Title 9 — Planning and Zoning[1]
Rancho Santa Margarita Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Rancho Santa Margarita
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Title 9 - Planning and Zoning[[1]]
Footnotes:
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Editor's note— Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), adopted April 11, 2007, enacted provisions intended for use as Chapters 9.1 through 9.11. To preserve the style of this Code, and at the discretion of the editor, said provisions have been redesignated as Chapters 9.01 through 9.11.
Chapter 9.01 - General Provisions
Sec. 9.01.010. - Purpose.
This Title has been adopted in accordance with Government Code §§ 65800 et seq. and is established to:
(1)
Serve the public health, safety, and general welfare;
(2)
Implement the General Plan; and
(3)
Provide the economic and social advantages resulting from an orderly planned use of land and resources.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007)
Sec. 9.01.020. - Title.
This Ordinance shall be known as the Planning and Zoning Title of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code or the "Rancho Santa Margarita Zoning Code."
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 07-07, § 4, 11-14-2007)
Sec. 9.01.030. - Authority.
This Zoning Code is adopted pursuant to Article XI Section 7, of the Constitution of the State and in compliance with the requirements of Government Code Title 7, Planning and Zoning Law, for the purpose of promoting the public health, safety, and general welfare.
(1)
Development Services Director authority. Subject to the general control and supervision of the City Manager, the Development Services Director shall have the following duties, responsibilities, and authority for this Title, as well as other duties, responsibilities, and authority prescribed for the Development Services Director under other laws and ordinances, City regulations, and administrative provisions:
a.
The Development Services Director shall be responsible for the processing of all development applications in this Title, in accordance with the applicable provisions contained in that Section. Table 9.08.1 of Chapter 9.08 identifies which applications the Development Services Director has authority to approve or deny.
b.
The Development Services Director shall have authority or responsibilities assigned by the provisions of this Title. Said authority and responsibility may be delegated through deputies or assistants appointed by the Director for such purpose. Therefore, any time the term "Development Services Director" is used in this Title, it shall mean "Development Services Director or his/her designee."
c.
The Development Services Director shall be responsible for determining the applicable Section of this Title that applies when separate provisions of this Title appear to be in conflict.
d.
The Development Services Director shall review the plans and process building permit applications for subdivisions and create and assign official street addresses.
e.
The Development Services Director shall investigate and submit to the Planning Commission or City Council, his/her findings on appeals where it is alleged there is an error or abuse of discretion in any order, requirement, decision, or determination made during the administration of this Title.
(2)
Building Official authority. Subject to the general control and supervision of the City Manager or his/her designee, the Building Official shall have the following duties, responsibilities and authority for this Title, as well as other duties, responsibilities and authority prescribed for the Building Official under other laws and ordinances, City regulations, and administrative provisions:
a.
The Building Official shall be responsible for the following inspection and plan checking duties:
1.
To check plans and make structural inspections of residential and non-residential construction to ensure compliance with the latest adopted Uniform Building Code and other related codes and laws; and
2.
To check plans and make inspections of construction work for conformity with the latest adopted Mechanical Code, National Electrical Code, Uniform Plumbing Code and any other related Codes and laws.
b.
The Building Official shall have authority or responsibilities assigned by the provisions of this Title. Said authority and responsibility may be delegated through deputies or assistants appointed by the Building Official for such purpose. Therefore, any time the term "Building Official" is used in this Title, it shall mean "Building Official or his/her designee."
c.
The Building Official in cooperation with the Development Services Director shall issue certificates of use and occupancy for all building construction and modifications that may change the occupancy or building classification of existing buildings.
d.
Where any use of land, building, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration or addition to any building or structure is being done contrary to the provisions of this Title, the Building Official may order the work stopped by notice in writing served to any person engaged in doing or causing such work to be done, and any such person shall forthwith stop such work until authorized to recommence by the Building Official.
