08-12-2021 Planning Commission Packet

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Chapter 918: Interpretation Rules of Measurement Page 917-12 The sum of the gross horizontal areas of the floors of a building measured from the exterior faces of the exterior walls or from the centerline of walls separating two buildings, and excluding the following: (a) Attic areas with a headroom of less than seven feet; (b) Unenclosed stairs or fire escapes; (c) Elevator structures; (d) Cooling towers; (e) Areas devoted to machinery and equipment for air conditioning, ventilation, heating, and other similar building service needs; (f) Structured parking; and (g) Basement space not used for retailing activities, the production or processing of goods, or for business or professional offices. (F) Height (1) Building Height The vertical distance from the natural grade measured either at the curb level or at a point 10 feet away from the front center of the structure or building, whichever is closer, to the top of the highest point of the roof on a flat or shed roof, the deck line on a mansard roof, or to the uppermost point of all other roof types. (2) Building Story (a) The space between the surface of any floor and the surface of the next floor above it; or if there is no floor above it, the space between the floor surface and the top of the ceiling joists or roof rafters above it. Typically, story height in a residential structure is nine feet per story, and story height in a non-residential structure is twelve feet per story. (b) If the finished floor level directly above a basement or cellar or unused under- floor space is more than six (6) feet above the grade as defined herein for more than fifty (50) percent of the total perimeter or is more than twelve (12) feet above grade as defined herein at any point, such basement, cellar, or unused under-floor space shall be considered as a story. (3) Fence and Wall Height Fence and wall heights are to be measured from the adjoining average grade. In the case of grade separation such as the division of properties by a retaining wall, the height shall be determined on the basis of measurement from the average point between the highest and lowest grade. (4) Garage Side Wall Height. The height of a garage side wall is measured from the top of the concrete slab to the top of the top plate. (5) Grade Grade means the level of the finished ground surface immediately adjacent to the exterior walls of a building.