Article IA — Special Provisions

In addition to the regulations set forth in this section, all fences, walls or hedges shall be constructed and maintained so that they do not constitute a hazard to traffic, persons or property.

• A. In any required front yard, a wall, hedge, or fence shall not exceed three feet in height within the front yard setback or within the area called the "vision triangle" or "traffic safety visibility area." The boundaries of this area are formed by measuring from the intersection of the street corner property lines to points twenty feet along the front and street side property lines. These two points are then connected with a straight line resulting in the "vision triangle."

Figure 18.09.030-A Vision Triangle or Traffic Safety Visibility Area

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• B. A wall, hedge, or fence not more than seven feet in height may be maintained along any interior side yard, rear yard or street side yard; provided, that such wall, hedge, or fence does not extend into the required front yard.

• C. Materials, textures, colors, and design of the fence or wall shall be compatible with on-site development and adjacent properties.

• D. Chain link fencing is not allowed in the DTC, O-R, and TOD zoning districts, except for temporary purposes when needed to protect areas for public safety and to restrict access to construction projects. The fencing must be removed when the public safety issue is resolved or the construction is completed.

• (Ord. 698-2015 § 3 (Att. 1) (part), 2015; Ord. 753-2023 § 4 (Exh. A), 2023)

• A. Applicability and Definitions. Hillside policies apply to any properties with slopes greater than twenty percent on all or part of the site. Such a site is called a hillside site.

• B. Regulations for Hillside Sites.

  1. For any hillside sites outside the urban growth boundary (UGB), the UGB provisions shall apply.

  2. For any hillside sites inside the UGB, the following standards apply:

     • a. Residential densities shall be based on net acres.

     • b. On hillside sites, any development, grading for roadways, and lighting, including building lighting, shall not be visible from the level areas of the city

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City of Cloverdale, CA § 18.09.040

ZONING

§ 18.09.050

below the four-hundred-foot elevation. Any such development shall be screened by topographic features, setbacks from top of pad to the structure, or similar means. A sight line analysis may be required in order to show that the structure is not visible.

• c. Where a hillside site has land with slopes over twenty percent and slopes less than twenty percent, development should be placed on lands less than twenty percent if feasible. Development may be clustered to achieve general plan allowed densities on lands less than twenty percent slope. Remaining hillside areas (with slopes over twenty percent) shall be deemed undevelopable areas and made subject to easements or other legal guarantees that prohibit development of the hillsides and cannot be removed without city approval. Subject to applicable law, open space areas shall provide for trails as outlined in the parks and recreation element if feasible.

• d. All development applications for hillside sites shall submit a grading and erosion control plan which addresses prompt revegetation of disturbed areas, avoidance of grading activities during wet weather, avoidance of drainage corridors and riverbanks, and other erosion control measures sufficient in the sole discretion of the city engineer or other city manager designee to control erosion resulting from the proposed project.

• e. All development applications for hillside sites shall submit a geotechnical investigation concerning areas with identified significant geologic hazards or areas where the city engineer determines such hazards may exist, including such hazards as potential liquefaction-related failures, slope stability and erosion hazards, existing or potential soil instability, or expansive soils. The report shall include an assessment of geologic and seismic hazards. The reviewing body may require preparation and implementation of a plan for implementing any or all recommendations contained in the report so as to eliminate or adequately mitigate the geologic and/or seismic hazards identified in the report.

ty and erosion hazards, existing or potential soil instability, or expansive soils. The report shall include an assessment of geologic and seismic hazards. The reviewing body may require preparation and implementation of a plan for implementing any or all recommendations contained in the report so as to eliminate or adequately mitigate the geologic and/or seismic hazards identified in the report.

• f. Recreation uses above the four-hundred-foot elevation may be allowed if lighting is not visible from the valley floor within the city limits below the fourhundred-foot elevation, and the access roads, trail systems, and supporting structures or facilities are generally not visible from areas of the city below the four-hundred-foot elevation.

• g. Hillside conservation areas may be annexed if the annexation provides permanent hillside open space or recreation opportunities for the city.

• h. Any roads serving hillside development shall follow natural contours, with minimum disruption to hills or forests, minimum or no curbside parking, and no lighting visible from the valley floor within the city limits.