(3)
Code Enforcement authority. Subject to the general control and supervision of the City Manager or his/her designee, the Code Enforcement Officer shall investigate all purported violations of any of the provisions of this Title, investigate complaints and conduct the follow up of violations to this Title, including serving as a courtroom witness.
(4)
City Engineer authority. Subject to the general control and supervision of the City Manager, the City Engineer shall have the following duties, responsibilities and authority for this Title, as well as other duties, responsibilities and authority prescribed for the City Engineer under other laws and ordinances, City regulations and administrative provisions:
a.
The City Engineer shall provide the engineering and technical review of plans, and field inspections of drainage, soil, and geological conditions relating to building, infrastructure, and earthwork construction as set forth in this Title.
b.
The City Engineer shall issue all transportation, grading, landscaping, and encroachment permits.
c.
The City Engineer shall have authority or responsibilities assigned by the provisions of this Title. Said authority and responsibility may be delegated through deputies or assistants appointed by the City Engineer for such purpose. Therefore, any time the term "City Engineer" is used in this Title, it shall mean "City Engineer or his/her designee."
(5)
Planning Commission authority.
a.
The Planning Commission authority is per Chapter 2.20. With respect to this Title, the Planning Commission shall have the authority and responsibilities described and illustrated in Chapter 9.08 and anywhere else the Planning Commission is identified within this Title.
b.
The Planning Commission's functions are identified in Table 9.08.1 in Chapter 9.08 and include:
1.
Reviewing certain applications and forwarding recommendations to the City Council; and
2.
Hearing and deciding appeals to Development Services Director decisions. In certain instances (see Chapter 9.08), the Planning Commission has the authority to approve, conditionally approve or deny an application, and their decision is final unless appealed to the City Council.
(6)
City Council authority. The City Council authority is per Chapter 2.10. With respect to this Title, the City Council shall have the direct authority and responsibilities described and illustrated in Chapter 9.08 Administration, and anywhere else the City Council is identified within this Title. The City Council's primary function is to consider various project applications and Planning Commission recommendations. The City Council has the authority to approve, conditionally approve or deny certain applications as identified in Table 9.08.1 of Chapter 9.08.
The City Council shall constitute the Board of Appeals for decisions by the Planning Commission. Only matters originally heard by the Planning Commission shall be appealable to the City Council and their decision is final (see Chapter 9.08). Appeals heard and decided by the Planning Commission are not appealable to the City Council.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 07-07, §§ 2, 4, 11-14-2007)
Sec. 9.01.040. - Effect of provisions.
(a)
Effective date. Chapters 9.01 through 9.11 shall take effect and be in force on and after 30 days following the date of adoption.
(b)
Effectuation. The provisions of this Title governing the use of land, buildings and structures, the size of yards, abutting buildings and structures, height and bulk of buildings, standards of performance, and other provisions are in effect upon all lands within the City's jurisdiction.
(c)
Effect on existing laws and ordinances. The provisions of this Title shall not be interpreted to repeal, abrogate, annul, or in any way affect any existing provision of any statute, permit, deed restriction, or covenant adopted or issued relating to the use of land or buildings, or the erection, construction, moving, alteration or enlargement of any structure or improvement.
(d)
Effect on private agreements/development agreements. The provisions of this Title shall not interfere with, abrogate, or annul any easements, covenants, or other existing agreements between parties.
(e)
Effect on planned community texts and feature plans. The zoning map, standards, and regulations codified in this Title wholly replace the regulations of any previously approved planned community and feature plan documents. Improvements and development existing on or before (30 days following the date of adoption) and that do not conform to the property development and performance standards in this Title shall continue to exist as provided in Section 9.04.080, unless otherwise stated in this Title.
(f)
Effect on developed land. The provisions of this Title apply to new development, as well as to the modification and redevelopment of previously developed property, unless otherwise noted in Section 9.04.080. Improvements and development existing on or before (30 days following the date of adoption) and that do not conform to the property development and performance standards in this Title shall continue to exist as provided in Section 9.04.080 unless otherwise stated in this Title.
