Article VI

This planned development district regulates development of a 9.63-acre parcel of land located approximately 1,550 feet southeast of the intersection of Silverado Trail and Rosedale Road, as shown on the Zoning Map of the City of Calistoga, California, dated February 5, 1991. Planned Development District – PD 2003-3 is important to the community, as it contains a large hillside parcel (commonly known as Mt. Washington) located at a gateway to the community in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Therefore, development in this planned development district shall be sensitive to the forested setting, rural character and natural features associated with the parcel and its surrounding properties. Unless otherwise provided below, all proposed uses, with the exception of a municipal water supply tank, in this planned development district shall require a use permit and shall be in conformance with the following regulations. (Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

The following design objectives shall be applied in the design and review of proposed residential development on the subject parcel:

• A. Provide for development in a manner which will preserve the environmental and scenic qualities of the site for the enjoyment of the property owner and general community;

• B. Minimize the visual intrusion of structures and other site improvements on adjacent parcels;

• C. Encourage structures that are small scale and low in height, and that they conform to the existing hillside topography by locating structures on portions of the site which are relatively flat. Avoid locating proposed structures on steep slopes;

• D. Encourage development to work with existing site conditions rather than significantly modify them through grading and tree removal;

• E. Avoid development which is primarily designed to capture scenic views at the expense of view of the site from the public right-of-way or adjoining properties;

• F. Avoid the design of prominent architecture features (i.e., turrets, towers, etc.) which sacrifice good design, where visible from the public right-of-way or adjoining properties.

• (Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

• A. Uses Allowed Without a Use Permit.

  1. Home occupations in accordance with Chapter 17.43 CMC;

  2. A municipal water storage tank and ancillary improvements;

  3. Uses determined by the Planning Commission to be similar in nature, as provided in the procedures in Chapter 17.03 CMC;

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CA1828 on 2026-05-11

City of Calistoga, CA

ZONING

§ 17.24.420

§ 17.24.460

4. One accessory dwelling unit in accordance with Chapter 17.37 CMC.

• B. Uses Requiring a Use Permit.

  1. One single-family dwelling;

  2. Recreational trails, provided such use is open to use by the public;

  3. Uses determined by the Planning Commission to be similar in nature as provided in the procedures in Chapter 17.03 CMC.

• C. Allowed Accessory Uses. Accessory buildings and uses that are clearly incidental and subordinate to the main residential use, such as a detached garage, storage shed, workshop, or similar building; provided, that no accessory use shall be established or accessory building constructed prior to the construction of a main building, or on a lot separate from the main building. Minimum setbacks for accessory buildings and structures shall comply with the standards provided in Chapter 17.38 CMC, except that no accessory building or structure shall be located in the required front setback.

• D. Prohibited Uses. Uses not specified in subsections (A) through (C) of this section are prohibited.

• (Ord. 603 § 2, 2004; Ord. 729 § 2.6, 2017)

Height limit of buildings and structures in APN 011-050-033 shall be determined by use permit procedure in accordance with the development standards set forth in this chapter. (Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

The parcel shall have a front, rear and side yard setback requirement, as established by use permit.

(Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

Minimum lot area shall be two acres.

(Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

The following objectives shall be implemented in site design and grading for residential development:

• A. The amount of excavation and fill shall be limited;

• B. Site design shall follow the natural contours of the site;

• C. Slopes created by grading of the site shall not exceed 30 percent;

• D. All final grades, including all cut and fill slopes visible from any designated public rightof-way, shall be:

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CA1828 on 2026-05-11

City of Calistoga, CA

CALISTOGA CODE

§ 17.24.460

§ 17.24.490

1. Consistent with the existing terrain to the greatest extent possible, avoiding uninterrupted slope surfaces that stand out against existing topographic contours;

2. Contoured to resemble existing terrain by varying slope increments and breaking the visual surface of banks and inclines both vertically and horizontally as naturally as possible; and

3. Constructed to allow for the creation of berms or mounding at the top of slopes and in other locations for the screening of structures and assuring proper site drainage.

(Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

• A. A grading plan shall be required for residential development to ensure the planning, design and development of hillside areas so as to provide maximum safety and human enjoyment and provide for the preservation and maintenance of significant ridgelines and open space.

