Division 3 — CITYWIDE PROVISIONS
Berkeley Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Berkeley
| DIVISION 3 -- CITYWIDE PROVISIONS | DIVISION 3 -- CITYWIDE PROVISIONS |
|---|---|
| 23.302 Supplemental Use Regulations .............................................................202 |
|
| 23.302.010 | – Purpose.........................................................................................202 |
| 23.302.020 | – General Use Regulations..............................................................202 |
| 23.302.030 | – Temporary Uses and Structures ...................................................206 |
| 23.302.040 | – Home Occupations........................................................................211 |
| 23.302.050 | – Bed and Breakfast Establishments in Residential Districts...........215 |
| 23.302.060 | – Sidewalk Cafe Seating..................................................................216 |
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| 23.302.070 | – Use-Specific Regulations..............................................................217 |
|---|---|
| 23.304 General Development Standards ..........................................................224 |
|
| 23.304.010 | – Purpose.........................................................................................224 |
| 23.304.020 | – Lot Requirements..........................................................................224 |
| 23.304.030 | – Setbacks .......................................................................................225 |
| 23.304.040 | – Building Separation in Residential Districts...................................231 |
| 23.304.050 | – Building Height..............................................................................231 |
| 23.304.060 | – Accessory Buildings and Enclosed Accessory Structures ............233 |
| 23.304.070 | – Unenclosed Accessory Structures in Residential Districts............236 |
| 23.304.080 | – Fences ..........................................................................................236 |
| 23.304.090 | – Usable Open Space......................................................................239 |
| 23.304.100 | – Site Features in Residential Districts ............................................240 |
| 23.304.110 | – Dormers ........................................................................................240 |
| 23.304.120 | – Lot Coverage.................................................................................241 |
| 23.304.130 | – Non-Residential Districts Abutting a Residential District...............241 |
| 23.304.140 | – Area Plans.....................................................................................242 |
| 23.306 Accessory Dwelling Units......................................................................243 |
|
| 23.306.010 | – Purposes.......................................................................................243 |
| 23.306.020 | – Applicability ...................................................................................243 |
| 23.306.030 | – Permit Procedures ........................................................................243 |
| 23.308 Emergency Shelters ...............................................................................244 |
|
| 23.308.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................244 |
| 23.308.020 | – Applicability and Nonconformities .................................................244 |
| 23.308.030 | – Required Permits ..........................................................................244 |
| 23.308.040 | – Standards for Emergency Shelters ...............................................245 |
| 23.310 Alcoholic Beverage Sales and Service.................................................248 |
|
| 23.310.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................248 |
| 23.310.020 | – General Requirements Excluding Incidental Beer and Wine Service |
| 248 | |
| 23.310.030 | – Alcoholic Beverage Service When Incidental to Food Service .....249 |
| 23.312 Live/Work.................................................................................................253 |
|
| 23.312.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................253 |
| 23.312.020 | – Applicability ...................................................................................253 |
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| 23.312.030 | – Required Permits ..........................................................................254 |
|---|---|
| 23.312.040 | – Standards for Live/Work................................................................255 |
| 23.312.050 | – Findings.........................................................................................257 |
| 23.314 Short-Term Rentals.................................................................................260 |
|
| 23.314.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................260 |
| 23.314.020 | – Definitions .....................................................................................260 |
| 23.314.030 | – Applicability ...................................................................................261 |
| 23.314.040 | – General Regulations .....................................................................261 |
| 23.314.050 | – Operating Standards and Requirements.......................................262 |
| 23.314.060 | – Violations and Remedies ..............................................................264 |
| 23.316 Percentage for Public Art on Private Projects .....................................266 |
|
| 23.316.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................266 |
| 23.316.020 | – Applicability ...................................................................................266 |
| 23.316.030 | – Definitions .....................................................................................267 |
| 23.316.040 | – General Requirements..................................................................267 |
| 23.316.050 | – Required Permits ..........................................................................268 |
| 23.316.060 | – In-Lieu Fees ..................................................................................268 |
| 23.316.070 | – Administrative Regulations (Guidelines) .......................................268 |
| 23.318 Urban Agriculture ...................................................................................269 |
|
| 23.318.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................269 |
| 23.318.020 | – Applicability ...................................................................................269 |
| 23.318.030 | – Urban Agriculture Uses and Levels of Discretion..........................269 |
| 23.318.040 | – Thresholds ....................................................................................269 |
| 23.318.050 | – Operation Standards.....................................................................270 |
| 23.318.060 | – Complaints ....................................................................................270 |
| 23.320 Cannabis Uses ........................................................................................271 |
|
| 23.320.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................271 |
| 23.320.020 | – Cannabis Retail.............................................................................271 |