(g)
Effect on County Code. The provisions of this Title shall supersede and take precedence over any conflicting provision of the Codified Ordinances of the County of Orange that may have been incorporated into this Code by reference or that may have been saved from repeal therefrom.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 07-07, § 5, 11-14-2007; Ord. No. 13-01, § 11, 8-14-2013)
Sec. 9.01.050. - Interpretation.
(a)
Interpretation as minimum requirements. The provisions of this Title are held to be the minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, comfort, convenience, and general welfare.
(b)
Interpretation duties. If ambiguity arises concerning the content or intent of this Title with respect to appropriate classifications, allowable uses, definitions, zone boundaries, height, yard, and setback requirements, or other standards or requirements, the Development Services Director shall ascertain all pertinent facts, and set forth the findings and interpretation(s). Unless such finding and interpretation is appealed to the Planning Commission, the Development Services Director's interpretation shall thereafter govern.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 07-07, § 2, 11-14-2007)
Sec. 9.01.055. - Consistency with all laws.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary, any use, entitlement, authorization, license, or permit allowed or issued under this Title, including without limitation any accessory or ancillary use, shall be consistent with applicable State and Federal law. Any permit, license, entitlement, or authorization issued in conflict with the provisions of controlling State or Federal law, or the provisions of this Title, shall be null and void.
(Ord. No. 09-05, § 1, 12-9-2009)
Sec. 9.01.060. - Definitions—General.
For the purposes of this Title, certain terms are hereby defined. Words used in the present tense shall include the past and future tense, and vice versa; words in the singular form shall include the plural form and vice versa; any gender includes the other gender. The words "shall" and "will" are mandatory and the word "may" is permissive.
Words and phrases used in the Zoning Code and not specifically defined shall be construed according to the context and approved usage of the language, and as ultimately determined by the Development Services Director.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 07-07, §§ 2, 4, 11-14-2007)
Sec. 9.01.070. - "A" definitions.
Abandonment means the cessation of use and maintenance of a property by the owner for a specified period of time.
Abate means to end a nuisance, emergency, or nonconformance.
Abut or abutting means a parcel of land having a common boundary with another parcel of land, including parcels which have no common boundary other than a common corner.
Access means the place or way by which pedestrians and/or vehicles shall have safe, adequate and suitable ingress and egress to a property or use as required by this Title.
Accessory dwelling unit shall mean an attached or detached residential dwelling unit which provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons. It shall include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation on the same parcel as the single-family dwelling is situated. An accessory dwelling unit also includes an efficiency unit, as defined in California Health and Safety Code § 17958.1, and a manufactured home, as defined in California Health and Safety Code § 18007.
Accessory structure or accessory building means a structure or building that is incidental to the principal structure. Such structures may be attached to or detached from the principal structure. Typical accessory structures would include, but are not limited to, garages, gazebos, workshops, sheds, decks, and patios. Except for accessory dwelling units and caretaker's residences as defined in this Title, accessory structures and buildings are not designed for human habitation.
Accessory use means a use of a portion of land or building that is customarily and clearly incidental and subordinate to the principal use of the land or building that is located on the same lot as such principal use. Accessory uses typically are very small in proportion to the principal use
Acreage, gross means the total land area within a defined lot or parcel of land before the exclusion of public streets and rights-of-way, public parks, public school sites and other public facilities.
Acreage, net means the total area of a site or lot minus any and all required dedications for public streets and rights-of-way, public parks, public school sites and other public facilities.
Adjacent means lying near or close to each other. Separated only by an alley, street, highway or recorded easement.
Adjoining means joined contiguous to, in contact with each other so that no third object intervenes.
Adult business. See Section 9.04.030 and Chapter 6.10.
Adult day care facility means any family home, group care facility, or similar facility (as determined by the State) licensed by the State to provide less than 24-hour non-medical care of persons in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual.