• B. The grading plan shall be prepared for residential development by a licensed engineer for review and approved by the City's Planning and Building and Public Works Departments for all development on the site.

• C. Grading for residential development shall be limited to the minimum necessary for development of the driveway, building sites and utilities. Mass grading which would unreasonably affect the natural character of the area shall not be permitted.

• D. Visible cut or fill slopes for residential development shall not exceed three horizontal to one vertical; provided, however, slopes as steep as two horizontal to one vertical may be approved by the Planning Commission upon a finding that the appearance or stability of the completed project will be superior to the result that would be obtained by adhering to the three horizontal to one vertical standard.

• (Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

• A. A drainage plan and an erosion control plan are required to minimize water runoff and soil erosion resulting from residential development and to ensure that any potential on- and offsite drainage and/or erosion impacts are mitigated.

• B. A drainage and erosion control plan prepared by a licensed engineer shall be submitted for review and approval by the City's Planning and Building and Public Works Departments for residential development.

• (Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

• A. Design review shall be required for all residential buildings or structures on the parcel, including accessory buildings or structures.

• B. Application for residential development shall be reviewed to determine whether the proposed buildings or structures are in compliance with the design review guideline [3] s

3. Editor's Note: Residential Design Guidelines and Objective Design Standards are included as an attachment to this title.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CA1828 on 2026-05-11

City of Calistoga, CA

ZONING

§ 17.24.490

§ 17.24.490

contained in CMC § 17.06.040 and with the following design objectives:

1. Residential structures shall be situated on the site in a location that ensures the proposed structure is not silhouetted against the sky when viewed primarily from any designated public right-of-way and, to the extent practicable, adjacent properties.

2. Residential structural elements, building materials and color tones shall complement surrounding native elements.

3. Residential construction materials including glass, roofing, and other surfaces shall be non-reflective.

4. Residential driveway access onto Silverado Trail shall be combined with the adjacent property to the northwest to minimize traffic hazards and avoid multiple driveway connections inconsistent with the objectives of the General Plan for gateway properties and scenic corridors;

5. Residential driveways and utility alignments shall be:

   • a. Designed to follow existing patterns of access to the site;

   • b. Located to minimize grading and earthmoving activity, by following existing contours and positioned upon gradual slopes whenever possible;

   • c. Constructed to blend with the existing landscape, through alignment with the natural curving contour of the land instead of keeping to straight lines or geometric patterns;

   • d. Concealed to the extent practicable from public view through preservation and maintenance of existing vegetation or through planned landscaping consistent with the natural character of the area;

6. Residential structures and buildings shall be sited to minimize the removal or pruning of, or damage to, existing significant trees on and adjacent to the site;

7. Residential site improvements shall be designed to preserve significant trees and to maintain the urban forest as a distinctive feature of the site;

8. Landscaping shall be used to minimize the effects of grade changes, erosion and drainage control and soften the mass and bulk of residential structures. Transition landscape planting and vegetation preservation shall:

   • a. Incorporate trees planted in random groupings or clusters that mimic or maintain natural assemblages rather than in systematic rows;

   • b. Preserve native vegetation, including grasses and open space whenever possible;

   • c. Use native materials and/or non-natives that are compatible with indigenous vegetation and confined to the adjacent vicinity of the proposed structure;

• d. Include a sufficient irrigation, maintenance and monitoring program designed to provide species requirements as well as protect against sedimentation, soil loss and land sliding;

9. Exterior and landscape lighting associated with residential development shall be:

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CA1828 on 2026-05-11

City of Calistoga, CA

CALISTOGA CODE

§ 17.24.490

§ 17.24.500

• a. Designed to minimize nighttime disruption and visual glare by shielding lamp sources downward and away from view of public roads;

• b. Controlled by timers and/or motion sensors, to limit the duration of use and reduce prolonged glare;

• c. Sized with the minimum wattage necessary to meet desired application;

• d. Predominantly on doorways, walkways and outdoor patio areas.

10. Architectural up-lighting for residential structures shall be prohibited. (Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

Unless otherwise provided in an approved use permit, on-site parking shall comply with the standards contained in Chapter 17.36 CMC.

(Ord. 603 § 2, 2004)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/CA1828 on 2026-05-11

City of Calistoga, CA

ZONING

§ 17.24.600

§ 17.24.630