Chapter 14.18 — MHP MOBILE HOME PARK PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

Carpinteria Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Carpinteria

14.18.010 - Purpose and intent.

The purpose of the MHP district is to provide areas for mobile homes on nonpermanent foundations (i.e., mobile home parks) in recognition of the fact that such development offers opportunities for affordable rental housing. The intent is to ensure a safe and attractive residential environment by promoting high standards of site planning, architecture, and landscape design for mobile home parks.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.015 - Processing accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units.

The following processes shall govern development of such units in the MHP district, in accordance with Chapter 14.72 (Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units):

1.

Permits for accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units located in the ADU beach neighborhood overlay district, shall be subject to discretionary review in accordance with Section 14.72.110 of this chapter.

2.

Accessory dwelling units, outside the coastal zone appeals jurisdiction, shall be subject to approval of an administrative coastal development permit.

Accessory dwelling units, within the coastal zone appeals jurisdiction, shall be subject to approval of an administrative coastal development permit, appealable to the California Coastal Commission as provided in Chapter 14.78 (Appeals).

4.

Junior accessory dwelling units shall be subject to issuance of a building permit.

(Ord. 758, § 4, 1-23-2023)

14.18.020 - Processing.

Prior to the issuance of any permit for development on property zoned or to be rezoned to mobile home park, a development plan shall be submitted, processed, and approved as provided in Chapter 14.68.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.030 - Uses permitted subject to development plan approval.

Uses permitted subject to development plan approval in the MHP district are as follows:

1.

Mobile home park;

Recreational facilities for the use of the residents of the park;

3.

Uses, structures, and buildings customarily incidental and subordinate to the uses permitted in this district;

4.

Personal use cannabis cultivation, as provided in Chapter 14.59.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

(Ord. No. 726, § 6, 3-25-2019)

14.18.040 - Setbacks.

The following minimum standards shall apply to the perimeters of a mobile home park:

1.

No building or structure shall be located closer than twenty feet from the property line nor fifty feet from the centerline of any dedicated city street, nor closer than fifteen feet from the side or rear property lines of the parcel on which the mobile home park is located.

2.

The following minimum standards shall apply to mobile home sites located within a mobile home park:

No building or structure shall be located closer than ten feet from the front line of the mobile home site, nor closer than five feet from the side and rear lines of the mobile home site.

3.

In addition to subsections 1 and 2 of this section, where a portion of a parcel zoned MHP abuts a parcel zoned single-family residential (R-1) there shall be a landscaped buffer at least twenty-five feet wide.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.050 - Parking.

Parking regulations in the MHP district are as provided in Chapter 14.54.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.060 - Minimum park area and home site area.

The minimum park area shall be ten acres and the minimum mobile home site area shall be three thousand six hundred square feet with a minimum width of forty feet and a minimum depth of seventy feet.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.070 - Maximum density.

The maximum density for any park shall be eight units per gross acre.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.080 - Maximum site area coverage.

Buildings and structures shall not occupy more than seventy-five percent of each mobile home site.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.090 - Minimum distance between buildings.

The minimum distance between mobile home units shall be ten feet.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.100 - Building height.

No building or structure used for recreational purposes shall exceed a height of thirty feet.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.110 - Open space and landscaping.

1.

A minimum of one tree shall be planted on each mobile home site.

2.

A minimum of twenty percent of the net area shall be in common open space, which shall include recreational facilities generally provided in a central location. Such facilities may include space for community buildings and community use facilities. Improved sidewalks, walkways, or paths shall link all mobile home sites to the recreational facilities.

3.

The development shall be enclosed except for ingress and egress with a five-foot decorative wall or fence and landscaping.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.120 - Other requirements.

1.

Each mobile home site shall be provided with an outdoor living area. Each outdoor living area shall be improved to assure reasonable privacy and comfort and shall be not less than three hundred square feet in size.

2.

Tool sheds and equipment storage structures shall be permitted on each site but shall not be located in the front, side or rear setback area.

3.

Storage facilities for recreation vehicles (travel trailers, campers, etc.) shall be constructed at the ratio of one storage space for each three mobile home sites. Storage areas shall be screened by landscaping and fences for security purposes. Minimum dimensions for each storage site shall be ten feet by twenty feet.

4.

All interior streets, and drainage, shall be designed and constructed in accordance with standards established by the city and other minimums established by the Carpinteria-Summerland fire department.

5.

All development shall be in compliance with the California Administrative Code, Title 25, Housing and Community Development.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

14.18.130 - Exceptions.

The city may grant exceptions to Sections 14.18.060, 14.18.070, and 14.18.080 of this district to provide for a mobile home park of innovative design that includes clustering of units, more than the minimum amount of open space, or other benefits to the city, as necessary.

