Petaluma Municipal Code § 9.10 Glossary

This Part provides deQnitions of terms and phrases used in this Code that are technical or specialized, or that may

not reRect common usage. If any of the deQnitions in this Part conRict with deQnitions in the zoning Ordinance or

other provisions of the Municipal Code, these deQnitions shall control for the purposes of this Code. If a word is

not deQned in this Part, or in other provisions of the City of Petaluma Municipal Code, the Director shall determine

the correct deQnition.

As used in this Code, the following terms and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section,

unless the context in which they are used clearly requires otherwise.

A. De6nitions, “A.”

Abut. Directly adjacent; contiguous. In the case of a parcel, an “abutting parcel” is one that shares a property

line with the subject parcel, and is not a parcel across a street.

Accessory Use. A use customarily incidental to, related and clearly subordinate to a principal use established

on the same parcel, which does not alter the principal use nor serve property other than the parcel where the

principal use is located.

Adult Day Care. See “Day Care.”

Agricultural Product Processing. The processing of locally or regionally harvest crops to prepare them for

on-site marketing or processing and packaging elsewhere. Examples of this land use include the following:

alfalfa cubing; corn shelling; cotton ginning; creameries; custom grist mills; custom milling of Rour, feed,

and grain; dairies (but not feedlots, see instead “Livestock Operations, Sales Yards, Feedlots,

Stockyards”); drying of corn, rice, hay, fruits and vegetables; grain cleaning and custom grinding; hay

bailing and cubing; pre-cooling and packaging of fresh or farm-dried fruits and vegetables; sorting,

grading and packing of fruits and vegetables; tree nut hulling and shelling

Does not include wineries, which are separately deQned. See also “Food and Beverage Product

Manufacturing.”

Alcoholic Beverage Sales. The retail sales of beer, wine, and/or other alcoholic beverages for oU-premise

consumption as a primary use.

Alley. A public or private roadway that provides vehicle access to the rear or side of parcels having other

public street frontage, that is not intended for general traSc circulation.

Allowed Use. A use of land identiQed by Section 3 (Building Function Standards) as a permitted or conditional

use that may be established with a Zoning Permit and, where applicable, Site Plan and Architectural Review

and/or Building Permit approval, subject to compliance with all applicable provisions of this Code.

Alteration. Any construction or physical change in the internal arrangement of rooms or the supporting

members of a structure, or a change in the external appearance of any structure, not including painting. See

also Section 7.10.040.B for a more specialized deQnition of “alternation” regarding a cultural or historic

resource.

Apartment House. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Applicant. Any person who is Qling an application requesting an action who is:

1. The owner or lessee of property;

2. A party who has contracted to purchase property contingent upon that party’s ability to acquire the

necessary approvals required for that action in compliance with this Code; or

3. The agent of either of the above.

Approval. Includes both approval and approval with conditions.

Arcade. See “Arcade” Section 4.40 (Frontage Types).

Architectural Feature. An exterior building feature including roof, windows, doors, porches, etc.

Artisan/Craft Product Manufacturing. An establishment manufacturing and/or assembling small products

primarily by hand, including jewelry, pottery and other ceramics, as well as small glass and metal art and craft

products. Includes taxidermists. May also include small scale artisan food and beverage product

manufacturing and aSliated tasting rooms.

Artisan Shop. A retail store selling art glass, ceramics, jewelry, and other handcrafted items, where the facility

includes an area for the crafting of the items sold.

Auto Parts Sales. Stores that sell new automobile parts, tires, and accessories. Establishments that provide

installation services are instead included under “Vehicle Services – Repair and Maintenance – Minor.” Does

not include tire recapping establishments, which are found under “Vehicle Services” or businesses dealing

exclusively in used parts, which are included under “Recycling – Scrap and Dismantling yards.”

Auto Repair. See “Vehicle Services.”

Automated Teller Machines (ATM). Computerized, self-service machines used by banking customers for

Qnancial transactions, including deposits, withdrawals and fund transfers, without face-to-face contact with

Qnancial institution personnel. The machines may be located at or within banks, or in other locations.

Awning. See “Shopfront and Awning,” Section 4.40 (Frontage Types).

Awning Signs. See Section 4.90 (Commercial Signage Standards).

B. De6nitions, “B.”

Bank, Financial Services. Financial institutions including:

banks and trust companies; credit agencies; holding (but no primarily operating) companies; lending and

thrift institutions; other investment companies; securities/ commodity contract brokers and dealers;

security and commodity exchanges; vehicle Qnance (equity) leasing.

See also, “Automated Teller Machine,” above.

Bar/Tavern. A business where alcoholic beverages are sold for on-site consumption, which are not part of a

larger restaurant. Includes bars, taverns, pubs, and similar establishments where any food service is

subordinate to the sale of alcoholic beverages. May also include beer brewing as part of a microbrewery, and

other beverage tasting facilities. Does not include adult entertainment businesses. Does not include tasting

rooms that are limited to a sole manufacturer.

Bed and Breakfast Inn (B&B). A residential structure with one household in permanent residence, with one or

more bedrooms rented for overnight lodging, where meals may be provided subject to applicable Health

Department regulations. Does not include room rental, which is separately deQned (see “Boarding/Rooming

House”).

Blade Signs. See Section 4.90 (Commercial Signage Standards).

Block Perimeter. The lineal feet along the frontage line around the perimeter of a block.

Building Height. The vertical extent of a building measured in stories, not including a raised basement or a

habitable attic. Height limits do no apply to masts, belfries, clock towers, chimney Rues, water tanks, elevator

bulkheads and similar structures. Building Height shall be measured from the average grade of the

enfronting thoroughfare.

Building and Landscape Materials Sales. Retail establishments selling hardware, lumber and other large

building materials. Includes paint, wallpaper, glass, Qxtures. Includes all these stores selling to the general

public, even if contractor sales account for a major proportion of total sales. Establishments primarily selling

electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning equipment and supplies are classiQed in “Wholesaling and

Distribution.”

Building Setback. See “Setback.”

Bungalow Court. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Business Support Service. An establishment within a building that provides services to other businesses.

Examples of these services include:

blueprinting; computer-related services (rental, repair); copying and quick printing services; Qlm

processing and photo Qnishing (retail); protective services (other than oSce related); security systems

services.

See also “Maintenance and Repair Services – Client Site Services.”

C. De6nitions, “C.”

Cabinet Shop. See “Furniture and Fixtures Manufacturing, Cabinet Shops.”

California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). State law (California Public Resources Code Sections 21000 et

seq.) requiring public agencies to document and consider the environmental eUects of a proposed action,

prior to allowing the action to occur.

Carriage House. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Change of use. The replacement of an existing use on any portion of a parcel, by a new use, or a change in

the nature of an existing use, but does not include a change of ownership, tenancy, or management

associated with a use in which the previous nature of the use remains substantially unchanged.

Chemical Product Manufacturing. An establishment that produces or uses basic chemicals, and other

establishments creating products predominantly by chemical processes. Examples of these products include:

basic chemicals, including acids, alkalies, salts, and organic chemicals; chemical products to be used in further

manufacture, including synthetic Qbers, plastic materials, dry colors, and pigments; and Qnished chemical

products to be used as materials or supplies in other industries including paints, fertilizers, and explosives.

