Livermore Municipal Code Part 4 General to Zones

This chapter expands upon the zone standards of Part 3 (Specific to Zones) by addressing additional details of site planning, project design, and the operation of land uses. These standards are intended to ensure that proposed development is compatible with existing and future development on neighboring properties, and produces an environment of desirable character, consistent with the General Plan and any applicable specific plan.

The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all proposed development and new land uses, except as specified in LDC Chapter 9.16 (Nonconforming Uses), and shall be considered in combination with the standards for the applicable zone in Part 3 (Specific to Zones), Part 6 (Specific to Uses), and Part 11 (Housing). If there is a conflict between any standards, the provisions of Part 3 control over Part 4 (General to Zones), the provisions of Part 6 control over Parts 3 and 4, and the provisions of Part 11 (Housing) control over Parts 3 and 6.

(Ord. 2178, 7/14/2025)

A. Gross acreage is used for the purpose of density calculation.

B. The maximum number of dwelling units permitted in each residential project shall be calculated by multiplying the gross residential acreage of the project site, as defined by the General Plan, times the maximum allowable density under the General Plan residential land use designation and as adjusted by any variation permitted in the General Plan.

C. Where this calculation results in a fraction the result will be rounded down to the nearest whole number.

D. Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units are permitted subject to the requirements set forth in LDC Chapter 11.30 (ADUs and JADUs). Two-Unit Residential Development and/or Urban Lot Splits are permitted subject to the requirements set forth in LDC Chapter 11.50 (Two-Unit Residential Developments and Urban Lot Splits).

E. Additional density is allowed under the State density bonus law (California Government Code Section 65915). The law provides increased residential densities for projects that guarantee a portion of the housing units will be affordable to very low-, low-, or moderate-income households, provide senior citizen housing, or include child care facilities. See LDC Chapter 11.40 (Density Bonus).

F. Residential project densities shall be consistent with City of Livermore Housing Element.

G. Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units shall not be counted towards residential density calculations. Two-Unit Residential Development and/or Urban Lot Splits are allowed in single family zoning districts regardless of residential density limitations when the requirements of LDC Chapter 11.50 (Two-Unit Residential Developments and Urban Lot Splits) are met.

(Ord. 2151 § 5, 2023; Ord. 2178, 7/14/2025)

A. Green building standards.

1. Civic buildings, see LMC Chapter 15.32 (Civic Green Buildings).

2. Commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, see LMC Chapter 15.76 (Commercial and Residential Green Buildings).

B. Encroachments.

1. Allowed encroachments into required yards (Transect zones).

Table 4.1: Street frontage yards Transect Zones Frontages Types, see LDC Chapter 4.03 (Frontage Standards)

Table 4.2: Non-street frontage yards Transect Zones Frontages Types, see LDC Chapter 4.03 (Frontage Standards)

2. Allowed encroachments into required yards (Non-Transect zones).

Table 4.3: Street frontage yards Non-Transect Zones

Table 4.4: Non-street frontage yards Non-Transect Zones

C. Yards.

1. General.

a. For the purpose of measuring yards, cantilevered walls shall be considered as exterior walls and measurements of yards shall be made from the edge thereof.

b. The minimum side or rear yard setback for any residential use located within a residential zoning district shall be the lesser of the setback established for the zoning district or the setback of the existing dwelling existing on the lot, excluding garages or accessory structures.

c. In any case of an irregularly shaped lot where the yard requirements do not clearly apply, or lots having unusual design, location, or relation to adjacent lots, the Director shall establish the requirements in conformity with the intent of the definitions for yard area.

d. Paving within front yard: On detached single-family residential lots, no more than 600 square feet or 50%, whichever is greater, of the required street frontage yard may be paved, up to a maximum of 800 square feet. For purposes of this section, "paving" shall include any permanent hard surface such as asphalt, concrete, interlocking pavers, bricks, or other masonry, but not including loose gravel. Uncovered patios, stairs, landings and walkways as discussed in subsection B of this section (Encroachments) not exceeding six feet in width, do not count toward this area. Any paved areas in excess of this requirement in existence at the time of adoption shall be deemed legal nonconforming. On irregularly shaped lots, or where special physical circumstances are found, the Director may approve additional paving upon up to 5% of the area described above, as long as the intent of this section is met.

2. Front within non-Transect residential districts:

a. Reduction of front setback: In any non-Transect residential district where 50% or more of the building sites on any one block in the same district have been improved with buildings, the required front yard, exclusive of garages facing the street, may be reduced to a depth equal to the average of the front yards of improved building sites, but not less than 15 feet.

b. Designation of front yard on corner lots: In any R district, the front yard of a corner lot shall be on a public street as designated by the owner.

(Ord. 2082 § 2(O), 2019)

A. Purpose.

1. To ensure accessory structures in residential districts are consistent with the residential character of the neighborhood;

2. To maintain light and air between structures;

3. To minimize the visual impact associated with the height and bulk of accessory structures;

4. To ensure accessory structures are secondary to the primary dwelling in size and use.

B. Exemptions. The standards in this section do not apply to the following unless otherwise stated in the applicable zoning district:

1. Accessory Dwelling Units that conform to the regulations of LDC Chapter 11.30 (ADUs and JADUs).

2. Covered parking for multifamily developments that conforms to the design review requirements of LDC Chapter 9.07 and all development standards and requirements of the underlying zoning district.

3. Landscape features including the following, provided they do not restrict visibility at a street intersection:

a. Light poles and similar lighting features not more than eight feet in height.

b. Gates or archways for pedestrian access not more than eight feet in height located in a primary dwelling frontage.

c. Planters and similar landscape features.

d. Statuary and similar features not more than eight feet in height.

Table 4.5: Standards 1 Height

C. General regulation. The following regulations shall apply to all accessory structures which are not exempt per subsection B.

1. Floor area within legal accessory structures shall not be counted against floor area ratio or coverage limit (whichever applies) of the underlying zoning district.

2. A building permit shall be required for any accessory structure greater than 120 square feet or contains light fixtures or heating appurtenances, or is otherwise served by a utility such as electricity, gas, or plumbing, or is structurally attached to a dwelling or another accessory structure.

3. Accessory structures shall not be located in a primary dwelling frontage. See Figure 4.9 below.

4. Accessory structures not within a primary dwelling frontage but located within 50 feet of a street right-of-way shall be located behind a conforming six-foot fence, except for detached garages. See Figure 4.9 below.

5. Limitations on use.

a. An accessory structure shall be permitted on a lot only in conjunction with a primary dwelling unit.

b. Use of an accessory building as a dwelling unit, sleeping quarters, or a housekeeping unit is prohibited, unless permitted as an approved accessory dwelling unit, subject to the provisions of LDC Chapter 11.30, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADUs).

c. A bathroom is permitted within an enclosed accessory structure.

d. A kitchen is prohibited in an enclosed accessory structure, unless permitted in an approved accessory dwelling unit, subject to the provisions of LDC Chapter 11.30.

e. A shipping container is not permitted as an accessory structure in a residential zoning district.

6. Separations.

a. A minimum three-foot separation shall be maintained between an accessory structure and all other structures on a lot, measured from exterior vertical wall or post surfaces, except as noted in subsections C.6.c and d, below.

b. Accessory structures attached to a primary dwelling shall be subject to all standards of the underlying zoning district, except as noted in subsections C.6.c and d, below.

c. An accessory structure with a covered breezeway separating the accessory structure from a primary dwelling shall be considered a detached accessory structure.

d. Patio covers may be attached to the primary dwelling provided all other accessory structure regulations are met. Posts supporting a patio cover or open structure may be less than three feet from another structure.

7. Deviating from any standard in this section may be authorized upon approval of a conditional use permit.

8. Design standards and maintenance.

a. Accessory structures shall be designed to complement or match the appearance of the primary dwelling unit and be consistent with the residential character of the neighborhood. Colors, materials, roof form, windows, window trim and other architectural features shall complement or match those of the existing primary dwelling unit. Accessory structures shall be constructed using conventional construction methods and materials for accessory structures, including accessory structures commonly pre-manufactured or pre-fabricated for sale and use in residential settings.

b. An accessory structure shall be located and designed to not drain onto other property, and shall not be structurally attached to a property line fence.

c. Lighting affixed to an accessory structure shall be designed or shielded to not cause glare upon neighboring properties.

d. Accessory structures containing fuel-burning appurtenances shall be equipped with a spark arrestor when required by local and/or State fire codes.

e. Accessory structures shall be maintained in good repair, in conformance with LMC § 8.14.020H, and such that members of walls or posts or roof coverings, whether open or solid, or exterior sheathing shall not lean, list, buckle, or otherwise appear to fall or fail, due to defective materials or deterioration.

(Ord. 2082 § 2(P, Q), 2019; Ord. 2151 § 5, 2023; Ord. 2178, 7/14/2025)

A. Sloping lot height measurement. In any district on lots that slope, the maximum height of the structure shall be as set forth in the district and measured vertically from ground level at the front yard setback line, or if no yard is required, at the center of the lot.

B. Special architectural element heights. Subject to any other provisions of law, certain structures as listed below may be erected to a greater height than the limit established for the district in which such structure or use is located.

1. Allowed architectural elements.

a. Such as church spires, cupolas, dormers, chimneys and vents, when 25 feet from property lines and not more than 25% of the lot area.

b. Single poles or metal towers erected for the purpose of supporting aerials for radio transmission and receiving by licensed amateur radio operators.

c. Television and radio receiving antennas.

d. Flagpoles shall not exceed height limit set in the zoning district and are limited to a five-foot encroachment into the front setback and may not encroach into the side or rear setbacks.

2. Special architectural element regulations.

a. Non-residential.

b. Residential.

C. Airport, structures in proximity. Notwithstanding structural limitations found elsewhere in this code, nor exceptions to those height limitations found in this section, the height of structures located within 5,000 feet of any airport runway shall not exceed 40 feet.

D. Public and semi-public buildings. Public and semi-public buildings may be erected to a height not to exceed 75 feet with approval of a Conditional Use Permit, provided that the setbacks shall be increased one foot for each one foot of height that such building exceeds the height limit established in the zoning district.

A. For buildings within the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) area. These regulations are subject to approval of a Site Plan and Design Review as described in LDC Chapter 9.07:

1. Parking requirements.

a. For projects listed in either the 2003 Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) historic resources inventory (with a rating of one to five) or under the provisions of the City's seismic hazard mitigation program:

(1) If a building is preserved, reinforces or is an addition to an existing structure, the requirements for parking shall be completely waived subject to the following requirements and findings:

(A) There is no significant visual deterioration of the historic features of the structure;

(B) All provisions of the Downtown Specific Plan are met; and

(C) In the case of additions to historic structures, the new addition does not negatively impact the historic nature of the structure.

(2) If a building is replaced with one that is exactly the same size and style:

(A) Permitted to continue any nonconforming lack of parking that it previously had.

(B) No new parking spaces would be required.

(C) All existing spaces must remain.

(D) If addition included, half of required parking for the additional square footage would need to be provided.

(E) Property owners who chose to replace their buildings without meeting these provisions would need to meet all of the required parking requirements for the new building.