• (Ord. 698-2015 § 3 (Att. 1) (part), 2015)

The purpose of this section is to create standards for outdoor lighting that minimize light pollution, glare, and light trespass caused by inappropriate or misaligned light fixtures. These standards conserve energy and preserve the nighttime sky while maintaining nighttime safety,

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City of Cloverdale, CA

CLOVERDALE CODE

§ 18.09.050

§ 18.09.050

utility, security and productivity.

• A. Applicability.

  1. All new outdoor lighting installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall conform to the requirements established by this chapter.

  2. All existing outdoor lighting fixtures located on a property that is part of an application for design review, conditional use permit, subdivision or a building permit for a new structure or addition(s) of twenty-five percent or more in terms of gross floor area, seating capacity, or parking spaces (either with a single addition or cumulative additions) shall meet the requirements of this section for the entire property. Such applications are required to include an outdoor lighting plan. Conformity shall occur prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy. All existing outdoor lighting fixtures shall be adjusted or modified to the extent practical to reduce or eliminate glare, light trespass, and light pollution.

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• B. Exemptions. The following are exempt from the provisions of this section:

  1. Seasonal displays using multiple low wattage bulbs (approximately fifteen lumens or less); provided, that they do not constitute a fire hazard, create a nuisance, and are maintained in a safe and attractive condition.

  2. Vehicular lights and all emergency lighting needed by the police department and fire protection district, or other emergency services.

  3. Temporary lighting used for the construction or repair of roadways, utilities, and other public infrastructure.

  4. All lighting required by state or federal regulatory agencies.

  5. The planning director may authorize temporary exemptions for activities such as circuses, fairs, carnivals, sporting events and promotional activities if the following findings can be made:

     • a. The purpose for which the lighting is proposed is not intended to extend beyond thirty days.

     • b. The proposed lighting is designed in such a manner as to minimize light pollution as much as feasible.

     • c. The proposed lighting will comply with the purpose of this section.

• C.

• Minimum Development Standards.

1. All outdoor lighting fixtures shall be designed, located, installed, aimed downward or

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City of Cloverdale, CA § 18.09.050

ZONING

§ 18.09.050

toward structures, retrofitted if necessary, and maintained in order to prevent glare, light trespass and light pollution.

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2. Fixtures and light systems shall be in good working order and maintained in a manner that serves the original design intent of the system.

3. Automatic teller machine (ATM) and other bank lighting shall be full cutoff and shall not cause glare or light trespass.

   4. Externally illuminated signs, advertising displays, flags and building identification shall use top-mounted light fixtures which shine light downward and are fully shielded.

   5. Light poles shall be restricted to a maximum height of twenty feet except that on parcels adjacent to residential zoning districts, the maximum height shall be restricted to fifteen feet.

   6. The use of facade or "wash" lighting is limited to public buildings or buildings with historic importance. Facade lighting may be approved only when it is determined that it is compatible with the level of lighting in the immediate area and where it will not generate excessive illumination, skyglow or glare.

   7. The use of searchlights is prohibited.

• D. Submission of Plans. All applications for design review, plot plan review, conditional use permits, subdivisions and all new outdoor lighting installations on commercial, industrial, public, institutional and multifamily residential projects of four or more units shall include lighting plans, regardless of whether the lighting is preexisting or proposed, showing the following:

  1. The proposed location, mounting height, shielding, lamp source type, lumen output, wattage and aiming point of each existing and proposed outdoor lighting fixture indicated on a site plan and/or elevations.

  2. Manufacturer specification sheets, cut-sheets, or other manufacturer-provided information for all proposed outdoor lighting fixtures to show fixture diagrams and light output levels.

  3. The planning director may require additional information including, but not limited to, a written narrative to demonstrate the objectives of the lighting, photometric data, color rendering index (CRI) of all lamps and other descriptive information on the fixtures and/or a computer generated photometric grid showing footcandle readings every ten feet within the property or site and ten feet beyond the property lines.

  4. The planning director may approve, deny or require modifications to any outdoor lighting plan in order to meet the purpose of this chapter.

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City of Cloverdale, CA

CLOVERDALE CODE

§ 18.09.050

§ 18.09.060

(Ord. 698-2015 § 3 (Att. 1) (part), 2015)

Reserved. (Ord. 698-2015 § 3 (Att. 1) (part), 2015)

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City of Cloverdale, CA