Development in the office research, industrial, and manufacturing districts is subject to the following development standards, provided that more restrictive regulations may be required as part of design review under Chapter 18.76 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code.
(a) Development Standards for Non-Residential Uses
Table 2 shows the site development standards for exclusively non-residential uses in the industrial and manufacturing districts.
TABLE 2
INDUSTRIAL/MANUFACTURING NON-RESIDENTIAL SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
INDUSTRIAL/MANUFACTURING NON-RESIDENTIAL SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
MOR | ROLM | ROLM(E) | RP | RP(5) | GM | Subject to Regulations in Chapter: |
MOR | ROLM | ROLM(E) | RP | RP(5) | GM | Subject to Regulations in Chapter: | |
Minimum Site Specifications | |||||||
Site Area (sq. ft.) | 25,000 | 1 acre | 1 acre | 5 acres | 1 | ||
Site Width (ft.) | 150 | 100 | 100 | 250 | |||
Site Depth (ft.) | 150 | 150 | 150 | 250 | |||
Minimum Setbacks | Setback lines imposed by a special setback map pursuant to Chapter 20.08 of this code may apply. | ||||||
Front Yard (ft) | 50(3) | 20 | 20 | 100 | (1) | ||
Rear Yard (ft) | 10(3) | 20 | 20 | 40 | |||
Interior Side Yard (ft) | 10 | 20 | 20 | 40 | |||
Street Side Yard (ft) | 20(3) | 20 | 20 | 70 | |||
Minimum Yard (ft) for site lines abutting or opposite residential districts | 10(3) | 20 | 20 | . 10 | |||
Maximum Site Coverage | 30% | 30% | 30% | 15% | |||
Maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) | 0.5:1 | 0.4:1(4) | 0.3:1(4) | 0.4:1 W | 0.3:1(4) | 0.5:1 | |
Parking | See Chs. 18.52, 18.54 | ||||||
Landscaping | See Section 18.20.050 (Performance Criteria) | ||||||
Maximum Height (ft) | |||||||
Standard | 50 | 35(4) | 35(4) | 50 | |||
Portions of a site within 150 ft. of a residential district (5) | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | |||
Portions of a site within 40 ft. of a residential district (5) | 35 | 25 | 25 | 35 | |||
Daylight Plane for site lines having any part abutting one or more residential districts. | |||||||
Initial Height | _(2) | 10 | |||||
Slope | _(2) | 1:2 | |||||
(1) For any property designated GM and fronting on East Bayshore Road a minimum setback of 20 feet along that frontage is established.
(2) Daylight plane requirements shall be identical to the daylight plane requirements of the most restrictive residential district abutting the side or rear site line. Such daylight planes shall begin at the applicable site lines and increase at the specified slope until intersecting the height limit otherwise established for the MOR district.
(3) In the MOR district, no required parking or loading space shall be located in the first 10 feet adjoining the street property line of any required yard.
(4) See subsection 18.20.040(e) below for exceptions to height and floor area limitations in the ROLM and RP zoning districts.
(5) Distance shall be measured from the property line of the subject site.
(b) Development Standards for Exclusively Residential Uses
Residential uses shall be permitted in the MOR, RP, RP(5), ROLM, ROLM(E), and GM zoning districts, subject to the following criteria.
(1) It is the intent of these provisions that a compatible transition be provided from lower density residential zones to higher density residential or non-residential zones. The Village Residential development type should be evaluated for use in transition areas and will provide the greatest flexibility to provide a mix of residence types compatible with adjacent neighborhoods.
(2) No new single-family or two-family residential development is permitted in any of the office, research and manufacturing districts, and no new residential development is permitted within 300 feet of an existing Hazardous Materials Tier 2 use. Existing single-family and two-family uses and existing residential development within 300 feet of an existing Hazardous Materials Tier 2 use shall be permitted to remain, consistent with the provisions of Chapter 18.70 (Nonconforming Uses and Noncomplying Facilities).
(3) MOR District. All multi-family development in the MOR zoning district shall be permitted subject to approval of a conditional use permit and compliance with the development standards prescribed for the RM-30 zoning district.