| 23.320.030 | – Commercial Cannabis Cultivation.................................................273 |
| 23.320.040 | – Cannabis Manufacturers, Testing Labs, and Distributors .............274 |
| 23.320.050 | – Microbusinesses ...........................................................................275 |
| 23.322 Parking and Loading ..............................................................................276 |
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| 23.322.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................276 |
|---|---|
| 23.322.020 | – Applicability ...................................................................................276 |
| 23.322.030 | – Required Parking Spaces .............................................................277 |
| 23.322.040 | – General Requirements..................................................................285 |
| 23.322.050 | – Parking Reductions.......................................................................289 |
| 23.322.060 | – C-DMU Parking and Transportation Demand Management .........294 |
| 23.322.070 | – Off-Street Parking Maximums for Residential Development.........296 |
| 23.322.080 | – Parking Layout and Design...........................................................297 |
| 23.322.090 | – Bicycle Parking..............................................................................302 |
| 23.322.100 | – On-site Loading Spaces................................................................303 |
| 23.322.110 | – Parking Lots in Residential Districts..............................................305 |
| 23.322.120 | – Transportation Services Fee.........................................................305 |
| 23.324 Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Buildings................................307 |
|
| 23.324.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................307 |
| 23.324.020 | – General .........................................................................................307 |
| 23.324.030 | – Nonconforming Lots......................................................................308 |
| 23.324.040 | – Nonconforming Uses.....................................................................308 |
| 23.324.050 | – Nonconforming Structures and Buildings......................................310 |
| 23.324.060 | – Exemptions ...................................................................................313 |
| 23.326 Demolition and Dwelling Unit Control ..................................................315 |
|
| 23.326.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................315 |
| 23.326.020 | – General Requirements..................................................................315 |
| 23.326.030 | – Eliminating Dwelling Units through Demolition..............................315 |
| 23.326.040 | – Eliminating Dwelling Units through Conversion and Change of Use |
| 318 | |
| 23.326.050 | – Private Right of Action...................................................................320 |
| 23.326.060 | – Elimination of Residential Hotel Rooms........................................320 |
| 23.326.070 | – Demolitions of Non-Residential Buildings .....................................321 |
| 23.326.080 | – Building Relocations......................................................................322 |
| 23.326.090 | – Limitations.....................................................................................323 |
| 23.328 Inclusionary Housing .............................................................................324 |
|
| 23.328.010 | – Chapter Purpose and Applicability................................................324 |
| 23.328.020 | – General Requirements..................................................................325 |
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| 23.328.030 | – Payment of In-Lieu Fees as an Alternative to Providing Inclusionary |
|---|---|
| Units | 325 |
| 23.328.040 | – Requirements Applicable to All Inclusionary Units........................326 |
| 23.328.050 | – Inclusionary Unit Requirements for Rental Housing Projects .......328 |
| 23.328.060 | – Inclusionary Unit Requirements for Ownership Projects...............329 |
| 23.328.070 | – Special Requirements for Avenues Plan Area..............................331 |
| 23.328.080 | – Administrative Regulations............................................................337 |
| 23.328.090 | – Fees ..............................................................................................337 |
| 23.330 Density Bonus.........................................................................................338 |
|
| 23.330.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................338 |
| 23.330.020 | – Definitions .....................................................................................338 |
| 23.330.030 | – Application Requirements .............................................................339 |
| 23.330.040 | – Density Bonus Calculations and Procedures................................340 |
| 23.330.050 | – Incentives and Concessions .........................................................340 |
| 23.330.060 | – Waivers and Reductions ...............................................................341 |
| 23.330.070 | – Qualifying Units.............................................................................341 |
| 23.330.080 | – Regulatory Agreements ................................................................341 |
| 23.332 Wireless Communication Facilities.......................................................342 |
|
| 23.332.010 | – Chapter Purpose and Applicability................................................342 |
| 23.332.020 | – Definitions .....................................................................................343 |
| 23.332.030 | – General Requirements..................................................................345 |
| 23.332.040 | – Minimum Application Requirements..............................................345 |
| 23.332.050 | – Location Requirements .................................................................348 |
| 23.332.060 | – Height Requirements ....................................................................348 |
| 23.332.070 | – Design Requirements....................................................................348 |
| 23.332.080 | – Operation and Maintenance Standards ........................................352 |
| 23.332.090 | – Public Information Requirements..................................................354 |
| 23.332.100 | – Certification Requirements............................................................354 |
| 23.332.110 | – Permits and Findings Required for Approval ................................357 |
| 23.332.120 | – Cessation of Operations................................................................358 |
| 23.334 Transportation Demand Management ..................................................360 |
|
| 23.334.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................360 |
| 23.334.020 | – Applicability ...................................................................................360 |
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| 23.334.030 | – Transportation Demand Management Program Requirements ....361 |
|---|---|
| 23.334.040 | – Monitoring, Reporting and Compliance.........................................361 |
| DIVISION 4 -- PERMITS AND ADMINISTRATION | |