Adult living facility. See "Rest home."
Affordable housing means housing which is rented or sold for an amount that is limited by a set percentage of the County median income, adjusted for family size, as reported and updated annually by the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as defined in Government Code § 65589.5(h) (3).
Agent means any person authorized to act for the owner of a property by virtue of a notarized statement of authorization, a proof of contract to purchase, or a lease to the property.
Allowed means permitted pursuant to the regulation in this Title.
Alley means a narrow service way, either public or private, which provides a permanently reserved but secondary means of public access. Alleys are not intended for general traffic circulation, but for services and delivery access. Alleys are typically located along rear property lines.
Alteration means any interior or exterior change to a structure.
Amateur radio antenna means any antenna used for the purpose of transmitting and receiving radio signals in conjunction with an amateur radio station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) e.g., for a "ham" radio.
Animal, domestic means any tame and domesticated animal or household pet commonly maintained in a household.
Animal day care means a commercial recreation facility that provides nonmedical care to domestic animals, typically dogs, in need of supervision on less than a 24-hour basis. This classification includes activities such as feeding, exercising, grooming and incidental activities.
Animal hospital means a facility where animals are given medical or surgical treatment and are cared for during the time of such treatment. Same as "veterinary clinic."
Animal shelter means a facility providing short-term and long-term boarding for stray animals which may include services such as pet adoption, spay/neuter clinics and the reunion of pets and their owners.
Annexation means the incorporation of land area into the jurisdiction of the City with a resulting change in the boundaries of the City.
Antenna means any system of wires, poles, rods, reflecting disks or similar devices used for the transmission and/or reception of electromagnetic radiation waves, including devices having active elements extending in any direction and directional parasitic arrays having elements attached to a generally horizontal boom which may be mounted upon a vertical support structure.
Antenna, dish means an antenna distinguished from a "conventional" antenna by the use of a parabolic or spherical disk.
Antenna, ground-mounted means an antenna, the entire weight of which is supported by a platform, framework, or other structural system, which system is affixed directly on or in the ground by a foundation and which system is freestanding, excluding lateral bracing to a building.
Antenna height means the overall vertical length of the antenna and grade, including any building on which the antenna is mounted.
Antenna, roof-mounted means an antenna, the entire weight of which is supported by the roof of a building through the use of a framework or other structural system.
Apartment means one or more rooms with private bath and kitchen facilities comprising an independent self-contained dwelling unit in a building containing two or more dwelling units for rent only.
Apartment building means a structure containing two or more apartment units.
Appeal means a request by a project applicant or other qualified individual or agency for a City body to modify, reconsider, or reverse a decision rendered by a subordinate City body or City staff.
Applicant means the owner(s) or lessee(s) of property, or their authorized agents, or person(s) seeking discretionary or nondiscretionary approval from the City.
Arcade means a series of arches, typically covered, supported by columns, pilasters, or piers.
Arcade, video means a business establishment containing four or more video, pinball, or similar playeroperated amusement devices for commercial use.
Architectural projection means anything attached to and extended outside the outer face of the exterior wall of a structure and not intended for shelter or occupancy, including, but not limited to, stairs, balconies, fireplaces, etc.
Area median income (AMI) means the median family income (MFI) of a geographic area, estimated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Assisted living facility means an establishment that provides services to assist with daily activities, including, but not limited to, dressing, grooming, bathing, etc.
Attached means connected, or in a reference to dwelling units, sharing at least one common wall.
Attic means the uninhabitable space between the upper surface of the top floor and the roof above. An attic is not considered a story.
Auto repair, major means general repair, rebuilding, or reconditioning of engines, motor vehicles or trailers, including, but not limited to, body work, framework, welding, and major painting service.
Auto repair, minor means the replacement of any part of repair or any part that does not require removal of the engine head or pan, engine transmission or differential; incidental body and fender work, minor painting, and upholstering service.