(Ord. 315 § 1 (part), 1981)

Chapter - 14.19 RMU RESIDENTIAL/MIXED USE

Chapter - 14.19 RMU RESIDENTIAL/MIXED USE

14.19.010 - Purpose and intent.

The purpose of the RMU district is to provide areas of the city for higher density residential-only and mixeduse (commercial and residential) development, particularly as infill development, to increase the availability of workforce housing while maintaining commercial opportunities in the city's downtown. The intent of this district is to:

A.

Help the city provide adequate sites to satisfy its regional housing needs allocation;

B.

Provide opportunities for lower-income, special-needs, and workforce housing;

C.

Cultivate pedestrian and alternative transportation-friendly neighborhoods where residences are nearby to business, service, and employment locations; and

D.

Encourage infill development in the city's downtown that preserves and enhances the city's "beach town" character.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.020 - Processing accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units.

The following processes shall govern development of such units in the RMU district, in accordance with Chapter 14.72 (Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units):

A.

Accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units shall be permitted in the RMU district.

B.

Accessory dwelling units, outside the coastal zone appeals jurisdiction, shall be subject to approval of an administrative coastal development permit.

C.

Accessory dwelling units, within the coastal zone appeals jurisdiction, shall be subject to approval of an administrative coastal development permit, appealable to the California Coastal Commission as provided in Chapter 14.78 (Appeals).

D.

Junior accessory dwelling units shall be subject to issuance of a building permit.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.030 - Processing.

A.

Uses identified in Section 14.19.040 shall be allowed as a use by right subject to the issuance of an administrative coastal development permit. For the purposes of this section, "use by right" means the city's review shall not require a development plan, conditional use permit, environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act, or other discretionary review or approval in accordance with Government Code Section 65583.2(i) and Government Code Section 65589.5(f) for multi-family residential housing. Any subdivision of a site shall be subject to all laws, including, but not limited to, Title 16 (Subdivisions), implementing the Subdivision Map Act. The city shall process an administrative coastal development permit for a use by right as follows:

The planning director shall approve or deny administrative coastal development permits.

2.

No public hearing shall be required.

3.

Public notice shall be required in accordance with Chapter 14.76.

4.

Pursuant to Section 30603 of the Coastal Act, within California Coastal Commission's coastal appeals area, the planning director's decision to approve an administrative coastal development permit in the RMU zone district may be appealed to the coastal commission within ten working days. Proposed development in the RMU zone district that is located outside of the coastal zone appealable area is not appealable to the coastal commission.

5.

An applicant may request non-binding conceptual review by the architectural review board to improve project design.

B.

For all uses conditionally permitted pursuant to Section 14.19.060, a conditional use permit shall be submitted, processed, and approved as provided in Chapter 14.62.

C.

For all other permitted uses pursuant to Section 14.19.050, prior to the issuance of a coastal development permit, a development plan shall be submitted, processed, and approved as provided in Chapter 14.68, with the exception that architectural review board and planning commission review shall be limited to analysis of the project's compliance with Chapter 14.51, objective design standards, and the regulations of this chapter.

D.

Once a final decision of approval, conditional approval (if applicable), or denial is issued by the planning director or planning commission, as applicable, the notice of final action shall be provided within seven calendar days to the executive director of the coastal commission and to any interested parties who requested notice in writing.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.040 - Uses permitted by right.

A.

The following uses shall be allowed as a use by right in the RMU district:

1.

Mixed-use commercial and multi-family residential developments, subject to the provisions of Sections 14.19.070 through 14.19.100, that provide a minimum of twenty percent of deed-restricted residential units for lower-income households;

2.

Multi-family residential-only developments, subject to the provisions of Sections 14.19.070 through 14.19.100, that provide a minimum of twenty percent of deed-restricted units for lower-income households;

3.

Public parks, playgrounds, and open space areas provided as part of a mixed-use or multi-family residential development;

4.

Low barrier navigation centers, as defined in Government Code Section 65660 and subject to the provisions of Government Code Section 65662;

5.

Supportive housing developments, as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 50675.2 and subject to the provisions of Government Code Section 65651;

6.

Transitional housing developments, as defined by Health and Safety Code Section 50675.2;

7.

Home occupations, as provided in Section 14.50.030;

8.

Accessory uses and structures incidental to permitted residential uses, including laundry and storage rooms; garages, carports, and parking lots; bus stop shelters; multi-family residence mailboxes; and bike racks;

9.

Accessory uses and structures incidental to commercial portions of mixed-use developments, including storage rooms, garbage enclosures, and loading zones; and

10.

Personal use cannabis cultivation, as provided in Chapter 14.59.

B.

For the purpose of this chapter, "lower-income" means a household that earns eighty percent or below of the area median income applicable to Santa Barbara County, adjusted for family size as published and annually updated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

C.

For the purpose of this section, permitted commercial uses for commercial portions of mixed-use developments shall be as follows:

1.

