5-20-60 Measurements of Building Heights

Maximum permitted building height shall be measured based on the criteria in a-g, except as modified in (h) for the RR zone district in (i) for the VC and VR zone districts, and in (k) for Accessible ANSI Residences.

(a) On Pitched and Gambrel Roofs

There shall be no mid-point of a roof that exceeds the prescribed height above existing or finished grade, whichever is lower. The mid-point of the roof shall be defined as the point that is halfway between the top of the ridge, and the eave-point. The eave-point is that point in the roof plane that is directly above the outside of the wall below. In the case of a covered deck or patio, the eave-point shall be the point that is directly above the outside face of the structure, or three (3) feet in from the edge of the roof, whichever is more restrictive.
There shall be no point of any ridge or other roof peak that exceeds the prescribed height above the existing or finished grade, whichever is lower, by more than five (5) feet.
There shall be no eave-point that exceeds the prescribed height above existing or finished grade, whichever is lower. Exception to this is if the ridge lines that extend to the outside face of a building to form a gabled end will be permitted, to the extent that they conform to subsection (2) above.

(b) On Flat, Shed, Dome and Barrel Roofs

No roof point shall exceed the prescribed height above the existing or finished grade, whichever is lower.

Where a building has multiple roofs, all roofs shall comply with these standards.

(d) Measurement Vertically

All measurements shall be made vertically; i.e., each point of a roof shall be measured to the point of grade that is directly below it--vertical and plumb. Exterior window wells and stairwells shall be considered finished grade for roof points located above the well. Roof points that are not at the exterior of the building will be measured against existing grade only.
Cupolas shall be allowed on agricultural structures to the extent that the eave point of the cupola does not exceed three (3) feet above the ridge of the underlying roof, and the peak or ridge of the cupola does not exceed five (5) feet above the ridge of the underlying roof.

(e) Encroachments

Antennae, chimneys, flues, vents, and similar structures shall not exceed the prescribed height limit by more than ten (10) feet. Water towers, mechanical equipment, solar equipment, and similar equipment shall not exceed the prescribed height limit by more than three (3) feet.

(f) Maximum Height with Encroachments

The maximum height of a building’s tallest elevation shall not exceed forty (40) feet measured from natural or finished grade, whichever is more restrictive, to the highest part of the building, excepting chimneys.

(g) Building Components

For the purpose of measuring building height, any individual building component that is located within twenty (20) feet (as measured from any point from outside wall to outside wall) of the principal structure shall be considered a part of the principal structure.

(h) RR Zone District

In the RR zone district, all methods of calculation shall remain the same as in all other zone districts as described within this definition with the exception that subsections (a), (f) and (g) above do not apply. Building height shall be measured to the top of ridge or to the top of the parapet surface of a flat roof, as measured from existing or finished grade, whichever is lower.

(i) VC and VR Zone Districts

In the VC and VR zone districts, principal building height on all roof forms is measured from both the top of the ridge and from the top of the eave (excluding dormers), to the existing grade. Accessory building height on all roof forms is measured from the existing grade. “Dormer” is defined in the Redstone Historic Design Guidelines.
All measurements shall be made vertically; i.e., each point of a roof shall be measured to the point of grade that is directly below it—vertical and plumb.
Antennae, chimneys, flues, vents, and similar structures shall not exceed the prescribed height limit by more than ten (10) feet. Water towers, mechanical equipment, solar equipment, and similar equipment shall not exceed the maximum allowed ridge height.
When developing in the floodplain, the established floodplain elevation may be substituted for existing grade for up to two feet (2’) of elevation.
Subsection (g) above does not apply in the VC and VR zone district.

(j) Exempt Agricultural Buildings

The height of agricultural buildings that are exempt from floor area pursuant to Sec. 5-20-70(i) shall be limited as follows:

(1) Hay Storage Building:

30’ Maximum to Top of Ridge 20’ Maximum to Top of Ridge

20 to <35 acres 224 square feet 336 square feet

35 to <70 acres 448 square feet 672 square feet

70 to <160 acres 672 square feet 1,008 square feet

160 + acres Unlimited Unlimited

(2) Livestock Run-In or Loafing Shed: shall not exceed 12 feet (12’) to the top of the ridge with a minimum 3:12 roof pitch with a shed roof

(3) Agricultural Equipment Storage Building: shall not exceed 16 feet (16’) to the top of the ridge

(4) Barns:

(a) <10 acres: 20’ to the midpoint; 25’ to the top of the ridge.
(b) 10 to < 35 acres: 25’ to midpoint/30’ to top of ridge (for one principal barn; additional barns shall not exceed 20’ to midpoint/25’ to top of ridge)
(c) 35+ acres: 28’ to midpoint/33 to top of ridge (for one principal barn/additional barns shall not exceed 20’ to midpoint/25’ to top of ridge)
(d) On flat (less than 3:12 pitch) shed, dome or barrel roofs on any size lot or parcel, no roof point shall exceed 20’ above the existing or finished grade, whichever is more restrictive.

(5) Greenhouses:

(a) Customarily accessory to a principal residential use:
1. Lot/parcel of less than 30,000 sf: 10’ maximum to top of ridge or highest point of the roof
2. Lot/parcel of 30,000 sf to less than 10 acres: 16’ maximum to top of ridge or highest point of the roof
3. Lot/parcel of 10 acres or more: 20’ maximum to top of ridge or highest point of the roof.
(b) Not customarily accessory to a principal residential use: 28’ maximum, if approved through Special Review pursuant to Sec. 2-30-30(h)(2).

(k) Accessible ANSI Residences

Residences compliant with Sections 1004 and 1005 of the 2009 American National Standard, as amended (ANSI) shall be allowed one Qualified Elevator, which may exceed the height limitations above, when the Qualified Elevator provides the following:
1. Provides required access to all or part of each of the floor levels within the residence, and
2. Is required in order to provide access from vehicle to residence, only to the following extent:

No exemption from height restrictions shall be available for Qualified Elevators where a portion of the shaftway wall meets grade on the perimeter of the front façade of a residence.

A Qualified Elevator is defined as one which is designed for residential use, equipped and certified for low service headroom, accommodates accessibility, and is sufficient in size to allow and assistant to ride in the elevator as needed.

(Code repealed and reenacted (all sections) by Ord. 014-D-2006, 07-05-06; § 5-20-60 (part) amended Ord. 001A, 001B-11, 01-12-11 Ord. 011-11, 08-10-11; Ord. 038-12, 12-19-12; Ord. 032-14, 10-08-14)

5-20-60 Measurements of Building Heights

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