Average daily traffic (ADT) means the average number of vehicles using a traveled way for a 24-hour period determined by dividing the total number of vehicles for a stated period by the number of days in that time period. In calculating vehicle trips, trucks with trailers shall be adjusted to a passenger car equivalent.
Awning means a nonstructural roof-like cover that is attached to and projects from the wall of a structure.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 11-02, § 1, 4-27-2011; Ord. No. 18-01, §§ 4, 5, 2-142018; Ord. No. 24-07, § 3, 9-11-2024)
Sec. 9.01.080. - "B" definitions.
Balcony means a platform construction that projects from the wall of a building and is surrounded by railing.
Bar means any commercial establishment licensed by the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to serve any alcoholic beverages on the premises for which the license has been issued.
Base district or base zoning district means a portion of the city within which only certain land uses and structures are permitted and certain standards are established for development of land.
Basement means an area of a structure partially or completely underground. A basement is not considered a story unless over 50 percent of its height is above finished grade.
Bed and breakfast means a private, owner-occupied establishment, that provides overnight lodging and breakfast for compensation.
Boarding or rooming house means a residential building, other than a rest home, containing a single dwelling unit and not more than five guest rooms or suites of rooms where lodging is provided with or without meals, for compensation.
Brewery pub means a commercial business that conducts the retail sale of beer which is brewed on the premises.
Building means any structure having a roof supported by columns or walls, not including vehicles.
Building, accessory. See "Accessory structure."
Building coverage means a percentage referring to that portion of a lot covered only with principal and accessory buildings. See also "Floor area ratio (FAR)."
Building exposure means a building wall which is parallel to or visible from a public or private street, highway, or designated parking area.
Building frontage means the length of the longest building elevation facing a street.
Building line means the exterior wall surface of a building, exclusive of architectural projections or eaves.
Building, main means the primary or principal structure on a property in which the principal use is located.
Building, main residential a residential building that is the main building on a residential lot.
Building height means the vertical distance from finished grade or flood protection elevation to the highest point of the roof of a building or to the highest point of a structure other than a building. Chimneys and finials are not included in determining building height.
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Building site means the ground area of a lot; or the ground area of two or more lots when used in combination for a building or permitted group of buildings, together with all open spaces as required by this Title.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007)
Sec. 9.01.090. - "C" definitions.
Car wash, automated means an enclosed building/facility designed for self-service wash and/or wash of motor vehicles by mechanical means only.
Caretaker means a person residing in a home on a property, whose duties include, but are not limited to, direct care, supervision, or maintenance of the property or uses on the property.
Caretaker's residence (permanent) means a residence located on a premises with a main non-residential use and occupied only by a caretaker or guard employed on the premises, and his/her family.
Caretaker's residence (temporary) means a temporary accessory structure containing living quarters and kitchen facilities for housing persons responsible for administering, overseeing, or maintaining security for the main use on the site during the construction period.
Carport means a permanent roofed structure not completely enclosed, and designed for vehicle shelter or storage.
Catering means a business, which prepares its food on-site to be served and consumed off-site. Catering does not include drive-through restaurants.
CC&R. See "Conditions, covenants and restrictions."
Cellular means an analog or digital wireless communication technology.
Cemetery means land used or intended to be used for the burial of the dead and dedicated for cemetery purposes, including crematories, mausoleums, and mortuaries when operated in conjunction with and within the boundary of such cemetery.
Center means a commercial or professional use, consisting of one or more buildings sharing common facilities such as off-street parking, access, or landscaping.
Certificate of use and occupancy means a required document issued by the Department of Building and Safety prior to occupation or use of buildings erected or structurally altered that acknowledges that such use, structure, or building complies with the provisions of this Code.
Changed plan means a modification to a site development permit.
Channel letters means individual letters or figures, illuminated or non-illuminated, affixed to a building or freestanding sign structure.
