Burbank Municipal Code Div. 2 Site Standards

A. Where space permits, new streets may be developed through a site to create smaller blocks that facilitate a more pedestrian-friendly environment. Cul-de-sac, hammer-head, and dead-end streets are prohibited.

B. If new blocks are created, each development site on the block shall have a front lot line along a street and a rear lot line that is either shared with an adjacent lot or an alley. When new blocks are created, rear lot lines shall not be allowed along streets.

C. New streets shall be designed to comply with one of the following street sections:

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D. Gates that prevent public access onto new streets and alleys (private or public) are prohibited.

E. Unless the City elects to acquire the street right-of-way, new streets and alleys shall be privately owned and maintained.

F. New streets (public or private) shall be designed to comply with the Department of Public Works Standard Plans. The Public Works Director may waive or modify certain standards to create privately-owned and maintained streets with unique design features, such as pervious pavers and low-impact development features for stormwater runoff.

G. On new streets, trees shall be spaced at an average of 30’ on center. The selected tree species shall be approved by the Parks and Recreation Director.

H. Street trees shall be located in landscaped strips between the sidewalk and curb or tree wells that are placed along the curb. Landscape strips shall be at least 4.5’ wide (as measured from the back of curb) and shall be improved with drought tolerant plants and professional grade mulch. Tree wells shall be landscaped with drought tolerant plants, filled with decomposed granite or professional-grade mulch, or covered with a tree grate.

I. New streets shall be improved with the pedestrian-scaled street light (lights with a maximum height of 14’) selected for the North San Fernando Boulevard Master Plan Area (or a similar light fixture approved by the Burbank Water and Power Director (or designee). This standard does not restrict the use of taller roadway safety lights at intersections.

J. The spacing of streetlights shall be determined based on the City’s lighting requirements for public streets and the specifications for the selected street light. [Amended by Ord. No. 25-4,028, eff. 7/25/25.]

A. For the purposes of organizing the site, the area of the lot that is within 150’ of the North San Fernando Boulevard right-of-way shall be designated as Zone 1.

B. The area of the lot that is more than 150’ from the North San Fernando Boulevard right-of-way (if any) shall be designated as Zone 2.

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C. Zone 1 shall be developed with one or more Storefront Buildings that front North San Fernando Boulevard (see Section 10-1-2706).

D. Zone 2 may be developed with one or more Commercial Buildings (see Section 10-1-2707). Areas of Zone 2 that are adjacent to a street (existing or new) may also be developed with Storefront Buildings (see Section 10-1-2706).

E. Parking lots are allowed in both Zone 1 and Zone 2. In Zone 1, surface parking lots are prohibited in front of Storefront Buildings. On corner lots, parking lots are also prohibited between the street-facing side facade of the Storefront Building and the side street.

F. With the approval of an Administrative Use Permit and subject to the Horizontal Mixed-Use Site Design Standards in Section 10-1-2705, Zone 2 may be developed with Townhomes (see Section 10-1-2708) and/or Live-Work Units (see Section 10-1-2709).

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G. With the approval of a Conditional Use Permit, an automobile service station may be developed on properties that are within 400’ of an Interstate 5 on-ramp or off-ramp. Automobile service stations do not have to comply with the design standards for Storefront Buildings. In addition, Standard E of this section does not apply to automobile service stations. Design standards for automobile service stations, including building heights and setbacks, shall be established through the CUP process. Applicable standards in Division 4 of this Article may apply to automobile service stations as a condition of project approval.

H. Zone 1 shall be developed with one or more Storefront Buildings before or during the development of any new buildings in Zone 2. This standard may be waived by the Community Development Director if adequate land is reserved to allow for the future development of Storefront Buildings in Zone 1. This standard does not apply to a development project that would expand or modify an existing building that was established prior to the adoption of this Article.

A. With the approval of an Administrative Use Permit, horizontal mixed-use projects may be developed. These projects would combine Townhomes and/or Live-Work Units with Storefront Buildings and/or Commercial Buildings. The commercial and residential uses would be arranged “horizontally” on the site, rather than “vertically” within the same building.

B. Within a horizontal mixed-use project, all Townhomes and Live-Work Units shall front a street (existing or new).

C. All Townhomes and Live-Work Units shall be served by a rear alley that provides access to the unit’s garage. Alleys shall be at least 25’ wide. Dead-end alleys are prohibited.

D. A landscaped buffer shall be located along the interior edges of the Townhome/Live-Work Unit site (excludes exterior edges along an existing street or new street). The landscaped buffer shall be at least 5’ wide and shall contain a decorative masonry wall along the common lot line and a row of evergreen trees to screen views to and from the adjacent lots. The decorative masonry wall shall be at least 6’ tall. The requirement for the evergreen trees and the decorative wall may be waived by the Community Development Director if those features are already provided on the adjacent site.

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