Chapter 17.260 — OVERLAY ZONES

The overlay zones established by this Chapter provide guidance for development and new land uses in addition to the standards and regulations of the primary zoning districts, where important site, neighborhood, or compatibility issues require particular attention in project planning.

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

A. Designation of Property. The applicability of any overlay zone to a specific site is shown by the overlay Zoning Map symbol, established by § 17.200.010 (Zoning Districts Established), being appended as a suffix to the symbol for the primary zoning district on the Zoning Map (for example, CG-EW which represents the Commercial General (CG) Zoning District and the East Washington Boulevard Overlay (-EW)).

B. Applicability of Overlay District Requirements. The provisions of this Chapter apply to proposed land uses and development in addition to all other applicable requirements of this Title. In the event of any perceived conflict between the provisions of this Chapter and any other provision of this Title, this Chapter shall control. (Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2024-006)

A. Uses Permitted.

1. One dwelling unit per lot.

2. Accessory buildings and structures, provided no such building or structure shall be designed or used for dwelling

purposes.

3. Public uses and buildings, including libraries, museums, parks, playgrounds, schools and community buildings owned and controlled by the City or school district, if their location is first approved by the Council.

4. The renting of rooms or the providing of table board to not more than two persons is permitted, provided said rooms shall be within the dwelling structure and not within an accessory building.

B. Lot Dimensions.

1. Area. Each lot shall have an area of not less than 5,000 square feet.

2. Frontage. The minimum frontage of a lot shall be 35 feet. A non-rectangular lot on a cul-de-sac turn around, knuckle, or on the outside radius of a street curve, with a radius of not more than 50 feet, shall have a street frontage of not less than 25 feet.

3. Width and depth. Every lot recorded after September 10, 1984, shall have a lot depth approximately twice its width, or vice versa (a 2:1 or 1:2 ratio), except lots that, in the opinion of the Commission or Council, are constrained by unusual configuration limitations resulting from steep topography, remote access, cul-de-sac turn around, or other extraordinary physical characteristics shall not be strictly held to this requirement.

4. Dwelling floor area. Each dwelling shall have a ground floor area of not less than 900 square feet and a total floor area of not less than 1,700 square feet. Said area requirements shall be determined as measured from exterior walls, and shall be exclusive of the garage and any porches, patios, balconies or similar architectural features not providing living space internal to the dwelling.

C. Dwelling Height. No dwelling structure shall exceed two stories or 30 feet in height, provided that roof-mounted antennae may extend a maximum of 15 feet above the highest roofline of the building upon which it is attached.

• D. Yard Building Setbacks. Each lot shall have one side and a rear yard of not less than ten feet, and a front yard of not less than 13 feet, except that:

1. Garages shall be located to allow a paved on-lot driveway of not less than 23 feet in length and 16 feet in width.

2. Street-abutting side yards shall be not less than eight feet, and side yards abutting property not in the Residential

Zero Setback Overlay (-RZ) shall not be less than five feet.

3. An average front building setback for both first and second dwelling stories of not less than 18 feet shall be provided.

4. An average one side or rear building setback for both first and second dwelling stories of not less than 15 feet

shall be provided.

5. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Title, wholly or partially contiguous, residentially zoned lots or portions of lots, which have been improved or are proposed to be improved as a single and unified multiple-lot residential development, may be considered as a single parcel for the purpose of applying the setback requirements as provided in this Section. The Director or Commission may waive non-street-facing setback requirements for common interior lot lines within the parcel, provided all the following conditions are met:

• a. Setback requirements established by this Section are applied to the perimeter lot lines;

• b. The property owner executes and records a covenant, in a form approved by the City, to hold all lots or portion

• as one parcel; and

c. The property owner dedicates a portion of the parcel, pays a fee or does both, for the purpose of providing park and recreational facilities to serve future residents of the multiple lot residential development, in accordance with CCMC § 15.10.765.

E. Separation Between Dwellings on Adjacent Lots. There shall be an open space area on each lot of not less than 600 square feet, with no dimension less than 20 feet, except non-rectangular lots located on a cul-de-sac turn around or knuckle shall have no dimension less than 15 feet. This open space area shall be exclusive of required front and street abutting side yards and vehicular driveways, and further, shall be subject to the following:

1. The required open space may include side or rear yards.

2. Pools and paved recreational areas may be developed in the required open space.

3. The gradient or slope of any required open space shall not exceed 10%. The open space may be provided on a deck.

4. Such open space shall be fully open to the sky, except that architectural projections are permitted as set forth in § 17.300.020 (Setback Regulations and Exceptions).