Check cashing facility means a non-bank business that for compensation engages in whole or in part, in the business of cashing checks, warrants, drafts, money orders, or other commercial paper serving the same purpose. Check cashing facility does not include a retail seller engaged primarily in the business of
selling consumer goods that cashes checks or issues money orders as a service that is incidental to its main purpose or business.
Child day care center or child care nursery means a facility that provides nonmedical care to children under 18 years of age in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or for the protection of the individual on less than a 24-hour basis. Child day care facility includes day care centers, employer-sponsored child care centers, and family child day care homes.
Children's home means one or more buildings used for the semi-permanent, 24-hour care of orphans or other children deprived of parental care, operated by a public agency or a philanthropic or charitable organization, but shall not include commercial enterprises operated by such organizations.
Church means a structure or portion of a structure that is used primarily for religious worship and related religious activities.
Clinic means any facility used for outpatient medical services.
Clubs and lodges (private) means buildings and facilities, owned or operated by a for-profit or non-profit corporation, association, person or persons, for a social, educational, or recreational purpose, to which membership is required for participation.
Co-located means the usage of a single support structure and/or site by more than one wireless communications provider.
Collection facility means a center for the acceptance by donation, redemption, or purchase of recyclable materials from the public.
Commercial means a land use or other activity involving the sale of goods or services for financial gain.
Commercial recreation means a land use or other activity that provides recreational opportunities for financial gain, including, but not limited to "animal day care," "dance studios" and "fitness classes."
Commercial district means a zoning district allowing specified commercial activities including General Commercial (C), Neighborhood Commercial (NC), and Business Park (BP).
Common open space means a type of open space area that is readily accessible for use by the residents and visitors of a multi-family residential or mixed-use development. Common open spaces are designed and reserved for outdoor living and social gathering, active and passive recreation, and pedestrian access and amenities. See Section 9.01.210 for "open space area" definition.
Community care facility means any facility that provides residential care, day treatment or adult day care for children, adults, or both. See also "Residential care facility."
Community facility means a noncommercial use established primarily for the benefit and service of the population of the community in which it is located.
Conditional use means a use that, because of special requirements or characteristics, may be allowed in a particular zoning district only after review by the planning commission and granting of a conditional use
permit imposing such conditions as necessary to make the use compatible with other uses permitted in the same zone or vicinity.
Conditional use permit (CUP) means a permit issued by the City authorizing establishment and operation of a conditional use.
Conditions, covenants and restrictions (CC&Rs) means a set of private agreements recorded against property deeds, which set down certain rules and regulations governing the development and use of said properties.
Condominium means an estate in real property consisting of an undivided interest, in common, in a portion of a parcel of real property together with a separate interest in a building on such property.
Congregate care facility means a facility for long-term residence, which shall include common dining and social and recreational features, special safety and convenience features designed for the needs of the elderly and/or disabled, and provision of social services for residents, which must include at least two of the following: meal services, transportation, housekeeping, linen, and organized social activities.
Contiguous. See "Adjoining."
Convalescent facility means a building, wherein for compensation, nursing care is provided for persons suffering from illnesses, other than mental or contagious, which are not of sufficient severity to require hospitalization.
Cornice means a projecting shelf along the top of a wall supported by a series of brackets; the exterior trim where a roof and wall meet, consisting of soffit, fascia, and molding.
CUP. See "Conditional use permit."
Custom house means a house designed especially for construction on a particular residential lot.
Cybercafe. See Chapter 6.09.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 24-07, § 4, 9-11-2024)
Sec. 9.01.100. - "D" definitions.
Dance studio means any premises on which there is conducted all of the following:
(1)
A program of instruction involving live dance;
(2)
Instruction is offered indoors; and
(3)
An instructor is present in the classroom while any participants are present.
Day care/day nursery. See "Child day care center."
Deck means a structure without a roof, directly adjacent to a principal building, which has an average elevation of 30 inches or greater from finished grade. May include porches and balconies.