For parcels with a research development industrial (RDI) land use designation, as listed in Section 14.26.030.

2.

For parcels with a general commercial (GC) land use designation, as listed in Section 14.20.030.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.050 - Uses permitted subject to development plan approval.

Mixed-use commercial and multi-family residential developments that do not meet the affordability requirements of Section 14.19.040(A)(1) and multi-family residential-only developments that do not meet the affordability requirement to Section 14.19.040(A)(2) shall require approval of a development plan in accordance with Section 14.19.030(C). Uses subject to development plan approval shall comply with the provisions of Sections 14.19.070 through 14.19.100 and all applicable provisions of the Title 14 of the city's code.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.060 - Uses permitted subject to conditional use permit.

A.

Permitted uses subject to a conditional use permit in the RMU district shall be as follows:

1.

As provided in Chapter 14.62;

2.

For parcels with a research development industrial (RDI) land use designation, as listed in Section 14.26.040; or

3.

For parcels with a general commercial (GC) land use designation, as listed in Section 14.20.040.

B.

Such conditional uses shall not prevent the development from meeting the standards in Sections 14.19.070 through 14.19.100, inclusive.

C.

Projects proposing such conditional uses shall also incorporate multi-family residential use. In addition to the findings in Section 14.62.040(8), the following finding must also be made:

1.

The proposed use will not be detrimental to the health, safety, and general welfare of the residential use also proposed by the project.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.070 - Objective design standards.

Projects shall be designed pursuant to the design standards in Chapter 14.51.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.080 - Density.

The number of dwelling units per gross acre shall be a minimum of twenty and maximum of twenty-five, unless otherwise allowed by applicable state housing law or Title 14 of the city's code.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.090 - Development standards.

The following development standards shall apply:

A.

Affordability. Projects qualifying for an administrative coastal development permit pursuant to Section 14.19.030 shall record a restrictive covenant that ensures the continued affordability of all acutely low-, extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate-income rental units for fifty-five years and all acutely low-, extremely low-, very low-, low-, and moderate-income for-sale units for forty-five years, unless a different affordability term is required by low-income tax credit regulations or other applicable law.

B.

Setbacks. All structures shall be located pursuant to the following setbacks:

1.

No less than five feet from the property line or twenty-five feet from the street centerline, whichever is greater.

2.

For sites with frontage on Via Real, no less than fifteen feet from the property line abutting Via Real, and five feet from all other property lines.

C.

Distance Between Buildings. The distance between two adjacent buildings shall be no less than ten feet.

D.

Building Coverage. Not more than seventy-five percent of the net area of the property shall be covered with any portion of a building.

E.

Building Height. No building or structure shall exceed a height of thirty-five feet.

F.

Parking. Unless modified by state law, minimum parking requirements shall be as follows:

1.

Visitor, guest, and employee parking: One space per five units.

2.

Parking for units affordable to lower-income households:

a.

Studio and one-bedroom units: One parking space per unit.

b.

Two-bedroom or larger units: One and one-half parking spaces per unit.

c.

Four-bedroom or larger units: Two and one-half parking spaces per unit.

3.

Parking for all other units:

a.

Studio and one-bedroom units: One parking space per unit.

b.

Two-bedroom units or larger: Two parking spaces per unit.

c.

Four-bedroom or larger units: Two and one-half parking spaces per unit.

4.

Parking for commercial uses shall be as provided in Section 14.54.040.

G.

Open space. At least twenty percent of the net area of the property shall be used for common and/or public open space. A maximum of fifty percent of the required open space may be provided on rooftops or decks

above ground level.

H.

Fences, Walls, and Plantings. Fences, walls, and plantings providing a solid screen (i.e., at least ninety percent opacity when viewed from the public right-of-way) that are located in a front yard setback shall not exceed a height of four feet.

I.

For mixed-use developments, at least eighty percent of the ground floor frontage facing the primary street shall be designated for commercial uses and at least fifty percent of the gross floor area shall be designated for residential use. For the purposes of this section, a leasing or property management office for a residential development on the same site shall be considered a commercial use.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.100 - Development standards—Specific sites.

The following development standards shall apply to specified sites, in addition to the development standards in Section 14.19.090:

A.

Sites with frontage on Linden Avenue or Carpinteria Avenue within Community Design Element Subarea 2a shall be limited to mixed-use (commercial and residential) development.

B.

For sites with frontage on Linden Avenue or Carpinteria Avenue, fifty percent of the residential units shall be a mix of studios and one-bedroom units.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)

14.19.110 - Noticing requirements.

Noticing shall be conducted pursuant to Chapter 14.76, with the exception that no public hearing shall occur or be noticed for projects qualifying as a use by right pursuant to Section 14.19.040.

(Ord. No. 788, § 2, 4-14-2025)