Paving within a front yard shall require a building permit and shall comply with the following restrictions:
A. Coverage South Of Santa Monica Boulevard: For those site areas located south of Santa Monica Boulevard, no more than four hundred (400) square feet of area within a front yard shall be paved and paved areas greater than five feet (5') in width accessed by a driveway approach shall lead directly to a carport, garage, or parking area located beyond the front setback area.
B. Coverage North Of Santa Monica Boulevard: For those site areas located north of Santa Monica Boulevard, not more than thirty three percent (33%) of the area of a front yard shall be paved. In addition, one walkway that does not exceed five feet (5') in width shall be permitted to be paved provided that the total area of the paved walkway does not exceed the total square footage derived by multiplying the depth of the front yard by five feet (5').
C. Circular Driveways: Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection B of this section, if a site area is permitted to have two (2) driveway approaches pursuant to section 8-4-4 of this Code, and a circular driveway is constructed on such site area, the front yard may be paved in the minimum amount necessary to construct a circular driveway not exceeding twelve feet (12') in width. In addition, paving shall be permitted to construct one walkway not exceeding four feet (4') in width connecting such driveway to the residence, and one driveway not exceeding nine feet (9') in width connecting the circular driveway to parking that is required by this Code and is located behind the front yard.
D. Flag Lots: Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A and B of this section, if the front yard of a site area does not exceed thirty six feet (36') in width, no provision of this section shall prohibit the paving of a driveway that does not exceed twelve feet (12') in width, or such additional width as determined necessary by the City Engineer to provide for reasonably safe access to the site area.
E. Setbacks For Paving: No portion of a front yard within three feet (3') of any property line shall be paved, except for a driveway not exceeding the width of its curb cut and a walkway pursuant to this section. In addition, no portion of a front yard within five feet (5') of a building shall be paved except for a driveway and a walkway of no more than ten feet (10') in width.
F. Paving Buffer: An opaque wall or hedge not less than eighteen inches (18") nor more than three feet (3') in height shall be provided and maintained along the front and sides of each area paved, except at a driveway approach or walkway entrance.
G. Paving Materials: All paving shall be portland cement concrete or its equivalent, applied in accordance with specifications satisfactory to, and approved by, the Director of Building and Safety. Paving with asphaltic concrete shall not be permitted. No more than three (3) different types of pavement materials shall be used in any front yard. Any additions to paved area shall be consistent with the existing paved areas in design, appearance, and material used.
H. Alternate Materials And Methods: The provisions of this section are not intended to prevent the use of any material, or method of construction not specifically prescribed by this section provided that any such alternate has been approved pursuant to this subsection as follows:
1. The Director of Building and Safety may approve any such alternate provided that he finds the material or method of construction advances the purposes of this section and provides at least the equivalent of that prescribed by this section in quality, strength, effectiveness, and durability.
2. The Director of Building and Safety shall require that sufficient evidence be submitted to substantiate any claim that may be made regarding the suitability of an alternate.
I. Minor Accommodation: Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a reviewing authority may authorize the replacement of legally nonconforming pavement with an amount of paving less than or equal to the existing pavement pursuant to article 36 of this chapter if the reviewing authority finds that such paving will be compatible with the character of the adjacent streetscape. (Ord. 1158, eff. 9-20-1962; amd. Ord. 1216, eff. 10-21-1965; Ord. 73-O-1493, eff. 11-1-1973; Ord. 75-O-1575, eff. 7-3-1975; Ord. 81-O-1787, eff. 4-2-1981; Ord. 89-O-2081, eff. 12-7-1989; Ord. 95-O-2239, eff. 7-7-1995; Ord. 01-O-2384, eff. 11-2-2001; Ord. 02-O-2403, eff. 9-6-2002; Ord. 14-O-2669, eff. 12-5-2014; Ord. 17-O-2723, eff. 2-10-2017; Ord. 18-O-2755, eff. 7-20-2018)