(4) RP and RP(5) Districts. All multi-family development in the RP, and RP(5) zoning districts that is located within 150 feet of an R-E, R-1, R-2, RMD, or similar density residential PC zone shall be permitted subject to the provisions above in 18.20.040(b)(2), approval of a conditional use permit, and compliance with the development standards prescribed for the RM-20 zoning district, including Village Residential development types. Multi-family development in the MOR, RP, and RP(5) zoning districts that is located greater than 150 feet from an R-E, R-1, R-2, RMD, or low density residential PC shall be permitted subject to the provisions above in 18.20.040(b)(2), approval of a conditional use permit, and compliance with the development standards prescribed for the RM-30 zoning district, except for sites designated as Housing Element Opportunity Sites or Focus Areas, which are regulated by Chapter 18.20.040.
(5) ROLM (E) District. All multi-family development in the ROLM(E) zoning district shall be permitted subject to the provisions above in 18.20.040(b)(2), approval of a conditional use permit, and compliance with the development standards prescribed for the RM-20 zoning district.
(6) ROLM District. All multi-family development in the ROLM zoning district shall be permitted subject to the provisions above in 18.20.040(b)(2), approval of a conditional use permit, and compliance with the development standards prescribed for the RM-30 zoning district, except for sites designated as Housing Element Opportunity Sites or Focus Areas, which are regulated by Chapter 18.14.020.
(7) GM District. All residential development is prohibited in the GM zoning district, except for sites designated as Housing Element Opportunity Sites or Focus Areas, which are regulated by Chapter 18.14.020.
(8) Combining Districts. Combining district use regulations and design and development standards shall not apply to exclusively residential projects on Housing Element opportunity sites designated to accommodate lower income households. See Section 18.14.020 for details.
(c) Development Standards for Mixed (Residential and Nonresidential) Uses in the MOR, ROLM, ROLM(E), RP, and RP(5) Zoning Districts
Mixed (residential and nonresidential) uses shall be permitted in the MOR, ROLM, ROLM(E), RP, and RP(5) zoning districts, subject to the following criteria:
(1) It is the intent of these provisions that a compatible transition be provided from lower density residential zones to higher density residential, non-residential, or mixed use zones. The Village Residential development type should be evaluated for use in transition areas and will provide the greatest flexibility to provide a mix of residence types compatible with adjacent neighborhoods.
(2) New sensitive receptor land uses shall not be permitted within 300 feet of a Hazardous Materials Tier 2 or Tier 3 use. Existing sensitive receptors shall be permitted to remain, consistent with the provisions of Chapter 18.70 (Nonconforming Uses and Noncomplying Facilities).
(3) ROLM(E) District. Mixed (residential and nonresidential) development in the ROLM(E) zoning district shall be permitted, subject to the provisions above in 18.20.040(c)(2), approval of a conditional use permit, determination that the nonresidential use is allowable in the district and that the residential component of the development complies with the development standards prescribed for the RM-20 zoning district. The maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for mixed use development is 0.3 to 1.
(4) ROLM District. Mixed (residential and nonresidential) development in the ROLM zoning district shall be permitted, subject to the provisions above in 18.20.040(c)(2), approval of a conditional use permit, determination that the nonresidential use is allowable in the district and that the residential component of the development complies with the development standards prescribed for the RM-30 zoning district. The maximum floor area ratio (FAR) for mixed use development is 0.4 to 1. Except that sites designated as Housing Element Opportunity Sites or Focus Areas shall meet the development standards specified in Chapter 18.14.020.
(5) GM District. Mixed use (residential and nonresidential) development is prohibited in the GM zoning district, except for sites designated as Housing Element Opportunity Sites or Focus Areas, which are regulated by Chapter 18.14.020.
In computing residential densities for mixed (residential and nonresidential) uses, the density calculation for the residential use shall be based on the entire site, including the nonresidential portion of the site.
(d) Floor Area Bonus for Child Care Facilities
Floor area operated as a licensed child care facility shall not be included when calculating floor area ratios for a site. In addition, the permitted floor area on the site shall be increased by an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the floor area of the child care facility. The floor area bonus is not exempt from parking requirements and shall not be granted unless the director determines that on-site circulation (including for pick-up and drop-off) for the child care facility is adequate.
(e) Height and Floor Area Exceptions for Equipment Storage and Access in the RP and RP(5) Districts
(1) The intent of this subsection is to provide flexibility in height and floor area limitations to accommodate equipment needs for research and development and similar facilities.
