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Title 18 — Zoning

Chapter 18.64 — SAHO DISTRICTS—SNOW AVALANCHE HAZARD OVERLAY

Inyo County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Inyo County

§ 18.64.010. Purpose.

The intent and purpose of this chapter is to provide a mechanism (overlay zone) to advise current and future property owners within officially designated snow-avalanche-hazard areas of the potential for snow avalanches.

(Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

§ 18.64.020. Principal, accessory and conditional uses.

The uses permitted in the SAHO district are the uses authorized in the district which is combined with SAHO district. (Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

§ 18.64.030. Development standards.

All of the listed development standards, as designated in the district with which the SAHO is combined, shall be the same as the underlying district except as specifically stated in Section 18.64.050 .

(Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

§ 18.64.040. Implementation.

  • A. Upon completion and acceptance of a snow-avalanche-hazard study prepared by a qualified and recognized snow-avalanche specialist, the county shall apply this SAHO to those properties identified as within the potential snow-avalanche area.

  • B. The SAHO shall encompass those areas designated as historical snow-avalanche areas and potential snow-avalanche areas (one hundred-year-frequency). Whenever possible, the SAHO shall conform to existing property lines, unless the subject property is of such size or configuration to warrant only a portion of the property to be so designated.

  • C. Within sixty days of the application of any SAHO zone to property, the county planning department shall send by certified mail to the current property owner, as shown on the latest tax assessment roll, a notification of snow-avalanche-hazard. The certified mail receipt shall be kept on file in the office of the Inyo County planning department.

  • D. Within sixty days of the application of any SAHO zone to property, the county planning department shall record, in the office of the county recorder, a notification of snow-avalanche-hazard. The recorded notification of snow-avalanche-hazard shall be deemed sufficient notification of future property owners within the designated SAHO zone.

  • (Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

§ 18.64.050. Additional development standards.

The following additional development standards are imposed on those properties or those portions of properties located within an SAHO:

Avalanche protective, deflective and preventive structures, devices or earthwork which threaten to deflect avalanches toward property of others, or otherwise threaten to increase the danger to persons or property are prohibited.

(Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

§ 18.64.060. Amendment.

Any property owner within the SAHO may request a rezoning out of the SAHO. In so doing, the rezoning application must be accompanied with a report prepared by a county-approved recognized and qualified snow-avalanche-hazard expert that demonstrates that the SAHO currently mapped and zoned on the property either does not exist or should be adjusted. If approved, and the entire property is removed from the SAHO, the planning department shall record, within thirty days, a notice in the office of the county recorder rescinding the recorded notification of snow-avalanche-hazard on the subject property. (Ord. 943 § 4, 1994)

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▸ Contents — Inyo County Zoning Code
Inyo County Zoning Code
  1. ▸ Title 18 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 18.03 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 18.06 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 18.12 — OS (OPEN SPACE) ZONE
    4. Chapter 18.21 — RR (RURAL RESIDENTIAL) ZONE
    5. Chapter 18.22 — RR-0.5-STARLITE ESTATES ZONE
    6. Chapter 18.27 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS—GENERAL REGULATIONS
    7. Chapter 18.30 — R-1 DISTRICTS—ONE FAMILY RESIDENCES
    8. Chapter 18.33 — R-2 DISTRICTS—MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL
    9. Chapter 18.34 — R-3 MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL ZONE
    10. Chapter 18.42 — COMMERCIAL DISTRICTS GENERAL REGULATIONS
    11. Chapter 18.44 — CB DISTRICT—CENTRAL BUSINESS
    12. Chapter 18.45 — C-1 DISTRICTS GENERAL COMMERCIAL AND RETAIL
    13. Chapter 18.48 — C-2 DISTRICTS—HIGHWAY SERVICES AND TOURIST COM…
    14. Chapter 18.49 — C-4 ZONE—HEAVY COMMERCIAL
    15. Chapter 18.51 — C-3 ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICES ZONE
    16. Chapter 18.54 — C-5 ZONE—COMMERCIAL RECREATION
    17. Chapter 18.56 — M-2 ZONE—LIGHT INDUSTRIAL
    18. Chapter 18.57 — M-1 DISTRICTS—GENERAL INDUSTRIAL AND EXTRACTIVE
    19. Chapter 18.61 — MOBILE FOOD FACILITIES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
    20. Chapter 18.62 — AH DISTRICTS—AIRPORT HAZARD OVERLAY
    21. Chapter 18.63 — PP DISTRICTS—PRECISE PLANS
    22. Chapter 18.64 — SAHO DISTRICTS—SNOW AVALANCHE HAZARD OVERLAY
    23. Chapter 18.65 — DB DISTRICTS—DENSITY BONUS OVERLAY
    24. Chapter 18.66 — PUD DISTRICTS—PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENTS
    25. Chapter 18.67 — NONGROUNDWATER-NEUTRAL AGRICULTURAL USE OVERLA…
    26. Chapter 18.69 — D DISTRICTS—ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN CONTROL
    27. Chapter 18.72 — P DISTRICTS—PUBLIC DISTRICTS
    28. Chapter 18.73 — SHORT-TERM RENTAL OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY
    29. Chapter 18.74 — OUTDOOR LIGHTING
    30. Chapter 18.75 — SIGNS
    31. Chapter 18.77 — (RESERVED)
    32. Chapter 18.78 — GENERAL REGULATIONS
    33. Chapter 18.79 — REGULATION OF SMALL WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYS…
    34. Chapter 18.80 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    35. Chapter 18.81 — PROCEDURES—ENFORCEMENT
    36. Chapter 18.82 — EXPEDITED ABATEMENT PROCEDURE FOR NUISANCES CA…
    37. Chapter 18.83 — TEMPORARY EMERGENCY DWELLINGS FOLLOWING A DISA…
    38. Chapter 18.84 — SB9 DISTRICTS—TWO-UNIT DEVELOPMENT

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