Chapter 17.15 — ESTABLISHMENT OF ZONES, BOUNDARIES AND PREZONING

In order to classify, regulate, restrict and segregate the uses of land and buildings, to regulate and restrict the height and bulk of buildings, to regulate the area of yards and other open spaces about buildings, and to regulate the density of population, the following zoning districts are established:

(Ord. 5018 § 3, 2015)

In reviewing a request for zone reclassification pursuant to Chapter 17.20 , the planning commission may recommend and the city council may approve an alternative zone or zones that is "more restrictive" than the zone requested in the application and publicly advertised. Zones are considered "more restrictive" in relation to their reverse order as listed in Section 17.15.010 , with the exception of the hillside overlay zone (H), which does not contain any uses. For example, the RS-6 zone is "more restrictive" than the RM-2500 zone, but the RS-6 zone is "less restrictive" than the RS-40 zone.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

The location and boundaries of the various zones are such as are shown and delineated on the zoning map as adopted originally by Ordinance No. 236 and as subsequently amended, which map,

as amended from time to time, is by reference made a part of this title. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

The zoning map may, for convenience, be divided into parts and each such part may, for purposes of more readily identifying areas within such zoning map, be subdivided into units and such parts and units may be separately employed for purposes of amending the zoning map or for any official reference to the zoning map.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

Changes in the boundaries of the zones shall be made by ordinance adopting an amended zoning map or part of said map or unit of a part of said zoning map, which said amended maps or part or units of parts, when so adopted, shall be published in the manner prescribed by law and become a part of this title.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

Where uncertainty exists as to the boundaries of any zone shown upon a zoning map or any part or unit thereof, the following rules of construction shall apply:

• A. Where such boundaries are indicated as approximately following street and alley lines or lot lines, such lines shall be construed to be such boundaries.

• B. In the case of un-subdivided property, and where a zone boundary divides a lot, the location of such boundaries, unless the same are indicated by dimensions, shall be determined by use of the scale appearing on said zoning map.

• C. Where a public street or alley is officially vacated or abandoned, the area comprising such vacated street or alley shall acquire the classification of the property to which it reverts.

• D. Areas of dedicated streets or alleys and railroad rights-of-way other than such as are designated on the zoning map as being classified in one of the zones provided in this title shall be deemed to be unclassified, and in the case of streets, permitted to be used only for purposes lawfully allowed and, in the case of railroad rights-of-way, permitted to be used solely for the purpose of accommodating tracks, signals, other operative devices and movement of rolling stock.

• E. Any property which for any reason is not designated on the zoning map as being classified in any of the zones established hereby shall be deemed to be classified in the RS-40 zone until the same shall have been otherwise classified in the manner set forth in Chapter 17.20 .

• (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

Except as provided in this title, no building shall be erected, reconstructed or structurally altered, nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose, except as hereinafter specifically provided and allowed in the same zone in which such building and land is located. (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

The zones listed in Section 17.15.010 are named according to an orderly arrangement of letters and numbers. The letter designators indicate abbreviated words such as residential (R) and commercial (C). The abbreviated words are spelled out in the second column of the table in Section 17.15.010 . The numbers represent the minimum lot size in the single-family zones, and the density (minimum lot area per dwelling unit) in the multiple-family zones. Both minimum lot size and minimum lot area are presented in square-feet units.

(Ord. 4968 § 2, 2011)

• A. Prior to the annexation of any property to the city, said property shall first be prezoned in the manner set forth in Chapter 17.20 . The purpose of prezoning is to establish the zoning district that will apply to that property and be effective upon the annexation of the property to the city.

• B. The annexation of the property to the city shall be commenced within one year of the date of approval of the prezoning by the city council or the prezoning shall expire, unless extended pursuant to Chapter 17.35 . The city may apply reasonable conditions to the approval of a prezoning request to ensure that the property will comply with the city's ordinances and policies upon annexation.

• (Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)

To protect the public health, safety and welfare, the city council may adopt an urgency interim ordinance, without a public hearing, which prohibits any uses which may be in conflict with a contemplated zoning proposal which the city council, planning commission, redevelopment agency or the planning division is considering or studying or intends to study within a reasonable time. Such urgency measure shall be adopted in accordance with Title 7 , Division 1, Chapter 4, Article 2, Section 65858 of the California Government Code.

(Ord. 4950 § 3, 2010)