§ 15-511. Parking garages (residential).
(a) In general.
The following design standards apply to all residential parking garages. Attached garages are not considered an accessory structure but are subject to the design standards and regulations of this section for attached garages.
(b) Front-loaded attached garages.
(1) Front-loaded attached garages are discouraged. New front-loaded attached garages are prohibited where rear or side access to the lot is available, and restricted to areas in which the City's curb cut policy would allow for a curb cut to access the garage. Rear-loaded and side-loaded attached garages are preferred.
(2) Front-loaded attached garages may not occupy more than 50% of the width of the front facade of the dwelling, as measured along the building line that faces the street.
(3) Front-loaded attached garages must be located at least 5 feet behind the main front facade of the dwelling. This measurement must be taken from the part of the front facade that adjoins the garage, except that the measurement may be taken from the part of the house closest to the street if all of the following conditions are met:
(i) the front facade of the house is irregular, i.e., the front foundation is not a straight line;
(ii) the portion closest to the street is actual living space; and
(iii) the measurement is not taken from a porch, bay window, turret, or similar architectural feature that protrudes from the facade.
(4) Windows, doors, and roof treatments of that part of a front-loaded attached garage facing the street must incorporate architectural detail expressive of a residence.
(5) Upper level dormers and pitched roof elements must be used to de-emphasize a front-loaded attached garage. Garage openings, windows, columns, trims, decorative paneling, and color must de-emphasize the visual impact of the garage in relation to the building as a whole.
(c) Detached garages.
(1) Detached garages are permitted in the rear yard and must be accessed from the rear of the lot if rear access is available. Detached garages accessed from the front of the lot are restricted to areas in which the City's curb cut policy would allow for a curb cut to access the garage.
(2) On lots of 7,300 square feet or less in area, detached garages may not exceed 660 square feet in area.
(d) All residential garages.
No residential garage may be used for commercial body repair, painting, or engine rebuilding.