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Chapter 17.04 — PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF ZONING CODE

Capitola Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Capitola

Chapter 17.04
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF ZONING CODE
Sections:
17.04.010 Title and authority.
17.04.020 Purpose of the zoning code.
17.04.030 Relationship to the general plan.
17.04.040 Relationship to the local coastal program.
17.04.050 Applicability of the zoning code.
17.04.010 Title and authority.
Title
17 of the Capitola Municipal Code shall be known and cited as the “Capitola Zoning Code” and referred to
in this title as “the zoning code.” The zoning code is adopted pursuant to the authority in Section
65850 of the California Government Code. (Ord. 1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.04.020 Purpose of the zoning code.
A. General. The purpose of the zoning code is to implement the general plan and the
local coastal program land use plan (LUP)
and to protect the public health, safety, and welfare.
B. Specific. The zoning code is intended to:
1. Preserve and enhance Capitola’s small-town feel and coastal village charm.
2. Ensure that all
development exhibits high-quality design that supports a unique sense of place.
3. Protect and enhance the quality of life in residential neighborhoods.
4. Encourage active and inviting commercial and
mixed use areas.
5. Support a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic local economy.
6. Allow for a broad range of housing choices that meets the needs of all segments of the community.
7. Protect and enhance natural resources that contribute to Capitola’s unique identity and scenic beauty.
8. Maintain and enhance coastal access and visitor serving facilities and services.
9. Protect and preserve Capitola’s
historic resources.
10. Support a balanced transportation system that accommodates the needs of automobiles, pedestrians, bicycles, and other forms of transportation.
11. Ensure the protection of coastal resources. (Ord.
1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.04.030 Relationship to the general plan.
The zoning code implements the general plan by regulating the use of land and
structures in Capitola. If the zoning code conflicts with the general plan, the general plan governs. (Ord.

1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.04.040 Relationship to the local coastal program.
A. General. Portions of the zoning code are components of Capitola’s
local coastal program (LCP) prepared in accordance with
the California Coastal Act of 1976 (Coastal Act). The LCP consists of the
local
coastal program land use plan (LUP) and the
local coastal program implementation plan (IP). The LCP applies
to areas within Capitola’s
coastal zone as generally depicted
on the city of Capitola zoning map
(also part of the IP) and within the LCP.
B.
Local Coastal Program Implementation Plan.
1. The
local coastal program LUP is a comprehensive long-term plan for
land use and physical
development within the city’s

coastal zone.It consists of proposed policies and recommendations for

land use in
the
coastal zone consistent with the Coastal Act. It includes the coastal
land use plan map, which is the certified general
plan
land use map for the area within the

coastal zone.
2. The
local coastal program IP establishes specific
land use and
development regulations to implement the
local coastal program LUP. The following zoning code chapters
are a part of Capitola’s local coastal
program IP:
a. All chapters in Parts 1 (Enactment and Applicability), 2 (Zoning Districts and Overlay Zones), and 3 (Citywide Standards).
b. Chapters
17.128 (Variances),
17.136 (Minor Modifications),
17.140 (Reasonable Accommodations),
17.144 (Zoning Code and

Local Coastal Program Amendments), and
17.148 (Public Notice and
Hearings)
in Part 4 (Permits and Administration).
c. Chapter
17.160 (Glossary) in Part 5 (Glossary).
3. Any portion of the zoning code not specifically identified in subsection (B)(2) of this section is hereby declared to not be a component of Capitola’s
local
coastal program IP.
4. The
local coastal program IP also includes other municipal code chapters and sections, as follows:
a. Chapters
9.40 (Signs on Public Property or Rights-of-Way),
10.36 (Stopping, Standing and Parking),
12.12 (Community Tree
and Forest Management),
12.44 (Limiting Boats on Capitola Beaches During
Evening Hours),
15.28 (Excavation and Grading), and
16.68 (Condominium and Community Apartment Conversions).
b. Title
16 (Subdivisions).
C. Conflicting Provisions. If provisions of the
local coastal program implementation plan conflict with provisions of the

local
coastal program land use plan, and/or if there are any questions regarding intent,
the
local coastal program land use plan, the California Coastal Act, and applicable state law shall govern. (Ord.

1043 § 2
(Att. 2), 2020)
17.04.050 Applicability of the zoning code.
A. Applicability to Property. The zoning code applies to all land, uses, and
development (including structures) within the Capitola city limits.
B. Compliance with Regulations. All uses,
structures,and
development activity in Capitola shall comply with the zoning code.
Chapter 17.04
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF ZONING CODE
C. Conflicting Regulations. Where conflict occurs with other city regulations or with state or federal laws, higher law shall control over lower law unless local variation is permitted. Where conflicting laws are
of equal stature, the more restrictive shall control unless otherwise specified in the zoning code or in state or federal law. In the
coastal zone,in case of conflict between the

local coastal program and any other
city law, regulation, or policy, the
local coastal program,the California Coastal Act, and applicable state law shall prevail. (Ord.

1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)

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Contents — Capitola Zoning Code
Capitola Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 17.04 — PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF ZONING CODE
  2. Chapter 17.08 — INTERPRETATION
  3. Chapter 17.12 — ZONING DISTRICTS AND MAP
  4. Chapter 17.16 — RESIDENTIAL ZONING DISTRICTS
  5. Chapter 17.20 — MIXED USE ZONING DISTRICTS
  6. Chapter 17.24 — COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS Rev…
  7. Chapter 17.28 — VISITOR SERVING OVERLAY ZONE
  8. Chapter 17.32 — SPECIAL PURPOSE ZONING DISTRICTS Revised 3/26
  9. Chapter 17.36 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONING DISTRICT
  10. Chapter 17.40 — RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY ZONES
  11. Chapter 17.44 — COASTAL OVERLAY ZONE
  12. Chapter 17.48 — HEIGHT, SETBACKS, AND FLOOR AREA
  13. Chapter 17.52 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES AND USES
  14. Chapter 17.56 — ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES
  15. Chapter 17.57 — OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR CAPITOLA MALL R…
  16. Chapter 17.60 — FENCES AND WALLS
  17. Chapter 17.64
  18. Chapter 17.68
  19. Chapter 17.72 — LANDSCAPING
  20. Chapter 17.74 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
  21. Chapter 17.75 — SB 9 RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS
  22. Chapter 17.76
  23. Chapter 17.82
  24. Chapter 17.84 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION
  25. Chapter 17.88 — INCENTIVES FOR COMMUNITY BENEFITS Revised 6/26
  26. Chapter 17.92 — NONCONFORMING USES
  27. Chapter 17.96 — SUPPLEMENTAL STANDARDS
  28. Chapter 17.100 — MOBILE HOME PARK CONVERSIONS
  29. Chapter 17.104 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES
  30. Chapter 17.108 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY
  31. Chapter 17.112 — PERMIT APPLICATION AND REVIEW
  32. Chapter 17.114 — CONCEPTUAL REVIEW
  33. Chapter 17.116 — ADMINISTRATIVE PERMITS
  34. Chapter 17.120 — DESIGN PERMITS
  35. Chapter 17.128 — VARIANCES
  36. Chapter 17.132 — SIGN PERMITS
  37. Chapter 17.136 — MINOR MODIFICATIONS
  38. Chapter 17.140 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
  39. Chapter 17.144 — ZONING CODE AND LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM AMENDME…
  40. Chapter 17.148 — PUBLIC NOTICE AND HEARINGS
  41. Chapter 17.156 — POST-DECISION PROCEDURES
  42. Chapter 17.160 — GLOSSARY Revised 6/26

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