§ 656.435. Criteria for determining similarity in exterior appearance.

All proposed single-family dwellings reviewed hereunder shall be compared with three out of the five residential dwellings in the immediate neighborhood, as defined in Section 656.431(d) above. For the purposes of this Section, if the immediate neighborhood consists of less than five residential dwellings, the proposed single-family dwelling shall be compared to one less than the total number of residential dwellings within 350 feet of the property line of the subject property. In order to be determined similar to and compatible in exterior appearance to other existing single-family dwellings, the proposed dwelling must:

(a)

Meet at least one of the following criteria:

(1)

Finished floor elevation: The finished floor elevation shall be compatible with the finished floor elevations in the immediate neighborhood, which may require site-specific engineering pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Florida Statutes and/or the Florida Administrative Code, and all piers and exposed tie-downs must be screened on all sides by a non-load-bearing facade stem wall. The facade stem wall shall consist of a masonry wall with a poured footer extending from ground level to the base of the structure; provided, however, that dwellings located in designated flood zones are exempt from this screening requirement; or

(2)

Roof pitch: The roof pitch shall be equal to or greater than the roof pitches in the immediate neighborhood; or

(3)

Roof materials: The dwelling shall have asphalt shingles, tile, slate, wood shakes, or wood shingles. Any other roof material shall be compared with the roof material in the immediate neighborhood. If those in the immediate neighborhood have utilized an alternate roof material, the roof material will be considered compatible; and

(b)

Meet all of the following criteria:

(1)

Permanent foundation: The dwelling shall have a load-bearing stem wall with continuous footing, a slab on grade, piers installed pursuant to Chapter 15-C, F.A.C., other foundation systems with exposed tie-downs, or other permanent foundation which complies with the criteria of the flood regulations in flood prone areas, permanent foundation as defined in Section 656.431(e), or foundation similar to the foundations in the immediate neighborhood, or a finished floor elevation compatible with the immediate neighborhood, which may require site-specific engineering pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Florida Statutes and/or the Florida Administrative Code. All piers and exposed tie-downs must be screened on all sides by a non-load-bearing facade stem wall. The facade stem wall shall consist of a masonry wall with a poured footer extending from ground level to the base of the structure; provided, however, that dwellings located in designated flood zones are exempt from this screening requirement.

(2)

Minimum dimensions of exterior facade: The dwelling shall comply with the projection requirements in Section 656.432(a)(2).

(3)

Site orientation of the structure: The dwelling shall be oriented on the lot so that its long axis is parallel with the street. A perpendicular or diagonal placement may be permitted if the dwelling complies with the perpendicular or diagonal placement projection requirements in Section 656.432(a)(2) above; provided, however, if the deficiency along the axis parallel to the street is less than ten percent, then landscaping may be used to cure the deficiency, as approved by the Zoning Administrator.

(4)

Minimum square footage requirements for primary structure. The minimum square footage of the living area of the dwelling shall be 850 square feet; provided, however, that the minimum square footage of the living area may be lowered by the Zoning Administrator if deemed to be substantially similar in size to other primary structures in the immediate neighborhood.

(5)

Exterior steps. Exterior steps, if any, must be permanently affixed to the foundation or facade stem wall.

(6)

Electric meter box. The electric meter box for each dwelling shall be permanently affixed to the dwelling.

(Ord. 2002-608-E, § 2; Ord. 2003-891-E, § 1)