Burbank Municipal Code Div. 4 Garden Office (go) Zone

The Garden Office (GO) Zone is intended to provide a well landscaped, low profile office environment. [Added by Ord. No. 3343, eff. 6/26/93.]

In the GO Zone, all uses shall be consistent with the maximum FAR and maximum residential density, as prescribed in the General Plan, as follows:

[Added by Ord. No. 3839, eff. 5/24/13; amended by Ord. 24-4,022, eff. 1/17/25.]

In the GO Zone, uses are allowed as set forth in Section 10-1-502. [Added by Ord. No. 3343; Amended by Ord. No. 3504, eff. 12/26/98; 3465, 3457, 3439, 3400; 3376.]

10-1-2422, 2423 AND 2424:

[Deleted by Ord. No. 3504, eff. 12/26/98.]

The following property development standards shall apply in a GO Zone:

A. STRUCTURE HEIGHT.

1. The maximum height of a structure shall not exceed 35 feet as measured from grade as defined in this article. Roof and architectural features may exceed the maximum height up to 15 additional feet without the need of a Conditional Use Permit if a 45 degree angle is maintained as depicted in Diagram No. 1.

2. Maximum building height shall be measured to the ceiling height of the highest room permitted for human occupancy.

3. A Conditional Use Permit is required for structure higher than 35 feet.

B. OPEN SPACE.

1. Distance Requirements.

Each lot which abuts or is adjacent to an R-1, R-1-H or R-2 lot shall provide open space not less than 20 feet wide along the area that abuts the residential property. Lots abutting or adjacent to R-3 and R-4 lots shall provide a minimum of ten (10) foot open space between the properties.

2. Determination of Open Space.

This open space shall be measured from the lot line of the residential property to the commercial structure. Public rights-of-way may be included within the calculation of such area, except as otherwise provided in this section.

3. Landscaping Requirement.

When the commercial property abuts or is adjacent to R-1, R-1-H or R-2 property, a five (5) foot strip of the open space which lies adjacent to the residential property shall be landscaped, unless a public right-of-way is utilized in the calculation of the open space. This landscaping is intended to provide screening between the different zones.

4. Parking Allowed in Open Space.

When the commercial property abuts property other than R-1, R-1-H or R-2, the open space may be used for surface parking.

5. Interior Courtyards.

Interior courtyards shall be provided and shall be visible from the public right-of-way.

C. YARDS.

1. Front Yard - Definition.

For the purpose of this section, side yards on corner lots shall be considered as front yards.

2. Setbacks.

a. Front Yards.

All structures on Riverside Drive and Alameda Avenue shall be setback at least ten (10) feet from the front lot line. All structures on Main and Mariposa Streets shall be setback at least five (5) feet from the front lot line. A minimum of a ten (10) foot setback from the front lot line to any surface parking is required.

b. Side Yards.

A minimum ten (10) foot side yard building setback is required. A minimum of a five (5) foot setback from the side lot line to any surface parking is required.

c. Rear Yards.

A ten (10) foot rear yard building setback is required; provided, however, if the rear yard abuts or is adjacent to a residentially zoned property, a minimum 20 foot setback is required. A minimum of a five (5) foot setback from the rear lot line to any surface parking area is required.

d. When abutting or adjacent to R-1, R-1-H or R-2 zones, above-grade or semi-subterranean parking structures must be setback 20 feet from the residential property line. When abutting or adjacent to R-3 or R-4 zones, above-grade or semi-subterranean parking structures must be setback ten (10) feet from the residential property line. Public rights-of-way may be used in this calculation.

3. Landscaping.

a. Interior courtyards shall be 50 percent landscaped.

b. Interior lot spaces between buildings shall receive extensive landscape treatment incorporating California native plants and California Sycamore trees.

c. Pedestrian courtyards shall be 50 percent landscaped.

d. Californian native plants and California Sycamore trees are required within landscaped areas.

e. The requirements for parking structures and surface parking lots in Article 14 of this Chapter shall apply in the GO Zone.

4. Retail Structures.

On retail structures, bay windows at least three (3) feet high may project over 75 percent of the required front yard not to exceed three (3) feet into the required front yard. The bay windows shall be spaced to allow adequate sunlight to reach required landscaping.

5. Parking.

a. No surface parking area frontage shall comprise more than 50 percent of any street frontage.

b. Surface parking shall be organized into parking courts not to exceed 40 stalls surrounded on all sides with a minimum five (5) foot landscape buffer.

c. Above-grade and semi-subterranean parking structures shall be allowed along the rear 50 percent of the property.

d. For additional parking area requirements, see Article 14 of this chapter.

D. ADDITIONAL STANDARDS.

For additional standards see the remainder of this chapter.

E. Mixed-Use and Multifamily Residential-Only Development. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section shall not apply to the following projects:

1. Mixed-use developments (multifamily residential with nonresidential use) allowed as set forth in Section 10-1-502. These projects shall be governed by the provisions of Article 9, Division 4 of this Code, commencing with Section 10-1-915.

2. Multifamily residential-only developments allowed as set forth in Section 10-1-502. These projects shall be governed by the provisions of Article 6, Division 3.5 of this Code, commencing with Section 10-1-621. [Added by Ord. No. 3343, eff. 6/26/93; amended by Ord. No. 23-3,996, eff. 7/7/23; 23-3,994; 15-3,860; 3810, 3548, 3491, 3488.]

Unless specifically exempted by Section 10-1-1915 of this Code, no structure shall be erected in the GO Zone, nor shall any permits related thereto be issued until an application for Development Review has been submitted to and approved by the Director, as provided in Division 2, Article 19 of this chapter. These permits include but are not limited to site preparation permits such as demolition permits and grading permits. [Added by Ord. No. 3343, eff. 6/26/93.]

The following design criteria shall apply in the GO Zone:

A. All building elevations fronting public streets or residentially zoned lots shall contain elements designed for the purpose of providing visual variation including expressed floor or surface breaks, balconies, projections, recesses, awnings and horizontal setbacks.

B. Pedestrian entrances on exposed elevations shall be recessed and architecturally highlighted.

C. Pitched roofs are required. Mansard roofs are prohibited.

D. No more than 60 percent of the building facade shall be in the same plane.

E. Architectural design-Mission, Rancho, or Spanish Colonial style shall be used incorporating a number of the following elements: verandas, arbors, patios, courtyards, plazas, arches, simulated wood roofs, tile roofs, open beam ceilings, walkways, archways, colonial columns and heavy posts.

F. Color-Whites, natural wood grain finishes, earth tones, pale tones, tans, rusts, adobe pink, and copper patina shall be used and incorporated. Bright colors are prohibited.

G. Materials and Finishes-A number of the following may be incorporated if otherwise permitted by the Burbank Municipal Code: wood, rough cut timbers, river rock, Spanish tile and textured stucco.

H. The design standards of Section 10-1-1113.1 shall apply in the GO Zone. [Added by Ord. No. 3343, eff. 6/26/93.]