Loading...
Separation Between Structures. Residential structures on the same lot (not attached) shall maintain a minimum separation of at least ten feet for one-story structures, fifteen (15) feet for two-story structures, and twenty (20) feet for three-story structures.
(Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)
This section establishes standards to ensure the provision of open areas around structures for: visibility and traffic safety; access to and around structures; access to natural light, ventilation and direct sunlight; separation of incompatible land uses; and space for privacy, landscaping and recreation.
A. Setback Requirements. All structures shall conform with the setback requirements established for each zoning district by Article II (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses), and with any special setbacks established for specific uses by this development code. Portions of a structure, including eaves or roof over-hangs, shall not extend beyond a property line or into an access easement or street right-of-way. Each yard shall be open and unobstructed from the ground upward, except as provided in this section.
B. Exemptions from Setback Requirements. The minimum setback requirements of this development code apply to all uses except the following:
1. Fences or walls constructed within the height limitations of the development code;
2. Decks, free-standing solar devices, steps, terraces and other site design elements that are placed directly upon the finish grade and do not exceed a height of eighteen (18) inches above the surrounding finish grade at any point; and
3. Retaining walls less than four feet in height above finished grade.
C. Measurement of Setbacks. Setbacks shall be measured as follows. (See Figure 3-2)
1. Front Yard Setbacks. The front yard setback shall be measured at right angles from the nearest point on the front property line of the parcel to the nearest point of the wall of the structure, except as follows:
a. Corner Parcels. The measurement shall be taken from the nearest point of the structure to the nearest point of the property line adjoining the street to which the property is addressed and the street from which access to the property is taken. Whenever a future street right-of-way line is officially established. required yards shall be measured from the established line(s);
b. Flag Lots. The measurement shall be taken from the nearest point of the wall of the structure to the point where the access strip meets the bulk of the parcel; establishing a building line parallel to the lot line nearest to the public street or right-of-way.
2. Side Yard Setbacks. The side yard setback shall be measured at right angles from the nearest point on the side property line of the parcel to the nearest line of the structure; establishing a setback line parallel to the side property line, that extends between the front and rear yards.
3. Street side Yard Setbacks. The side yard on the street side of a corner parcel shall be measured from the nearest point of the side property line adjoining the street.
4. Rear Yard Setbacks. The rear yard shall be measured at right angles from the nearest point on the rear property line of the parcel to the nearest line of the structure. establishing a setback line parallel to the rear property line, that extends between the side yards, except:
a. The rear yard on the street side of a double frontage lot shall be measured from the nearest point of the rear property line adjoining the street. However. if an access easement or street right-of-way line extends into or through a rear yard. the measurement shall be taken from the nearest point of the easement or right-of-way line; and
b. Where the side lot lines converge to a point, a line five feet long within the parcel, parallel to and at a maximum distance form the front lot line, shall be deemed to be the rear lot line for the purpose of determining the depth of the required rear yard. See Figure 3-3.

FIGURE 3-2
LOCATION AND MEASUREMENT OF SETBACKS
LOCATION AND MEASUREMENT OF SETBACKS

FIGURE 3-3
REAR SETBACK WITH CONVERGING LOT LINES
REAR SETBACK WITH CONVERGING LOT LINES
5. Nonparallel Lot Lines. Where a structure wall is not parallel to a side or a rear lot line, the required dimension of the side or rear yard along the line, may be averaged; provided that the resulting side yard shall not be less than three feet in width, and the rear yard shall not be less than ten feet in depth, at any point.
D. Allowed Projections into Setbacks. The following architectural features may extend into the front, side and rear yard setbacks, only as follows:
1. Chimneys/Fireplaces. A chimney/fireplace, up to six feet in width, may extend thirty (30) inches into a required setback, but no closer than three feet to a side or rear property line.
2. Canopies, Cornices, Eaves and Roof Overhangs. Cantilevered architectural features on the main structure, including, but not limited to, balconies, bay windows, canopies, cornices, eaves and solar de-vices, that do not increase the floor area enclosed by the structure, may extend into required yards as follows:
a. Front Yard Setback: Up to three feet into the required front yard;
b. Side Yard Setback: Up to two feet into a required side yard, but no closer than three feet to a side property line; and
c. Rear Yard Setback: Up to five feet into the required rear yard.
3. Porches and Stairways. Covered, unenclosed porches, located at the same level as the entrance floor of the structure and outside stairways and landings that are not enclosed, may extend into required yards as follows:
a. Front Yard Setback: Up to six feet into a required front yard;
b. Side Yard Setback: Up to three feet into a required side yard, but no closer than three feet to a side property line; and
c. Rear Yard Setback: Up to six feet into a required rear yard.