Also includes sales and transportation establishments handling the chemicals described above, except as part

of retail trade.

Child Day Care. See “Day Care.”

City. The City of Petaluma, State of California, referred to in this Code as the “City.”

City Council. The Petaluma City Council, referred to in this Code as the “Council.”

Civic use. Premises used by organizations considered to support the common good. Uses include educational,

cultural, social, service, and religious not-for-proQt organizations.

Clothing and Fabric Product Manufacturing. An establishment that assembles clothing, draperies, and/or

other products by cutting and sewing purchased textile fabrics, and related materials including leather,

rubberized fabrics, plastics and furs. Does not include custom tailors and dressmakers not operating as a

factory and not located on the site of a clothing store (see “Personal Services”). See also, “Manufacturing –

Heavy – Textile and Leather Product Manufacturing.”

Colonnade. A series of columns similar to an arcade but spanned by straight lintels rather than arches.

Commercial Recreation Facility – Indoor. Establishments providing indoor amusement and entertainment

services for a fee or admission charge, including:

bowling alleys; coin-operated amusement arcades; dance halls, clubs and ballrooms; electronic game

arcades; ice skating and roller skating; pool and billiard rooms as primary uses

This use does not include adult entertainment businesses. Four or more electronic games or coin-operated

amusements in any establishment, or a premises where 50 percent or more of the Roor area is occupied by

amusement devices, are considered an electronic game arcade as described above, three or less machines

are not considered a land use separate from the primary use of the site. See also “Theaters.”

Commercial Recreation Facility – Outdoor. Facilities for various outdoor recreational activities, where a fee is

charged for use. Examples include:

amusement and theme parks; go-cart tracks; golf driving ranges; miniature golf courses; water slides

May also include commercial facilities customarily associated with the above outdoor commercial

recreational uses, including bars and restaurants, video game arcades, etc.

Common Yard. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Community Meeting Facility. A multi-purpose meeting and/or recreational facility typically consisting of one or

more meeting or multi-purpose rooms, which may also include kitchen and/or outdoor cooking or eating

facilities, that are available for use by various groups for such activities as meetings, parties, receptions,

dances, etc.

Community meeting facilities include community centers, and the following.

1. Club, Lodge, Private Meeting Hall. Permanent, headquarters-type and meeting facilities for

organizations operating on a membership basis for the promotion of the interests of the members,

including facilities for:

business associations; civic, social and fraternal organizations; labor unions and similar

organizations; professional membership organizations; political organizations; other membership

organizations

2. Religious Facility. A facility operated by a religious organization to provide a place for worship, or the

promotion of religious activities. This use includes:

churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, etc.; accessory uses on the same site, including living

quarters for the same type of land use permit required for the religious facility itself.

May also include fund-raising sales, bazaars, dinners, parties, or other outdoor events on the same site.

Other establishments maintained by religious organizations, including full-time educational institutions,

hospitals and other potentially related operations (for examples, a recreational camp) are instead

classiQed according to their respective activities.

Community Service Organization. A public or quasi-public establishment providing social and/or rehabilitation

services, serving persons with social or personal problems requiring special services, the handicapped, and the otherwise disadvantaged. Examples of this land use include: counseling centers, welfare oSces, job

counseling and training centers, or vocational rehabilitation agencies. Includes organizations soliciting funds

to be used directly for these and related services, and establishments engaged in community improvement

and neighborhood development. Does not include day-care services, emergency shelters and transitional

housing, or “Residential Care,” which are separated deQned.

Concrete, Gypsum, and Plaster Product Manufacturing. As establishment that produces bulk concrete,

concrete building block, brick, and/or other types of precast and prefabricated concrete products. Also

includes ready-mix concrete batch plants, lime manufacturing, and the manufacture of gypsum products,

including plasterboard. A retail ready-mix concrete operation as an incidental use in conjunction with a

building materials outlet is deQned under “Building and Landscape Materials Sales.”

Courtyard Building. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

D. De6nitions, “D.”

Day Care. A facility that provides non-medical care and supervision of minor children or adults for periods of

less than 24 hours. These facilities include the following, all of which are required to be licensed by the

California State Department of Social Services.

1. Child Day Care Center. Commercial or non-proQt child day care facilities designed and approved to

accommodate 15 or more children. Includes infant centers, preschools, sick-child centers, and

school-age day care facilities. These may be operated in conjunction with a school or church facility, or as

an independent land use.

2. Large Family Day Care Home. A day care facility located in a single-family residence where an

occupant of the residence provides care and supervision for 7-14 children. Children under the age of 10

years who reside in the home count as children served by the day care facility.

3. Small Family Day Care Home. A day care facility located in a single-family residence where an

occupant of the residence provides care and supervision for eight or fewer children. Children under the

age of 10 years who reside in the home count as children served by the day care facility.

4. Adult day care facility. A day care facility providing care and supervision for adult clients.

Density. The number of housing units per net acre, unless otherwise stated, for residential uses.

Department. The City of Petaluma Community Development Department, referred to in this Code as the

“Department”.

Detached House: Estate. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Detached House: Cottage. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Detached House: Village. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Development. Any construction activity or alteration of the landscape, its terrain contour or vegetation,

including the erection or alteration of structures. New development is any constructions, or alteration of an

existing structure or land use, or establishment of a land use, after the eUective date of this Code.

Dooryard. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Director. The City of Petaluma Community Development Director, or designee of the Director.

Drive-through Retail. A facility where food and other products may be purchased by motorists without leaving

their vehicles. Examples of these facilities include fast-food restaurants, drive-through coUee, dairy product,

photo stores, pharmacies, etc.

Drive-through Service. A facility where services may be obtained by motorists without leaving their vehicles.

These facilities include drive-through bank teller windows, dry cleaners, etc. Does not include: automated

teller machines (ATMs), gas stations or other vehicle services, which are separately deQned.

Driveway. (Single or dual access for development in the area bounded by 1st, 2nd, “G” and “H” Streets.) An 8’

wide all weather surface that leads from the public street to the rear lot parking area of a parcel. It can be

placed on a lot line and shared by up to 2 lots.

Dwelling, Dwelling Unit, or Housing Unit. A room or group of internally connected rooms that have sleeping,

cooking, eating, and sanitation facilities, but not more than one kitchen, which constitute an independent

housekeeping unit, occupied by or intended for one household on a long term basis.

E. De6nitions, “E.”

Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. The hardware, including connectors, Qxtures, devices, and other

components required to charge an electric vehicle.

