Burbank Municipal Code Div. 3 Neighborhood Business (nb) Zone

The Neighborhood Business (NB) Zone is intended to accommodate a mix of commercial and office uses requiring visibility and convenient access.[Added by Ord. No. 3343, eff. 6/26/93.]

In the NB Zone, all uses shall be consistent with the maximum FAR and maximum residential density, as prescribed in the General Plan, as follows:

[Added by Ord. No. 3839, eff. 5/24/13; amended by Ord. 24-4,022, eff. 1/17/25.]

In the NB Zone, uses are allowed as set forth in Section 10-1-502. [Added by Ord. No. 3343; Amended by Ord. No. 3504, eff. 12/26/98; 3465, 3457, 3439.]

10-1-2414, 2415 AND 2416:

[Deleted by Ord. No. 3504, eff. 12/26/98.]

The following property development standards shall apply in an NB Zone:

A. STRUCTURE HEIGHT.

1. The maximum height of a structure shall be a maximum of 25 feet as measured from grade as defined in this article. Roof and architectural features may exceed the maximum height up to 15 additional feet without the need of a Conditional Use Permit if a 45 degree angle is maintained as depicted in Diagram No. 1.

2. Maximum building height shall be measured to the ceiling height of the highest room permitted for human occupancy.

3. A Conditional Use Permit is required for a structure higher than 25 feet.

B. OPEN SPACE.

1. Distance Requirements.

Each lot which abuts or is adjacent to an R-1, R-1-H or R-2 lot shall provide open space not less than 20 feet wide along the area that abuts the residential property.

2. Determination of Open Space.

Open space shall be measured from the lot line of the residential property to the commercial structure. Public rights-of-way may be included within the calculation of such area, except as otherwise provided in this section.

3. Landscaping Requirement.

When the commercial property abuts or is adjacent to an R-1, R-1-H or R-2 lot, a five (5) foot strip of the open space which lies adjacent to the residential property shall be landscaped, unless a public right-of-way is utilized in the calculation of the open space. This landscaping is intended to provide screening between the different zones.

C. YARDS.

1. Front Yard - Definition.

For the purpose of this section, side yards on corner lots shall be considered as front yards.

2. Setbacks.

a. Front Yards.

All structures, including above-grade and semi-subterranean parking, shall be set back at least ten (10) feet from the front lot line.

b. Side Yards.

A side yard setback is not required. However, if the side yard is used for surface parking, a minimum three (3) feet setback from the side lot line to the surface parking area is required.

c. Rear Yards.

A rear yard building setback is not required; provided, however, that if the lot abuts or is adjacent to an R-1, R-1-H or R-2 lot, a minimum 20 foot setback is required. If the rear yard is used for surface parking, a minimum five (5) feet setback from the rear lot line to the surface parking area is required.

3. Landscaping.

a. At least five percent of the total site area shall be landscaped.

b. Californian native plants and California Sycamore trees are required to be integrated within this required landscaped area. Required street trees shall be California Sycamore trees.

c. The requirements for parking structures and surface parking lots in Article 14 of this Chapter shall apply in the NB Zone.

4. Retail Structures.

On retail structures, bay windows at least three (3) feet high may project over 75 percent of the required front yard not to exceed three (3) feet into the required front yard. The bay windows shall be spaced to allow adequate sunlight to reach required landscaping.

5. Parking.

a. Surface parking shall not be allowed between building frontage and Main Street.

b. For structures or projects applying for Development Review on of after the effective date of this ordinance on the lots south of Alameda Avenue, vehicular access to and from these lots shall only be available from Main Street, Alameda Avenue, or Riverside Drive.

c. For additional parking area requirements see Article 14 of this chapter.

D. ADDITIONAL STANDARDS.

For additional standards, see the remainder of this chapter.

E. Mixed-Use and Multifamily Residential-Only Development. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section shall not apply to the following projects:

1. Mixed-use developments (multifamily residential with nonresidential use) allowed as set forth in Section 10-1-502. These projects shall be governed by the provisions of Article 9, Division 4 of this Code, commencing with Section 10-1-915.

2. Multifamily residential-only developments allowed as set forth in Section 10-1-502. These projects shall be governed by the provisions of Article 6, Division 3.5 of this Code, commencing with Section 10-1-621. [Added by Ord. No. 3343, eff. 6/26/93; amended by Ord. No. 23-3,996, eff. 7/7/23; 23-3,994; 3810; 3548, 3491, 3488.]

Unless specifically exempted by Section 10-1-1914 of this Code, no structure shall be erected on any lot in the NB Zone, nor shall any permits related thereto be issued until an application for Development Review has been submitted to and approved by the Director, as provided for in Division 2, Article 19 of this chapter. These permits include but are not limited to site preparation permits such as demolition permits and grading permits. [Added by Ord. No. 3343, eff. 6/26/93.]

The following design criteria shall apply to proposed improvements in the NB Zone:

A. A full pitched roof is required. Mansard roofs are prohibited.

B. Building orientation shall be toward Main Street.

C. No single building or group of buildings with a common wall shall exceed a length of 100 feet.

D. Architectural design-Mission, Rancho or Spanish Colonial style shall be used incorporating a number of the following elements: verandas, arbors, patios, courtyards, plazas, arches, simulated wood roofs, tile roofs, open beam ceilings or walkways, archways, colonial columns and heavy posts.

E. Color-Whites, natural wood grain finishes, earth tones, pale tones, tans, rusts, adobe pink, and copper patina shall be used and incorporated. Bright colors are prohibited.

F. Materials and Finishes-A number of the following may be incorporated if otherwise allowed by the Burbank Municipal Code: wood, rough cut timbers, river rock, Spanish tile and textured stucco.

G. The design standards of Section 10-1-1113.1 shall apply in the NB Zone. [Added by Ord. No. 3343, eff. 6/26/93.]