9293.4. - Development standards for all projects.

All housing development applications submitted pursuant to this part shall comply with the following development standards:

A.

Parking. Off-street parking of one (1) space per dwelling unit is required, except that no off-street parking spaces are required in either of the following instances:

1.

The parcel is located within one-half (½) mile walking distance of either a high-quality transit corridor, as defined in Section 21155(b) of the Public Resources Code, or a major transit stop, as defined in Section 21064.3 of the Public Resources Code.

2.

There is a car share vehicle located within one (1) block of the parcel.

B.

Septic. For residential units connected to an onsite wastewater treatment system, a percolation test must have been completed within the last five (5) years, or, if the percolation test has been recertified, within the last ten (10) years.

C.

Setbacks. Side and rear setbacks shall be a minimum of four (4) feet, except that no setback shall be required for an existing structure, or a structure constructed in the same location and to the same dimensions as an existing structure.

D.

Fencing. All fencing shall meet the requirements listed in section 9606.2. No fencing or other barriers shall be established that prevent public access to trails or trailheads.

E.

Private streets. Developments may be served by private streets, provided that:

1.

Unless prohibited by Government Code Section 66411.7(b)(3) as amended, an irrevocable offer to dedicate shall be made as a part of all development;

2.

Evidence is provided that easements required for the provision of public services and facilities exist to provide adequate access to all development served from said private street;

3.

Evidence is provided that adequate agreements exist to guarantee the ongoing maintenance of said private streets; and

4.

The width of said private streets comply with the city's standards for public streets.

F.

Accessory dwelling units. Accessory dwelling units shall not be permitted on parcels that have been created through an urban lot split or are proposed to be created through an urban lot split, and proposed housing developments containing no more than two (2) residential units pursuant to this part.

G.

Utilities. All utilities shall be provided as required by chapter 6.

H.

Right-of-way improvements. Unless prohibited by Government Code Section 66411.7(b)(3), all projects adjacent to a public street shall be designed and constructed to full public right-of-way improvements along the project frontages in accordance with the Committee of Public Works Standards, Inc.'s standard plans for public works construction and any applicable specific plans.

I.

Drainage courses. No structures or parts of structures shall overhang, project, or protrude into any known drainage course.

1.

Fences and other structures, culverts and bridges, and any other improvements which must be constructed within drainage courses, shall be designed to the requirements of the city to prevent an obstruction or division of drainage flows and to minimize adverse effects to natural riparian vegetation and ecosystems.

J.

Landscaping. All projects shall meet the following landscape standards:

1.

Landscaping shall be provided in all front yard areas visible to the public from any adjacent rights-of-way that are not specifically used for parking, driveways, walkways, patios, gardens, or other recreational purposes. Existing native vegetation or landscaping in front yard areas may be used to satisfy this standard.

2.

All manufactured slopes or the face of cut-and-fill slopes shall be planted or otherwise protected from the effects of storm runoff and erosion, and such planting or protection must occur within thirty (30) days after

completion of grading.

3.

All new landscaping shall use at least fifty (50) percent native, drought-tolerant species selected from those listed by the California Native Plant Society in the Calscape website specific to Agoura Hills.

4.

No plants on the California Invasive Plant Council's list of invasive species may be used in the project landscaping.

5.

Artificial turf is discouraged in landscape areas to reduce the urban heat island effect, fire danger, and environmental impacts including waste materials and microplastic pollution.

6.

New required landscape areas shall provide at least five (5) different shrubs and groundcovers to provide foliage, texture, and color.

7.

Palm trees are prohibited in new landscape areas.

8.

Planted berms and slopes shall be no steeper than 2:1, and 3:1 is preferred to provide greater planting opportunities.

9.

Landscape design shall conform to stormwater design and low impact development (LID) requirements.

10.

Landscape plans shall meet the requirements of the Los Angeles Fire Department, Fuel Modification Unit for fire safety.

11.

Landscape and irrigation plans subject to the California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) shall conform to the requirements therein to achieve water efficient landscaping.

K.

Oak tree report. The city's oak tree ordinance (section 9657 et seq.) shall not apply to a project seeking approval under this part, except for the following sections:

1.

Section II. (Definitions) of appendix A of article IX.

2.

Items D, E, F.2, and F.3 of section IV (oak tree permit) of appendix A of article IX.

3.

Items A.3 and A.4 of section V (standards for performance of required work) of appendix A of article IX.

4.

Item E (oak tree report) of section 9657.5 of the Agoura Hills Municipal Code.

L.

Oak tree standards. A project seeking approval under this part shall comply with the following standards:

1.

No more than ten (10) percent of the total estimated tree canopy or root structure of all protected oak trees on a property shall be removed.

2.

Protected oak trees may only be removed, relocated, or altered if the removal, relocation, or alteration is necessary because the continued existence at their present location(s) prevents the proposed use of the subject property to such an extent that alternative development plans cannot achieve the same permitted density or that the cost of such alternative would be prohibitive.

3.

If a project involves the removal of or encroachment greater than twenty (20) percent into the root zone or canopy zone of a protected oak tree that is 48 inches in diameter or less per the city's oak tree ordinance and guidelines (oak trees of the genus Quercus), one (1) 36-inch-box oak tree, two (2) 24-inch-box oak trees, and one (1) 15-gallon oak tree of the same species shall be planted on the site as mitigation for each oak tree removed or impacted. For scrub oak species protected per the city's oak tree ordinance and guidelines, on-site replacement for removal shall be equal to four (4) times the square footage of the area removed, with scrub oaks of the same species planted to a five-foot on center spacing within the replacement area.

4.

The removal of or encroachment greater than twenty (20) percent into the root zone or canopy zone of a protected "landmark" oak tree (trees whose diameter exceeds forty-eight (48) inches) is prohibited.

5.

For established oak trees, no planting, soil disturbance, or irrigation shall occur within a distance of six (6) feet or twenty-five (25) percent of the total canopy width from the trunk in any direction, whichever is

greater. For newly planted oak trees, no planting shall occur within four (4) feet of the tree trunk.

M.

Lighting. All outdoor lighting shall be shielded and downward facing to avoid direct illumination of neighboring properties.

N.

Rental term. A rental of any unit created pursuant to this part shall be for a term longer than thirty (30) days.

O.

Connected structures. Adjacent or connected dwelling units shall be allowed provided that the structures meet building code safety standards and are sufficient to allow separate conveyance.

(Ord. No. 23-471, § 3, 7-12-2023)

9293.5. - Development standards for projects in the RS zoning district.

The following development standards apply to all parcels in the RS zoning district:

A.

For lots ten thousand (10,000) square feet or larger, the following standards shall apply:

1.

The minimum front setback shall be twenty-five (25) feet.

2.

The maximum building coverage shall be thirty-five (35) percent.

B.

For lots less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet, the following standards shall apply:

1.

The minimum front setback shall be twenty (20) feet.

2.

The maximum building coverage shall be fifty (50) percent.

C.

The maximum building height in the RS zoning district shall be thirty-five (35) feet or two (2) stories, whichever is less.

(Ord. No. 23-471, § 3, 7-12-2023)