Electronics, Equipment, and Appliance Manufacturing. An establishment that manufactures equipment,

apparatus, and /or supplies for the generation, storage, transmission, transformation and use of electrical

energy, including:

appliances including stoves/ovens, refrigerators, freezers, laundry equipment, fans, vacuum cleaners,

sewing machines; audio and television receiving equipment; aviation instruments; computers, computer

components, peripherals; electric welding apparatus; electrical transmission and distribution equipment;

electronic components and accessories; industrial controls; instruments for measurement, testing,

analysis and control, associated sensors and accessories; lighting and wiring equipment such as lamps

and Qxtures, wiring devices, vehicle lighting; motors and generators; miscellaneous electrical machinery,

equipment and supplies such as batteries, X-ray apparatus and tubes, electromedical and

electrotherapeutic apparatus, electrical equipment for internal combustion engines; optical instruments

and lenses; photographic equipment and supplies; semiconductors, integrated circuits, related devices;

storage media, blank and pre-recorded, including magnetic, magneto-optical, and optical products such

as compact disks (CDs), diskettes and hard drives, digital versatile disks (DVDs), magnetic tape products, phonograph records ,etc.; surgical, medical and dental instruments; surveying and drafting equipment;

telephone and telegraph apparatus; transformers, switchgear and switchboards; watches and clocks

Does not include testing laboratories (soils, materials testing, etc.) (see “Laboratories”), or research and

development facilities separate from manufacturing (see “Industrial Research and Development”).

Elevation. The surface of a building around its perimeter. Elevations are subject to setback and height

restrictions.

Emergency Shelter. A facility for the temporary shelter and feeding of indigents or disaster victims, operated

by a public or non-proQt agency.

Equipment Rental. A service establishment that may oUer a wide variety of household and business

equipment, furniture, and materials for rental. Does not include construction equipment rental, which is

included under the deQnition of “Construction/ Heavy Equipment Sales and Rental.”

F. De6nitions, “F”.

Façade. An exterior wall of a building that is set along a frontage line. See Illustration under “Frontage Line.”

Farm Supply and Feed Store. A retail business selling supplies for use in soil preparation and maintenance,

the planting and harvesting of crops, the keeping and raising of farm animals, and other operations and

processes pertaining to farming and ranching. Does not include the sale, rental, or repair of farm machinery

and equipment, which is instead included in the deQnition of “Construction and Heavy Equipment Sales and

Rental.”

Feasible. Capable of being accomplished in a successful manner within a reasonable period of time, taking

into account economic, environmental, social and technological factors.

Fitness/Health Facility. A Qtness center, gymnasium, health and athletic club, which may include any of the

following: sauna, spa or hot tub facilities; indoor tennis, handball, racquetball, archery and shooting ranges

and other indoor sports activities. Does not include adult entertainment businesses.

Focus Point. The location at the axial termination of a thoroughfare. A building at a terminated vista shall be

designed to provide a prominent architectural feature on the façade that terminates the view down the

street, such as a tower, colonnade, signiQcant façade articulation, etc.

Food and Beverage Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing establishments producing or processing foods

and beverages for human consumption, and certain related products. Examples of these uses include:

Bottling plants; breweries; candy, sugar and confectionery products manufacturing; catering services

separate from stores or restaurants; coUee roasting; dairy products manufacturing; fats and oil product

manufacturing; fruit and vegetable canning, preserving, related processing; grain mill products and by-

products; meat, poultry and seafood canning, curing, byproduct processing; soft drink production;

miscellaneous food item preparation from raw products; wineries.

Does not include: bakeries, which are separately deQned; beer brewing as part of a brewpub, bar or

restaurant (see “Bar/Tavern,” and “Night Club”); or tasting rooms.

Forecourt. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Frontage. The privately held layer in front of the building façade. The elements of building and landscape that

are within a frontage are held to speciQc standards. The variables of private frontage are the depth of the

setback and the combination of architectural elements such as fences, stoops, porches, and galleries. These

elements inRuence social behavior in the front realm. The frontage layer may overlap the public streetscape

in case of awnings, galleries and arcades.

Frontage Line. Any lot line or back of sidewalk easement line that abuts a public open space or a

thoroughfare that is not an alley. See Section 5 (Thoroughfare Standards).

Fuel Dealer. A retail trade establishment that sells fuel oil, butane, propane and liqueQed petroleum gas (LPG),

bottled or in bulk, to consumers.

Furniture/Fixtures Manufacturing, Cabinet Shop. Manufacturers producing: wood and metal household

furniture and appliances; bedsprings and mattresses; all types of oSce furniture and public building furniture

and partitions, shelving, lockers and store furniture; and miscellaneous drapery hardware, window blinds and

shades. Includes wood and cabinet shops, but not sawmills or planing mills, which are instead included under

“Manufacturing – Heavy.”

Furniture, Furnishings and Appliance Store. A store that primarily sells the following products and related

services, which may also provide incidental repair services:

computers and computer equipment; draperies; Roor coverings; furniture; glass and chinaware; home

appliances; home furnishings; home sound systems; interior decorating materials and services; large

musical instruments; lawn furniture; movable spas and hot tubs; oSce furniture; other household

electrical and gas appliances; outdoor furniture; refrigerators; stoves; televisions

G. De6nitions, “G.”

Gallery. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Gas Station. A retail business selling gasoline or other motor vehicle fuels, and related products, derived from

fossil fuels (e.g., petroleum, coal, natural gas).

General Retail. Stores and shops selling many lines of merchandise. Examples of these stores and lines of

merchandise include:

antique stores; art galleries, retail; artists’ supplies; auction rooms; bicycles; books, magazines, and

newspapers; cameras and photographic supplies; clothing, shoes, and accessories; collectibles (cards,

coins, comics, stamps, etc.); convenience stores; department stores; drug stores and pharmacies; dry

goods; fabrics and sewing supplies; Rorists and houseplant stores (Indoor sales only (outdoor sales are

“Building and Landscape Materials Sales); furniture, furnishings, and appliances; hobby materials;

jewelry; luggage and leather goods; musical instruments, parts and accessories; orthopedic supplies;

religious goods; second hand stores; small wares; specialty shops; sporting goods and equipment;

stationery; toys and games; variety stores; video rental

Does not include pawnshops. Does not include accessory retail uses—the retail sale of various products

within a health care, hotel, oSce, or industrial complex to employees or customers, which are allowed

accessory to all other related commercial uses. Examples of accessory retail uses include pharmacies, gift

shops, and food service establishments within hospitals; and convenience stores and food service

establishments within hotel, oSce and industrial complexes.

Glass Product Manufacturing. An establishment that manufactures glass and/or glass products by melting

silica sand or cullet, including the production of Rat glass and other glass products that are pressed, blown or

shaped from glass produced in the same establishment. Artisan and craftsman type operations of larger scale

than home occupations are instead included under “Artisan/Craft Product Manufacturing”

Green. See Section 4.50 (Civic Spaces).

Groceries, Specialty Foods. A retail business where the majority of the Roor area open to the public is

occupied by food products packaged for preparation and consumption away from the store.

H. De6nitions, “H.”

Habitable Space. Space within a dwelling unit for living, sleeping, eating or cooking.

Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee. The Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee (Historic

SPARC) established by, and with powers and duties assigned by Zoning Ordinance Article 17 (Preservation of

the Cultural and Historic Environment). The Historic and Cultural Preservation Committee consists of the

membership of the Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee, plus one member representing the

Petaluma Historical Museum, and one member representing Heritage Homes of Petaluma.

Height-to-Width Ratio. The proportion of spatial enclosure related to the physiology of the human eye. If the

width of space is such that the cone vision encompasses less street wall than open sky, the degree of spatial

enclosure is slight. As a general rule, the tighter the ratio, the stronger the sense of place and, often, the

higher the real estate value.