4. Setback Requirements for Specific Structures:
a. Hot Tubs, Swimming Pools/Spas and Other Site Design Elements.
1) Under Eighteen (18) Inches. Site design elements less than eighteen (18) inches above finish grade are exempt from setback requirements. Swimming pools, or other recreational pools or landscape ponds may be located in a required front or side yard, subject to the approval of a minor conditional use permit (Chapter 16.52) and applicable building and health codes.
2) Eighteen (18) Inches and Over. Detached decks, freestanding solar devices, hot tubs, steps, swimming pools/spas, terraces and other site design elements that are placed directly upon the finish grade, and which equal or exceed a height of eighteen (18) inches above the surrounding finish grade at any point, shall conform to the setback requirements identified in Article II (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses) for detached accessory structures.
b. Retaining Walls. (Retaining walls up to four feet in height are exempt.)
1) Up to Six Feet. Retaining walls up to six feet in height may be located within a required set-back provided the exposed side of the wall faces into the subject parcel; and
2) Over Six Feet. Retaining walls greater than six feet in height, or where the exposed side of the wall faces out from the subject parcel without regard to height, shall be subject to the same requirements as the main structure in the applicable zoning district.
E. Coverage.
1. Measurement. The total area of the building footprint measured from the outside edges of the exterior walls.
2. Arbor, Gazebo and Trellis. An attached or detached accessory structure that complies with either of the following standards shall be exempt from lot coverage:
a. The structure is substantially open to the passage of light and air on at least three sides, and which has a roof of typical lattice or which is not less than fifty (50) percent open to the sky at any point across the entire structure.
b. The structure does not have more than two hundred (200) square feet of area under a solid roof (excluding open eaves) and is substantially open to the passage of light and air on at least three sides.
3. Guest Parking. Guest parking that is covered shall be exempt from lot coverage.
4. Exceptions for Public Benefit. The city council may increase the maximum amount of lot coverage from between five percent and twenty (20) percent as a means of recognizing an applicant's efforts to address neighborhood compatibility and/or to acknowledge the inclusion of public benefits and both on-site amenities and public amenities beyond that normally required of a similar development proposal. Conditions under which a lot coverage increase could be considered include, but are not limited to, at least two of the following: the use of a substantial amount of single-story structures; construction of off-site infrastructure not otherwise needed for the project; the inclusion of useable public open spaces; enhanced landscaping or public and on-site recreational opportunities. As the amount of the lot coverage exception increases, the number and extent of the public benefits as well as on-site and public amenities would expand accordingly.
(Ord. 300 § 2, 2004; Ord. 297 § 4, 2004; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)
This section provides standards for the provision of solid waste (refuse) and recyclable material storage areas in compliance with state law (California Solid Waste Reuse and Recycling Access Act, Public Resources Code Sections 42900 through 42911).
A. Multi-family Projects. Multi-family residential projects with five or more dwelling units, shall provide re-fuse and recyclable material storage areas in the following manner:
1. Individual Unit Storage Requirements. A minimum of three cubic feet shall be provided for the storage of refuse and a minimum of three cubic feet shall be provided for the storage of recyclable material; and
2. Common Storage Requirements. The following are minimum requirements for common refuse and recyclable material storage areas for multi-family developments, which may be located indoors or out-doors as long as they are readily accessible to all residents. These requirements apply to each individual structure. Areas are measured in square feet.
Number of Dwellings | Refuse | Recycling | Total Area |
2-6 | 12 | 12 | 24 |
7-15 | 24 | 24 | 48 |
16-25 | 48 | 48 | 96 |
25 or more | Every additional twenty-five (25) dwellings or fraction thereof shall require an additional forty-eight (48) square feet for solid waste and forty-eight (48) square feet for recyclables. |
B. Nonresidential Structures and Uses. Nonresidential structures and uses within all zoning districts shall provide refuse and recyclable material storage areas. The following are minimum storage area requirements. These requirements apply to each individual structure. Areas are measured in square feet.
Building Floor Area (sq. ft.) | Refuse | Recycling | Total Area |
Building Floor Area (sq. ft.) | Refuse | Recycling | Total Area |
0-5,000 | 12 | 12 | 24 |
5,001-10,000 | 24 | 24 | 48 |
10,001-25,000 | 48 | 48 | 96 |
25,001-50,000 | 96 | 96 | 192 |
50,001-75,000 | 144 | 144 | 288 |
75,001-100,000 | 192 | 192 | 384 |
100,001+ | Every additional twenty-five thousand (25,000) sq. ft. shall require an additional forty-eight (48) sq. ft. for solid waste and forty-eight (48) sq. ft. for recyclables. | ||
C. Location Requirements. Refuse and recyclable materials storage areas shall be located in the following manner:
1. Refuse and recyclable material storage shall be adjacent/combined with one another. They may only be located inside a specially-designated structure, on the outside of a structure in an approved fence/wall enclosure, a designated interior court or yard area with appropriate access or in rear yards and interior side yards. Exterior storage area(s) shall not be located in a required front yard, street side yard, parking space, landscaped or open space areas or any area(s) required by the municipal code.
