Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 17 — ZONING›Part 2 — Zoning Districts and Overlay Zones
Capitola Municipal Code § 17.32.030 Development standards
Capitola Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · Capitola
Cite as: Capitola Municipal Code § 17.32.030 · Text as of 2026-10-05
17.32.010 Purpose of the special purpose zoning districts.¶
A. Community Facility (CF). The CF zoning district provides areas for public and community facilities serving Capitola residents and visitors. Land uses permitted in the CF zoning district include public uses such as governmental offices, police and fire stations, community centers, schools, libraries, and other similar uses. The CF zoning district implements the public/quasi-public land use designation in the general plan.
B. Parks and Open Space (P/OS). The P/OS zoning district provides parks, recreational facilities, and open space for the use and enjoyment of the community and visitors. The P/OS zoning district also protects and preserves environmentally sensitive natural areas and habitat in Capitola. The P/OS zoning district implements the parks and open space land use designation in the general plan. (Ord. 1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.32.020 Land use regulations (effective within coastal zone).¶
A. Permitted Uses. Table 17.32-1 identifies land uses permitted in the CF and P/OS zoning districts.
B. Commercial Uses in the P/OS Zoning District. Commercial uses that are accessory to a permitted use in the P/OS zoning district are permitted with a conditional use permit as long as the park, recreation, and open space purposes are met by the overall development.
C. Visitor Accommodations in New Brighton State Beach. Visitor accommodations and campground uses are permitted in the New Brighton State Beach.
D. P/OS Standards. The following standards apply to uses in the P/OS zoning district:
Any structure, land use, or removal of vegetation or natural materials that in the opinion of the community development director is inconsistent with the purpose of the P/OS zoning district is prohibited.
Development shall be subordinate to its recreational, scenic, or natural resource purpose consistent with the local coastal program (LCP). Natural resource protection shall include protection of arroyos; creeks, riparian corridors, and other environmentally sensitive habitat; and woodlands.
No new structures are permitted on the open, sandy beach area of Capitola except for appropriate public facilities (e.g., the flume and jetties), required shoreline protective structures (approved beach erosion control structures), and structures required for public health and safety (e.g., lifeguard stands) if otherwise consistent with the local coastal program.
Table 17.32-1: Permitted Land Uses in the CF and P/OS Zoning Districts
| Key | Key | Zoning District | Zoning District | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | Permitted Use | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| A | Administrative Permit required | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| M | Minor Use Permit required | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| C | Conditional Use Permit required | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| – | Use not allowed | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Public and Quasi-Public Uses |
| Colleges and Trade Schools | Colleges and Trade Schools | C | – | |
| Community Assembly | Community Assembly | P [1] | – | |
| Cultural Institutions | Cultural Institutions | P [1] | – | |
| Day Care Centers | Day Care Centers | P [1] | – | |
| Government Offices | Government Offices | P | – | |
| Parks and Recreational Facilities | Parks and Recreational Facilities | P [1] | P [1] | |
| Public Paths and Coastal Accessways | Public Paths and Coastal Accessways | P | P | |
| Public Safety Facilities | Public Safety Facilities | P | – | |
| Schools, Public or Private | Schools, Public or Private | P | – | |
| Transportation, Communication, and Utilities Uses | ||||
| Recycling Collection Facilities | Recycling Collection Facilities | C | – | Section 17.96.130 |
| Utilities, Major | Utilities, Major | C | C | |
| Utilities, Minor | Utilities, Minor | P | P | |
| Wireless Telecommunications Facilities | Wireless Telecommunications Facilities | See Chapter 17.104 | See Chapter 17.104 | |
| Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses |
| Accessory Uses and Structures | Accessory Uses and Structures | See Chapter 17.52 | See Chapter 17.52 | |
| Temporary Uses and Structures | Temporary Uses and Structures | See Section 17.96.180 | See Section 17.96.180 | |
| Urban Agriculture | Urban Agriculture | Urban Agriculture | Urban Agriculture | Urban Agriculture |
| Community Gardens | Community Gardens | M [1] | M [1] |
Note:
[1] Publicly owned and/or operated facilities only.