| --- | --- |
| 23.402 Administrative Responsibility ...............................................................365 |
|
| 23.402.010 | – Purpose.........................................................................................365 |
| 23.402.020 | – Review and Decision-Making Authority.........................................365 |
| 23.402.030 | – Planning and Development Department .......................................368 |
| 23.402.040 | – Zoning Officer................................................................................368 |
| 23.402.050 | – Landmarks Preservation Commission ..........................................369 |
| 23.402.060 | – Design Review Committee............................................................369 |
| 23.402.070 | – Zoning Adjustments Board............................................................370 |
| 23.402.080 | – Planning Commission ...................................................................371 |
| 23.402.090 | – City Council...................................................................................371 |
| 23.404 Common Permit Requirements .............................................................372 |
|
| 23.404.010 | – Purpose and Applicability..............................................................372 |
| 23.404.020 | – Application Submittal.....................................................................372 |
| 23.404.030 | – Application Review........................................................................374 |
| 23.404.040 | – Public Notice .................................................................................376 |
| 23.404.050 | – Public Hearings and Decisions .....................................................382 |
| 23.404.060 | – Post-Decision Provisions ..............................................................385 |
| 23.404.070 | – Permit Modifications......................................................................387 |
| 23.404.080 | – Permit Revocation.........................................................................388 |
| 23.406 Specific Permit Requirements...............................................................392 |
|
| 23.406.010 | – Purpose.........................................................................................392 |
| 23.406.020 | – Zoning Certificates ........................................................................392 |
| 23.406.030 | – Administrative Use Permits...........................................................393 |
| 23.406.040 | – Use Permits...................................................................................395 |
| 23.406.050 | – Variances ......................................................................................395 |
| 23.406.060 | – Master Use Permits.......................................................................397 |
| 23.406.070 | – Design Review ..............................................................................398 |
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| 23.406.080 | – Modification of Development Standards in West Berkeley Plan Area |
|---|---|
| 403 | |
| 23.406.090 | – Reasonable Accommodations ......................................................404 |
| 23.408 Green Pathway........................................................................................408 |
|
| 23.408.010 | – Purpose.........................................................................................408 |
| 23.408.020 | – Applicability ...................................................................................408 |
| 23.408.030 | – Eligibility Determination.................................................................408 |
| 23.408.040 | – Green Pathway Application...........................................................410 |
| 23.408.050 | – General Requirements.................................................................411 |
| 23.408.060 | – Requirements for Large Buildings and Hotels...............................412 |
| 23.408.070 | – Development Standards................................................................412 |
| 23.408.080 | – Streamlined Permitting Process....................................................413 |
| 23.408.090 | – Tolling............................................................................................415 |
| 23.408.100 | – Compliance ...................................................................................415 |
| 23.408.110 | – City Manager Authority to Issue Regulations................................415 |
| 23.410 Appeals and Certifications.....................................................................416 |
|
| 23.410.010 | – Chapter Purpose...........................................................................416 |
| 23.410.020 | – Appeal Subjects and Jurisdiction ..................................................416 |
| 23.410.030 | – Filing and Processing of Appeals..................................................419 |
| 23.410.040 | – Hearing and Decision....................................................................420 |
| 23.410.050 | – City Council Certifications .............................................................422 |
| 23.412 Zoning Ordinance Amendments ...........................................................423 |
|
| 23.412.010 | – Purpose.........................................................................................423 |
| 23.412.020 | – Initiation.........................................................................................423 |
| 23.412.030 | – Application.....................................................................................423 |
| 23.412.040 | – Planning Commission Hearing and Action....................................423 |
| 23.412.050 | – City Council Hearing and Action ...................................................424 |
| 23.412.060 | – Findings for Approval ....................................................................425 |
| 23.412.070 | – Limitations on Resubmittals after Denial.......................................425 |
| 23.412.080 | – Zoning Map Amendment Notations...............................................426 |
| 23.414 Nuisance Abatement ..............................................................................427 |
|
| 23.414.010 | – Purpose.........................................................................................427 |
| 23.414.020 | – Enforcement Responsibility...........................................................427 |
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| 23.414.030 | – Violations a Misdemeanor.............................................................427 |
|---|---|
| 23.414.040 | – Nuisances Prohibited ....................................................................427 |
| 23.414.050 | – City Attorney Action.......................................................................428 |
| 23.414.060 | – Abatement Procedures .................................................................428 |
| 23.414.070 | – Statements of Violations ...............................................................429 |
| 23.414.080 | – Remedies......................................................................................430 |
| 23.414.090 | – Recovery of Costs.........................................................................430 |
| 23.414.100 | – Private Right of Action...................................................................431 |