B. • REGULAR AGENDACity of Richland Hills (Tarrant County)

Consider ZBA 2026-0558, a request for a variance to increase the accessory structure maximum height regulations to exceed the principal building (Sec. 4.02(B.1.a)) and decrease the side setback for an accessory structure over 15 feet (Sec. 4.02(B.2.a.3)). This is for the property described as Lot 14, Block 12, Richland Hills Addition, City of Richland Hills, Tarra

Presented in: City of Richland Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting on 2026-09-22

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

The property at 7171 Richland Road is a 22,960 square-foot lot with a 2,134 square-foot primary residence located in the SF-10 zoning district. The applicant for this property is Raymond Esparza. According to Section 4.02(B.1.a) Accessory Structure Standards – Residential accessory structure requirements (excluding carports) - Dimensions, “an accessory structure shall not exceed two stories in height, or twenty-eight (28) feet, and shall not exceed the height of the principal building, whichever is lower.” The height of the principal building is 15 feet. The proposed accessory structure is 16 feet tall, exceeding the height of the principal building by one (1) foot.According to Section 4.02(B.2.a.3) Accessory Structure Standards – Residential accessory structure requirements (excluding carports) - Location, “the side setback shall be contingent upon structure height as follows.” The code then references a chart that states that an accessory building “15 feet one inch or taller” should go by the base zoning side yard setback. The interior side yard setback for the Single Family-10 zoning district is ten (10) feet. The proposed side setback is five (5) feet.The applicant is requesting two (2) zoning variances to construct an accessory garage structure on the northeast corner of his residential property. The first request is a variance from the maximum accessory structure height. The applicant is proposing additional height to accommodate a vehicle lift that would allow him to stand and walk beneath the elevated vehicle. The second request is a variance from the required side-yard setback. The specific rationale for the requested setback reduction is unclear; however, based on the proposed site layout, staff believes the request may be related to the alignment of the proposed garage doors with the location of the secondary driveway that was originally contemplated to provide vehicular access to the garage.