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Accessory Structures
Definitions
General Provisions
Definitions For Accessory Structures
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The following terms have been added to or are already in the Zoning
Ordinance. The definitions provided paraphrase the actual
language of the Ordinance.
Accessory residential garage
This is a garage for your vehicle. It is considered
"attached" if it has a common wall with your house or is
connected to your house by a breezeway which is under 20 feet
long. If your garage is not attached in this manner, is it
considered to be "detached". This will be important
when determining how large your storage structure may be. To
determine how large your garage can be, see the following for what is
allowed in your zoning district.
Accessory storage building
An accessory building used to store goods and materials owned by the
occupant of the principal building
Detached accessory supplemental building or structure
This is a building or structure not used for storage, but for
recreational or hobby purposes such as a greenhouse or gazebo.
No more than two (2) detached supplemental accessory building shall
be permitted. The total floor of all supplemental accessory
buildings combined shall not exceed three hundred (300) square feet.
Building Height
Building height is how tall the building is measured from
the ground to the roof. Different types of roofs require a
different way to measure what the "top" is. For
example: if a roof is flat, measure to the highest point of the
roof surface, if a roof is a mansard roof, measure to the deck, if a
roof is a gable, hip or gambrel roof, measure to halfway between the
eaves and the ridges.
General
Provisions
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Where can my garage and other accessory structures be
located?
Garages and accessory structures must be placed a
certain distance from property lines and other structures. This
distance is called a "setback" requirement. Attached
garages and storage structures must meet the same setback requirements
as those which apply to your house. Regulations for detached
accessory structures vary based on the nature of the structure and the
zoning district in which it is located.
What does my garage need to look like?
If you would
like to construct a new garage, the design should "fit in"
with your house. This means using the same or similar building
materials and general type of construction.
How big can my garage be?
The allowable floor area of an attached or detached residential
garage shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total floor area
(excluding basements) of the principal dwelling or nine hundred
(900) square feet in the R-1A district and twelve hundred (1,200)
square feet in the R-1B, R-1C and R-1R districts, whichever is
greater.
In the case of a combination of an attached and detached garage, the
total allowable square footage shall not exceed the amount set forth
in section 5.03.1.b (2).
How big can my storage building be?
Specific size allowed is determined by lot/parcel size.
To calculate lot/parcel size: Multiply length of property by width
of property to reach square footage or use Acreage amount. Click on
Printable Forms and Permits for the worksheet specific to lot/parcel
size.
Where can I put a deck?
The following regulations have
been adopted for decks. Your deck must:
- Not be larger than the ground floor of your house.
- Meet the same front and side yard "setback"
requirements which apply to your house, but may encroach into the
rear yard setback by 10 feet. The part that extends into the
rear yard cannot be above the elevation of the first floor of your
house, nor can there be any enclosed or covered structures in this
portion.
- Must meet the 25 foot natural feature setback requirement.
Where can I put a Swimming Pool?
The following
regulations have been adopted regarding swimming pools. Your
swimming pool must:
- Be located behind the front of your house.
- Must be setback 10 feet from both your side and rear property
lines.
What if I have Historic Structures or Outbuildings on my
property?
If you have a historic storage or accessory
building located on your property as identified in the Township's
Historic and Rural Preservation Plan, and you would like to construct
new storage structures, you will be able to do so without having to
tear down your historic structure. The following regulations
apply:
- The square footage of the historic structure will not be
counted towards your maximum allowable square footage.
- If you expand your existing historic structure, the square
footage of the expansion will be counted towards the
allowable square footage.
Independence Township Signature
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