Historic Register. The inventory of historic buildings within the Central Petaluma SpeciQc Plan area in

Appendix B (Historic Resources Survey).

Home Occupation. As deQned in Zoning Ordinance Section 1-203.

Hotel or Motel. A facility with guest rooms or suites, with or without kitchen facilities, rented to the general

public for transient lodging. Hotels typically include a variety of services in addition to lodging; for example,

restaurants, meeting facilities, personal services, etc. Also includes accessory guest facilities such as

swimming pools, tennis courts, indoor athletic facilities, accessory retail uses, etc.

I. De6nitions, “I.” No specialized terms beginning with the letter “I“ are deQned at this time.

J. De6nitions “J.” No specialized terms beginning with the letter “J“ are deQned at this time.

K. De6nitions, “K.”

Kennel, Animal Boarding. A commercial facility for the grooming, keeping, boarding or maintaining of four or

more dogs (four months of age or older), or four dogs or cats for sale in pet shops, or patients in animal

hospitals. See also “Veterinary Clinic, Animal Hospital.”

L. De6nitions, “L.”

Laboratory - Medical, Analytical, Testing. A facility for testing, analysis, and/or research. Examples of this

include medical labs, soils and materials testing labs, and forensic labs.

Large Family Day Care Home. See “Child Day Care Facilities.”

Laundry, Dry Cleaning Plant. A service establishment engaged primarily in high volume laundry and garment

services, including: carpet and upholstery cleaners; diaper services; dry-cleaning and garment pressing;

commercial laundries; linen supply. These facilities may include accessory customer pick-up facilities. These

facilities do not include coin-operated laundries or dry cleaning pick-up stores without dry cleaning

equipment; see “Personal Services.”

Layer. The depth of the lot measured from the frontage line within which certain elements are permitted. The

First Layer is the area between the frontage line and the façade line. The Second Layer is the area between

the façade line and 20 feet from the façade. The Third layer is that portion of the lot that is neither the First

layer nor the Second Layer.

Library, Museum. Public or quasi-public facilities, examples of which include: aquariums, arboretums, art

galleries and exhibitions, botanical gardens, historic sites and exhibits, libraries, museums, planetariums, and

zoos. May also include accessory retail uses such as gift/book shop, restaurant, etc.

Light Court. See “Terrace or Light Court,” Section 4.40 (Frontage Types).

Live/Work Unit. See Section 4.70.020 “Live/Work and Work/Live Units”.

Lot Area. Gross lot area is the total area included within the lot lines of a lot, exclusive of adjacent dedicated

street rights of way. The total of the area measured in a horizontal plane, within the parcel lines bounding the

lot, exclusive of:

1. Easements for streets or driveways which are not for the exclusive use of the parcel (lot) on which

any such easement is located;

2. The access strip required to serve a Rag parcel (lot).

Lot Coverage. The percentage of total lot area occupied by structures, including primary structures, all

accessory structures (e.g., carports, garages, patio covers, storage sheds, trash dumpster enclosures, etc.) and

architectural features (e.g., chimneys, balconies, decks above the Qrst Roor, porches, stairs, etc.). Coverage is

measured from exterior building wall to exterior building wall.

Lot Line or Property Line. Any recorded boundary of a lot. Types of lot line are as follows:

1. Front Lot Line. On an interior lot, the property line separating the parcel form the street. The front lot

   line on a corner lot is the line with the shortest frontage. (If the street-fronting lot line of a corner lot are

   equal in length, the front line shall be determined by the Director.) On a through lot, both lot lines are

   front lot line and the lot considered to have no rear lot line.

   2. Interior Lot Line. Any lot line not abutting a street.

   3. Rear Lot Line. A property line that does not intersect the front lot line, which is most distant from and

   most closely parallel to the front lot line.

   4. Side Lot Line. Any lot line that is not a front or rear lot line.

   Lot Width. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines, measured at right angles to the lot depth at a

   point midway between the front and rear lot lines. The Director shall determine lot width for parcels of

   irregular shape.

Lumber and Wood Product Manufacturing. Manufacturing, processing, and sales involving the milling of

forest products to produce rough and Qnished lumber and other wood materials for use in other

manufacturing, craft, or construction processes. Includes the following processes and products:

containers, pallets, and skids; matches (wood); milling operations; trusses and structural beams; turning

and shaping of wood products; wholesaling of basic wood products; wood product assembly

Does not include craft-type shops (“Handcraft Industries and Small-Scale Manufacturing”); other wood and

cabinet shops (“Furniture and Fixture Manufacturing, Cabinet Shops”); or the entirely indoor retail sale of

building materials, construction tools and equipment (“Building and Landscape Materials Sales”)

M. De6nitions, “M”.

Machinery Manufacturing. An establishment that makes or processes raw materials into Qnished machines or

parts for machines. Does not include the manufacture of electronics, equipment, or appliances (“Electronics,

Equipment, and Appliance Manufacturing”).

Marquee Signs. See Section 4.90 (Commercial Signage Standards).

Main Street Building. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Maintenance/Repair Service – Client Site Services. Base facilities for various businesses that provide services

on the premises of their clients. Includes gardening, janitorial, pest control, water and smoke damage

recovery, and similar services; and maintenance/ repair services for appliances, computers, electronics,

elevators, equipment, HVAC, instruments, and plumbing, where the service is performed on the client site.

Maintenance/Repair Service. A business facility that provides repair and/or maintenance services for

appliances, computers, electronics, and other types of non- vehicular-related equipment that is brought to

the facility by customers. These businesses do not operate on the same site as a retail establishment that

sells the product being maintained or repaired. When these services operate from a retail establishment that

sells the products being maintained or repaired, they are instead considered part of the retail use.

Mansion Apartment. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Media Production. Facilities for motion picture, television, video, sound, computer, and other communications

media production. These facilities include the following types.

1. Back lots/outdoor facilities. Outdoor sets, back lots, and other outdoor facilities, including supporting

indoor workshops and craft shops.

2. Indoor support facilities. Administrative and technical production support facilities, including

administrative and production oSces, post-production facilities (editing and sound recording studios,

foley stages, etc.), optical and special eUects units, Qlm processing laboratories, etc.

3. Soundstages. Warehouse-type facilities providing space for the construction and use of indoor sets,

including supporting workshops and craft shops.

Medical Services – Doctor OSce. A facility other than a hospital where medical, dental, mental health,

surgical, and/or other personal health care services are provided on an outpatient basis, and that

accommodates no more that three licensed primary practitioners (for example, chiropractors, medical

doctors, psychiatrists, etc.).

Counseling services by other than medical doctors or psychiatrists are included under “OSces – Professional.”

Medical Services – Clinic, Urgent Care. A facility other than a hospital where medical, mental health, surgical

and other personal health services are provided on an outpatient basis. Examples of these uses include:

medical oSces with four or more licensed practitioners and/ore medical specialties; out-patient care

facilities; urgent care facilities; other allied health services

These facilities may also include accessory medical laboratories. Counseling services by other than medical

doctors or psychiatrists are included under “OSces – Professional.”