2. Storage area(s) shall be accessible to residents and employees at all times. Storage areas within multi-family residential developments shall be located within two hundred fifty (250) feet of an access door-way to the dwellings which they are intended to serve;
3. Driveways or aisles shall provide unobstructed access for collection vehicles and personnel and provide at least the minimum clearance required by the collection methods and vehicles utilized by the designated collector;
4. Storage bins shall be screened in compliance with Section 16.180.120 (Screening and Buffering); and
5. Storage areas shall not be closer than twenty (20) feet from doors or operable windows of adjacent structures.
D. Design and Construction. The design and construction of the storage area(s) shall:
1. Be compatible with the surrounding structures and land uses;
2. Be properly secured to prevent access by unauthorized persons, while allowing authorized persons access for disposal of materials;
3. Provide a concrete pad within the fenced or walled area(s) and a concrete apron which facilitates the handling of the individual bins or containers;
4. Protect the areas and the individual bins or containers provided within from adverse environmental conditions that might render the collected materials unmarketable; and
5. Be appropriately located and screened from view on at least three sides. Screening shall consist of solid masonry walls, metal gates, and landscaping. Overhead trellises high enough to accommodate three-yard capacity dumpsters may be required to screen views from above. The design shall be architecturally compatible with the surrounding structures and subject to the approval of the director.
(Ord. 610-24 § 4, 2024; Ord. 293 § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)
A. Streets. The street design shall conform both in alignment and width to the general plan circulation element and the rights-of-way for these streets shall be dedicated to the city. The street design shall conform to any proceedings affecting the division of land which may have been initiated or approved by the council or approved by the council upon initiation by other legally constituted authorities of the county or state, and shall be subject to the approval of the city engineer.
B. Alignment of Streets. All streets shall, so far as practicable, be in alignment with existing adjacent streets by continuations of the established or mapped center lines or by adjustments with curves.
C. Intersections. Street center lines shall be required to intersect one another at an angle as near to the right angle as is practicable by tangents not less than one hundred (100) feet in length.
D. Extensions, Cul-de-sacs. Where necessary to give access to, or provide for a satisfactory future subdivision of adjoining land, streets shall extend to the boundary of the land being divided and the resulting dead-end or cul-de-sac streets shall require a turn-around. In all cases, unless specifically excepted by the city engineer, the turn-around shall have a minimum curb-to-curb diameter of fifty-six (56) feet. Cul-de-sac streets shall not exceed six hundred sixty (660) feet in length in a high fire hazard area and one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet in length in a nonhazardous area.
E. Intersection Corner Rounding. Whenever a street intersects another street, the property lines at each block corner shall be rounded with a curve having a radius of not less than twenty-five (25) feet. A greater curve radius may be required by the city engineer if streets intersect at other than right angles.
F. Curve Radii. The center line curve radii on all streets shall conform to accepted engineering standards of design and shall be subject to the approval of the city engineer.
G. Grades of Streets.
1. Street grades for local streets may only exceed twelve (12) percent when engineering design shows that the grade proposed is safe and that the lesser grade would deny access to land appropriate for use. The street grades shall be subject to the review of the city engineer and fire chief.
2. Street grades shall not be less than 1.0 percent unless approved by the city engineer.
(Ord. 337 § 13, 2005; Ord. 293 § 1 (part), 2004; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)
Electric and telephone facilities, fire alarm conduits, street light wiring, cable television, and other wiring conduits and similar facilities shall be placed underground by the developer for all new development and when a new electrical hookup is provided in conjunction with the installation/replacement of an electrical service panel. The director may grant a modification or waiver of this requirement, after considering the general purposes and nature of the proposed development.
(Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)
A. Uses that generate vibrations that may be considered a nuisance or hazard on any adjacent property shall be cushioned or isolated to prevent generation of vibrations. Uses shall be operated in compliance with the following provisions:
1. Uses shall not generate ground vibration that is perceptible without instruments by the average person at any point along or beyond the property line of the lot containing the activities;
2. Uses, activities, and processes shall not generate vibrations that cause discomfort or annoyance to reasonable persons of normal sensitivity or which endangers the comfort, repose, health, or peace of residents whose property abuts the property lines of the lot;
3. Uses shall not generate ground vibration that interferes with the operations of equipment and facilities of adjoining lots; and
4. Vibrations from temporary construction/demolition and vehicles that leave the subject parcel (e.g., trucks) are exempt from the provisions of this section.
(Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)