As shown, the majority of parcels have dimensions of 25 x 50 feet, 25 x 100 feet, or 50 x 100 feet. This means that space on most parcels is at a premium. Any form code that regulates land use on parcels this small must balance reasonable safety and appearance regulations against landowners’ desires to maximize the use of their land.

The General Form Code and Parcel Plans

On the mall site, all parcels will be governed by the form code described below:

Auburn Mall Site Form Code (Part 1)

Lot Front – Defined by the city, this lot edge requires built structures to present the public face of the parcel. Generally, the front of a lot is the side that meets the street/sidewalk. Within illustrations, the front of a lot is indicated with a black arrow.

Port and Starboard – Refer to the left (port) and right (starboard) sides of a parcel, as oriented from the front of the parcel. In the maritime context, the “port” side of a vessel is the left side of the ship when looking to the front of the vessel. The “starboard” side is the right side when looking to the front.

Primary Structures – Structures that have 3 or more of the following 4 characteristics: (1) Being essentially enclosed with impermeable walls, (2) climate controlled with active cooling/heating of air, (3) serviced by water/sewer utilities, and (4) only accessible through lockable exterior entryways. Primary structures are typically homes, offices and other buildings that people occupy.

Porches and Other Auxiliary Structures – Generally, structures that have 2 or less of the following 4 characteristics: (1) Being essentially enclosed with impermeable walls, (2) climate controlled with active cooling/heating of air, (3) serviced by water/sewer utilities, and (4) only accessible through lockable exterior entryways. Auxiliary structures tend to be garages, sheds, and other structures that aren't meant for human habitation.

Structural forms that constitute exceptions to the general rule will be maintained by the city.

Except for lots with industrial land uses, porches are the only auxiliary structures permitted on the front edge of a lot unless a particular auxiliary structure has been specifically permitted as an exception by the city.

Front and Rear Build-to Line, Build Areas – The area(s) or line(s) a primary or auxiliary (one or both of which will be indicated) structure must be within or abut. Exceptions will be made for garages and other auxiliary structures specifically described.

If no build-to line exists, the front lot line itself functions as the “build to” line for auxiliary or primary structures. If no build area exists, the entire parcel may be built upon — excluding setbacks, minimum build depths, and maximum build depths.

Setbacks ­– Setbacks define a distance from a given lot edge or other geographic feature within which construction is either restricted or not allowed at all. Ex: “We cannot build a home within the 5 foot setback from the port-side lot edge.”

Minimum Build Depth – The distance from a given lot edge or other geographic feature within which construction of a defined description must occur. Ex: “The minimum front porch depth from the lot’s front edge is 5 feet.”

Maximum Build Depth – The distance from a given lot edge or other geographic feature within which construction of a defined description may occur. Ex: “The maximum front porch depth from the lot’s front edge is 10 feet.”

Generally, parcels will be governed by applying the aforementioned form code to the parcel form plan illustrated below.