B. For buildings in all City zoning districts except the DSP zoning district. These regulations are subject to Site Plan and Design Review as described in LDC Chapter 9.07:

1. For projects that preserve, reinforce, and add to an existing structure under the provisions of the City's seismic hazard mitigation program, permitted coverage or floor area ratios for the affected properties may be increased by up to 20% for additions to affected structures.

2. If an historic building is replaced with one that is exactly the same size and style, the approved replacement replica of the original building would be permitted to add square footage up to 10% over the maximum floor area ratio or coverage.

C. The provisions stated in subsections A and B of this section shall be administered by the zoning administrator with a site plan approval.

1. Applications requesting the incentives outlined in subsections A and B of this section shall be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission, which will make recommendations to the Director.

2. For projects proposing to modify or replace an existing structure, the State Office of the Architect or a comparable expert shall review the proposal to give expert historical advice on the architecture of the project.

3. In order to grant the incentives listed in subsections A and B of this section, the Director (with recommendations from the Historic Preservation Commission) must make the following findings:

a. The application is for a building listed on the City's list of unreinforced masonry structures.

b. The building has significant aesthetic, cultural, or historic value to the City.

c. Repairs costing at least 25% of the value of the building are required for the building under the provisions of the City's seismic hazard mitigation ordinance.

d. The proposed addition or replacement visually preserves the historical aspects of the structure.

e. The replacement structure accurately represents the most historically significant form of the demolished building (generally, the earliest clearly defined facades that the structure supported).

f. The proposed incentives that will be utilized will not significantly negatively impact adjacent properties.

The portions of this section in italics are repeated from the North Livermore Urban Growth Boundary Initiative and are not subject to amendment except by voter approval.

A. References, purpose and definitions.

1. The ordinance codified in this section, as amended from time to time, may be cited as the "transferable development credits ordinance" or the "TDC ordinance."

2. This section is adopted to implement the land use goals of the City as set forth in the North Livermore Urban Growth Boundary Initiative (initiative) and the City of Livermore 2003-2025 General Plan.

3. This section shall govern and control the allocation, transfer and use of development credits between North Livermore and the City. Any contradiction, inconsistency or ambiguity between the requirements of this section and any other provision of the Livermore Development Code (LDC) shall be governed and controlled by the requirements of this section. If not specifically covered in this section, the provisions of the LDC shall apply.

4. Purpose. The transferable development credits ordinance is designed to be part of a multiple-component approach to open space preservation. The purpose of this section is to protect the agricultural land and other valuable open space of North Livermore and other areas adjacent to Livermore from excessive and irremediably harmful development. This protection will:

a. Maintain existing agriculture and permit more intensive agriculture in North Livermore;

b. Preserve the natural qualities, wildlife, beauty, and peace of the open landscape, hills, and wetlands surrounding Livermore;

c. Prevent further sprawl by completing an urban growth boundary, which will direct permitted development to existing urbanized areas, thereby contributing to their vitality;

d. Reduce traffic congestion and hazard;

e. Limit air pollution and protect public health;

f. Avoid government expenditure of taxes for extended facilities and services;

g. Provide for outdoor recreation for residents of the area; and

h. Generally safeguard the special identity, heritage, and character of Livermore, and preserve the high quality of life in the City.

5. Definitions.

"Baseline density"

means the maximum density allowed in TDC receiving areas and TDC receiving zones when property owners choose not to use the TDC option. When property owners choose to use the TDC option, baseline density shall be calculated as the maximum density allowed under the range of densities in the baseline component of the TDC receiving area general plan designation.

"Baseline zoning"

means the zoning in effect on TDC receiving area parcels consistent with the baseline density of the parcels.

"North Livermore"

is the area bounded by the Livermore Urban Growth Boundary, the City of Dublin Sphere of Influence Boundary on June 30, 2002, the Alameda-Contra Costa Counties boundary, Vasco Road, and the north and east boundary of the Vasco-Laughlin Specific Plan area, east of Vasco Road, on June 11, 2001.

"Transferable development credits (TDCs)"

means the credits granted under the initiative that may only be used in compliance with the initiative and this section.

"TDC option"

means the general plan designation and LDC requirements that apply when owners of property in TDC receiving areas and TDC receiving zones apply to exceed baseline density in compliance with all requirements.

"TDC receiving area"

means a general plan classification that allows baseline uses and densities when property owners choose not to use the TDC option, but provides for higher-than-baseline density and alternative development regulations when property owners elect to use the TDC option.

"TDC receiving zone"

means a zoning district that allows baseline uses and densities when property owners choose not to use the TDC option, but provides for higher-than-baseline density and alternative development regulations when property owners elect to use the TDC option.

"TDC-retiring unit"

is a dwelling unit that qualifies to receive an allocation under the City's housing implementation program.

"TDC sending area"

is the North Livermore area described in the initiative and the 2003-2025 General Plan in which property owners can choose to record easements, create TDCs and transfer TDCs in compliance with this section.

B. TDC sending areas.

1. The TDC sending area includes all properties within North Livermore. Property owners may chose to participate in the program, even though their property has not been annexed to Livermore.

a. Transferable development credits shall be granted by the City to property owners in North Livermore, by rule in accordance with this section, in number and manner to accomplish the objectives of the North Livermore Urban Growth Boundary Initiative (hereafter, the "initiative"). The City Council shall grant credits on the following bases:

(1) One credit for each full five acres;

(2) 11 credits for an owner forgoing the right to create an additional parcel under the initiative;

(3) 10 credits for an owner forgoing the right to any dwelling units on a parcel, which forbearance shall also include the right to any dwelling units on one of the parcels resulting directly or indirectly from any permitted subdivision of that parcel;

(4) 12 credits for elimination of existing dwelling units and residential accessory structures on a parcel and for the owner forgoing the right to any dwelling units on that parcel, which forbearance shall also include the right to any dwelling units on one of the parcels resulting directly or indirectly from any permitted subdivision of that parcel.

(5) Duplicate credits may not be granted with respect to the same acreage or right forgone, regardless of changes in ownership. Credits given under subsections (B)(1)(a)(2), (3), or (4) of this section may be relinquished to the City prior to use or initial transfer and, if no gift is intended, the right to create a parcel, to build or rebuild as permitted by the ordinance regained and the corresponding easement conveyed under subsection (e) reconveyed. Credits given under subsection B.1.a(2) of this section may occur over time and credits may be granted under subsection B.1.a(2), (3), or (4) of this section at a later time than credits granted under subsection B.1.a(1) of this section on an individual parcel; provided, that duplicate credits are not granted.

b. Development credits cannot be used in the TDC sending area or in any manner not expressly allowed by this section.

c. Credits may be sold or purchased, or otherwise transferred or received, by any person including the City and other governmental entities. The City may use funds available for that purpose to buy credits, including a revolving fund replenished by the sale of credits. The City may buy and sell credits to establish and maintain an efficacious market for the credits, or to extinguish them. (Extinction of credits may be part of a more general City program to purchase development rights.)

d. Development credits may only be used within TDC receiving zones or to qualify development projects for housing allocations as regulated by this section.

e. As a precondition for the grant of development credits under subsection B.1 of this section, the owner shall convey an easement, which runs with the land, to the City and, if available, jointly to an independent land trust that meets the standards of Section 19 of the initiative. As provided in Section 19 of the initiative, the easement shall be negative only. If credits are granted under (a)(1) [of the initiative], the easement shall bar any future land division, development or use not permitted by initiative on the parcel where the acreage is located. If credits are granted for forgoing the right to create a parcel under (a)(2) [of the initiative], the easement shall relinquish that right permanently. If the credits are granted under (a)(3) or (a)(4) [of the initiative] for forgoing all dwelling units on a parcel, the easement shall relinquish the right to any dwelling units or any other development on the parcel, or on one of the parcels resulting directly or indirectly from any permitted subdivision of that parcel, except development under Section 12(2) [of the initiative] for agricultural use and under Section 12(3) [of the initiative] for the packaging, processing, storage or sale of produce or plants as set forth in the initiative. Easements shall be duly recorded in the county land records.

f. Credits shall not be granted and easements shall not be acquired for properties which are subject to other agricultural or open space easements or similar restrictions that have barred or forgone land division, development or uses substantially the same as that which would be barred or forgone as described in subsection B.1.e of this section. Conversely, credits may be granted and permanent easements acquired on land that has less restrictive easements.

2. The City shall establish appropriate means to inform persons about the development credits program and to facilitate transfer of credits from transferors to transferees. The City shall have procedures and requirements to ensure that it has accurate records of development credit grants, transfers and use. Administrative procedures shall include but not necessarily be limited to the following: application requirements, easement components, processing steps and documentation of credit issuance, transfer and redemption.

C. TDC receiving areas. TDC receiving areas are identified in the 2003-2025 General Plan or any subsequent general plan amendments that allow for new residential land use designations or increases in residential density. When properties are within specific plan areas, the specific plan for that area shall set forth TDC provisions, if any. TDC receiving area general plan designations establish baseline uses and densities. When properties are within specific plan areas, the specific plan for that area shall set forth TDC provisions, if any. Owners of land with a general plan designation of TDC receiving area who do not choose to exceed baseline density may decline the TDC option and continue to use their property in compliance with existing zoning. (See additional requirements in subsection E of this section regarding TDC receiving areas with industrial baseline zoning.)

Alternatively, owners of property with a TDC receiving area general plan designation may choose the TDC option and exceed baseline density when the zoning of their land has been changed to a TDC receiving zone and all requirements of that zoning district including the TDC requirements of subsection D of this section have been complied with. The three types of TDC receiving zones are set forth below.

1. TDC combining district. The TDC combining district is a zoning district that implements the provisions of a TDC receiving area general plan designation when a property owner chooses to use the TDC option.

a. Owners who elect not to use the TDC option shall comply with all use and development regulations that apply within the zoning district corresponding to the baseline classification of the TDC receiving area general plan designation.

b. Owners who elect to use the TDC option shall comply with all use and development regulations that apply within the zoning district corresponding to the TDC combining district of the TDC receiving area general plan designation as well as all other requirements of this section including the TDC requirements of subsection D of this section.

c. The TDC option is only available to developments that achieve the density range set forth in the corresponding TDC receiving area general plan designation.

2. Planned development district. Owners of property with a TDC receiving area general plan designation may use the TDC option by applying for a planned development district or PD see LDC Section 3.04.030 (Planned Development Zone). To use the TDC option, the PD shall incorporate all provisions of the corresponding TDC receiving area general plan designation and this section including, but not limited to, adherence to the residential density range called for in the general plan and compliance with the TDC requirements set forth in subsection D of this section.

3. Zoning districts incorporating TDC. When the City has created zoning districts that independently implement all provisions of a TDC receiving area, the zoning of a property within a corresponding TDC receiving area may be changed to that TDC receiving zone. Following the change of zoning, owners may decline to use the TDC option and continue to use the property under the baseline zoning and density set forth by the applicable TDC receiving zone. Alternatively, owners may choose to use the TDC option and exceed the baseline density in compliance with all regulations of the TDC receiving zone including the TDC requirements set forth in subsection D of this section.

