17.44.050 Lightwells, Stairwells, and Other Excavated Features in R-1B and Smaller Lots in the R-1A.
In the R-1B district and for lots with an area of less than ten thousand square feet in the R-1A district, excavated features such as lightwells are allowed to encroach into side and rear yards up to twenty-five percent of the total required side and rear setbacks for primary buildings (see figure 17.44.050-1, Lightwell Exemption), provided landscape screening is maintained between the feature and the adjacent property line and there is no impact to heritage trees. The following provisions shall apply:
A. In residential district R-1B and for lots with an area less than ten thousand square feet in the R-1A district, an encroachment into both rear and interior side yards cannot exceed twenty-five percent of the length of the side of the building to which it is adjacent and a total area of one hundred square feet.
B. The encroachment is measured to the face of the retaining wall, rather than to the back of the wall.
C. These provisions do not apply to accessory buildings. Lightwells for these structures may only be allowed facing towards the interior of the lot and may not exceed the minimum setbacks for the accessory building.
Figure 17.44.050-1. Lightwell Exemption
(Ord. 582 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2009)