Metal Products Fabrication, Machine or Welding Shop. An establishment engaged in the production and/or

assembly of metal parts, including the production of metal cabinets and enclosures, cans and shipping

containers, doors and gates, duct work, forgings and stampings, hardware and tools, plumbing Qxtures and

products, tanks, towers, and similar products. Examples of these uses include:

blacksmith and welding shops; plating, stripping, and coating shops; sheet metal shops; machine shops

and boiler shops

Mid-Rise. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Mixed-Use Project. See Section 4.70.030 “Mixed-Use Projects”.

Mortuary, Funeral Home. Funeral homes and parlors, where deceased are prepared for burial or cremation,

and funeral services may be conducted.

Motor Vehicles and Transportation Equipment. Manufacturers of equipment for transporting passengers and

cargo by land, air and water, including motor vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, ships, boats, railroad and other

vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles and snowmobiles. Includes manufacture of motor vehicle parts and

accessories; trailers and campers for attachment to other vehicles; self-contained motor homes; and van

conversions. Does not include mobile home and modular home assembly (listed under “Lumber and Wood

Products”).

Multi-Family Housing. A dwelling unit that is part of a structure containing one or more other dwelling units,

or a non-residential use. An example of the latter is a mixed- use project where, for example, one or more

dwelling units are part of a structure that also contains one or more commercial uses (retail, oSce, etc.).

Multi-family dwellings include: duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes (buildings under one ownership with two, three

or four dwelling units, respectively, in the same structure); apartments (Qve or more units under one

ownership in a single building); and townhouse development (three or more attached dwellings where no

unit located over another unit).

N. De6nitions, “N.”

Nature Park. See Section 4.50 (Civic Spaces).

Night Club. A facility serving alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption, and providing entertainment,

examples of which include live music and/or dancing, comedy, etc.

O. De6nitions, “O.”

OU-site. An activity or accessory use that is related to speciQc primary use, but is not located on the same site

as the primary use.

OSce. This Code distinguishes between the following types of oSces. These do not include medical oSces

(see “Medical Service – Clinic, Urgent Care,” and “Medical Service – Doctor OSce.”)

1. Accessory. An oSce facility incidental and accessory to another business or sales activity that is the

primary use. These are permitted accessory to any other use allowed by Section 3 of this Code (Building

Function Standards) in all the zones established by this Code.

2. Business/Service.

An establishment providing direct services to consumers. Examples of the uses include employment

agencies, insurance agent oSces, real estate oSces, travel agencies, utility company oSces, etc.

This use does not include “Bank, Financial Services,” which is separately deQned.

3. Government. An administrative, clerical, or public contact and/or service oSce of a local state, or

federal government agency. Includes post oSces, but not bulk mailing distribution centers, which are

under “Truck or Freight Terminal.”

4. Processing. An oSce-type facility characterized by high employee densities, and occupied by a

business engaged in information processing, and other computer- dependent and/or

telecommunications-based activities. Examples of these uses include:

airline, lodging chain, and rental care company reservation centers; computer software and

hardware design and development; consumer credit reporting; data processing services; health

management organization (HMO) oSces where no medical services are provided; Insurance claim

processing; mail order and electronic commerce transaction processing; telecommunications facility

design and management; telemarketing

5. Professional. An oSce-type facility occupied by a business that provides professional services and/or

is engaged in the production of intellectual property. Examples of these uses include:

accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services; advertising agencies; attorneys; commercial art and

design services; construction contractors (oSce facilities only); counseling services; court reporting

services; detective agencies and similar services; design services including architecture, engineering,

landscape architecture, urban planning; educational, scientiQc and research organizations; Qnancial

management and investment counseling; literary and talent agencies; management and public

relations services; media postproduction services; news services; photographers and photography

studios; psychologists; secretarial, stenographic, word processing, and temporary clerical employee

services; security and commodity brokers; writers and artists oSces;

Open Space. Area free of building that, together with a well-designed system of thoroughfares, provides a

public realm at all scales of urbanism, from the region to the block. Open space, to be eUectively environmentally, must be specialized in function and appropriate in location, and its types include parks,

greens, squares, plazas and playgrounds. The Petaluma River is also a public open space. Open space, to be

truly functional, open space should straddle pedestrian routes or be adjacent to meaningful destinations.

Care should also be taken that open spaces have visual supervision from fronting buildings.

Outbuilding. A structure that is physically detached from, secondary and incidental to, and commonly

associated with a primary structure on the same site.

P. De6nitions, “P.”

Paper Product Manufacturing. An establishment that converts per-manufactured paper or paperboard into

boxes, envelopes, paper bags wallpaper, etc., and/or that coats or glazes premanufactured paper. Does not

include the manufacturing of pulp, paper, or paperboard (see “Manufacturing – Heavy – Pulp and Pulp

Product Manufacturing”).

Parcel. See “Lot, or Parcel.”

Park. A large open area available for recreation, usually located at neighborhood edges, and fronted by

buildings. Its landscape is comprised of paved paths and trails, some open lawn, trees, and open shelters, all

naturalistically disposed and requiring limited maintenance.

Parking Facility, Public or Commercial. Includes both day use and long-term public and commercial garages,

parking lots and structures, except when accessory to a primary use. (All primary uses are considered to

include any customer or public use oU-street parking required by the Zoning Code.) Also includes “park and

ride” lots. Does not include dismantling yards.

Parking Layer. The area of a lot measured in depth from a frontage line behind which open parking is

permitted. See Illustration under “Layer.”

Pedestrian Frontage. The experience of the pedestrian as determined by the buildings alongside. Pedestrians

respond in a variety of ways to the experience of passing by speciQc ground-Roor frontages. The most likely to

please pedestrians are storefronts, followed by porches, fenestrated walls, and deep landscaped yards. The

frontages most repellent to pedestrians are, in order of bad to worse, garage doors, blank walls, open parking

lots, unbuUered parking structures, under-building parking, and open service areas.

Pedestrian Orientation. Any physical structure or place with design qualities and elements that contribute to

an active, inviting and pleasant place for pedestrians including:

1. Building Facades that are highly articulated at the street level, with interesting uses of material,

color, and architectural detailing, located directly behind the sidewalk;

2. A pleasing height to width ratio of building height to street width. See “Height-to- Width Ratio”.

3. Design amenities related to the street level such as awnings, paseos, arcades;

4. Visibility into buildings at the street level;

5. A continuous sidewalk, with a minimum of intrusions into pedestrian right-of way;

6. Continuity of building facades along the street with few interruptions in the progression of buildings

and stores;

7. Signs oriented and scaled to the pedestrian rather than the motorist;

8. Landscaping; and

9. Street furniture.

Pedestrian Oriented Use. A land use that is intended to encourage walk-in customers and that generally does

not limit the number of customers by requiring appointments or otherwise excluding the general public. A

pedestrian oriented use provides spontaneous draw from sidewalk and street due to visual interest, high

customer turnover, and social interaction.

Personal Services. Establishments providing non-medical services to individuals as a primary use. Examples of

these uses include:

barber and beauty shops; clothing rental; dry cleaning pick-up stores with limited equipment; home

electronics and small appliance repair; laundromats (self-service laundries); locksmiths; massage

(licensed, therapeutic, non-sexual); pet grooming with no boarding; shoe repair shops; tailors; tanning

salons

These uses may also include accessory retail sales of products related to the services provided.