D. TDC requirements.

1. To exceed baseline density in a TDC receiving zone, owners shall submit:

a. One and one-half TDCs for each single-family detached dwelling in excess of baseline density within a density range of one to seven dwelling units per acre (or one and one-quarter TDCs for each single-family detached dwelling in excess of baseline density for developments that have received final map approval by the City Council by June 1, 2013, and obtained building permits and start construction before April 1, 2014);

b. One and one-quarter TDC for each single-family detached dwelling in excess of baseline density within a density range of eight to 14 units per acre; and

c. One-half TDC for each multi-family attached dwelling in excess of baseline density; or

d. Payment of the TDC in lieu fee for each required TDC.

2. The TDC in lieu fee is contained in the City's fee schedule. The TDC in lieu fee shall be reviewed not less than bi-annually. The City Council may amend the TDC in lieu fee as necessary.

3. Revenues from TDC in lieu fees shall be used for the acquisition of TDCs from North Livermore. Other than TDC acquisition, revenue from TDC in lieu fees shall only be used for costs incurred in administering the TDC program including but not necessarily limited to facilitating TDC transactions, preparing/recording TDC easements, monitoring/enforcing easements and maintaining records. TDC in lieu fee revenues may be used to offset the administration costs incurred by the City and/or by a land trust authorized by the City to administer portions of the TDC program.

4. The City Council may, through adoption of a specific plan and implemented consistently by development agreement, make modifications to the transferable development credits regulations to meet the specific plan's density, design policies, and goals that are not inconsistent with the transferable development credit program.

E. Special requirements. TDC receiving areas with an industrial baseline classification in the TDC receiving area general plan designation shall not be rezoned as a TDC combining district unless all properties within the TDC receiving area are rezoned as a TDC combining district. After the TDC receiving area has been rezoned, an owner of property within this zone may elect to use either the baseline zoning or the TDC option on any single lot. If the first lot to be developed in this TDC receiving zone uses the residential TDC option, all future uses and structures on other lots within the TDC receiving area that are only allowed under the baseline industrial zoning shall be conditional uses and shall require approval of a Conditional Use Permit as provided under LDC Chapter 9.03. If the first lot to be developed in this TDC receiving area uses the industrial baseline zoning, future use of the residential TDC option on other lots within this TDC receiving area shall be conditional uses and shall require approval of a Conditional Use Permit as provided under LDC Chapter 9.03. The City Council shall place conditions on uses, site plans and building design as needed to maximize compatibility between industrial and residential developments pursuant to the findings required by LDC Chapter 9.03.

F. Satisfaction of TDC requirements.

1. When a final subdivision map would create an entitlement to exceed baseline density in a TDC receiving zone, submission of the required number of TDCs or payment of the corresponding TDC in lieu fee must be a condition of approval placed on the tentative map. This condition shall be satisfied prior to final map approval.

2. When site plan approval would create an entitlement to exceed baseline density in a TDC receiving zone, submission of the required number of TDCs or payment of the corresponding in lieu fee must be a condition of approval. This condition shall be satisfied prior to issuance of building permits.

3. City Council may, by resolution, adopt administrative guidelines to provide a special fee deferral program in response to unprecedented conditions such as extraordinary economic changes.

G. TDC requirements for affordable housing units. Housing units that are covered by an affordable housing agreement with the City shall be exempt from the TDC requirements. Affordable housing units may include very low- and low-income units provided under state law as implemented through LDC Section 6.02.030 (Density Bonuses), affordable units provided consistent with other general plan policies, or units provided consistent with the City's inclusionary housing requirements in LDC Chapter 10.06 (Affordable Housing).

H. Housing allocations for TDC-retiring units. A maximum of 2,000 allocations for TDC-retiring units shall be guaranteed between 2004 and 2016. An additional 1,200 allocations shall be guaranteed between 2017 and 2019. TDC-retiring units granted allocations are not required to participate in the City's annual, competitive HIP process but will be counted as part of the City's overall growth rate. Unused allocations for TDC-retiring units may be carried over into subsequent years beyond 2019.

1. All housing units (both within and in excess of baseline density) in a development approved to exceed baseline density in TDC receiving zones shall be TDC-retiring units and shall qualify for housing allocations. (As set forth in subsection C of this section, the TDC option is only available to developments that achieve the density range called for in the General Plan.)

2. Housing developments that do not need TDCs for density bonus shall qualify for housing allocations when the developer nevertheless submits:

a. One and one-half TDCs for each single-family detached dwelling in excess of baseline density within a density range of one to seven dwelling units per acre (or one and one-quarter TDCs for each single-family detached dwelling in excess of baseline density for developments that have received final map approval by the City Council by June 1, 2013, and obtained building permits and start construction before April 1, 2014);

b. One and one-quarter TDCs for each single-family detached dwelling in excess of baseline density within a density range of eight to 14 units per acre; and

c. One-half TDC for each multifamily attached dwelling in excess of baseline density; or

d. Payment of the TDC in-lieu fee for each required TDC.

I. Additional TDC program provisions.

1. The City Council or agencies authorized by the City Council to implement the TDC program may concentrate the use of funds under their control to prioritize TDC acquisitions in selected portions of North Livermore in order to achieve the overall goals of the North Livermore initiative.

2. The City may coordinate with a nonprofit organization to help in implementing the TDC program. Such assistance could include authorizing the nonprofit organization, under City Council direction, to hold and enforce easements, acquire and sell TDCs, create a registry of interested buyers/sellers, maintain records of transactions and advise the City of needed program refinements.

3. Either directly or through an authorized agency, the City may acquire TDCs using funding from settlement agreements, mitigation agreements, general fund, loans, grants and other sources appropriate for the acquisition of open space.

(Ord. 1947 § 3 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 1979 § 5, 2013; Ord. 2056 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017; Ord. 2151 § 7, 2023)

The City has adopted right-of-way plan lines for Interstate 580 for the purpose of protecting and preserving areas for regional transportation improvements such as Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, and other future modal options. The amount of land necessary will vary according to the adopted I-580 plan lines.

Plan lines are the boundaries and limits of a planned right-of-way, including the future right-of-way of an existing transportation corridor as it is proposed to be widened. These lines also include all lands necessary for the building, widening, or maintenance of any road, street, highway, or any other type of public way, which planned right-of-way is based on the General Plan of Livermore.

A. Except as identified in subsection B of this section and specifically identified in the General Plan, the following grading activities are permitted:

1. The on-site filling, movement, excavation or removal of materials for construction activities for which a zoning or subdivision entitlement has been granted and where the environmental document prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) adequately evaluates the proposed activity.

2. Any excavation less than 10 feet in depth to be held in place by support structures such as foundations, and swimming pools.

3. Any excavation less than five feet in depth either having finished slope less than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical, or held in place by support structures such as a retaining wall.

4. Any fill either less than two feet in height with a slope less than five horizontal to one vertical, or less than 200 cubic yards.

5. Excavations by any public agency or public utility for the installation, operation, inspection, repair, or replacement of any of its facilities.

6. Emergency work authorized by the City necessary to protect life, limb or property.

7. Farming activities.

B. The following grading activities are subject to the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit in compliance with LDC Chapter 9.03 (Conditional Use Permits and Zoning Use Permits):

1. Any activity not permitted by subsection A of this section.

2. Mining, quarrying, excavating, processing, stockpiling of rock, sand, gravel, aggregate, soil or clay for commercial purposes unrelated to development of the subject property.

3. Any grading activity either within a flood hazard zone established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or within 150 feet of the top of the bank of any creek, arroyo or drainage channel.

4. Any activity on a site not authorized by a construction project where significant vegetation will be removed. For the purposes of this section, "significant vegetation" consists of any plant where the diameter of a trunk is six or more inches, four feet above the grade.

C. Grading of any parcel of land for a permitted use where no bank is left standing and exposed of more than 10 feet in vertical height, or when less than 1,000 cubic yards of earth are removed from the premises, is permitted in all districts.

D. Grading in a subdivision which has been approved by the City in accordance with Part 10 (Subdivisions) is permitted in all districts.

E. Excavations by any public agency or public utility for the installation, operation, inspection, repair, or replacement of any of its facilities are permitted in all districts.

F. No provision of this section shall be construed as permitting any ground excavation in any district for the purpose of conducting commercial sand, rock, and gravel by-product operations.

(Ord. 1913 § 1, 2010)

A. Applicability. All new on-site utilities for new construction projects shall be located underground. New and existing aboveground utilities located in the abutting street right-of-way shall be located underground for any of the following projects:

1. Subdivision of nonresidential-zoned land, including condominiums and condominium conversions;

2. New construction of buildings for nonresidential use on vacant sites or on developed sites where existing buildings will be completely demolished for redevelopment;

3. Additions to nonresidential buildings where the addition is 10,000 square feet or more in floor area and amounts to 50% or more of the floor area of the existing building;

4. Partial reconstruction of existing nonresidential buildings where the reconstructed portion of the building is 10,000 square feet or more in floor area and amounts to 50% or more of the floor area of the existing building;

5. Residential projects of five or more units, including single-family residential subdivisions, single-family residential developments, multiple-family residential developments, new condominiums and condominium conversions;

6. Installation of and modifications to utilities.

B. Payment Option.

1. If a property owner is required to underground utilities under subsection A of this section, the property owner may instead pay for the cost of undergrounding utilities if one or more of the following circumstances apply:

a. There would be no net decrease in utility poles required to support existing aboveground facilities after undergrounding was accomplished. This eligibility criterion shall not apply to projects in which the number of poles is not decreased because the remaining poles are required to support high voltage electrical lines (60 kV or higher);

b. A project has been identified in a City capital improvement program (CIP), adjacent to the development, for design or construction within the next five years and it is more economical to combine the undergrounding work with the City CIP project;

c. The project site is one acre or less in area;

d. The cost of undergrounding aboveground utilities would be more than 10% of the total site development cost.

2. A property owner requesting the payment option shall submit a written request to the City Engineer. The City Engineer shall determine whether the project is eligible for the payment option and the reasonable amount of payment following the procedures of subsection B.3 of this section.

3. If the City Engineer determines that the property owner is eligible for the payment option, then the property owner shall submit a cost estimate for the undergrounding of utilities. The cost estimate shall be based on a project large enough in scope for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) to approve it and sufficient in detail to demonstrate the full extent of the work required. Supporting calculations shall be provided. The cost estimate shall show the total cost of the larger PG&E project and the property owner's fair share of the total project cost, which shall be based primarily on the length of utility lines along the frontage of the project site relative to the total length of utility lines of the larger PG&E project area, plus other conditions including, but not limited to, the number of service connections and the location of poles and transformers. The cost estimate and supporting calculations shall be prepared by an electrical engineer, registered in the State of California and qualified to provide underground design services.

