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Hanford council discusses at-length changes to backyard setback and accessory-structure rules; directs staff to draft ordinance
Summary
Council and staff debated two main options — citywide reduced setbacks or allowing larger accessory structures to encroach with a rear‑encroachment permit — and gave direction to return with ordinance language allowing limited encroachment for open-air accessory structures with permit safeguards.
City planning staff and the Hanford City Council spent an extended study-session segment Tuesday reviewing the city’s single‑family setback rules and whether the municipality should relax rear and side yard restrictions for accessory structures such as sheds, gazebos and small open‑air shelters.
Senior Planner Myers led the presentation, explaining how setbacks define the buildable area on a lot and outlining current rules: a 15‑foot front setback for livable building space (20 feet for garages), a 15‑foot rear setback for single‑story homes (25 feet for two‑story), and a typical 5‑foot interior side setback. “Setbacks are the required distances a building or structure must be placed from a property line. They effectively define the buildable area of a lot,” Myers said.
Myers told the council staff had…
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