HomeMy WebLinkAbout15-03 Adopting Zoning Code; Residential Small Lot Subdivision StandardsORDINANCE NO. 15-03
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA
ADOPTING ZONING CODE AMENDMENT CO -15-01 AMENDING TITLE 13,
CHAPTER V, ARTICLE 2.5, RESIDENTIAL SMALL LOT SUBDIVISION STANDARDS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: FINDINGS
The Small Lot Ordinance which allows subdivision of 15 or less fee simple lots for multiple
family properties was adopted on April 1, 2014. The ordinance allows development of
detached residential units on individual parcels instead of condominium ownership. Since
adoption, several applications have been processed and additional are in review. It has
been realized that the side yard setback of 10 feet is challenging for development of
narrow multiple family lots and in most cases a reduction has been granted as allowed by
current code. To make the development standards consistent with the common interest
development regarding side yard setback and parking, two revisions to development
standards are hereby approved.
SECTION 2: Title 13, Chapter V, Article 2.5, Table 13-42, Small Lot Subdivision
Standards, of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code is hereby amended as follows:
TABLE 13-42
SMALL LOT SUBDIVISION STANDARDS
STANDARDS >
SINGLE-FAMILY UNITS (located on individual dwelling unit lots and
excluding townhouses)
Maximum Number of Stories &
2 stories/ 27 feet, except as allowed in the Westside Overlay Districts.
Building Height
Note: Lofts, as defined in section 13-6, without exterior access and
having only clerestory windows will not be regarded as a story. See also
Attic discussion below.
Attics
Attics shall not be heated or cooled, nor contain any electrical outlets or
operable windows. In zoning districts where the maximum number of
stories is two stories, attics above second stories shall be an integral part of
the second story roofline and not appear as a 3rd story on any building
elevation. Windows in any attic space above the second story shall be
incidental and limited to a dormer style.
Maximum Density (based on
Same as underlying zoning district or as specified in an applicable specific
gross acreage)
plan.
Minimum Open Space
30% of total lot area. No asphalt shall be permitted for paved areas. Parking
(development lot)
and driveways shall consist of decorative concrete, pavers or other
materials as deemed appropriate by the Development Services Director.
Minimum Open Space
200 square feet with no dimension less than 10 feet.
(individual unit)
Ordinance No. 15-03 Page 1 of 5
TABLE 13-42
SMALL LOT SUBDIVISION STANDARDS
STANDARDS
SINGLE-FAMILY UNITS (located on individual dwelling unit lots and
excluding townhouses)
Development Lot
Separately owned private property interests or any portion thereof,
necessary or desirable for common use, are subject to recordation of an
easement for reciprocal access and maintenance. All areas of a
development with 5 or more parcels, subject to a reciprocal access and/or
maintenance easement shall be maintained by an association that may be
incorporated or unincorporated. The association may be referred to as a
maintenance association.
Parking
• Three bedroom or more units (including a den or home office)—two
garage spaces and two open parking spaces
• Two bedrooms or less units (including a den) —one garage space and
two open parking.
• No tandem parking is permitted for open or guest parking spaces.
For developments with 5 or more units (up to 10 units) where
open/guest parking spaces are provided in driveways in front of garages
for exclusive use of that unit, one additional on-site guest parking shall
be provided. Two additional open guest -parking shall be provided for
developments with more than 10 units.
• For all small lot developments subject to the provisions of this article,
all open parking not located within an individual driveway shall be
unassigned and nonexclusive.
Distance between buildings
No minimum distance required subject to compliance with Building and
Fire Code standards.
Driveway width
10 -foot minimum, except 16 -foot minimum driveway is required if the
(development lot)
driveway serves tenants and/or guest parking for more than one dwelling
unit. Driveway width shall be a maximum of 26 feet for lots less than 50
feet wide and a maximum of 50% for lots greater than 50 feet wide.
Driveway length
Straight -in driveways to garages shall have a minimum length of 19 -feet
from the ultimate public or private right of way. No driveways shall be more
than 5 feet in length if parking is not provided in front of garage.
Driveways accessing rear parcels shall be in compliance with the
requirements of the Parking Design Standards, minimum separation
between driveways and maximum 50% hardscape requirement.
Mechanical equipment,
Roof -top location is prohibited unless completely screened from public
excluding antennas and flush-
rights-of-way and adjacent properties.
mounted solar panels on roofs
Front
20 feet
Development Lot:
Side yard (interior)
5 feet
Rear yard (interior)
10 feet
Side (street side, if applicable)
10 feet
Note: Driveways providing straight -in access from a public street to a
garage shall be at least 19 feet long, as measured from the ultimate public
or private right of way.