4. Payment shall be made at the time of building permit issuance.

5. If the City Engineer determines a hardship exists, a property owner may pay for the cost of undergrounding after the time a building permit is issued. Before the building permit is issued, the property owner shall enter into a written agreement with the City and record the agreement with the Alameda County recorder with the following contents. The agreement shall be signed by the property owner and shall include the following provisions, in a form prepared by the City Attorney:

a. A legal description of the property;

b. A provision that the agreement runs with the land and is enforceable against successors in interest;

c. The agreement shall be recorded in the grantor-grantee index in the name of the City as grantee and in the name of the property owner as grantor;

d. A provision that the property owner shall pay the fee within five years;

e. A provision that the amount of the fee due will be the amount due on the date of the agreement plus a periodic increase based on the Engineering News Record (ENR) 20-City Construction Cost Index; and

f. A requirement that, with the opening of any escrow for the sale of the property, the property owner provide appropriate notification and escrow instructions that the fee be paid to the City from the sale proceeds in escrow before disbursing proceeds to the seller.

6. When the obligation is paid in full, the City shall record a release of the obligation.

7. The Director is authorized to sign the agreement and the release of obligation under subsections B.5 and 6 of this section.

8. The City shall deposit the payments received under subsections B.4 and 5 of this section in a separate fund, which shall be used only for utility undergrounding projects in the City.

C. The City Engineer shall have the authority to waive the undergrounding requirements of this section for the following facilities, uses or conditions:

1. Temporary and intermittent uses, as defined in LDC Part 12 (Definitions), subject to removal of all utilities serving the temporary or intermittent use after termination of said use;

2. Transformers, terminal boxes, meter cabinets and similar appurtenant utility facilities;

3. Sites where undergrounding is impractical because of topography, soil conditions, or other extraordinary physical constraints.

D. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Director, City Engineer, Planning Commission, or other administrative official in the administration or enforcement of this section may appeal the decision in accordance with the procedures set forth in LDC Chapter 9.15 (Appeals).

(Ord. 1913 § 2, 2010; Ord. 2178, 7/14/2025)

The purpose of this chapter is to identify the frontage types allowed, and for each type, provide a description, a statement as to the type's intent and design standards, to ensure that proposed development is consistent with the City's goals for building form, character, and quality.

These standards are applicable to any frontage within a Transect zone.

Key

4.03.030 Porch: Projecting. Description The main facade of the building typically has a small-to-medium setback from the property line. The resulting front yard is typically very small and may or may not be defined by a fence or hedge to spatially maintain the edge of the street. The projecting porch is open on three sides and has a roof form that is separate from the main house. Size

[Figure]

Full-length projecting porch with stairs perpendicular to street.

[Figure]

Partial-length projecting porch with stairs parallel to street.

Key

4.03.040 Porch: Engaged Description The main facade of the building has a small setback from the property line. The resulting front yard is typically very small and may be undefined or defined by a fence or hedge to spatially maintain the edge of the street. The porch is partially or fully enclosed on two sides and has a roof. Size

[Figure]

Engaged porch integrated into two-story massing.

[Figure]

Engaged porch as an attached element.

Key

4.03.050 Porch: Integral Description The main facade of the building has a small setback from the property line. The resulting front yard is typically very small and may be undefined or defined by a fence or hedge to spatially maintain the edge of the street. An integral porch is part of the overall massing and roof form of a building. With an integral porch it is not possible to remove the porch without major changes to the overall roof form. Size

[Figure]

Partial-length integral porch integrated into the overall massing.

[Figure]

Full-length integral porch integrated into the overall massing.

Key

4.03.060 Stoop Description The main facade of the building is near the property line and the elevated stoop engages the sidewalk. The stoop should be elevated above the sidewalk to ensure privacy within the building. Stairs from the stoop may lead directly to the sidewalk or may be side-loaded. Size

[Figure]

Stoop on single-family home with a medium setback engages the street.

[Figure]

Stoop on townhouses with slightly recessed entries and a minimum setback allows the steps to engage the street.

Key

4.03.070 Forecourt Description A portion of the main facade of the building is at or near the property line and a small percentage is set back, creating a small court space. The space could be used as an entry court or shared garden space for apartment buildings, or as an additional shopping or restaurant seating area within commercial areas. The proportions and orientation of these spaces should be carefully considered for solar orientation and user comfort. Size

[Figure]

Residential forecourt provides prominent entry yard and breaks down the overall massing along the street.

[Figure]

Commercial forecourt provide outdoor dining area along a vibrant commercial street. The ROW is defined by a low wall as required by the code.

Key

4.03.080 Shopfront Description The main facade of the building is at or near the property line and a canopy or awning element overlaps the sidewalk along the majority of the frontage. The canopy is a structural cantilevered shed roof and the awning is canvas or similar material and is often retractable. Size

[Figure]

Downtown Livermore provides many good examples of shopfronts.

[Figure]

An example of a shopfront with high percentage of ground-floor transparency.

Key

4.03.090 Terrace Shopfront Description This frontage is only to be used when a shopfront frontage is required or desired and a cross slope exists on the site and makes access into the shop difficult across the front of the commercial use. The terrace allows at-grade access to all shopfronts. The terrace is accessed at grade and as the sidewalk follows the slope, the terrace follows the plane of the shopfront finished floor level. Frequent steps from the sidewalk to the terrace are necessary to avoid a dead wall along the sidewalk and to maximize access to the spaces. The standards found here are to be used in addition to those set forth in the Shopfront Frontage. Size

[Figure]

Frequent stairs open terrace to the sidewalk.

[Figure]

The terrace allows at-grade access to shopfronts along a cross slope.

Key

4.03.100 Gallery Description The main facade of the building is at the frontage line and the gallery element overlaps the sidewalk. This frontage type is intended for buildings with ground-floor commercial or retail uses and may be one or two stories. The gallery must extend close enough to the curb so that a pedestrian cannot bypass it. Due to the overlap of the right-of-way, an easement is usually required. Galleries must have a consistent depth along a frontage. The standards found here are to be used in addition to those set forth in the Shopfront Frontage. Size

[Figure][Figure]

A. General to all zones.

1. Parking must be accessed by an alley, when available.

2. Tandem parking shall be allowed in all residential and mixed-use zones, when both tandem spaces are for a single residential unit.

3. Vehicular access through residential properties for non-residential uses shall be prohibited.

4. Parking or storage of commercial trucks, buses, sign trailers, trailers or semi-trailers for freight, luggage, or the like shall not be permitted in any Transect zone or other residential zones.

5. Parked vehicles on driveways shall meet standards set forth in LMC Section 10.20.270, Private property – Parking restrictions, and may not encroach onto the public right-of-way.

6. Parking facilities on adjoining lots may share access points and driveways subject to a recorded covenant running with the property/properties on which the facilities are located.

B. Specific to Transect zones.

1. When uses change within transect zones, without a change in the size of building, new uses are not required to provide additional off-street spaces if the use is allowed in that zone.

2. Minimum distance between vehicular entries along a street frontage within new mixed use areas is 75 feet.

3. For new construction on corner lots, all driveways shall be located on the alley or side street.

4. Corner lot entries to parking structures shall be located on a side street.

5. Off-street parking spaces whose location requires that cars back into a street shall be permitted in T3 and T4 zones. Backing into an alley shall be permitted in all Transect zones.

6. Specific to T4 Neighborhood-Open, T4 Main Street and T4 Main Street-Open:

a. On-street parking spaces located within the NMU zone count toward the required non-residential parking requirement.

b. Parking requirements shall be provided on-site, off-site within 300 feet, or as shared parking.

c. Surface parking areas that are not behind buildings shall be screened by a minimum three-foot-tall hedge, fence or wall in character with the building at the right-of-way.

d. Underground parking may be placed up to the property line.

e. Underground parking shall not project more than two feet above the level of the sidewalk and shall be screened if visible to pedestrians.

A. Calculation. Any fraction greater than or equal to 0.50 shall be rounded up to nearest whole number. No additional space shall be required for a fractional unit of less than 0.50.

B. In any case where Table 4.6 (Automobile Parking Requirements) expresses a parking requirement based on floor area in square feet (for example: 1 space for each 1,000 sf), a "sf" shall mean square feet of gross interior floor area, excluding mechanical equipment areas and stairwells, unless stated otherwise (e.g., ground area).

C. A single use with accessory components may be required to provide parking for each component, at the Director's discretion. For example, a hotel with a gift shop shall provide space for both program elements.

D. Unlisted Uses. Off street parking requirements for unlisted uses may be determined by the Director based on available data, consistent with the intent of the Development Code.

Table 4.6: Automobile Parking Requirements

(Ord. 2178, 7/14/2025)

Table 4.7: Bicycle Parking Requirements

A. For each 10 bicycle parking stalls provided beyond the minimum required, there shall be permitted a reduction of one required automobile parking stall to a maximum of 15% of the required automobile parking stalls, at the discretion of the City Engineer or Planning Commission (depending on who is the Review Authority).

B. Bicycle Stalls. Bicycle stalls shall be improved in accordance with the following requirements:

1. Provided with a device to be approved by the City and capable of supporting a bicycle in an upright or hanging position and having a means that will enable a user to lock his bicycle to such a device.

2. Areas containing stalls shall be surfaced with hardscape or paving.

3. When located within a parking area, spaces shall be protected by curbs, fences, planter areas, bumpers, or similar barriers for the mutual protection of bikes, automobiles and pedestrians, unless deemed by the City to be unnecessary.

(Ord. 2082 § 2(R), 2019)

In the case that more than one parking adjustment may apply, applicant may choose only one of the following adjustments:

A. Proximity to Transit.

1. The City Engineer may permit parking requirement reductions for projects in proximity to transit (e.g., passenger rail service or bus stop) if the applicant is able to provide supporting documentation including but not limited to parking availability on streets adjacent to the proposed development and transit use in similar developments, etc.

B. Shared on-site parking.

1. Where two or more uses on the same site or adjacent parcels have distinct and differing peak parking usage periods (e.g., a theater and a bank), a reduction in the required number of parking spaces may be allowed in the following manner:

a. Upon approval of a Zoning Use Permit, in compliance with LDC Chapter 9.03 (Conditional Use Permits and Zoning Use Permits), the City Engineer may reduce the total parking space requirement by up to a maximum of 20%; or

b. Upon approval of a Conditional Use Permit, in compliance with LDC Chapter 9.03 (Conditional Use Permits and Zoning Use Permits), the Commission may reduce the total parking space requirement by 20% or more.

2. Approval shall also require a recorded covenant running with the land, recorded by the owner of the parking lot, guaranteeing that the required parking will be maintained exclusively for the use served for the duration of the use.

C. Reduction of required parking. The Review Authority may reduce the number of parking spaces required by LDC Section 4.04.020 (Number of Parking Spaces Required), through the granting of a Conditional Use Permit or Zoning Use Permit (depending on the amount of reduction requested) in compliance with LDC Chapter 9.03 (Conditional Use Permits and Zoning Use Permits), based on the following:

1. Quantitative information provided by the applicant that documents the need for fewer spaces (e.g., sales receipts, documentation of customer frequency, information on parking standards required for the proposed land use by other cities, etc.);

2. The use or project design creates an integrated whole wherein the parking reduction will not adversely affect other businesses or uses on the same property or within the boundaries of the project; or

3. The proposed parking requirement is consistent with other uses of similar intensity established elsewhere in the parking regulations and does not represent a grant of special privilege inconsistent with the intent of the parking regulations to provide adequate and consistent levels of parking for similar uses throughout the City.

If a property owner is unable to provide the required parking on-site, the owner may satisfy the parking requirements by one or more alternatives in this section.

