Needles Municipal Code § 99.06 Open Space

R-2 and R-3 zones, at least thirty (30) percent of the net area of each developed lot shall be open which is landscaped or arranged for outdoor recreation or pedestrian use. (Ord. 427-AC)

For all multi-family residential uses, the open area provided shall include common usable open area of at least two hundred (200) square feet per dwelling unit for the first twenty (20) dwelling units, plus one hundred fifty (150) square feet per dwelling unit for the next twenty (20) dwelling units, plus one hundred (100) square feet per dwelling unit for each additional dwelling unit. The minimum dimensions of such common usable open area shall be ten (10) feet in each direction and the least horizontal dimension shall be at least one-third (1/3) of the greatest horizontal dimension. (Ord. No. 427-AC, (part).) For stand-alone multi-family residential uses built in the Downtown Core, the amount of common open space required shall be reduced by 50 percent. For multi-family residential uses built as part of a mixed-use residential development in the Downtown Core, the amount of common open space required shall be reduced by 75 percent. (Ord. 427-AC, 659-AC)

Private open areas may be included in the required open area but not in the required common usable open area. A private open area, when provided, shall have dimensions not less than ten (10) feet in any horizontal direction if at ground level, or be at least five (5) feet by eight (8) feet in horizontal dimension if located on a balcony or deck above ground level. (Ord. 427-AC)

This section is applicable only where a portion of a lot is within an area planned as part of a future street, alley or other public right-of-way as determined from an officially adopted plan, and the acquisition of such portion would not reduce the buildable lot width to less than forty (40) feet.

In cases to which this section applies, the portions of any lot within any such future right-of-way area shall not be occupied by structures other than those encroachments allowed in future rights-of-way as provided elsewhere in code. All other required setbacks, yards and open areas shall be provided in addition to the future right-of-way areas, and the future right-of-way lines shall be considered to be lot lines for purposes of measuring such other setbacks, yards and open areas. (Ord. 427-AC)

Each lot shall have front, side and rear yard setbacks not less than the amounts shown in the following tables for primary and accessory buildings:

YARDS REQUIRED-RESIDENTIAL USES PRIMARY BUILDING

YARDS REQUIRED-RESIDENTIAL USES ACCESSORY BUILDING

PRIMARY AND ACCESSORY BUILDING

CRR

If there is an established “high water” mark delineated through a state or federal jurisdictional agency, then that “high water” controls for purposes of measuring the beginning point for the front yard or rear yard setback measurement. If no delineation has been made the setbacks shall be measured beginning from the top of the natural bank. R-1 uses are permitted in the CRR Zone and the R-1 setbacks apply. All other uses in the CRR Zone require a Conditional Use Permit. IF the use if approved (whether residential, commercial or mixed use), the Conditional Use Permit will specify the setbacks in accordance with the use being approved. These tables shall be used as a guideline in the CRR zone when determining setbacks for commercial, high density residential uses or mixed uses, but stricter standards may be applied for reasons of health, safety, welfare, aesthetics or compatibility.

“Table of yards required – nonresidential zones”

(Ord. No. 659-AC)

PRIMARY AND ACCESSORY BUILDING

CRR

If there is an established “high water” mark delineated through a state or federal jurisdictional agency, then that “high water mark” controls for purposes of measuring the beginning point for the front yard or rear yard setback measurement. If no delineation has been made the setbacks shall be measured beginning from the top of the natural bank. R-1 uses are permitted in the CRR Zone and the R-1 setbacks apply. All other uses in the CRR Zone require a Conditional Use Permit. If the use is approved (whether residential, commercial or mixed use), the Conditional Use Permit will specify the setbacks in accordance with the use being approved. These tables shall be used as a guideline in the CRR zone when determining setbacks for commercial, high density residential uses or mixed uses, but stricter standards may be applied for reasons of health, safety, welfare, aesthetics, or compatibility.

HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023

99.06.05(b) Shipping Containers

1. Permitted in all zones, provided setbacks are met.
2. Units to be painted in a color that blends with the existing structures and surrounding area.
3. Containers may not be placed in a required parking area. Stacking of containers is not permitted.
4. Containers may not be placed between the primary structure and the immediately adjacent road or access easement (front of property).
5. Under no circumstances shall a shipping container be used for human or animal habitation unless modified as such according to the California Building Standards Code and approved with the entitlement and when compliant with the architecture requirements.
6. Units must be located or screened so as not to be in public view, unless modified to be used as habitable space.

HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023

Where no side or rear yard is required or where a zero (0) side yard is permitted, any building or structure shall be located either at the property line or at least three (3) feet from the property line. (Ord. 427-AC)

In the residential zones, where the lots on both sides of a property line are being developed anew (with all existing buildings on both lots being removed), a zero (0) side yard, in lieu of the side yard otherwise required, may be required on one (1) or both sides of said property line, provided:

1. Any building wall along the property line shall be of a sound-absorbing type in accordance with adopted standards.
2. An agreement of covenant between the property owners involved and running with the land, in a form acceptable to the city planner, shall be recorded, setting forth acceptance of the physical arrangement, and providing that failure to maintain such wall to the prescribed standard shall obligate each party to conform to the otherwise applicable yard regulations. (Ord. 427-AC)

The minimum distance between buildings located on the same lot shall be as shown in the following table:

MINIMUM SPACE BETWEEN BUILDINGS

In the CRR, R-2 and R-3 zones, where the arrangement of a building or buildings on the same lot creates a court (an open space surrounded on all sides by buildings, but not necessarily completely enclosed), such court shall contain a rectangular open area at least twenty (20) feet by twenty (20) feet in horizontal dimensions. (Ord. No. 427-AC, (part).) This standard shall also apply to multifamily and mixed-use residential development in the C-2 zone. (Ord. 427-AC, 659-AC)

HISTORY Amended by Ord. 663-AC on 10/24/2023

On each lot occupied by one or more dwellings, there shall be a clear passageway area at least seven (7) feet wide extending from a street property line to at least one (1) entrance to each dwelling unit or to an entrance to the dwelling structure where unit entrances are from interior hallways. (Ord. 427-AC)

The primary exterior entrance to each multifamily dwelling unit, or to the dwelling structure where unit entries are from interior hallways, whether such exterior entry is from a balcony, stairway, landing or at ground level, shall have an open area of at least twenty-four (24) square feet abutting the exterior of the entrance. The minimum dimension of such area measured perpendicular to the entrance shall be six (6) feet. (Ord. 427-AC)