Chapter 17.110 — LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

No land use or structure shall be established, constructed, reconstructed, altered, allowed, or replaced unless that land use or structure complies with the following requirements.

A. Allowable Use. The land use shall be identified by Chapters 17.210 (Residential Zoning Districts), 17.220 (Mixed Use Zoning Districts), 17.240 (Planned Development Zoning Districts), 17.250 (Special Purpose Zoning Districts) and 17.260 (Overlay Zones) as being allowable in the zoning district applied to the subject site.

B. Permit Requirements. Any land use permit required by this Title shall be obtained before the proposed use is constructed or otherwise established or put into operation, unless the proposed use is listed in § 17.110.010 (Exemptions from Land Uses and Development Approval Requirements). The land use permit requirements of this Title are established by Chapters 17.210 (Residential Zoning Districts), 17.220 (Mixed Use Zoning Districts), 17.240 (Planned Development Zoning Districts), 17.250 (Special Purpose Zoning Districts) and 17.260 (Overlay Zones). C. Development Standards. Every land use and structure shall comply with all applicable requirements of this Title, including the development standards of Article 2 (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards), and the provisions of Article 3 (Site Planning and General Development Standards) and Article 4 (Standards for Specific Land Uses). In addition, every land use and structure shall comply with all applicable requirements of any adopted Development Agreement, Comprehensive Plan, and Specific Plan.

D. Conditions of Approval. Every land use and structure shall comply with all applicable conditions imposed by the City as part of an approved land use permit.

E. Development Agreement Provisions. Every land use and structure shall comply with any applicable agreement related to the site which has been approved by the City or Redevelopment Agency, including but not limited to, an Owner-Participation Agreement, a Disposition and Development Agreement, or a Development Agreement. (Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2024-006)

The land use permit requirements of this Title do not apply to any activity, land use, or structure identified by this Section.

A. Exempt Activities, Land Uses and Structures. The following activities, land uses, and structures are exempt from the land use permit requirements of this Title when in compliance with all applicable development standards of Article 2 (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses and Zone Specific Standards), Article 3 (Site Planning and General Development Standards), and Article 4 (Standards for Specific Land Uses):

1. Decks, paths and driveways. Any deck, platform, and on-site path not required by the CCMC to have a building permit or grading permit, not more than 24 inches above natural grade, and not above any basement or story below.

2. State or Federal governmental facilities. Any facility and operation regulated by the State or Federal government on land owned or leased by a governmental agency, to the extent that exemption is required by State or Federal law.

3. Culver City governmental facilities. Any land or facility owned or operated by Culver City.

4. Interior remodeling. Any interior alteration that does not increase the number of rooms, bedrooms, or the gross

floor area within a structure, or change or intensify the permitted use of that structure.

5. Portable spas, hot tubs, and fish ponds. Any portable spa, hot tub, fish pond, or similar installation as determined by the Director, that does not exceed: 120 square feet in total area, including related equipment; 2,000 gallons of water; and three feet in depth. These facilities shall comply with the setback requirements established by Article 2 (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards) for the applicable zoning district, or Article 4 (Standards for Specific Land Uses).

6. Repair and maintenance. Repair and maintenance to other than a designated historic structure, if the work does not result in any change in the approved land use of the site or structure, or the addition to, enlargement or expansion of the structure, and if any exterior repair employs the same materials and design as the original.

7. Small portable residential accessory structure. Any portable storage shed, play equipment or other small structure in any residential zoning district, up to 120 square feet in total area, that is exempt from building permit requirements in compliance with the CCMC and Uniform Building Code. These structures shall comply with the setback requirements established by Article 2 (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards) for the applicable zoning district, or Article 4 (Standards for Specific Land Uses).

8. Solar collectors. The addition of solar collection systems to the roof or sides of an existing structure, provided the collectors comply with the applicable height limit requirement.

9. Utilities. The construction, alteration, or maintenance by a public utility or public agency of any underground or overhead utilities. These include water, gas, electric, or telecommunication (excluding wireless communications facilities), supply or disposal system; including wires, mains, drains, sewers, pipes, conduits, cables, fire alarm boxes, police call boxes, utility boxes, traffic signals, and hydrants, but not including any structures, shall be permitted in any zoning district.

(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2024-006)

Requirements for establishing a temporary use (seasonal sales lot, construction yards, special events, and temporary structures and the like) are set forth in Chapter 17.520 (Temporary Use and Special Event Permits). (Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2024-006)

An allowed land use that is exempt from a land use permit, or has been granted a land use permit, may still be required to obtain other permits before the use is constructed, or otherwise established and put into operation. Nothing in this Chapter shall eliminate the need to obtain any permit or approval required by:

A. Any other provision of the CCMC, including: subdivision approval, building permits, grading permits, other construction permits, encroachment permits, a business tax certificate or permit to operate, all as may be appropriate. B. Any special district, or any regional, State, or Federal agency.

All necessary permits shall be obtained before starting work or expanding or establishing a land use. (Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2024-006)

All Departments, officials, or public employees vested with the authority or duty to issue licenses, zoning approvals, or permits where required by law shall conform to the provisions of this Title. A license or zoning approval for uses, structures, or purposes in conflict with the provisions of this Title shall not be issued. Any license, zoning approval, or permit issued in conflict with the provisions of this Title shall be deemed void.

(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2024-006)