A. Off-site. The owner may provide the required parking on other property within 600 feet of the site proposed for development. The owner shall provide a recorded parking agreement reflecting the arrangement with the other site. The form of agreement must first be approved by the City.

B. Part-time parking. When determined by the City Engineer, any requirements for off-street parking for a church or similar use which, by nature, generates a part-time parking demand may be decreased by not more than one-half of the required parking area when it can be shown that other off-street parking areas equal to the amount of the decrease will be available when needed, within 600 feet of the site. However, such exception shall not apply to any use presently in part-time operation which can reasonably be expected at some future date to operate on a full-time basis, or to any use which, in the opinion of the City Engineer, generates a large traffic or parking demand.

C. In-lieu fee. The owner of any property upon which a development project is proposed may pay an in lieu parking fee if the city approves it as part of the site plan review. A request to pay the in lieu fee for more than 15 parking spaces must be approved by the City Council. The approving body must make the following findings for any proposed in lieu fee:

1. There is available or planned public parking capacity to offset this demand; and

2. The public parking will be made available within a reasonable time period of approval of this project.

a. Downtown. In the Downtown Specific Plan district, parking may be provided by the payment of an in lieu fee where permitted by the provisions of the Downtown Specific Plan, Chapter 8 (Parking). The amount of the in lieu fee is established by city council resolution. The city shall establish a separate fund for the collection of in lieu fees and shall use the collected fees only to provide new or improved parking spaces in the Downtown Specific Plan district.

b. Other areas. In any area other than the Downtown Specific Plan district, the fee option is available only if an existing or planned parking facility exists within 600 feet of the site. The fee is the current value of land and parking construction costs per space needed, as determined by City staff.

c. Fee deferral. Parking in-lieu fees shall be collected at the issuance of the first building permit. The City Council may, by Resolution, adopt administrative guidelines to provide a special fee deferral program in response to unprecedented conditions such as extraordinary economic changes.

D. Downtown parking. Parking requirements in the Downtown Specific Plan district (DSP) are governed by the Downtown Specific Plan, Chapter 8 (Parking). If the Downtown Specific Plan is silent about a particular regulation, then the regulations in this chapter apply.

E. Downtown exception. In addition to the alternatives in subsections A through C of this section, the following exception applies to preexisting commercial structures in the DSP district. The property owner of a commercial structure in the downtown core (as defined in the Downtown Specific Plan) which existed before March 2005, may demolish and replace it, or substantially alter or remodel it, and is excused from providing parking spaces for the first 1,200 square feet or 15% of the total ground floor area of the previous structure, whichever is less. To qualify, the owner shall apply for Site Plan and Design Review under LDC Chapter 9.07. The approving body must make all of the following findings to approve the exemption:

1. The increase in floor area does not exceed 10,000 square feet;

2. Any existing parking removed as part of the project is replaced, either on-site, off-site, or through payment of an in lieu fee; and

3. All parking provided for the project, either on- or off-site remains open for non-exclusive use by the general public at all times.

Table 4.8: Minimum Standard Vehicle Space Requirements

Table 4.9: Minimum Dimensional Requirements 1

A. Min. width of drive (shall be unoccupied and unobstructed).

Table 4.10: Driveway Width

B. Pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths. So as to assure public safety and convenience within developments and/or parking lots, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths shall meet the following criteria:

1. Allow the shortest possible safe route between the public entrance(s) to any building or use and adjacent public rights-of-way at points where the major pedestrian and bicycle traffic flows are expected, as determined by the City.

2. Facilitate access between the public entrance(s) to any building or use and areas within a parking lot.

3. Be continuous through a project and provide a direct route to individual uses/building throughout the entire site. Public sidewalks can provide this access if they exist.

4. Be paved and for purposes of providing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and automobiles shall be distinguished, separated or protected through provision of curbs, fences, planter areas, bumpers, elevation change, or other methods as determined by the City.

5. Comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

6. When use is restricted to pedestrians or bicycles, a two-square-foot sign stating the words "Bicycle (or Pedestrians) Only" must be located at all points of access.

7. In any case where a row of parking is parallel to the side of a building or use through which public entry is provided, pedestrian walkways shall be provided at intervals of not greater than 75 feet.

8. Bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways shall not be required in the case of private parking lots in industrial, warehouse, and manufacturing uses, when deemed by the City to be unnecessary, and for other developments requiring the provision of less than 10 off-street parking spaces.

9. Automobile drives or aisles shall not be permitted to intersect a bicycle path at intervals of less than 80 feet.

10. Cars should be required to stop at locations where bicycle and pedestrian paths intersect drives or parking lots.

11. Minimum dimensions:

C. Every parcel of land hereafter used for parking purposes shall be developed and permanently maintained in accordance with the following requirements:

1. Screening. Parking areas for more than five vehicles where adjacent to a residential districts shall be screened as follows:

a. Contiguous to an R district: Along an interior lot line, there shall be constructed on the property line a six-foot high solid board fence, masonry wall, or screened chain-link fence.

b. Across a street from an R district:

(1) Transect zone: the parking lot shall be screened along the street frontage by a three-foot minimum height masonry wall or hedge.

(2) All other zones: the parking lot shall be screened along the street frontage by a three-foot minimum height masonry wall, hedge or by landscaped earth mounds containing plant materials to provide screening equivalent to that of a three-foot-high wall.

Every parcel of land hereafter used for parking purposes shall be developed and permanently maintained in accordance with the following requirements:

A. Surfacing. Parking areas shall be surfaced with an asphaltic or Portland cement binder pavement or other pervious material, subject to City Engineer discretion. Parking areas shall be built on a suitable base so as to provide a durable and dustless surface and shall be so graded and drained as to properly dispose of all surface water accumulated within the area.

B. Barriers. Barriers or curbs shall be provided where a parking lot abuts any structure or boundary of an adjacent property.

C. Traffic controls. Traffic controls at ingress and egress points and directional signs shall be provided as may be deemed necessary by the City in the interest of public safety.

D. Striping. All stalls and, when required, aisles, loading zones, pedestrian walks and crossings, visitors' parking, fire lanes, no parking areas, and driveways shall be striped or otherwise designated to provide for the safe loading, unloading, and parking and storage of vehicles and shall be so installed as to be in accordance with the standards of the City for such improvements.

E. Parking lot lighting. Any lighting used to illuminate a parking lot shall be directed and shielded as to not illuminate surrounding properties. Light standards shall be in scale with the project setting; however, in no case shall light standards exceed 18 feet in height measured from top of grade to the highest point of the equipment. In instances where it can be established that additional height is required for health and safety reasons, an additional five feet in height is allowed subject to review and approval by the Director.

A. Landscape requirements. Project landscape plans shall comply with the City's Design Standards and Guidelines.

B. Drought-tolerant requirements. Project landscape plans shall comply with the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, see LMC Chapter 13.25.

A. Landscape requirements. Project landscape plans shall comply with the City's Design Standards and Guidelines.

B. Drought-tolerant requirements. Project landscape plans shall comply with the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, see LMC Chapter 13.25.

C. Mixed-Use and Multifamily Residential Projects subject to compliance with the Mixed-Use and Multifamily Objective Design Standards shall comply with the additional residential landscape standards contained in that document.

(Ord. 2178, 7/14/2025)

A. Landscape requirements. Parking lot landscape plans shall comply with the City's Design Standards and Guidelines.

B. Drought-tolerant requirements. Parking lot landscape shall comply with the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, see LMC Chapter 13.25.

C. Installation and maintenance of shade trees and landscaping. Parking lots shall be improved and permanently maintained by the property owner in accordance with the following standards:

1. Amount of landscaping. The Review Authority may grant an exception for small infill parking lots (particularly in the Transect zones) where compliance with these standards is not feasible without significantly reducing the development potential of the zone it is located within.

Table 4.12: Required Interior Parking Lot Landscaping

Table 4.13: Required Shade Trees

Table 4.14: Required Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping

D. Location of landscaping. Landscaping shall be evenly dispersed throughout the parking area, as follows:

1. Orchard-style planting (the placement of trees in uniformly-spaced rows) is required for parking areas over 15 cars.

2. Parking lots with more than 50 spaces shall provide a concentration of landscape elements at primary entrances, including, at a minimum, specimen trees, flowering plants, enhanced paving, and project identification.

3. Landscaping shall be located so that pedestrians are not required to cross unpaved landscaped areas to reach building entrances from parked cars. This shall be achieved through proper orientation of the landscaped fingers and islands, and by providing pedestrian access through landscaped areas that would otherwise block direct pedestrian routes.

A. Fence design standards. Fences, to include walls and similar dividing instrumentalities, shall be subject to the following regulations:

1. Location and height in residential zones.

Key

a. Within street frontage yards, zone A, see Figure 4.12 (Fence Zones), decorative fences less than or equal to three feet in height may be built with the following exemptions:

(1) The initial two feet of a retaining wall shall not be considered a portion of a fence.

(2) A fence or wall having a height of not more than six feet may project five feet into any required street frontage yard, provided:

(A) Lineal length of such fence does not exceed 75% of the lot frontage.

(B) Such projection does not occur within a vehicular sight line as shown in Figure 4.13.

(3) A fence or wall having a height of not more than six feet may be located on the property line on one of the street frontage yards of a corner lot, provided:

(A) Any area between fence and sidewalk shall be provided with an irrigation system and shall be permanently maintained as a landscaped strip. Impervious surfacing shall not exceed 25% of the area.

(B) No such fence shall be located within 20 feet of any driveway.

(C) Fences shall conform to subsections A.1.a(2)(A) of this section.

(D) Such fence does not occur within a vehicular site line as shown in Figure 4.13.

(4) Within street frontage yards, zone A, chain link fences shall not be permitted.

b. Non-street-frontage yards, zone B, see Figure 4.12 (Fence Zones).

(1) Fences less than or equal to six feet in height may be built along property lines or built perpendicular to property lines when used to complete lot enclosure.

(2) The initial two feet of a retaining wall shall not be considered a portion of a fence.

2. Fences or walls, where required by this code, shall be of permanent construction of wire, wood, or masonry with all supporting structures of pressure treated lumber, redwood, concrete, or steel set in a concrete foundation. Other fence or supporting structure materials may be considered by the Director. Such fences may be subject to City building division review.

3. Where otherwise permitted or required by this code or around private and public recreation courts, fields, or similar play areas, fences in excess of six feet in height shall be allowed.

4. Barbed wire shall not be used in the construction of any fence except in an industrial zone as a protective device no less than five feet above the finished grade of the base.

5. No fence shall be erected that interferes with vehicular sight lines as shown in Figure 4.13 (Vehicular Sight Lines).

6. Notwithstanding the six-foot fence height limitation of subsection A.1.a of this section, and subject to Director approval, a fence to a maximum height of eight feet may be constructed on a side or rear property line of a lot abutting a truck-route designated street or major street as defined by the General Plan (LMC § 10.24.010), provided the fence does not exceed six feet in height within 20 feet of the intersection of lines tangent to the right-of-way of two intersecting streets.

