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CASE #4 <br /> <br />ACCESSORY STRUCTURE HEIGHT LIMIT INCREASE <br />(PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO RAMSEY CITY CODE CHAPTER 9.10, <br />SECTION 9.11.02 SUBD. 5) <br /> By: Building Official Glyn H. Huff <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />City Code Chapter 9.10, Section 9.11.02, subd. 5 (Performance Standards; Accessory Uses) <br />states: "On any parcel of land, no accessory structure shall exceed 16 feet in height." <br /> <br />Though City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission minutes do not reflect discussion, it is <br />our understanding that an in depth discussion took place prior to the adoption of this standard in <br />1986. It was decided that 16 feet for an accessory structure was adequate height because the 16 <br />feet would be a median by which accessory structures would not look "out-of-place" in a <br />residential area where the principal structures are predominantly split-level or rambler style <br />dwellings. <br /> <br />One factor that may not have been considered was that the wider a structure is built, the higher it <br />will become. The ordinance allows accessory structures up to 4800 square feet; however, in the <br />same vein it prohibits a structure of 4800 square feet because of the 16 foot height limit. This <br />paradox should be addressed. <br /> <br />As discussed by staff a number of times, our ordinance concerning height of accessory structures <br />is too restrictive. There have been many queries from residents asking how they could construct <br />an accessory structure with a garage door 12 feet in height to accommodate an RV equipped with <br />air conditioners. In order to comply with City Code height limits, specially engineered trusses and <br />decking must be used for less than the standard 4/12 pitch. (See attachments). In accordance with <br />Minnesota State Building Code, the City Code should not cause citizens to bear undue expenses in <br />building an accessory structure in low-density areas. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />1) <br /> <br />To provide adequate door height for higher vehicles, the side walls must be 12 feet to 14 <br />feet in height. Using conventionally designed tresses, and depending on width, the total <br />height from ground level to peak (ridge) is 18 feet to 20 feet in height. <br /> <br />2) <br /> <br />The wider the accessory structure is constructed, the higher it becomes. In most cases less <br />than a 3/12 pitch and perhaps less than 4/12 pitch is undesirable because of snow load <br />requirements in this at'ea. In item gl above, the 18 feet to 20 feet is compatible with a 4/12 <br />roof pitch (in most cases). <br /> <br />3) <br /> <br />A standard truss has a 4/12 pitch. This is consistent with the vast majority of homes <br />constructed in Ramsey. Aesthetically, the 4/12 pitch fits the flow and rhythm (flow and <br />rhythm are the architectural terms used to describe visual compatibility). <br /> <br />4) <br /> <br />In researching accessory height limits in other cities, City Staff has found that those limits <br />are generally set at 22' to 25' in rural density areas and 15' in urban density areas. <br /> <br />The following items are enclosed for your information: <br /> <br />a) <br />b) <br /> <br />Excerpt from City of Plymouth Zoning Ordinance <br />Excerpt from Elk River Zoning Ordinance <br /> <br /> <br />