Density means the number of dwelling units per acre of land.
Density bonus means a minimum density increase of at least 25 percent over the maximum residential density.
Density bonus housing agreement means a legally binding agreement between a developer and the City to ensure that the requirements of Government Code § 65915 are satisfied.
Design means the physical aspects of a development, road improvement, or other construction project. Design includes, but is not limited to, street alignment, grading, landscaping, site layout, building elevations, and signage.
Detached housing. See "Dwelling, single-family detached."
Development project means a public or private-sector venture involving the development, construction, structural or site modification, or redevelopment of commercial, industrial, residential, or other properties.
Development plan means a plan created to describe a proposed development on a specific building site.
Development standard means a numerical maximum or minimum requirement set for each zoning district and regulating the development of building sites. Such standards include, but are not limited to, building setbacks, street frontage, and lot sizes.
Dish antenna. See "Antenna, dish."
District or zoning district means a "base district" or "overlay district."
District, base. See "Base district."
District, overlay. See "Overlay district."
Drive-through means any use or structure, such as a bank, restaurant, or automatic teller machine (ATM) that is designed and intended to be used to provide for sales and/or services to patrons who remain in their vehicles.
Driveway means a traveled way providing vehicular access to a property in single ownership or a nonresidential joint land use of more than one property from an alley or a street.
Duplex means a building designed or used exclusively for occupancy by two households and containing two attached dwelling units.
Dwelling means a building or portion thereof used exclusively for residential purposes.
Dwelling, multiple family means a dwelling within a building on one lot, containing separate living units for three or more rental or homeownership households, having separate or joint entrances, and including
apartments, condominiums, and townhomes.
Dwelling, single-family attached means a structure or structures designed to contain two or more dwelling units under separate ownership on one lot that is under common ownership.
Dwelling, single-family detached means a detached building designed or used exclusively for occupancy by one household and containing one dwelling unit.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 11-02, § 2, 4-27-2011; Ord. No. 18-01, § 6, 2-14-2018)
Sec. 9.01.110. - "E" definitions.
Easement means a recorded right or interest in the land of another, which entitles the holder thereof to some use, privilege, or benefit out of or over said land.
Eave line means the bottom of the roof eave or parapet.
Electric vehicle (EV) ready space means a parking space served by a complete electric circuit with proper capacity to accommodate an EV charger in accordance with the requirements of the electrical code in Title 10 of the Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code in effect at the time of building permit issuance. The service panel or sub panel and the termination location shall be labeled "EV Ready." The termination point shall accommodate a receptacle within ten feet of the designated EV ready space.
Emergency shelter means a facility that provides shelter and services to homeless families and/or homeless individuals on a limited short-term basis.
Employee means any person employed by a firm, business, educational institution, nonprofit agency, corporation, government agency, or other entity.
Employee housing means residential accommodations provided or designated by an employer for the use of their employees in accordance with the Employee Housing Act, Health and Safety Code Sections 17000 et seq.
Environmental impact report (EIR) means a detailed statement setting forth the environmental effects, considerations, and mitigation measures pertaining to a project pursuant to Section 21100 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the State CEQA Guidelines.
Environmental review means the process of determining the impact of proposed projects on the environment. The review process shall be carried out in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act and the guidelines of the City.
Equestrian trail means a right-of-way or easement, public or private, designated for the riding of horses. Such trails may also include pedestrian use (hiking trails) and off-road non-motorized bicycle use.
Exception means a minor modification(s) to restrictions or requirements set forth in this Title, and which has no potential for adversely impacting adjacent property.
Extraction operation, commercial the removal or displacement of sand, gravel, rock, aggregate, clay, or similar materials conducted for financial gain.
(Ord. No. 07-03, § 4(Exh. A), 4-11-2007; Ord. No. 11-02, § 3, 4-27-2011; Ord. No. 24-07, § 5, 9-11-2024)
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