B. Mechanical equipment screening.

1. Mechanical equipment exempt from screening.

a. Free-standing or roof-mounted solar equipment.

b. Vents less than four feet in height may be exempt from the following requirements subject to Director review.

2. For all new installation or relocation of existing mechanical equipment for commercial/industrial development, the equipment shall be screened from public view whether installed on the roof, ground or walls.

a. Roof-mounted equipment. Building parapets or other architectural elements in the building's architecture style shall screen roof-mounted equipment.

(1) New buildings shall be designed to provide a parapet or other architectural element that is as tall as or taller than the highest point on any new mechanical equipment to be located on the roof of the building.

(2) For existing buildings with no or low parapet heights, mechanical equipment shall be surrounded on all sides by an opaque screen wall as tall as the highest point of the equipment. The wall shall be architecturally consistent with the building and match the existing building with paint, finish, and trim cap detail. All new roof screens shall be subject to administrative Design Review or may be referred to the Planning Commission, as determined by the Director.

b. Wall- and ground-mounted equipment.

(1) Shall not be located between the face of the building and the street.

(2) All screen devices shall be as high as the highest point of the equipment being screened. Equipment and screening shall meet rear and side yard setbacks of the district they are located in.

(3) Screening shall be architecturally compatible and include matching paint, finish and trim cap of the building.

(4) All new mechanical screens for ground or wall-mounted equipment shall be subject to administrative Design Review or referred to the Planning Commission as determined by the Director.

(Ord. 2151 § 6, 2023)

A. Lighting in landscape and parking areas shall comply with standards found in LMC § 15.18.180 and shall be shielded to prevent off-site glare.

The intent of this chapter is to provide standards for the regulation of signs in order to safeguard and enhance property values, protect public and private investment in buildings and open space, preserve and improve the appearance of the City as a place in which to live, work and do business, create a more attractive economic and business climate, prevent excessive and confusing sign displays, reduce hazards to motorists and pedestrians, and promote the public health, safety, and general welfare.

A Sign Permit is required for all permanent signs. Any sign not expressly authorized pursuant to this chapter is not permitted. All signs must be in accordance with this chapter and the Uniform Sign Code as adopted by Chapter 15.32 LMC. In the event of conflict, the more restrictive regulation applies.

A. Administrative Design Review. Any sign associated with a project reviewed through an administrative Site Plan and Design Review, signs under an approved Master Sign Program, and signs associated with a development project previously approved by the Planning Commission.

B. Planning Commission review. Master Sign Programs, Freeway Freestanding Signs and signs included in the application for a development project which is subject to review by the Planning Commission.

C. Referral to Planning Commission. Director may refer any administrative design review to the Planning Commission for review and final action.

1. The review authority's decision may be appealed, in compliance with LDC Chapter 9.15 (Appeals).

D. Application filing.

1. An application for a Site Plan and Design Review shall be filed and processed in compliance with LDC Chapter 9.01 (Application Processing Procedures).

2. The application shall include the information and materials specified in the Department handout for Site Plan and Design Review applications, together with the required fee in compliance with the Planning Fee Schedule.

3. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide evidence in support of the findings required, below.

E. Findings.

1. Consistent with the regulations in this chapter; and

2. Conformance to City's Design Standards and Guidelines.

The following signs are exempt from regulation under this chapter:

A. A public notice or warning required by a federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance.

B. A nonelectrical nameplate, displaying only the name and/or address of the occupant, and which is one square foot or less.

C. A traffic control or directional sign on private property which does not exceed four square feet.

D. A clock, thermometer, barbershop pole, or similar device where not part of a permanent sign.

E. A flag of any nation, state or City if displayed in a manner conforming to the Flag Code (36 USCA, Section 173 et seq.).

F. An interior display.

G. A sculpture, statue, relief, mosaic or mural which is a work of art or otherwise decorative and does not contain a commercial message or symbol.

H. A property address number consisting of numerals or letters 12 inches or less in height.

A. The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts:

1. A sign in conjunction with a home occupation.

2. A flashing, moving, animated, blinking or rotating sign whose illumination changes with time, or which is designed in a manner to simulate motion.

3. A sign constructed in such a manner as to create a traffic hazard by creation of a distraction, glare, obstruction of vision, or at a location where it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign.

4. A sign which includes noisemaking devices.

5. A billboard or roof sign.

B. Exception. Notwithstanding subsection A.2 of this section prohibited signs, a freestanding, monument sign with an electronic reader board is permitted for private elementary, middle, or secondary (K-12) schools as defined in this code with enrollments greater than 200 students, subject to the following conditions:

6. Electronic reader board sign copy is limited to school-related messages.

7. Flashing, moving, animation, blinking or rotating signs or signs designed to simulate motion or frequently changing messages, messages than change more than once in a 24-hour period, are prohibited.

8. Signs shall comply with freestanding sign design standards in LDC Section 4.06.050, General Requirements, and be monument style.

9. Reader board components of freestanding signs are limited to 16 square feet and a maximum of four feet in height.

(Ord. 2055 § 3 (Exh. A), 2017)

Unless otherwise specified, the following requirements apply to signs in all zoning districts:

A. Signage allowed on one building or frontage shall not be transferred to another building or frontage.

B. Each sign, including a sign located on a temporary or portable building, shall be subject to the requirements of this chapter.

C. No wall sign shall project more than one foot from a building. A sign which projects more than four inches from a building shall be placed no less than 10 feet above the ground.

D. Each sign shall be faced parallel to the street (or frontage if the building does not face a street) on which the sign is located, except that:

1. A freestanding sign may be faced perpendicular to the street on which the sign is located.

2. A freeway-oriented sign may be perpendicular to the freeway.

3. A projecting wall or icon sign may be faced perpendicular to the street on which the sign is located.

4. In the case of a corner lot, freestanding signs may be diagonal at the corner.

E. A freeway, freestanding or temporary sign is permitted within a required setback area, provided it is:

1. Located within a permanently maintained landscaped planter area having an area at least twice that of the sign area;

2. Not closer than 10 feet from any property line and 10 feet from any access driveway; and

3. Not within a radius of 20 feet of the intersection of the rights-of-way of two intersecting streets.

F. The area of a freestanding sign is deducted from the allowable area on the nearest comparable building frontage.

G. A freestanding sign up to eight feet in height shall be a monument style sign. A freestanding pole sign is only permitted for a sign in excess of eight feet in height.

H. Each sign containing commercial sign copy must be located on-site, except for a sign authorized pursuant to Civil Code Section 713, which advertises that a property is for sale, lease or exchange by the owner or his agent, and gives directions to the property and the owner's or agent's name, address and telephone number.

I. The area of a supporting structure of a monument sign may not exceed the area of its approved sign face.

No signs are allowed on public property or in the designated public right-of-way, except for the following:

A. A public sign erected by or on behalf of the City or other public entity to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information, or direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

B. An informational sign of a public utility or transit company regarding its poles, lines, pipes, facilities, or routes.

C. An emergency warning sign erected by the City or other public entity, a public utility company, or contractor doing authorized or permitted work on public property.

D. Commercial and noncommercial temporary signs that satisfy the requirements in LDC Section 4.06.140 (Temporary Signs).

E. Signs constructed by the City to direct persons to specific districts, regions, or public facilities.

F. A single banner sign over Fourth Street between South J Street and South K Street and over North Livermore Avenue between Chestnut Street and Railroad Avenue. All such signs are subject to the following regulations:

1. The permitted sign shall be:

a. Noncommercial; or

b. Associated with a civic, community, educational, or cultural event.

2. The sign applicant must apply for an encroachment permit with the City engineer or his or her designee.

3. The City engineer upon review and approval by the planning division shall allow such signs on a first-come, first-served basis for a period not to exceed 14 days per sign.

4. A reservation for installation of a sign is not transferable. The sign locations shall be reserved for use by the City of Livermore during the three weeks prior to any local election.

5. The sign must be installed by the City.

6. The City may charge a reasonable fee to cover the cost of installing the sign, as determined by a resolution of the City Council. Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District and the Livermore Area Recreation and Park District shall each be granted two free banner installations in a calendar year.

(Ord. 1942 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2099 § 1, 2020)

A. The area of a sign shall be measured by enclosing the shape in the simplest regularly shaped geometric figure, such as a circle, triangle, diamond, square, rectangle, or other figure having not more than six sides. Where one or more messages consist of letters, panels, or symbols attached to a surface, then the sign area shall be the sum of the areas of each message.

B. The area of a sphere shall be computed as 50% of its surface.

C. The area of a multi-sided sign shall be the total of each exposed sign face, except where signs are parallel back-to-back and attached to opposite sides of a supporting structure. The area of a motor fuel price sign shall be the total of each exposed face, regardless of the orientation of each face.

D. The height of a freestanding or temporary sign shall be measured from the top of curb of the nearest street to the uppermost part of the sign or its supporting structure.

E. The height of a freestanding freeway sign shall be measured from the basic grade of the lot on which the sign is placed to the uppermost part of the sign or its supporting structure.

Each sign, including a nonconforming sign, shall be maintained in good condition. A dilapidated sign shall be subject to abatement in accordance with LDC Section 4.06.110 (Enforcement).

A previously existing legal permanent sign made nonconforming by the adoption of this chapter is permitted to continue. However, a modification to such a sign (other than a change of copy or normal maintenance and repair) is not permitted unless the sign is brought into conformance with this chapter.

A. A sign constructed before the adoption of this chapter, and which is unsafe, abandoned, destroyed, or was constructed illegally, may be removed under state law without payment of compensation in accordance with the provisions below:

1. A sign which meets any of the criteria specified in Business and Professions Code Section 5497, or all of the requirements of Business and Professions Code Section 5495, or their successor provisions, shall be removed without payment by the City of just compensation in accordance with those provisions.

2. A sign which meets the requirements of Business and Professions Code Section 5412.1 or 5412.2 shall be removed in accordance with those provisions, or their successor provisions.

3. A sign which was constructed unlawfully shall be removed without payment of compensation.

B. A sign owner has the burden of proving conformance with all ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of construction of the sign, and shall provide proof of conformance upon request of the City.

In addition to the other remedies provided by this zoning code and the Livermore Municipal Code for violations of this chapter, the City may declare as a public nuisance and abate at the owner's expense any sign maintained in violation of this chapter. Abatement of illegal signs shall be in accordance with Business and Professions Code Sections 5499.1 through 5499.16, or their successor provisions. The planning director or his or her designee shall serve as the enforcement officer for the purposes of this chapter.

A. Each permanent sign is subject to design review.

B. All signs in the DSP, Downtown Specific Plan zoning district shall be consistent with the sign standards and guidelines set forth in the 2003 Downtown Specific Plan, Chapter 6 (Design Standards and Guidelines).

C. Each sign shall manifest balanced scale and proportions in its design and in its visual relationship to nearby buildings, its site, and surrounding land uses.

D. Each permanent sign shall complement the architecture of the building with which it is principally associated, by incorporating compatible materials, colors, and shapes of the building. In addition, each permanent sign shall generally display restrained and harmonious colors, type, styles, and lighting, and shall be constructed of durable materials.

E. Each sign shall be compatible with the general appearance of other signs visible from its site, and shall not compete for attention in a manner taking advantage of extreme, disharmonious, or clashing colors, shapes, locations, or materials.

