The regulations for permitted obstructions in yards, courts and open space shall be modified in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

1. Mechanical equipment
   
   In all districts, where such energy infrastructure equipment or accessory mechanical equipment is elevated above the flood-resistant construction elevation, the underlying permitted obstruction regulations for such equipment may be modified as follows:
   1. where any equipment is required to be located at least five feet from any lot line, such distance may be reduced to three feet for zoning lots that have less than the prescribed minimum lot area or lot width required by the applicable district regulations;
   2. the maximum height of such permitted obstructions for the applicable district:
      1. may be measured from the reference plane instead of the level of the adjoining grade or curb level, as applicable; or
      2. for zoning lots containing residences and a lot area greater than or equal to one and one-half acres, may exceed the applicable height limitations, provided that:
         1. such equipment is contained within a building or other structure that is located at least 30 feet from any legally required window;
         2. any stack associated with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems exhausts at a height at least as tall as the tallest building containing residences on the zoning lot; and
         3. such building or other structure complies with one point of the streetscape mitigations set forth in Section 64-52 (Ground floor level mitigation options); and
   3. the maximum area that such equipment may occupy within a required side yard, rear yard or rear yard equivalent, or any court containing legally required windows need not apply where the height of such obstructions do not exceed the applicable underlying height allowances, as modified by the provisions of paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(a) of this Section.
2. Berms
   
   In all districts, structural landscaped berms and associated flood gates, including emergency egress systems that are assembled prior to a storm and removed thereafter, shall be permitted obstructions in any required open space, yard or rear yard equivalent on the zoning lot, provided that the height of such berm does not exceed the highest flood-resistant construction elevation required on the zoning lot, or five feet above the lowest adjoining grade, whichever is higher.
3. Flood control devices
   
   In all districts, temporary flood control devices and associated permanent fixtures, including emergency egress systems that are assembled prior to a storm and removed thereafter shall be permitted obstructions in yards and rear yard equivalents, courts, open space, public plazas, arcades, pedestrian circulation spaces and all other publicly accessible open spaces. However, permanent fixtures for self-standing flood control devices installed in publicly accessible open areas, arcades, and pedestrian circulation spaces shall be flush-to-grade.
4. Steps
   
   In all Residence Districts, the provisions of paragraph (a)(8) of Section 23-442 (Additional permitted obstructions) shall be modified to allow steps within a required yard or rear yard equivalent, provided that such steps access any story located at or below the first story above the flood elevation.