Camarillo Municipal Code § 19.22.030 Accessory uses permitted in the P-O zone

In order to provide a method whereby land may be designed and developed as a unit for professional administrative offices, and in order to produce an environment of stable desirable character which will be in harmony with the existing or potential development of the surrounding neighborhoods and which may be located in or adjacent to residential areas, and in order to produce professional administrative office developments which meet modern standards of open space, concentration of buildings, common parking facilities, light, air, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, the professional office P-O zone is established to provide suitable locations for offices and services of a professional, clerical, or administrative nature.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.)

No building or improvements may be erected, constructed, converted, established, altered or enlarged, nor may a lot or premises be used until a development plan has been submitted to, and approved by, the planning commission unless otherwise set forth in this code. All such uses must be within an enclosed building unless stated otherwise in this chapter. However, any use listed as permitted and proposed to be located in an existing structure may be approved by the director after the use has been reviewed and determined to be compatible. All uses shall be subject to the property development standards in Sections 19.22.050 through 19.22.170.

New buildings in the P-O zone shall be made only in conformance with a planned development permit granted by the planning commission in accordance with Section 19.22.200. Such permit shall be obtained by filing an application in the planning department accompanied by a plot plan and elevation drawings of the structures in accordance with the procedures set forth herein.

The planning commission, and/or the city council, shall not grant a permit for any use when it finds the use will be injurious or detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or to the property in the vicinity or zone in which the use will be situated: and secondly, that the imposition of conditions upon the requested use will not prevent such effects. All uses herein authorized shall be conducted totally within a building;

A. Financial institutions of the following types:

1. Banks

2. Commercial loan offices

3. Credit union offices

4. Credit services

5. Mortgage services

6. Savings and loan associations;

B. General office, business, administrative service consulting or professional uses of the following types:

1. Accountants

2. Advertising agencies

3. Appraisers

4. Architect and artist studios

5. Attorneys

6. Bookkeepers

7. Chiropodists

8. Chiropractors

9. Collection agencies

10. Consulting services

11. Construction services (excluding storage of construction equipment and materials on the property)

12. Corporation or general offices

13. Counseling services

14. Doctors or other similar practitioners of the healing arts for human beings

15. Employment agencies

16. Engineers

17. Escrow services

18. Hospitals (excluding mental hospitals) and including accessory gift shops, and flower shops without outside signage indicating the presence of such accessory uses

19. Insurance services

20. Investment services

21. Laboratories (medical, dental, and biological)

22. Libraries

23. Life science R&D, including vivarium

24. Medical and dental clinics

25. Mortuaries

26. Postal services

27. Real estate services

28. Stockbrokers

29. Surveying services

30. Telephone answering services;

C. Any other use determined by the planning commission to conform with the general purpose or intent of an administrative nature excluding general retail uses;

D. Agricultural uses, temporary agricultural uses and stands, subject to the following conditions and limitations:

1. Growing agricultural crops and accessory structures are permitted uses, but no poultry or animals shall be raised or kept except as otherwise permitted by this chapter.

(Ord. 512 § 7, 1982; Ord. 493 § 1 (part), 1981; Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.1.)

(Ord. No. 2007, § 5B, 4-12-2023)

Accessory uses of the following types may be permitted provided they are incidental to the permitted uses within the same building:

A. Off-street parking of private automobiles in connection with any P-O use as provided under the development standards of the zoning title, however, specifically excluding the storage and maintenance of trailers and mobile homes except temporary offices during the period of construction;

B. Coffee shop, newsstands, pharmacy where pharmacies are limited to the preparation, dispensing and retailing of drugs including the dispensing and retailing of orthopedic and medical appliances; however, specifically excluding retailing and dispensing nonrelated pharmaceutical commodities, products or articles;

C. There shall be no entrance directly from the street or outside of the development to the business and no signs or other evidence indicating the existence of such business shall be visible from the outside of the building. The building shall be of sufficient size and character so that the patronage of such business may be expected to be furnished substantially or solely by tenants of the office building.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.2.)