Personal Services – Restricted. Personal services that may tend to have a blighting and/ or deteriorating eUect

upon surrounding areas and which may need to be dispersed to minimize their adverse impacts. Examples of

these uses include:

check cashing services; fortune tellers; palm and card readers; psychics; spas and hot tubs for hourly

rental; tattoo and body piercing services

Photo/Film Processing Lab. A facility that provides high volume and/or custom processing services for

photographic negative Qlm, transparencies, and/or prints, where the processed products are delivered to oU-

site retail outlets for customer pick-up. Does not include small-scale photo processing machines accessory to

other retail businesses.

Planning Commission. The City of Petaluma Planning Commission, appointed by the Petaluma City Council in

compliance with of Petaluma Planning Commission, appointed by the Petaluma City Council in compliance

with 65101, referred to throughout this Code as the “Commission”.

Planning Permit. Authority granted by the City to use a speciQed site for a particular purpose, including

Zoning Permits, Site Plan and Architectural Review, Conditional Use Permits, and Variances, as established by

the Zoning Ordinance.

Plastics, other Synthetics, and Rubber Product Manufacturing. The manufacture of rubber products including:

tires, rubber footwear, mechanical rubber goods, heels and soles, Rooring, and other rubber products from

natural, synthetic, or reclaimed rubber. Also includes establishments engaged primarily in manufacturing

tires; products from recycled or reclaimed plastics or Styrofoam; molding primary plastics for other

manufacturers, manufacturing miscellaneous Qnished plastics products, Qberglass manufacturing, and Qber

glass application services. Does not include establishments engaged primarily in recapping and retreading

automobile tires (“Vehicle Services – major Repair/Body work”).

Playground. See Section 4.50 (Civic Spaces)

Plaza. See Section 4.50 (Civic Spaces)

Porch: Engaged. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Porch: Projecting. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Primary Frontage. See “Layer” deQnition, Section 4.10 (Urban Standards Table), and Section 5.10

(Thoroughfare Map)

Primary Structure. A structure that accommodates the primary use of the site.

Primary Use. The main purpose for which a site is developed and occupied, including the activities that are

conducted on the site a majority of the hours during which activities occur.

Private Residential Recreation Facility. A privately-owned, non-commercial outdoor recreation facility provided

for residential project or neighborhood residents, including swimming pools, swim and tennis clubs, park and

sport court facilities. Does not include golf courses and country clubs, which are separately deQned.

Printing and Publishing. A small-scale establishment engaged in printing by letterpress, lithography, gravure,

screen, oUset, or electrostatic (xerographic) copying; and other establishments serving the printing trade such

as bookbinding, typesetting, engraving, photoengraving, and electrotyping. This use also includes

establishments that publish newspapers, books and periodicals; establishments manufacturing business

forms and binding devices. “Quick printing” services are included in the deQnition of “Business Support

Services.”

Property Line. The recorded boundary of a parcel of land.

Public Open Space. See Section 4.50 (Civic Spaces).

Public Safety Facility. A facility operated by a public agency including Qre stations, other Qre prevention and

Qre Qghting facilities, police and sheriU substations and headquarters, including interim incarceration

facilities.

Q. De6nitions, “Q.” No specialized terms beginning with the letter “Q” are deQned at this time.

R. De6nitions, “R.”

Recycling – Small Collection Facility. A center where the public may donate, redeem or sell recyclable

materials, which occupies an area of 350 square feet or less and may include:

1. A mobile unit;

2. Bulk reverse vending machines or a grouping of reverse vending machines occupying more than 50

square feet; and

3. Kiosk-type units that may include permanent structures.

Research and Development (R&D). A facility for scientiQc research, and the design, development and testing

of electrical, electronic, magnetic, optical and computer and telecommunications components in advance of

product manufacturing, and the assembly of related products from parts produced oU-site, where the

manufacturing activity is secondary to the research and development activities. Includes pharmaceutical,

chemical and biotechnology research and development. Does not include soils and other materials testing

laboratories (see “Laboratory”), or medical laboratories (see “Medical Service – Clinic, Laboratory, Urgent

Care”).

Restaurant, Café, CoUee Shop. A retail business selling ready-to-eat food and/or beverages for on- or oU-

premise consumption. These include eating establishments where customers are served from an ordering

counter for either on- or oU- premise consumption (“counter service”); establishments where customers are

served food at their tables for on-premise consumption (“table service”), which may also provide food for

take-out; and exclusively pedestrian-oriented facilities that serve from a walk-up ordering counter.

Retail Frontage Line. Certain frontage lines designated for mandatory retail on the Zoning Map. These facades

are subject to special adaptation for retail use at the ground story.

Review Authority. The individual of oScial City body (the Community Development Directory, Planning

Commission, or City Council) identiQed by this Code as having the responsibility and authority to review, and

approve or disapprove the permit applications required by Part 2 (Zones and Allowable Land Uses).

S. De6nitions, “S.”

School. A public or private academic educational institution, including:

boarding school; community college, college, or university; elementary, middle, and junior high schools;

high school; military academy

Also includes schools providing specialized education/training. Examples include the following:

art school; ballet and other dance school; business, secretarial, and vocational school; computers and

electronics school; drama school; driver education school; establishments providing courses by mail;

language school; music school; professional school (law, medicine, etc.); seminaries/religious ministry

training facility

Also includes facilities, institutions and conference centers that oUer specialized programs in personal growth

and development, such as Qtness, environmental awareness, arts, communications, and management. Does

not include pre-schools and child day care facilities (see “Child Day Care Facilities”). See also the deQnition of

“Studios – Art, Dance, Martial Arts, Music, etc.” for smaller-scale facilities oUering specialized instruction.

Secondary Frontage. See “Layer” deQnition, Section 4.10 (Urban Standards Table), and Section 5.10

(Thoroughfare Map)

Service Station. See “Gas Station,” and “Vehicle Services.”

Setback. The distance between a building wall and an adjacent lot line. The setback requirements of this Code

are measured and applied to property as follows.

1. Front. The front setback is measured at right angles from the nearest point on the front property

line of the parcel or back of sidewalk easement, shown as “frontage line” on thoroughfare cross sections

(or edge of access or sidewalk easement on a private street) to the nearest point of the wall of the

structure. The front property line or frontage line is the most narrow dimension of a lot adjacent to a

street. A double- frontage or “through” lot has two front setbacks.

2. Side. The side setback is measured at right angles from the nearest point on the side property line of

the parcel to the nearest point of the wall of the structure; establishing a setback line parallel to the side

property line, which extends between the front and rear setback lines.

3. Rear. The rear yard shall be measured at right angles from the nearest point on the rear property

line to the nearest line of the structure, establishing a setback line parallel to the rear property line.

Shopfront. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Shopping Center. A primarily retail commercial site with Qve or more separate businesses sharing common

pedestrian and parking areas.

Sidewalk Signs. See Section 4.90 (Commercial Signage Standards).

Sign. As deQned in the Petaluma Sign Ordinance.