Ordinance No. 15-03 Page 2 of 5
TABLE 13-42
SMALL LOT SUBDIVISION STANDARDS
STANDARDS
SINGLE-FAMILY UNITS (located on individual dwelling unit lots and
excluding townhouses)
Rear Abutting a Publicly
5 feet; however, garages may be required to set back further to ensure
Dedicated Alley
adequate back up distance. Rear Yard Coverage does not apply.
Bluff Top Setback
No building or structure closer than 10 feet from bluff crest (see Section 13-
34 BLUFF -TOP DEVELOPMENT).
Roof or Eaves Overhang;
2 feet 6 inches into required side setback or building separation area.
Awning
5 feet into required front or rear setback.
Open, unenclosed stairways.
Not permitted
Chimneys
May extend 2 feet above maximum building height.
Automatic roll -up garage doors
Required
Location of Open Parking
Guest parking shall be located within a reasonable distance of the unit it
serves. Detached garages that are not located within a reasonable
distance to the units they are intended to serve are prohibited.
Trash Storage
All units shall be provided with a small alcove inside or outside the unit to
allow storage of at least three trash carts without encroaching into the
garage space.
All efforts shall be made to provide on-site trash service. Trash carts shall
be stored on-site for trash pick up to the greatest extent possible.
Above -Ground Pools and Spas
Prohibited in front yards and subject to 5 -foot side and rear setback from
the main structures.
LANDSCAPING
A detailed landscape plan prepared pursuant to CHAPTER VII LANDSCAPING STANDARDS shall be
approved by the Planning Division prior to issuance of any building permits.
SIGNS (See Chapter VIII).
FENCES AND WALLS
Fences and walls placed between the property line and required setback line for main buildings shall
conform to the City's walls, fences, and landscaping standards.
See ARTICLE 9 GENERAL SITE IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS of this chapter for further information.
SECTION 2: ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION. The project has been reviewed for
compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the CEQA guidelines,
and the City's environmental procedures, and has been found to be exempt pursuant to
Section 15061 (b) (3) (general rule) of the CEQA Guidelines, in that the City Council hereby
finds that it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the passage of this
ordinance amending the zoning code will have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 3: INCONSISTENCIES. Any provision of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code or
appendices thereto inconsistent with the provisions of this ordinance, to the extent of such
inconsistencies and or further, is hereby repealed or modified to the extent necessary to
affect the provisions of this ordinance.
Ordinance No. 15-03 Page 3 of 5
SECTION 4: SEVERABILITY. If any provision or clause of this ordinance or the
application thereof to any person or circumstances is held to be unconstitutional or
otherwise invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect
other provisions or clauses or applications of this ordinance which can be implemented
without the invalid provision, clause or application; and to this end, the provisions of this
ordinance are declared to be severable.
SECTION 5: PUBLICATION. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force thirty (30)
days from and after the passage thereof, and prior to the expiration of fifteen (15) days from
its passage shall be published once in the ORANGE COAST DAILY PILOT, a newspaper
of general circulation, printed and published in the City of Costa Mesa or, in the alternative,
the City Clerk may cause to be published a summary of this Ordinance and a certified copy
of the text of this Ordinance shall be posted in the office of the City Clerk five (5) days prior
to the date of adoption of this Ordinance, and within fifteen (15) days after adoption, the City
Clerk shall cause to be published the aforementioned summary and shall post in the office
of the City Clerk a certified copy of this Ordinance together with the names and member of
the City Council voting for and against the same.
PASSED AND�POPTED this 21St day of April, 2015.
Stephen M. Mensinger, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
"b6ake/bityAttorney o
ATTEST:
bwd& GL ek
Brenda Green, ity Clerk
Ordinance No. 15-03 Page 4 of 5
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, BRENDA GREEN, City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the City Council of the City
of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the above foregoing Ordinance No. 15-03 as
introduced and considered section by section at a regular meeting of said City Council
held on the 3rd day of March, 2015, and thereafter passed and adopted as a whole at the
regular meeting of said City Council held on the 21 st day of April, 2015, by the following
roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: MONAHAN, RIGHEIMER, MENSINGER
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: FOLEY, GENIS
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereby set my hand and affixed the Seal of the City of
Costa Mesa this 22nd day of April, 2015.
&.2*"m�
Brenda Green, Ofty Clerk
Ordinance No. 15-03 Page 5 of 5