The following uses may be permitted in the P-O zone if a conditional use permit is obtained in the manner provided for in the Chapter 19.62, and such use conforms to every term and condition of the permit and the following: The conditional use permit may be granted if the applicant demonstrates that the use will not be injurious or detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare; the application will be compatible with the uses, zone, and property within the area; the conditional use permit may include conditions which, in the opinion of the commission, are imposed to insure compatibility and to mitigate any adverse condition involved with the use; the permit is necessary to make reasonable use of the property:

1. Churches;

2. Educational institutions: business, professional schools including dancing academies, art institutes but excluding manual arts, auto body, motor repair, carpentry and public schools;

3. Charitable and philanthropic institutions;

4. Publicly owned or operated buildings and uses including libraries, museums and community buildings; but excluding jails, prisons, and other places of confinement, dumps, and sanitary fills;

5. Sanitariums or convalescent homes; only the expansion of an existing facility or new facilities in close proximity to a hospital where a need can be shown;

6. Tennis and swim clubs, gymnasiums and handball facilities;

7. Public utility buildings or structures including radio and television broadcasting studios, but not including transmitters;

8. Colleges or universities which offer a program of professional preparatory instruction or any combination thereof offering full curricula as required by state law;

9. Buildings containing a height greater than twenty-five feet;

10. Temporary agricultural stands in accordance with Chapter 19.62;

11. [Intentionally deleted];

12. Indoor theaters, including the on-sale of alcoholic beverages;

13. Commercial recreation uses and sports complexes;

14. Hotels and motels with convention and/or recreational facilities.

(Ord. 911 § 3, 1999; Ord. 891 § 1, 1998; Ord. 867 § 1, 1997; Ord. 790 § 1, 1993; Ord. 660 § 2, 1988; Ord. 512 § 10 (part), 1982: Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3 (part).)

(Ord. No. 1108, § 4, 3-11-2015; Ord. No. 1109, § 4, 3-25-2015; Ord. No. 1182, § 4, 8-25-2021; Ord. No. 1196, § 4A, 9-14-2022)

The following uses may be permitted in the Professional Office (P-O) Zone if a conditional use permit is approved by the director in the manner provided in Chapter 19.62:

A. Day care nurseries, short-term, providing care for more than six children subject to the standards of Section 19.62.165.

(Ord. No. 1196, § 4B, 9-14-2022)

The property development and performance standards set forth in Sections 19.22.060 through 19.22.170 shall apply to all lots and premises in the professional office P-O zone.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3 (part).)

All uses within the P-O professional office zone shall operate in accordance with the provisions of the performance standards contained in Chapter 19.54 of this code.

(Ord. 763 § 9, 1992.)

All lots hereafter created shall contain the following minimum standards:

A. Minimum lot area shall be ten thousand square feet which may consist of one or more lots or parcels excluding the public right-of-way dedicated for public purposes or proposed road purposes. If more than one parcel exists, however, the design of the development shall be integrated and unified by the utilization of common access driveways, parking areas under a conjunctional use agreement approved by the city.

B. Minimum width of lots shall be one hundred feet.

C. Minimum depth of lots measured at right angles to the front property line shall be one hundred feet.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(A).)

The planning commission in their review shall determine the yard requirements based upon the height and bulk of the building and adjoining land uses and the intent of the zone, but in no case shall a yard requirement be below the minimum standards set forth as follows:

A. Front yard building setback shall not be less than thirty-five feet from the existing or proposed right-of-way line with a minimum landscaping of ten feet. If no parking or vehicular drives are provided in the front yard area, then the front yard area may be reduced to not less than twenty feet.

B. Side Yards. No interior side yards shall be required except adjacent to a residential zone or abutting any public right-of-way, in which case the front yard setback shall apply.

C. Rear Yard. A rear yard of not less than ten feet shall be provided for each building hereinafter erected or extended; except, where adjacent to a residential zone, a twenty foot setback shall be provided.

D. Interior Yards. Interior yards between buildings shall have a width equal to the height of the taller of the two buildings but which yards need not exceed forty feet.

E. General Yard Uses. The utilization of yard areas shall be limited to landscaping, parking, loading, the placement of trash enclosures to serve the approved uses to be conducted on the premises.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(B).)