Single-Family Dwelling. A free-standing building designed for and/or occupied by one household. Also

includes factory-built, modular housing units, constructed in compliance with the Uniform Building Code

(UBC), and mobile homes/manufactured housing units that comply with the National Manufactured Housing

Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974, place on permanent foundations.

Site. A parcel or adjoining parcels under single ownership or single control, considered a unit for the purposes

of development or other use.

Small Family Day Care Home. See “Day Care.”

Small Product Manufacturing. Establishments manufacturing and/or assembling small products primarily by

hand, including manufacturing establishments producing small products not classiQed in another major manufacturing group, including: brooms and brushes; buttons, costume novelties; jewelry; musical

instruments; pens, pencils, and other oSce and artists’ materials; sporting and athletic goods; toys; etc. See

also “Artisan/Craft Product Manufacturing.”

Spatial DeQnition. The fabric achieved when enfronting facades are aligned in a coherent manner, and the

deQned space does not exceed a certain height-to-width ratio. See Height-to-Width Ratio.

Sports and Entertainment Assembly Facility. A large-scale indoor or outdoor facility accommodating

spectator-oriented sports, concerts, and other entertainment activities. Examples of this land use include

amphitheaters, racetracks, stadiums and coliseums. May also include commercial facilities customarily

associated with the above uses, including bars and restaurants, gift shops, video game arcades, etc.

Square. See Section 4.50 (Civic Spaces)

Stone and Cut Stone Product Manufacturing. An establishment that cuts, shapes, and/or Qnishes marble,

granite, slate, and/or other stone for construction and miscellaneous uses. Does not include establishments

engaged primarily in buying or selling partly Qnished monuments and tombstones (“Handcraft Industries,

Small Scale Manufacturing”)

Stoop. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Storage - Accessory. The indoor storage of materials accessory and incidental to a primary use is not

considered a land use separate form the primary use.

Storage – Storage Yard. The open storage of various materials outside of a structure other than fencing,

either as an accessory or principal use.

Storage – Warehouse, Indoor Storage. Facilities for the storage of furniture, household goods, or other

commercial goods of any nature. Includes cold storage. Does not include: warehouse, storage or mini-storage

facilities oUered for rent or lease to the general public; warehouse facilities primarily used for wholesaling

and distribution (see “Wholesaling and Distribution”); or terminal facilities for handling freight (see “Truck or

Freight Terminal”)

Story. A habitable level within a building of no more than 14 feet in height from Qnished Roor to Qnished

ceiling. Basements that emerge less than 4 feet from grade or attics not exceeding 4 feet at the knee-wall

shall not constitute a story.

Streetwall. An opaque, freestanding wall built along the frontage line, or coplanar with the façade. Streetwalls

shall be between 3.5 and 6 feet in height, the lower height generally used to screen surface parking lots, the

higher height to provide privacy for residential back yards, and constructed of a material matching the

adjacent building façade. The wall may be replaced by a hedge if approved by warrant. Streetwalls may have

openings no larger than necessary to allow automobile and pedestrian access. At driveway or alley openings,

streetwalls shall turn and extend a minimum of 5’ parallel to the driveway or alley where feasible.

Structural Clay and Pottery Product Manufacturing. An establishment that produces brick and structural clay

products, including pipe, china plumbing Qxtures, vitreous china parts, and/or Qne earthenware and porcelain

products. Does not include artist/ craftsman uses (see “Handcraft Industries and Small Scale Manufacturing,”

“Home Occupations”).

Structure. Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires attachment to the ground or

attachment to something located on the ground. For the purposes of this Code, the term “structure” includes

“buildings,” but does not include fences and walls, or swimming pools.

Studio – Art, Dance, Martial Arts, Music, etc. Small scale facilities, typically accommodating one group of

students at time, in no more than one instructional space. Larger facilities are included under the deQnition of

“schools – Specialized education and training.” Examples of these facilities include: individual and group

instruction and training in the arts; production rehearsal’ photography, and the processing of photographs

produced only by users of the studio facilities; martial arts training studios; gymnastics, yoga, and similar

instruction; and aerobics and gymnastics studios with no other Qtness facilities or equipment.

Subdivision. The division, by any subdivider, of any unit or portion of land shown on the latest equalized

Sonoma County assessment roll as a unit or contiguous units, for the purpose of sale, lease or Qnancing,

whether immediate or future. Property shall be considered as contiguous units, even if it is separated by

roads, streets, utility easement ore railroad rights-of-way. Subdivision includes the following as deQned in

includes the following as deQned in 1315: a condominium project; a community apartment project; or the

conversion of Qve or more existing dwelling units to a stock cooperative.

T. De6nitions, “T.”

Tasting Room. A facility or portion of a facility that supports a small-scale artisan craft brewery, distillery, or

winery. The tasting room shall only serve and/or sell those beverages produced by the operating

manufacturer and may operate at a separate location from the production facilities if under a duplicate ABC

license type. The tasting room must also comply with all applicable ABC and State regulations for wine, beer,

and distilled spirit manufacturers and tasting rooms.

Telecommunications Facility. As deQned in Zoning Ordinance Section 1-203

Temporary Structure. A structure without a foundation or footings, and that can be immediately removed

when required.

Temporary Use. A use of land that is designed, operated and occupies a site for a limited period of time,

typically less than 12 months. Temporary surface parking lots shall have the time period for use permitted as

noted in of land that is designed, operated and occupies a site for a limited period of time, typically less than

12 months. Temporary surface parking lots shall have the time period for use permitted as noted in 6.10.020

B.

Terminated Vista. The visual composition at the axial termination of a thoroughfare. Raymond Unwin stated

that “vistas should be terminated and the termination should be signiQcant.” By signiQcant he meant not

leaving it to chance or “happy accident.” This stricture is rather demanding, as there are few buildings worthy

of sustaining the importance of an axial termination. It is therefore usually acceptable for a vista to be

deRected by an angle of the thoroughfare until a suitable termination can be eUected. As a rule, the

termination or deRection should occur within 1,000 feet of any vantage point, as architectural detail beyond

that distance is usually ineUective.

Terrace. See Section 4.40 (Private Frontage Standards).

Textile and Leather Product Manufacturing. An establishment that converts basic Qbers (natural or synthetic)

into a product, including yarn or fabric, that can be further manufactured into usable items (“Clothing and

Fabric Product Manufacturing”), and industries that transform hides into leather by tanning or curing.

Includes:

coating, waterprooQng, or otherwise treating fabric; dressed and dyed furs; dying and Qnishing Qber,

yarn, fabric, and knit apparel; leather-tanned, curried, and Qnished; manufacture of knit apparel and

other Qnished products from yarn; manufacture of felt goods, lace goods, non-woven fabrics and

miscellaneous textiles; manufacturing of woven fabric, carpets, and rugs from yarn; preparation of Qber

and subsequent manufacturing of yarn, threads, braids, twine cordage; scouring and combing plants;

upholstery manufacturing; yarn and thread mills;

Theater, Movie or Live Performance. An indoor facility for public assembly and group entertainment, other

than sporting events. Examples of these facilities include:

civic theaters, and facilities for “live” theater and concerts; movie theaters; similar public assembly

facilities

See also “Sports and Entertainment Assembly.”

