Chapter 9.08 — OPEN SPACE ZONE — Bell Gardens Zoning Code

§ 9.08.010. Designation of open space and parks zone. ¶

As used in this title, the following land use designation shall be considered the open space and parks zone:

O-S (Open Space/Parks)

(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007; Ord. 929 § 5, 2023)

§ 9.08.020. Intent and purpose. ¶

The open space zone is established to promote the orderly development of large areas of open land; to provide appropriate areas for the establishment of agricultural uses; and to serve as a buffer area between residential, commercial and industrial developments. The open space zone is intended for agricultural, recreational, and community service uses which are necessary or desirable for the area in which such zone is located.

(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)

§ 9.08.030. Permitted land uses. ¶

The following Open Space Land Use Matrix, Table 9.08A, establishes the land uses that are permitted, conditionally permitted, permitted as accessory uses only, temporarily permitted, or strictly prohibited in the open space zone. Uses that are not listed in Table 9.08A shall be expressly prohibited. Uses not listed but similar to those permitted or conditionally permitted may be found to fall within the intent and purpose of this zone by the planning commission. The commission must find that the use(s) will not be more obnoxious or materially detrimental to the public welfare and must be comparable in nature and of the same class as the uses enumerated in this section.

expressly prohibited. Uses not listed but similar to those permitted or conditionally permitted may be found to fall within the intent and purpose of this zone by the planning commission. The commission must find that the use(s) will not be more obnoxious or materially detrimental to the public welfare and must be comparable in nature and of the same class as the uses enumerated in this section.

Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*	Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*	Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*
Uses	O-S Zone	Supplemental Requirements
*A: Accessory Use C: Conditional Use P: Principal Use S: Site Plan Review T: Temporary Use*
Access to property lawfully used for purposes not permitted in zone O-S	S	Provided no other practical access to such property is available, and such access will not alter the character of the premises in respect to permitted uses.
Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*	Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*	Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*
---	---	---
Uses	O-S Zone	Supplemental Requirements
*A: Accessory Use C: Conditional Use P: Principal Use S: Site Plan Review T: Temporary Use*
Accessory buildings or structures other than for the housing, nurturing or confnement of animals	A	Including, but not limited to: 1. Private garages, carports and children's play houses. 2. Tool houses, lath houses and greenhouses. 3. Windmills, silos, tank houses, buildings or shelters for farm equipment or machinery, water wells, water reservoirs and storage tanks.
Building materials: storage of	A	Used in the construction of a building or building project, during construction and 30 days thereafter, including the contractor's temporary offce; provided, that any lot or parcel of land so used shall be a part of the building project or on property adjoining the construction site.
Caretaker's residence	A	Refer to defnition; provided such uses are established on the same lot, are incidental to, require the continuous supervision of a caretaker or superintendent, are occupied only by such persons and their families, and do not substantially alter the character of any permitted principal use; in addition, no more than one such unit shall be established on any property, unit must have a direct view of the secured area, and unit must meet the development standards of the zone in which it is located.
Carnivals, circuses and street fairs	T	Refer to BGMC §9.42.010, temporary uses, for special use standards.
Cemeteries	C
Communication equipment buildings	C
Crops, feld, tree, bush, berry and row, including nursery stock, the growing of	P
Electric distribution substations, electric transmission substations and electric generating plants, including microwave facilities in conjunction therewith	C	Refer to Chapter9.20BGMC, Special Uses and Applicable Standards, for standards.
Fishing and casting ponds	S
Gas measurement stations	C
Golf courses	C
Horses on a lot or parcel of land, having an area of not less than 20,000 square feet	A	Provided that said horses are kept or maintained for the private use of members of the family residing on the premises, but in no event more than one such horse for each 10,000 square feet of lot area, and that such horses are not kept or housed within 50 feet
Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*	Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*	Table 9.08A: Open Space Land Use Matrix*
---	---	---
Uses	O-S Zone	Supplemental Requirements
*A: Accessory Use C: Conditional Use P: Principal Use S: Site Plan Review T: Temporary Use*
		of any street, highway or any building used for human habitation.
Microwave stations	C
Observatories	C
Parking lots, off-site	S/A	As a supplemental use on lot or parcels of land adjoining or across an alley from any commercial or manufacturing zone, pursuant to the provisions of Division 3 of this title, Special Uses.
Parks, playgrounds and beaches: publicly owned	S	Including all appurtenant facilities customarily found or permitted in conjunction therewith.
Seasonal sales	T	Refer to BGMC §9.42.010, temporary uses, for special use standards.

*Land uses requiring Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control licenses, developing masonry walls, having mechanical equipment on the exterior of their structure or building, satellite dish antennas, and uses subject to review and approval by the planning commission shall meet special standards as found in Division 3 of this title, Special Uses, and Division 4 of this title, Supplemental Development Standards.

(Ord. 806 § 1, 2007; Ord. 840 § 5, 2011)

§ 9.08.040. Development standards. ¶

The following matrix, Table 9.08B, establishes the general development standards of the open space zone. For additional standards not found in this section, refer to Division 4 of this title, Supplemental Development Standards. Division 4 establishes development standards such as parking, landscaping, and other standards not prescribed within this chapter.

Table 9.08B: Open Space Development Standards Matrix	Table 9.08B: Open Space Development Standards Matrix
Development Standards	O-S
Lot Area (square feet)	5,000 square feet
Lot Width	50 feet (+10 corner lot)
Lot Depth	80 feet
Front Yard Setback	20 feet
Side Yard Setback	10% of lot width but no less than 5 feet
Street-Side Yard Setback	10% of lot width but no less than 10 feet
Rear Yard Setback	10 feet
Allowable Yard Projections	Refer to Division 4 of this title, Supplemental Development Standards
Lot Coverage (Maximum) (%)	35%
Distance Between Buildings	6 feet
Height (Maximum)	35 feet or 2 stories (whichever is less)
Screening of Mechanical Equipment	All mechanical equipment located on the roof or exterior walls of a structure shall be provided with
Table 9.08B: Open Space Development Standards Matrix	Table 9.08B: Open Space Development Standards Matrix
---	---
Development Standards	O-S
	a decorative screen to shield such equipment from view. No plumbing line shall be placed upon the exterior wall of a structure unless such line is enclosed or otherwise screened from view.
Allowable Height Projections	Refer to BGMC §9.30.030
Parking, Landscaping, Signs, and Other Standards	Refer to Division 4 of this title, Supplemental Development Standards

Note: All standards are given in feet and address minimum requirements unless otherwise stated. (Ord. 806 § 1, 2007)