Chapter 8 Supplemental Regulations
Accessory Buildings
Accessory buildings shall include detached garages and carports. Accessory buildings are subject to the design guidelines below and may not exceed the maximum building coverage and impervious coverage of the zoning district they are located within.
| Size (square feet) | Permit | Front Yard | Interior Side Yard | Street Side Yard | Rear Yard | Separation Between Buildings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 120 | No | Not Permitted | 3’ | 25’ | 3’ | *10’ |
| 120 to 720 | Yes | Not Permitted | 3’ | 25’ | 3’ | *10’ |
| Greater than 720 | Yes | Not Permitted | 5’ matching primary dwelling side setbacks. | 25’ | 5’ with no alley; 10’ with alley | 10’ |
*Buildings may be four (4) feet apart when offset corner-to-corner. Accessory buildings are allowed in a corner lot where it could be placed within the designated street side yard following all setbacks.
Foundation and Driveway
All carports and detached garages must be built upon a permanent foundation and must have paved entrances.
Time of Construction
No accessory building shall be built upon any lot until construction of the principal building has begun.
Permits
A permit is required for an accessory use building that is greater than one hundred twenty (120) square feet.
Total Lot Coverage
All buildings on a site, taken together, must comply with the building coverage requirements for the zoning district and accessory buildings shall not occupy more than thirty percent (30%) of the total area of the rear and side yards. This area (the sum of the total area of the rear and side yards) will be defined as the area of the property across the width of the lot extending from the front edge of the primary dwelling to the rear property line.
Multiple Frontage Lots
Multiple-frontage lots require a minimum twenty-five (25) foot setback along on all street frontages.
Easements
No accessory building shall be located within any easement or right-of-way along the rear or side property line. Easements may be incorporated into required setbacks.
Attached Accessory Structures
Any accessory building physically attached to the principal building shall be considered part of the principal building and subject to the development regulations of its zoning district.
Allowable Uses
Accessory buildings shall be used only for use types that are permitted within the zoning district.
Fences
The regulations contained in this section apply to all fences with a height above grade of thirty (30) inches and over.
General Requirements
Fence construction in all Zoning Districts is subject to the following provisions:
Permit Required
A permit to erect a fence is required in all zoning Districts except AG, RR-1 and RR-2 Districts.
Location Restrictions
No fence shall be erected on any lot or tract outside the surveyed lot lines. No fence shall be erected on public land by a private party or individual. Removal of any such fence shall be at the expense of the owner.
Sight Obstruction at Street Intersections in All District
It shall be unlawful for any person within the City to erect a fence in such manner as to be unsafe, injurious or annoying to the public.
Effect on Adjacent Properties and Drainage
In all Districts, fences shall be erected and maintained so as to avoid limiting or obstructing the flow of water in natural drainage courses, or drainageways created within easements.
Fence Construction on Utility Easement
In all Districts, a fence erected on a tract of land subject to an easement for the construction, maintenance, operations, or replacement of any water, sanitary or storm sewer, gas line, electric power, telephone, or other utility poles, or other cables or lines shall be designed and constructed to be readily removable to permit the use of the easement. Such fences shall be subject to removal by request whenever necessary to permit access. The cost of removal or replacement shall be the responsibility of the owner of the fence.
Residential Fences
Fences constructed within Residential Districts or on land used for residential purposes are subject to the following special provisions:
Open Fence
A fence where the design contains openings that constitute not less than fifty percent (50%) of the surface area of the fence. The surface area is the product of a length of fence, measured from the inside edge of one support post or column to the inside edge of the next adjacent support post or column; times the height of the same section of fence.
Fifty percent (50%) of the surface area shall be open, in order to qualify as an “open fence”. Support posts or columns less than two (2) feet in width are not considered part of the fence design.
Construction Requirements
Fences in all districts shall adhere to the following design requirements:
Height
The maximum height of all fences excluding supports, posts or attached ornaments shall be six (6) feet.
Openings
Front Yards: All fences built in required front yard building setbacks shall be constructed as an open fence. The setbacks for a closed fence must exceed the setback for the zoned area, side yard guidelines or grandfathered flushed location of the existing house or primary structure. Any fence exceeding the setback or flushed grandfathered location of the existing house or primary structure or side yard must be an open face fence and must exceed the City Right of Way and/or utility easements for the front, rear adn side yard setbacks measured from the center of the street.
Street Yards: All fences built in required street-side building setbacks shall be constructed as an open fence.
Interior Side Yards and Rear Yards: All fences built outside of a required front or street-side building setback may be constructed as a closed fence.
Arterial Street Yards: Fences built within the required street-side building setback on arterial streets, may be constructed as a closed fence, except when such fence is located in a street side-yard adjacent to a neighboring front yard. A fence erected within twenty-five (25) feet of the common property pin of a street side-yard and a front yard shall be constructed as an open fence.
Materials: Fences shall only be constructed of wood, chain-link, PVC/resin, stone or masonry materials, or ornamental metals only. All other fence materiasl are prohibited. Wood fences shall utilize traditionally accepted residential fence materials. Mesh or chain-link fences may exceed six (6) feet in height to enclose public or private recreational sports complexes. Mesh or chain-link fences exceeding six (6) feet are permitted only for private and public sports complexes and must receive an approved permit prior to construction.
Barbed Wire: Barbed wire and/or electrified fences are not permitted within the City limits of the City of Arapahoe, and are defined as any fence that includes in its material barbs, blades, razors, electric current or other features specifically designed to injure or abrade an individual or animal who attempts to negotiate the fence.
Hatcheries and Poultry Houses
Shall be considered a Conditional, Accessory Use, and are subject to requirements listed in the Arapahoe Municipal Code, Title IX Chapter 91.55 through 91.99.
Shipping Container/Storage or Shipping Conex
Shipping containers will only be allowed in city limits under temporary conditions. In conjunction with a building permit for the period of 6 months for the use of a contractor building/remodeling or demolishing a location with the purpose of improving that location. They may not be used to store hazardous materials or be used for housing.
Structures on Partially Owned Platted Lots
Whereas an owner owning a full lot in addition to an adjacent partial lot in any direction up to and including across from a platted alley, must apply for an accessory buildings permit. The setbacks in an accessory building situation must follow utility easement guidelines, however the front and rear setbacks shall be at the discretion of the planning commission and adjustment board. Side setbacks and corner lot setbacks must still be observed.