Thoroughfare. An urban element that provides the major part of the public open space as well as moving

lanes for vehicles. A thoroughfare is endowed with two attributes: capacity and character. Capacity is the

number of vehicles that can move safely through a segment of a thoroughfare within a given time period. It is

physically manifested by the number of lanes and their width, by the centerline radius, the curb radius, and

the super elevation of the pavement. Character is the suitability of a thoroughfare as a setting for pedestrian

activities and as a location for a variety of building types. Character is physically manifested by the associated

frontage types as determined by the location within the Transect.

Townhouse. See Section 4.80 (Building Type Standards).

Transect. A system of classiQcation deploying the conceptual range rural-to-urban to arrange in useful order

the typical elements of urbanism. The transect technique is derived from ecological analysis where it is

applied to present the sequence of natural habitat from, for example, shore-dune-upland or wetland-

woodland-prairie. It is a natural ordering system for urbanism, as every urban element easily Qnds a place

within its continuum. For example, a street is more urban than a road, a curb more urban than a swale, a

brick wall more urban than a wooden one, an allee of trees more urban than a cluster. This gradient when

rationalized and subdivided, becomes the urban Transect, the basis of the common zoning system in this

Code.

Transit Station or Terminal. A full-service (e.g., ticketing, waiting and boarding areas, restrooms, etc.)

passenger station for vehicular, and rail mass transit systems; also terminal facilities providing maintenance

and service for the vehicles operated in the transit system. Includes buses, taxis, railway, etc. Does not include

individual “stops” for transit, busses, etc, without facilities other than shelter.

Truck or Freight Terminal. A transportation facility furnishing services incidental to air, motor freight, and rail

transportation. Examples of these facilities include:

freight forwarding services; freight terminal facilities; joint terminal and service facilities; overnight mail

processing facilities; packing, crating, inspection and weighing services; postal service bulk mailing

distribution centers; transportation arrangement services; trucking facilities, including transfer and

storage

U. De6nitions, “U.”

Use. The purpose for which land or a structure is designed, arranged, intended, occupied, or maintained.

Use, Accessory. See “Accessory Use.”

Use, Primary. See “Primary Use.”

Utility Facility. A Qxed-base structure or facility serving as a junction point for transferring electric utility

services from one transmission voltage to another or to local distribution and service voltages, and similar

facilities for water supply and natural gas distribution. These uses include any of the following facilities that

are not exempted from land use permit requirements by or facility serving as a junction point for transferring

electric utility services from one transmission voltage to another or to local distribution and service voltages,

and similar facilities for water supply and natural gas distribution. These uses include any of the following

facilities that are not exempted from land use permit requirements by 53091:

corporation and maintenance yards; electrical substations and switching stations; natural gas regulating

and distribution facilities; public water system wells, treatment plants and storage; telephone switching

facilities; wastewater treatment plants, settling ponds and disposal Qelds

These uses do not include oSce or customer service centers (classiQed in “OSces”), or telecommunications

facilities, which are separately deQned.

Utility Infrastructure. Pipelines for water, natural gas, and sewage collection and disposal; and facilities for the

transmission of electrical energy for sale, including transmission lines for a public utility company. Also

includes telephone, telegraph, cable television and other communications transmission facilities utilizing

direct physical conduits. Does not include oSces or service centers (see “OSces - Business and Service”), or

distribution substations (see “Utility Facility”).

V. De6nitions, “V.”

Vehicle Services. The repair, servicing, alteration, restoration, towing, painting, cleaning, or Qnishing of

automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats and other vehicles as a primary use, including the incidental

wholesale and retail sale of vehicle parts as an accessory use. This use includes the following categories.

1. Major Repair/Body Work. These establishments include towing, collision repair, other body work, and

painting services; tire recapping.

2. Minor Maintenance/Repair. Minor facilities providing limited repair and maintenance services.

Examples include: car washes, attended and self-service; car stereo and alarm system installers; detailing

services; muTer and radiator shops; quick-lube services; tire and battery sales and installation (not

including recapping).

Does not include automobile parking (see “Parking Facilities”), repair shops that are part of a vehicle

dealership on the same site (see “Auto and Vehicle Sales and Rental,” and “Mobile Home, RV, and Boat Sales

and Rental”); gas stations, which are separately deQned; or dismantling yards, which are included under

“Recycling - Scrap and Dismantling Yards.”

Vehicle Storage. A service facility for the long-term storage of operative cars, trucks, buses, recreational

vehicles, and other motor vehicles, for clients. Does not include dismantling yards (classiQed in “Recycling -

Scrap and Dismantling Yards”).

Veterinary Clinic, Animal Hospital. OSce and indoor medical treatment facilities used by veterinarians,

including large and small animal veterinary clinics, and animal hospitals.

W. De6nitions, “W.”

Wall Signs. See Section 4.90 (Commercial Signage Standards).

Wall Mural Signs. See Section 4.90 (Commercial Signage Standards).

Warehouse. See “Storage - Warehouse, Indoor Storage.”

Wholesaling and Distribution. Establishments engaged in selling merchandise to retailers; to contractors,

industrial, commercial, institutional, farm, or professional business users; to other wholesalers; or acting as

agents or brokers in buying merchandise for or selling merchandise to such persons or companies. Examples

of these establishments include:

agents, merchandise or commodity brokers, and commission merchants; assemblers, buyers and

associations engaged in the cooperative marketing of farm products; merchant wholesalers; stores

primarily selling electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning supplies and equipment.

Also includes storage, processing, packaging, and shipping facilities for mail order and e-commerce retail

establishments.

Window Signs. See Section 4.90 (Commercial Signage Standards).

Work/Live Unit. See Section 4.70.020 “Live/Work and Work/Live Units”.

X. De6nitions, “X.” No specialized terms beginning with the letter “X” are deQned at this time.

Y. De6nitions, “Y.”

Yard Signs. See Section 4.90 (Commercial Signage Standards).

Z. De6nitions, “Z.”

Zero Emission Vehicle. A zero emission vehicle is any type of vehicle that has no tailpipe emissions. Vehicles

run on electric motors and are powered by electricity delivered from batteries or hydrogen and fuel cells. In

contrast to conventional internal combustion vehicles, zero emission vehicles prevent air pollution, lower

greenhouse gas emissions, and help integrate renewable energy into the transportation sector. There are two

kinds of zero emission vehicles: plug-in electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

Zero Emission Vehicles (Battery Charging Station). An accessory use consisting of one or more electric vehicle

charging spaces served by an electric vehicle charger or other charging equipment. This includes any level of

electric vehicle supply equipment station that is designed and built in compliance with Article 625 of the

California Electrical Code and delivers electricity from a source outside an electric vehicle into a plug-in

electric vehicle.

Zero Emission Vehicles (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Station). One or more hydrogen fuel cell Qlling spaces served by

equipment that stores, conveys, and dispenses hydrogen to zero emission vehicles. (Ord. 2765 § 3(B), 2021;

Ord. 2729 § 5, 2020.)

The Petaluma SmartCode is current through Ordinance 2864, passed October 2, 2023.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s oSce has the oScial version of the Petaluma SmartCode. Users should contact the city

clerk’s oSce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.