A. The owners of a commercial or industrial complex and any joint freeway sign shall submit a master sign program for approval by the Planning Commission.

B. A master sign program shall include the sign locations, sign types, colors, designs, faces, materials, restrictions, prohibitions, and other general criteria for signs. A sign which is consistent with an approved master sign program is not subject to further design review.

A. Temporary signs in commercial and industrial zoning districts. In addition to the permanent signs allowed in this chapter, temporary signs are permitted in Specific Plans, Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Planned Development (PD) district areas that allow commercial and industrial uses and the following zoning districts designated as Neighborhood Business Commercial (CNB), Commercial Service (CS), Highway Service Commercial (CHS), Commercial Office (CO), Professional Office (CP), Research and Development (I-1), Light Industrial (I-2), Heavy Industrial (I-3), T4 Neighborhood-Open, and Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU), subject to the following:

1. Only the following types of temporary signs are permitted:

a. A freestanding A-frame sign;

b. A window painting;

c. A banner sign;

d. A beacon;

e. A stake sign.

2. Prior to displaying a temporary sign which contains commercial sign copy, the owner of such a sign shall register the sign with the Planning Division by completing a form provided by the City. The form shall include the owner's name, address and telephone number, as well as dates the owner intends on displaying the sign. The City may charge a reasonable registration fee to cover the cost of inspection and enforcement, as determined by resolution of the City Council.

3. A freestanding A-frame sign, window painting or banner sign shall be displayed no more than 35 days in any three-month period on private property.

4. Each parcel shall have no more than one freestanding A-frame sign, window painting or banner sign.

5. For commercial and noncommercial signs on developed parcels, the maximum sign area of a freestanding A-frame sign, stake, or banner sign is one-half of the sign area permitted for a permanent sign in the district in which the parcel is located. For vacant parcels, no commercial signs are permitted. Noncommercial signs are permitted as long as the signs do not exceed four square feet per sign and no two signs with the same copy are located closer than 50 feet from each other.

6. A temporary sign may not be illuminated.

7. A window painting may cover only up to 50% of the window area.

8. A temporary freestanding A-frame sign is subject to the following requirements:

a. Maximum size of temporary freestanding A-frame signs is 30 inches wide by 48 inches tall; and

b. A temporary freestanding A-frame sign must be placed on private property or in a landscaped area.

9. Each parcel shall have no more than one beacon, subject to the following requirements:

a. A beacon may be displayed no more than 10 days per year;

b. A beacon must be located on site;

c. A beacon may not create a hazard to pedestrians, vehicles, or aircraft due to its location or movement; and

d. A beacon may only operate during the business hours of the use being identified.

10. Commercial and noncommercial temporary signs are not permitted on public property. For clarification, the term "public property" for this prohibition means both real property owned by a public entity as well as physical property, including but not limited to traffic lights, street lights, and utility infrastructure.

11. In the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) area only, commercial and noncommercial temporary signs are not permitted in the designated public right-of-way with the exception of A-frame signs, which must be:

a. No larger than 30 inches wide by 48 inches tall;

b. Located within five feet of a front building entrance of only commercial uses;

c. Allow for adequate ADA and public access on the sidewalk; and

d. Subject to DSP Chapter 6 design standards, including standards for portable signs.

12. Temporary signs are not permitted in the designated public right-of-way, and are not permitted in the street, street median, or sidewalk in commercial and industrial zones other than the DSP.

B. Temporary signs in residential zoning districts. In addition to permanent signs allowed in this chapter, temporary signs are permitted in Specific Plans, Planned Unit Development (PUD) and Planned Development (PD) district areas that allow residential uses and in zoning districts designated as Downtown Specific Plan (DSP), Suburban Multiple Residential (RG), Multiple Family Residential (MFR), Suburban Residential (RS), Low Density Residential (RL), Rural Residential (R-R), T3 Neighborhood, and T4 Neighborhood, subject to the following:

1. A temporary sign may be placed on private property subject to the following:

a. Noncommercial signs.

(1) Maximum four square feet per sign;

(2) No limit on the number of signs permitted; and

(3) Signs must be a stake sign.

b. Commercial signs.

(1) Signage pursuant to Civil Code Section 713 may be freestanding or wall-mounted;

(2) Signs pursuant to a master sign program associated with a residential development are exempt; except they may not exceed 32 square feet and may not exceed one per parcel; and

(3) A temporary commercial sign shall not be displayed for more than 35 days in any three-month period on private property.

2. Temporary signs are not permitted in the designated public right-of-way, and are not permitted in the street, street median, or sidewalk in residential zones.

3. Repealed by Ord. 2151.

4. Commercial and non-commercial temporary signs are not permitted on public property. For clarification, the term "public property" for this prohibition means both real public property and physical public property, including but not limited to traffic lights, street lights, and utility infrastructure.

C. Enforcement. Any commercial or noncommercial temporary sign placed in the public right-of-way or public property in violation of this section shall be subject to confiscation and removal by the City and subject to enforcement using the remedies in Chapters 1.20, 8.14, and 8.15 LMC, and such other remedies the City may have. The Neighborhood Preservation staff shall develop enforcement protocols for the removal and storage of those signs, as well as for their retrieval and possible destruction if not retrieved.

(Ord. 2099 § 2, 2020; Ord. 2141 §§ 1 – 3, 2022; Ord. 2151 § 6, 2023)

In a Transect zone (T4N-O, T4MS-O, T4MS) permanent signs are permitted as follows:

A. Lighting. Signage shall be externally illuminated.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted and shall follow the following regulations:

1. Projecting wall sign. See subsection C of this section.

2. Awning/canopy. See subsection D of this section.

3. Wall. See subsection E of this section.

4. Free-standing sidewalk sign. See subsection F of this section.

5. Window sign. See subsection G of this section.

Size

Location

Location

Miscellaneous Only the tenant's store name, logo, and/or address should be applied to the awning. Additional information is prohibited. Open-ended awnings are strongly encouraged. Vinyl or plastic awnings are strongly discouraged. Size

E. Wall Sign Building-Mounted (Transect Zone Only) Description Wall signs are signs flat against the facade consisting of individual cut letters applied directly to the building, or painted directly on the surface of the building. Wall signs are placed directly above the main entrance and often run horizontally along the "expression line" or entablature of traditional buildings. Other buildings may have signage locations integrated into a decorative cornice or sign band at the top of the building. Wall signs do not protrude beyond the roof line or cornice of a building. Wall signs are typically intended to be seen from a distance and are often accompanied by additional pedestrian scaled signage. Size

F. Free-Standing Sidewalk Sign (Transect Zone Only) Description Sidewalk signs provide secondary signage and may be used to announce daily specials, sales, or point to shops off the sidewalk (i.e., a shop located along a paseo). They may be painted wood panels or cut wood shapes. Traditional slate boards are highly recommended. Chaser lights or illuminated signs may not be used. Size

G. Window Sign (T4 Main Street and T4 Main Street-Open Zones) Description Window signs are professionally painted signs consisting of individual letters and designs applied directly on the inside of a window. Size

In an agricultural (A) zoning district which is combined with an open space (OS) zoning district, permanent signs are permitted as follows:

A. Area. The maximum sign area is 32 square feet per use.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Freestanding. A freestanding sign which does not exceed eight feet in height.

2. Wall. A wall sign.

In addition to the temporary signs allowed under LDC Section 4.06.140 (Temporary Signs), permanent signs are permitted in Neighborhood Business Commercial (CNB) zoning district as follows:

A. Area. The maximum aggregate sign area for all signs except freestanding signs and motor fuel price signs is as follows:

1. For primary building frontage, the allowable sign area is 10 square feet for each parcel, plus one square foot for each lineal foot of the first 50 feet of building frontage, plus one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage in excess of 50 feet, to a maximum of 150 square feet. The sign owner may choose which one frontage is primary building frontage and which one frontage is secondary building frontage.

2. For secondary building frontage, the allowable sign area is 10 square feet for each parcel, plus one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage, to a maximum of 32 square feet.

3. If more than one use exists on a parcel, in addition to the allowable sign area under subsections A.1 and A.2 of this section, each additional use is permitted 10 square feet of sign area, which must be placed on the premises occupied by that use.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Awning. A single awning sign which does not exceed 32 square feet in area or eight inches in height for the sign copy.

2. Canopy. A single canopy sign which does not exceed 12 inches in height or four feet in length.

3. Freestanding. A parcel is entitled to signs under either subsections B.3.a through B.3.c of this section:

a. A freestanding sign which may be electrical and which does not exceed eight feet in height or 20 square feet in area; or

b. Commercial complex. For a commercial complex exceeding five acres in size, freestanding signs are permitted under either subsection B.3.b(1) or (2) of this section, but not both:

(1) A freestanding sign which may be electrical may be placed on up to two frontages of the complex. Each sign may not exceed 25 square feet in area or eight feet in height, and

(2) A freestanding sign which may be electrical and which does not exceed 40 square feet in area or 25 feet in height;

c. Multiple street frontage commercial complex. A commercial complex exceeding 10 acres in size, and providing public street access to three or more separate public streets, is authorized three electrical freestanding signs. Each sign may not exceed 30 square feet of sign area or eight feet in height.

4. Motor fuel price. A motor fuel price sign, as permitted under LDC Section 4.06.290 (Motor Fuel Price Signs).

5. Wall. A wall sign.

C. In a Neighborhood Business Commercial (CNB) zoning district, no sign shall be illuminated after normal business hours.

The design standards and guidelines for permanent signs contained in the 2003 Downtown Specific Plan, Chapter 6 (Design Standards and Guidelines) apply in this zoning district.

In addition to the temporary signs allowed under LDC Section 4.06.140 (Temporary Signs), permanent signs are permitted in a commercial office (CO) or professional office (CP) zoning district as follows:

A. Area. The maximum aggregate sign area is as follows. For parcels in a commercial office (CO) or professional office (CP) zoning district, the maximum sign area is 10 square feet, plus one square foot for each two lineal square feet of building frontage, to a maximum of 50 square feet. Each occupant of a building may also have a nameplate sign which does not exceed two square feet in area.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Awning. A single awning sign which does not exceed 32 square feet in area or eight inches in height for the sign copy;

2. Canopy. A single canopy sign which does not exceed eight inches in height or three feet in length;

3. Nameplate. A nameplate sign;

4. Wall. A wall sign; and

5. Freestanding. A freestanding sign, which may be illuminated and which does not exceed 20 square feet in area or eight feet in height, is permitted on each of not more than two frontages of a building.

In addition to the temporary signs permitted under LDC Section 4.06.140 (Temporary Signs), permanent signs are permitted in a commercial service (CS) zoning district as follows:

A. Area. The maximum aggregate sign area for all signs except freestanding signs, freeway freestanding joint use signs and motor fuel price signs is as follows:

1. For primary building frontage, the allowable sign area is 10 square feet for each parcel, plus one square foot for each lineal foot of the first 50 feet of building frontage, plus one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage in excess of 50 feet, to a maximum of 150 square feet. The sign owner may choose which one frontage is primary building frontage and which one frontage is secondary building frontage.