Off-street parking and loading shall be in accordance with the parking and loading provisions and standards set forth under the parking and loading chapters of this title (Chapters 19.44 and 19.46).

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(C).)

A. Whenever the P-O zone sides on or rears on a residential zone, there shall be erected along the property line a decorative screen wall six feet in height.

B. Whenever the parking or circulation area abuts a public street, there shall be provided a screen berm, decorative wall or landscape hedge not greater than three feet in height along the property lines adjacent to the parking areas and adjacent to the street.

C. The placement and design of the wall screened berms shall be shown on the landscaping plan and submitted to the planning director for approval.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(D).)

Exterior lighting is permitted subject to the procedures and regulations in Chapter 19.47 of this code.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(E).)

(Ord. No. 2004, § 8, 1-11-2023)

Buildings including accessory buildings may cover up to fifty percent of the planned development permit parcel area; except, if covered parking is provided under the principal building, building coverage may be increased by one hundred eighty square feet for every covered parking space, and further provided, that the minimum landscaping is also increased by one percent for every five covered parking spaces provided. However, in no event shall more than ninety percent of the permit area be used for building structures, parking, and vehicular circulation. In no event shall less than ten percent of the planned development permit area be devoted to landscaping.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(F).).

All buildings shall be limited to a height of thirty-five feet. Greater heights may be permitted subject to the granting of a conditional use permit.

Rooftop HVAC equipment and the parapet or architectural projections used to screen HVAC equipment are excluded from building height calculations.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(G).)

(Ord. No. 2007, § 5C, 4-12-2023)

A. The purpose of the landscaping requirements shall be to enhance, conserve and stabilize property values by encouraging pleasant and attractive surroundings. Landscaping also contributes to the relief of heat, noise, and glare through the proper placement of green plants and trees.

B. Landscaping and all other ground space treatment shall be provided upon at least ten percent of the net developed site. All landscaping shall be provided with a permanent irrigation system, and shall be surrounded by a six-inch concrete curb. Landscaping shall be considered actual planting areas of lawn, trees, planter boxes, shrubs, or other plants. Environmental areas shall be considered those spaces related to or integrated with landscaping which provide an interesting complementary design. Courtyards, water ponds, streams, walkways, decks, kiosks, and similar items may be permitted. Such landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the following standards:

1. Maintenance. Required landscaped areas shall be maintained in a neat, clean, orderly and healthy condition. This is meant to include proper pruning, mowing of lawns, weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants when necessary, and the regular watering of all plantings.

2. Required landscaped areas shall be provided with a suitable, permanent method of irrigation of plants. This irrigation system shall consist of piped water lines terminating in an appropriate number of sprinklers to insure a sufficient amount of water to plants within the landscaped area. Sprinklers shall be so spaced as to assure a complete coverage of the required landscaped area.

3. The entire front yard setback shall be landscaped with the exception of that area provided for vehicles or pedestrian access and approved on the development plan.

4. No planting area shall be considered as such unless it contains at least twenty-four square feet of area and is a minimum of four feet in width except raised planting boxes within close proximity to the building.

5. One tree, fifteen-gallon minimum, of a species approved on final landscaping plan, shall be planted within a minimum thirty-six square-foot area, at every ten rows of single row parking stalls, or at every twenty rows of double row parking stalls.

6. Each unused space resulting from the design of parking spaces or over twenty-four square feet in area shall be landscaped.

7. When the commercial development either rears on or sides on a residential zone, or where the P-O zone abuts an alley or developed property adjacent to a residential zone, it shall include a six-foot wide landscaped area to screen the commercial development. The design of the screening shall consist of evergreen trees and shrubs closely spaced.

8. Landscaping Plan. A plan at a minimum scale of one inch equals thirty feet shall be submitted for approval by the planning director and shall contain the following:

a. The dimensions and square footage of each planting area;

b. Identification of each plant, common and botanical name, at the planting area; the number of each and their container size;

c. The permanent irrigation system, including all pipe sizes and type and size of all sprinkler heads;

d. Specification sheet indicating the soil preparation and maintenance program for continual maintenance of the landscaping area and any type of guarantee associated with the installation of the landscaping.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(H).)