(2) The maximum height in the RP and RP(5) zoning districts may be increased to forty (40) feet where a) interstitial space is provided between floors to accommodate mechanical and/or electrical equipment, b) the load for such interstitial space is limited, to the satisfaction of the Building Official, to preclude conversion to habitable space, c) the building contains no more than two stories of habitable space above grade, and d) the portion of any building over 35 feet in height is located a minimum of 150 feet from the nearest property line of a residential zone or residential PC zone. Interstitial space refers to intermediate floors used for mechanical or electrical systems and access for equipment maintenance purposes.
(3) Rooftop and/or basement areas used to enclose mechanical equipment shall be excluded from floor area calculations, provided that the total of any such excluded areas does not exceed one-third of the building footprint area. Rooftop equipment or rooftop equipment enclosures shall not extend above a height of fifteen (15) feet above the roof, and any enclosed rooftop equipment located adjacent to residential property shall be set back at least 20 feet from the building edge closest to the residential site or a minimum of 100 feet from the residential property line, whichever is closer.
(f) Limitations on Outdoor Uses and Activities.
(1) In the GM district, outdoor sales and display of merchandise and outdoor eating areas operated incidental to permitted eating and drinking services are permitted subject to the following regulations:
(A) Outdoor sales and display shall not occupy a total site area exceeding the gross building floor area on the site, except as authorized by a conditional use permit.
(B) Areas used for outdoor sales and display of motor vehicles, boats, campers, camp trailers, trailers, coaches, house cars, or similar conveyances shall meet the minimum standards applicable to off-street parking facilities with respect to paving, grading, drainage, access to public streets and alleys, safety and protective features, lighting, landscaping, and screening.
(C) Exterior storage shall be prohibited, unless screened by a solid wall or fence of between five and eight feet in height. This requirement is not applicable to recycling centers.
(2) In the ROLM and RP districts, all outdoor activities or uses are prohibited except:
(A) Outdoor activities associated with residential use;
(B) Landscaping;
(C) Parking and loading facilities;
(D) Recycling centers that have obtained a conditional use permit;
(E) Noncommercial recreational activities and facilities accessory to permitted or conditional uses; and
(F) Activities and facilities accessory to conditional uses, when authorized by a conditional use permit.
(3) In all industrial and manufacturing districts, equipment such as generators and air conditioning compressors is permitted outdoors so long as it is located out of setbacks adjacent to (including across a street from) a residential use, and is screened from view from the residential area.
(4) Any outdoor storage or use of hazardous materials in excess of exempt quantities prescribed in Title 15 of the Municipal Code or outdoor storage, use or handling of any amount of toxic gas or materials regulated under Title 15 shall also require a conditional use permit.
(g) Employee Showers.
Employee shower facilities shall be provided for any new building constructed or for any addition to or enlargement of any existing building as specified in Table 4.
TABLE 4
EMPLOYEE SHOWERS REQUIRED
EMPLOYEE SHOWERS REQUIRED
Uses | Gross Floor Area ol New Construction (ftt | Showers Required |
Medical, Professional, and General Business Offices, Financial Services, Colleges and Universities, Business and Trade Schools, Research and Development, General Business Services, and Manufacturing | 0-9,999 | No requirement |
10,000-19,999 | 1 | |
20,000-49,999 | 2 | |
50,000 and up | 4 |
(h) Nuisances and Hazards
In all office research, industrial, and manufacturing districts, excluding the MOR Medical Office and Medical Research district, all uses, whether permitted or conditional, shall be conducted in such a manner so as to preclude any nuisance, hazard, or commonly recognized offensive conditions or characteristics, including creation or emission of dust, gas, smoke, noise, fumes, odors, vibrations, particulate matter, chemical compounds, etiological (biological) agents, electrical disturbance, humidity, heat, cold, glare, or night illumination. Prior to issuance of a building permit or occupancy permit, or at any other time, the building official may require evidence that adequate controls, measures, or devices have been provided to ensure and protect the public interest, health, comfort, convenience, safety, and general welfare from such nuisance, hazard, or offensive condition.
(i) (Reserved)
(j) Designated Sites
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 18.20.040, on those sites that are Designated Sites under the Development Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and Stanford University approved and adopted by Ordinance No. 4870, the maximum floor area ratio shall be 0.5 to 1 as provided in that Agreement.
(Ord. 5554 § 15, 2022: Ord. 5548 § 6, 2022: Ord. 5460 § 15, 2019: Ord. 5381 § 4, 2016: Ord. 5373 § 16, 2016: Ord. 4884 § 2 (part), 2005: Ord. 4883 § 7 (part), 2005: Ord. 5608 § 6, 2024)