(Ord. 1066 § 2 (Att. 1), 2024; Ord. 1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.32.020 Land use regulations (effective outside coastal zone). Revised 3/26¶
A. Permitted Uses. Table 17.32-1 identifies land uses permitted in the CF and P/OS zoning districts.
B. Commercial Uses in the P/OS Zoning District. Commercial uses that are accessory to a permitted use in the P/OS zoning district are permitted with a conditional use permit as long as the park, recreation, and open space purposes are met by the overall development.
C. Visitor Accommodations in New Brighton State Beach. Visitor accommodations and campground uses are permitted in the New Brighton State Beach.
D. P/OS Standards. The following standards apply to uses in the P/OS zoning district:
Any structure, land use, or removal of vegetation or natural materials that in the opinion of the community development director is inconsistent with the purpose of the P/OS zoning district is prohibited.
Development shall be subordinate to its recreational, scenic, or natural resource purpose consistent with the local coastal program (LCP). Natural resource protection shall include protection of arroyos; creeks, riparian corridors, and other environmentally sensitive habitat; and woodlands.
No new structures are permitted on the open, sandy beach area of Capitola except for appropriate public facilities (e.g., the flume and jetties), required shoreline protective structures (approved beach erosion control structures), and structures required for public health and safety (e.g., lifeguard stands) if otherwise consistent with the local coastal program.
Table 17.32-1: Permitted Land Uses in the CF and P/OS Zoning Districts
| Key | Key | Zoning District | Zoning District | Additional Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | Permitted Use | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| A | Administrative Permit required | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| M | Minor Use Permit required | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| C | Conditional Use Permit required | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| – | Use not allowed | CF | P/OS | Additional Regulations |
| Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Public and Quasi-Public Uses | Public and Quasi-Public Uses |
| Colleges and Trade Schools | Colleges and Trade Schools | C | – | |
| Community Assembly | Community Assembly | P [1] | – | |
| Cultural Institutions | Cultural Institutions | P [1] | – | |
| Day Care Centers | Day Care Centers | P [1] | – | |
| Government Offices | Government Offices | P | – | |
| Parks and Recreational Facilities | Parks and Recreational Facilities | P [1] | P [1] | |
| Public Paths and Coastal Accessways [2] | Public Paths and Coastal Accessways [2] | P | P | |
| Public Safety Facilities | Public Safety Facilities | P | – | |
| Schools, Public or Private | Schools, Public or Private | P | – | |
| Transportation, Communication, and Utilities Uses | ||||
| Recycling Collection Facilities | Recycling Collection Facilities | C | – | Section 17.96.130 |
| Utilities, Major | Utilities, Major | C | C | |
| Utilities, Minor | Utilities, Minor | P | P | |
| Wireless Telecommunications Facilities | Wireless Telecommunications Facilities | See Chapter 17.104 | See Chapter 17.104 | |
| Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses | Other Uses |
| Accessory Uses and Structures | Accessory Uses and Structures | See Chapter 17.52 | See Chapter 17.52 | |
| Temporary Uses and Structures | Temporary Uses and Structures | See Section 17.96.180 | See Section 17.96.180 | |
| Urban Agriculture | Urban Agriculture | Urban Agriculture | Urban Agriculture | Urban Agriculture |
| Community Gardens | Community Gardens | M [1] | M [1] |
Note:
[1] Publicly owned and/or operated facilities only.
[2] Coastal armoring to support public paths and coastal accessways along Cliff Drive is allowable. See Capitola LCP policy II-4 and VII-12.
(Ord. 1074 § 3 (Exh. A), 2026; Ord. 1066 § 2 (Att. 1), 2024; Ord. 1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
17.32.030 Development standards.¶
A. Floor Area Ratio. The maximum permitted floor area ratio (FAR) is 0.25 in the P/OS zoning district and as determined by the planning commission through the design review process in the CF zoning district.
B. Other Development Standards. Other development standards (e.g., setbacks, height, building coverage) in the CF and P/OS zoning districts shall be determined by the planning commission through the design review and coastal development permit (if in the coastal zone) process. (Ord. 1043 § 2 (Att. 2), 2020)
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