Refuse and recycling enclosures shall be provided in accordance with the enclosure provisions of Chapter 19.50 and the following standards:

A. When an outdoor refuse and recycling storage area is provided, it shall be easily accessible and enclosed on all sides by a minimum six-foot high brick, concrete block or masonry wall. The opening of the storage area shall be screened by a solid gate of durable wood, metal, or comparable material.

B. In addition, no material or waste shall be deposited in such a form or manner that it may be transferred by natural causes or force, and waste which may cause fumes, dust, or which may constitute a fire hazard or be edible by or otherwise attractive to rodents or insects, shall be stored only in closed containers in required enclosures.

C. The number and general placement of the enclosures shall be set forth in the CPD permit and approved by the planning commission.

(Ord. 791 § 6, 1993: Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(I).)

All utilities shall be placed underground in accordance with provisions of Chapter 13.08.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(J).)

All mechanical and electrical equipment, including standby generators, and satellite dish antennas shall be screened by landscaping or fence or combination with the design approved by the director of planning and community development, and all rooftop equipment shall be placed behind a permanent parapet wall or equipment screen approved by the director of planning and community development or his designated representative and be completely screened from view at ground level.

For life science applications, venting exhaust may protrude from screening up to five feet above the parapet, as long as it's not visible by line of site from centerline of the right of way, and standby generators may be located within the required parking and/or required landscaping areas.

(Ord. 821 § 3, 1994: Ord. 593 § 12, 1985: Ord. 590 § 12, 1985: Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(K).)

(Ord. No. 2007, § 5D, 4-12-2023)

Adequate ramps and equipment shall be provided to accommodate the use of the facility by the handicapped and shall include, but not be limited to, access ramps, rest rooms, drinking fountains, etc.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.3(L).)

No building or improvement or portion thereof shall be erected, constructed, converted, established, altered or enlarged; nor shall a lot or premises be used without first obtaining a planned development permit, nor shall an existing building be used for a new use without a certificate of occupancy permit first being obtained.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.6.)

The application and development plan shall be reviewed by the planning department in accordance with the administrative procedure. Upon review by the planning department, the application for a planned development permit shall be scheduled for planning commission review.

(Ord. 856 § 6, 1996: Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.7.)

A. Notice of the time and place of the planning commission review of the application and the staff's proposed recommendation shall be given to the applicant.

1. In considering the approval, denial or modification of an application for a planned development permit, the planning commission shall consider the proposed recommendation of the staff and the following guidelines:

a. That the degree of compatibility of property uses for which this section is intended to promote and preserve shall be maintained with respect to the particular use on the particular site and consideration of existing and potential uses of property within the zone and the general area in which the use is proposed to be located;

b. That performance standards and conditions shall be imposed upon uses which without such condition might become obnoxious, dangerous, offensive or injurious to the public health, safety, or welfare, or a portion thereof by reason of the emission of noise, smoke, dust, fumes, vibration, odor or other harmful or annoying substances;

c. That there shall be maintained the integrity and character of the neighborhood in which the use will be located and the utility and value of property in the neighborhood and in the adjacent zones;

d. That the use shall be compatible with public interest, health, safety, convenience and general welfare.

2. The planning commission may attach such conditions and make such modifications, changes or alterations in the proposed application as the commission may determine necessary to carry out the purposes and intent of this zone.

3. If the proposed planned development would substantially depreciate property values in the vicinity, unreasonably interfere with the use and enjoyment of property in the vicinity by occupants thereof, or would endanger the public peace, health, safety and general welfare, then such proposed planned development shall be rejected, modified or conditioned to remove such objections.

4. Unless the use is inaugurated or the construction of the structure is commenced and being diligently pursued not later than twelve months after the date the permit is granted, the permit will automatically expire on that date. However, if there have been no changes in the proposed plot plans or adjacent areas, the planning commission may grant additional extensions of time for use inauguration.

