Planning
Once you’ve decided to build an Alley Flat, it is important to identify the neighborhood and planning specifics that may influence and impact your project.
Neighborhood Context
When beginning any design and development project, it is important to understand the surrounding neighborhood and context. Walking the area to take note of local specifics and your likes/dislikes is a great start to the design process.
How far are homes from the street? Is this distance consistent or staggered in an established pattern? What is the typical height of homes in your neighborhood? Which exterior materials or colors are common? Are there any two story homes? Do homes have garage apartments?
Site Specifics
Consider the placement of the alley flat on your site, its orientation, solar access, privacy, views, and your ideas for existing and future outdoor spaces. For example, consider your preferences on privacy and separation between the main unit and the alley flat, as well as between your alley flat and your adjacent neighbors.
Zoning Standards
You will also want to look at the zoning standards for secondary apartments, the term our City has uses to describe Alley Flats.
Side yard setback, one story: 5 ft
Side yard setback, one story, corner lot: 15 ft
Front yard setback: 25 ft
Rear yard setback, one story: 10 ft
Maximum height: 30 ft / 2 stories
Minimum distance between main house and alley flat: 15 ft
Maximum rear yard coverage: Building cover < 40%, impervious cover < 45%
Parking spaces: 1 space required in addition to requirement for principal single-family house
Entrance requirements: May not have an entrance within 10 feet of a lot line and must be on the side of the structure that is the greatest distance from the corresponding side lot line
Other requirements: May not exceed a gross floor area of 850 total square feet, or 550 square feet on the second story