2. For secondary building frontage, the allowable sign area is 10 square feet for each parcel, plus one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage, to a maximum of 32 square feet.

3. If more than one use exists on a parcel, in addition to the allowable sign area under subsections A.1 and A.2 of this section, each additional use is permitted 10 square feet of sign area, which must be placed on the premises occupied by that use.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Awning. An awning sign which does not exceed 32 square feet in area or eight inches in height for the sign copy.

2. Canopy. A single canopy sign which does not exceed 12 inches in height or four feet in length.

3. Freestanding. Each parcel which is one acre or smaller may have one freestanding sign. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height. Each parcel larger than one acre and having a street frontage of 300 feet or more may have one additional electrical freestanding sign not exceeding 32 square feet in area or eight feet in height. A minimum separation of 150 feet is required between signs. Freestanding signs permitted under this section may be electrical.

4. Motor fuel price. A motor fuel price sign, as permitted under LDC Section 4.06.290 (Motor Fuel Price Signs).

5. Wall. A wall sign which may be electrical.

In addition to the temporary signs permitted under LDC Section 4.06.140 (Temporary Signs), permanent signs are permitted in a highway service commercial (CHS) zoning district as follows:

A. Area. The maximum aggregate sign area for all signs except freestanding signs, freeway freestanding joint use signs and motor fuel price signs is as follows:

1. For primary building frontage, the allowable sign area is 10 square feet for each parcel, plus one square foot for each lineal foot of the first 50 feet of building frontage, plus one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage in excess of 50 feet, to a maximum of 150 square feet. The sign owner may choose which one frontage is primary building frontage and which one frontage is secondary building frontage.

2. For secondary building frontage, the allowable sign area is 10 square feet for each parcel, plus one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage, to a maximum of 32 square feet.

3. If more than one use exists on a parcel, in addition to the allowable sign area under subsections A.1 and A.2 of this section, each additional use is permitted 10 square feet of sign area, which must be placed on the premises occupied by that use.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Awning. A single awning sign which does not exceed 32 square feet in area or eight inches in height for the sign copy.

2. Canopy. A single canopy sign which does not exceed 12 inches in height or four feet in length.

3. Freestanding. Each parcel which is one acre or smaller may have one freestanding sign. Each parcel larger than one acre, and having a street frontage of 300 feet or more, may have one additional freestanding sign. Each sign shall not exceed 30 square feet in area or eight feet in height. A minimum separation of 150 feet is required between signs. Freestanding signs permitted under this section may be electrical.

4. Motor fuel price. A motor fuel price sign, as permitted under LDC Section 4.06.290 (Motor Fuel Price Signs).

5. Wall. A wall sign which may be electrical.

6. Freestanding freeway. A freestanding freeway joint use sign shall be granted a conditional use permit upon meeting the criteria listed below. Off-site advertising is permitted for qualifying participants in a joint freeway sign. The sign is subject to the following requirements:

a. One joint sign is permitted per quadrant.

b. A qualifying use must be located within a freeway quadrant and zoned CHS, highway service commercial district.

c. A maximum of eight acres of CHS zoning per quadrant is permitted.

d. A joint use sign shall be designed to be used by one or more freeway-oriented uses within a quadrant of a freeway interchange.

e. Freeway sign shall not exceed 300 square feet of total sign area.

f. The joint sign and qualifying use must be located within the quadrant of the site of one of the participating uses.

g. A qualifying use is authorized 37.5 square feet of sign area per qualifying acre, with a minimum of 37.5 square feet to qualify for a sign and a maximum 100 square feet per user. Sign area or "sign credits" may be transferred and sold within the same quadrant.

h. One-half of the area of the freeway sign shall be deducted from the total sign area allowed for the parcel or participating use.

i. Maximum height of a freeway sign is 50 feet, but in no case may the maximum height of a freeway sign exceed 40 feet above the freeway median.

j. The architectural design for the sign shall be "monumental-style" (the supporting structure a minimum width of the message area) and well-proportioned (height versus width), with a minimum of 50% of the supporting structure enclosed.

k. The initial sign developer shall design the sign to allow subsequent users access to the sign. Overall sign design shall be set with the initial builder and subsequent users shall conform.

l. Participants on the joint sign shall reimburse the original developer on a justifiable pro rata share basis for construction cost and maintenance.

m. Any qualified use not participating on a joint freeway sign shall be entitled to an additional 32 square feet of wall sign.

n. Conditional use permit approval is contingent upon the decision-making body determination through acceptable photo studies that the sign is optimally located within the quadrant, based on visibility from Interstate 580. Should the optimal location not be available, alternative locations shall be considered.

In an education and institutions (E) zoning district, permanent signs are permitted as follows:

A. Area. The maximum sign area is 50 square feet per use.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Freestanding. A freestanding sign which does not exceed 32 square feet of sign area and a height of eight feet.

2. Wall. A wall sign which may be electrical.

In addition to the temporary signs allowed under LDC Section 4.06.140 (Temporary Signs), permanent signs are permitted in the industrial zoning districts as follows:

A. Area. The maximum aggregate sign area for all signs, except area signs and industrial park identification signs, is 32 square feet per parcel plus one square foot for each two feet of building frontage in excess of 50 feet, up to a maximum of 100 square feet. In addition, if more than one use exists on a parcel, 12 additional square feet are allowed for each use, which are to be placed on the premises occupied by the use.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Area identification. An area identification sign as permitted under LDC Section 4.06.280 (Area Identification Signs).

2. Motor fuel price. A motor fuel price sign as permitted under LDC Section 4.06.290 (Motor Fuel Price Signs).

3. Freestanding. Each parcel which is one acre or smaller may have one freestanding sign. Each parcel larger than one acre, and having a street frontage of 300 feet or more, may have one additional freestanding sign. Each sign shall be a maximum of 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height. A minimum separation of 150 feet is required between signs. Freestanding signs permitted under this section may be electrical.

4. Wall. A wall sign which may be electrical.

5. Industrial park identification. A single industrial park identification sign is permitted with a conditional use permit for parcels directly adjacent to Interstate 580 consisting of 100 acres or more, and is subject to the following requirements:

a. The sign must be visible from at least one direction of Interstate 580.

b. The sign must have a maximum height of 25 feet and a maximum sign area of 100 square feet.

c. The width of the sign structure shall be 100% of the width of the sign face.

d. The sign shall be located on-site.

e. The sign shall be located within a landscaped area of at least 2,000 square feet.

f. The sign shall be located within 200 feet of the edge of the freeway right-of-way of Interstate 580.

Unless otherwise specified in a planned unit development permit, in a planned development (PD) zoning district, permanent signs are permitted as follows:

A. Area. The maximum sign area is 32 square feet per use.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Freestanding. A freestanding sign which does not exceed eight feet in height.

2. Wall. A wall sign.

C. However, in no case shall a planned development district or planned unit development be authorized a freestanding freeway sign.

In addition to the temporary signs allowed under LDC Section 4.06.140 (Temporary Signs), permanent signs are permitted in a Multiple Family Residential (MFR) or Suburban Multiple Residential (RG) zoning district as follows:

A. Area. The maximum aggregate sign area for all signs, except for area identification signs and freestanding signs, is 12 square feet per use.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Area identification. An area identification sign as permitted under LDC Section 4.06.280 (Area Identification Signs).

2. Wall. A wall sign.

3. Freestanding. A freestanding sign which does not exceed 12 square feet in area or six feet in height. For uses having a street frontage in excess of 300 feet, an additional freestanding sign containing 12 square feet in area is permitted. Freestanding signs must be separated a minimum distance of 150 feet.

In addition to the temporary signs allowed under LDC Section 4.06.140 (Temporary Signs), permanent signs are permitted in a suburban residential (RS), rural residential (R-R), or low density residential (RL) zoning district as follows:

A. Area. The maximum aggregate sign area, except for area identification signs, is one square foot per parcel.

B. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Area identification. An area identification sign, as permitted under LDC Section 4.06.280 (Area Identification Signs).

2. Wall. A wall sign.

All signs submitted for design review shall be administratively reviewed and authorized for design review processing by the Airport Manager for size, design, location, and illumination prior to submittal to the Community Development Department for formal review and approval. In accordance with LDC Section 3.03.180 (Airport (AIR) Zone), a written statement from the Airport Manager authorizing the submittal of the sign for formal design review shall accompany the application.

A. Permitted signs. Only the following types of signs are permitted:

1. Monument. A monument sign that does not exceed 32 square feet of sign area and eight feet in height at each entrance to the airport that has open access to the public. Entrances that do not have open access to the public shall be permitted one sign per entrance, consistent with the standards described in subsection A.3 of this section (Directional signs).

2. Wall/Awning. Fixed base operators (FBOs), as determined by the Airport Manager, are permitted one wall or awning sign, which may be electrical. For primary building frontage, the allowable sign area is one square foot for each lineal foot of the first 50 feet of building frontage, plus one square foot for each two lineal feet of building frontage in excess of 50 feet, to a maximum of 150 square feet per building. Wall signs oriented towards and parallel to the public right-of-way shall be subject to Planning Commission review and approval. Wall signs oriented towards the interior of the airport property shall be administratively reviewed and approved.

3. Directional signs. Directional signs serving to identify the location of buildings, hangar spaces, facilities, etc., and not the locations of specific FBO operators, vendors, or tenants, shall be erected where they are most visible for visitors. Freestanding single-face and/or double-face directional signs are permitted as follows:

a. The location of signs shall be determined and administratively approved by the Airport Manager.

b. Maximum height shall not exceed five feet, measured from grade to the top of the sign.

c. Maximum width shall not exceed three feet.

d. Maximum letter height and sign copy shall be determined by the Airport Manager.

(Ord. 1903 § 2 (Exh. B), 2010)

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Code reviser's note: Ordinance 1903 adds the provisions of this section as Section 4.06.265. The section numbering was altered during publication of the Livermore Development Code.

Where permitted in this chapter, area identification signs serving to identify an area, neighborhood or district are permitted as follows:

A. The sign may be on each of two corners of streets entering an area, neighborhood, or district.

B. The sign shall be architecturally part of an otherwise permitted permanent fence, wall, or similar structure defining the entrance.

C. Aggregate area of sign copy shall not exceed 15 square feet.

D. The sign copy shall be noncommercial.

E. Where dedication of the sign is proposed, the dedication shall include the structure and land on which the sign is located, together with access to the nearest public right-of-way.

Where permitted in this chapter, motor fuel price signs are permitted as follows:

A. The maximum aggregate sign area for sign copy is 40 square feet per use; however, the area of sign copy on an individual sign may not exceed 20 square feet.

B. When a sign is freestanding, its maximum height is six feet.

C. A sign may be electrical.

D. A sign permitted under this section is in addition to, but may be combined with, a freestanding sign, which is regulated in each respective zoning district under this chapter.

(Ord. 2082 § 2(S), 2019)

Where permitted in this chapter, signs for public and quasi-public uses are permitted as follows:

A. Public and quasi-public uses located in a residential zoning district shall be subject to the sign standards of the commercial office (CO) zoning district.

B. Public and quasi-public uses located in any nonresidential zoning district shall be subject to the regulations of the district the use is located in.