks and patios may extend into the side or rear yard no closer than ten (10) feet from any property line. Steps and landings may extend into the required setbacks provided such extensions do not exceed ten (10) feet for the front yard, three (3) feet for the side yard and no closer than ten (10) feet from the property line in the rear yard.

B.When a canopy is utilized in connection with a commercial or industrial use in districts where such uses are permitted, such canopy may occupy a portion of the required yard setback adjacent to streets, subject to the following provisions:

1.No portion of a canopy shall be closer than ten feet from any street right-of-way line when measured vertically, nor closer than twenty (20) feet from the face of the curb of the street.

2.No canopy shall occupy more than fifty (50%) percent of a required yard over which it extends.

§ 609

RECREATION FACILITIES

Subdivision, commercial and public recreation facilities are subject to the following requirements.

1.Parking:

a.Subdivision Recreation Facility - one (1) space per ten (10) dwelling units.

b.Commercial & Public Recreation Facility - A minimum of twenty (20) spaces, except that golf courses shall require twenty (20) spaces per each nine (9) holes.

2.Fences:

c.Commercial and public recreation facilities, within a subdivision, shall be exempt from requirements of Section 602.