5. Any permit previously or subsequently granted may be revoked by the planning commission or city council after appropriate proceedings, provided herein, for any of the following causes:

a. That any term or condition of the permit has not been complied with;

b. That the property subject to the permit, or any portion thereof, is used or maintained in violation of any statute, ordinance, law or regulation in effect at time of approval;

c. That the use for which the permit was granted has not been exercised for at least twelve consecutive months, has ceased to exist, or has been abandoned;

d. That the use for which the permit was granted has been so exercised as to be detrimental to the public health or safety, or constitutes a nuisance.

B. After revocation of a permit, the property affected thereby shall be subject to the regulations of the applicable zone classification.

C. The failure of the planning commission or city council to revoke a permit whenever due cause exists or occurs does not constitute a waiver of such tight with respect to any subsequent cause for revocation.

(Ord. 856 § 7, 1996: Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.8.)

A. Effective Date of Planning Commission Decision. Decisions of the planning commission approving, denying or conditionally approving an application for a plan shall be final and conclusive on the tenth consecutive calendar day following the date of the planning commission's decision, unless an effective timely and complete appeal is filed or a city council review is ordered as provided in this section.

B. Form of Appeal. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, an appeal from a decision of the planning commission relating to a plan shall not be valid or effective for any purpose unless it meets all of the following requirements:

1. Each such appeal shall be in writing on a form provided by the director of planning and community development of the city ("director"), and shall identify the planning commission's action to which the appeal relates; and

2. Each such appeal shall be filed with the director prior to the planning commission decision to which the appeal relates becoming final, as provided in subsection A of this section; and

3. Each such appeal shall be accompanied by a processing fee in an amount set by the city council; and

4. Each such appeal is filed by or on behalf of any of the following:

a. The owner of any real property located within the city, or

b. A person who lawfully occupies or is entitled to lawfully occupy any real property which is located within three hundred feet of the lot lines of the lot or lots which are the subject of the planned development permit, or

c. Any interested person.

C. Effectiveness of an Appeal. No appeal shall be deemed complete nor effective for any purpose unless it complies with all of the provisions of this section.

D. Review by City Council. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section to the contrary, the city council, by majority vote of its total membership and at any time before a planning commission decision becomes final pursuant to subsection A of this section, may issue an order to review, de novo, a planning commission decision relating to a plan ("order of review").

E. Stay of Proceedings. The timely filing of an effective appeal or the timely adoption by the city council of an order of review shall stay the decision of the planning commission to which the appeal or order of review relates, pending the city council action on the matter.

F. Action of City Clerk. Upon the timely filing of an effective appeal or the adoption of a timely order of review, the city clerk will:

1. Set the matter for hearing at the next most convenient meeting of the city council; and

2. Give written mailed notice of the time and place of the hearing to the appellant, the applicant, and such other persons and entities in accordance with Section 19.84.030 of this code.

G. Action by the City Council. At the time and place of the hearing on an appeal or an order of review, the city council shall conduct a de novo hearing on the matter, at which time all interested persons shall be allowed to present relevant reliable evidence to the city council. The technical rules of evidence applicable to judicial proceedings need not be observed, provided that the matter is resolved by the city council based upon reliable relevant evidence. The applicant shall have the burden of proof to show the existence of the facts which warrant the granting of the planned development permit.

H. City Council Decision. The city clerk shall give written notice of the city council's decision to the appellant, the applicant and any other interested person who requests such notice. The city council's determination shall be final and conclusive subject only to judicial review.

(Ord. 856 § 8, 1996.)

(Ord. No. 1153, § 4(K), 5-25-2018)

A. A certificate of occupancy shall be required for any change in use within a planned development permit. A change in use in an existing building may be approved by the planning director.

B. An application for a certificate of occupancy may be obtained from the city and shall be accompanied by a description of the proposed usage in sufficient detail to describe fully the nature and extent of the proposed use.

C. A certificate of occupancy for a use of the land in the P-O zone may be revoked by the city council after a public hearing if the city council finds that the holder of the certificate has failed to comply with the approved plans or conditions attached to the planned development permit.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.9.)

Uses expressly prohibited in the P-O zone are:

A. Industrial and manufacturing uses;

B. Residential uses;

C. Retail activities except those expressly permitted.

(Ord. 360 § 1 (part), 1977: prior code § 9406.10.)