R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

In the districts indicated, balconies that are:

(a)        unenclosed except for a parapet not exceeding 3 feet, 8 inches in height, or a railing not less than 50 percent open and not exceeding 4 feet, 6 inches in height; and

(b)        located at or above the floor level of the second story provided that such balcony is not lower than seven feet above curb level or adjacent natural grade, whichever is higher;

may, as permitted in this Section, project into or over any required open area set forth in the following Sections:

(1)        front yards, as defined in Section 12-10 (DEFINITIONS);

(2)        rear yards or rear yard equivalents, as defined in Section 12-10;

(3)        open space, as defined in Section 12-10, excluding:

(i)        side yards, as defined in Section 12-10;

(ii)        required minimum dimensions of courts, as defined in Section 12-10; and as set forth in Section 23-80 (COURT REGULATIONS, MINIMUM DISTANCE BETWEEN WINDOWS AND WALLS OR LOT LINES AND OPEN AREA REQUIRMENTS); and

(iii)        required distances between buildings, as set forth in Section 23-71 (Minimum Distance Between Buildings on a Single Zoning lot).

If the depth of the front yard is greater than 12 feet, balconies may project six feet into such front yard provided that, in R1, R2 or R3 Districts, the aggregate width of such balconies does not exceed 50 percent of the width at that level of the plane surface of the building wall from which they project and, in R4 or R5 Districts, such aggregate width does not exceed 67 percent.

If the depth of the front yard is 12 feet or less, balconies may project to a distance equal to one-half the depth of such front yard provided the aggregate width of such balconies does not exceed 50 percent of the width at that level of the plane surface of the building wall from which they project.

Balconies may, by a distance not to exceed eight feet, project into a rear yard or other open space not specifically excluded in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Section. At the level of the second story, the aggregate width of such balconies is not limited but at the level of the third story or higher such aggregate width shall not exceed 50 percent of the width at that level of the plane surface of the building wall from which the balconies project.

In addition, balconies may be enclosed by building walls provided that at least 33 percent of the perimeter of such balcony is unenclosed except for a parapet not exceeding 3 feet, 8 inches in height, or a railing not less than 50 percent open and not exceeding 4 feet, 6 inches in height. The portion of a balcony enclosed by building walls shall not exceed six feet in depth.