5. An accessory building may not occupy any part of the required open space.

6. When adjacent to the required front yard, the required open space shall be screened from the street with a fence or wall, the design of which has been approved by the Director.

7. Pavement in a required front or street-abutting side yard shall not exceed 60% of the required area, except that in non-rectangular lots on a cul-de-sac turn around, knuckle, or on the outside radius of a street curb for the radius of not more than 50 feet, shall not exceed 75% of the required area.

• F. Off-Street Parking. When provided, parking shall comply with the standards and requirements set forth in Chapter 17.320 of this Title.

• G. Accessory Structures. Notwithstanding § 17.400.100 (Residential Uses - Accessory Residential Structures), accessory structures shall be subject to the following requirements:

1. No such structure shall be located within a required front or street-abutting side yard.

2. No such building or structure shall be located within five feet of a dwelling or another structure not within two

feet of any interior property line.

3. No such structure shall exceed ten feet in height without a Conditional Use Permit.

H. Special Conditions.

1. Building walls within four feet of and facing an interior property line shall have no openings, and shall be waterproofed as required by the Building Safety Division, except that walls within two feet of an interior property line shall be fully waterproofed.

2. All exterior ground-mounted or roof-mounted appurtenant equipment, such as but not necessarily limited to, water heaters, air conditioners, ducting, and swimming pool pumps, shall be screened from view from adjoining properties and rights-of-way in a manner consistent with City standards as determined by the Director. Said equipment shall also be sheltered, insulated or otherwise baffled as necessary to conform to the noise regulations and standards of the CCMC.

3. The minimum site area of an -RZ overlay shall be five acres.

I. Supplementary Regulations for 4,000 square foot Residential Zero Setback Overlay (-RZ) Subdivisions. The

regulations of this section shall apply to Residential Zero Setback (-RZ) lots of less than 5,000 feet. The regulations of §§ 17.260.015 A. through G., shall apply also, except that this Subsection shall supersede in event of conflict.

1. Lot dimensions.

• a. Area. Each lot shall have an area of not less than 4,000 square feet.

b. Width and depth. Every lot recorded after September 10, 1984, shall have a lot depth approximately twice its width, or vice versa (a 2:1 or 1:2 ratio), except that lots that, in the opinion of the Commission or Council, are constrained by unusual configuration limitations resulting from steep topography, remote access. cul-de-sac turn around, or other extraordinary physical characteristics shall not be strictly held to this requirement.

• c. Dwelling floor area. Each dwelling shall have a total floor area of not less than 1,400 square feet.

2. Yard building setbacks.

a. Garages shall be located to provide a paved driveway of not less than 20 feet in length, as measured from the inside edge of the public sidewalk to the garage door.

b. Subsection 17.260.015.D.4. (Yard Building Setbacks), requiring an average 15 foot side or rear yard, shall not apply.

3. Open space.

• a. No dimension of the required open space shall be less than ten feet.

b. Roof Decks.

• i. Rooftop decks shall be set back five feet from the building edge along an interior side yard adjacent to a

• residential zoned property.

ii. A permanent, built-in landscape planter with vegetation shall be located within the required setback area to screen views of the deck from neighboring properties. Rooftop decks which are located in a roof well are not required to include a landscape planter.

(Ord. No. 2005-007 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2022-008; Ord. No. 2024-006)

A. Purpose. The purpose of establishing a Redevelopment Project Area Overlay (-RP) is to facilitate the consideration of redevelopment projects and activities of the Culver City Redevelopment Agency that are consistent with, and implement the Culver City Redevelopment Plan.

B. Applicability and Procedures. This Redevelopment Project Area Overlay (-RP) applies to all current and future Redevelopment Project Component Areas within the City.

The land use and development requirements of the underlying zone shall apply, unless a Comprehensive Plan is approved according to the procedures established in Chapter 17.240 (Planned Development (PD) Zoning Districts), except the minimum acreage requirement or any other requirements the Council determines are unnecessary for a specific proposed project or activity.

C. Procedures. The application filing and review procedures established in this Title shall apply, except that a party other than the property owner(s) or their designated representative(s) may file an application for the City's consideration of the Comprehensive Plan and/or all other required entitlements without the consent of the property owner(s) or their representative(s), if that party has entered into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement, Owner Participation Agreement, Disposition and Development Agreement, or a similar agreement with the Culver City Redevelopment Agency.

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

A. Purpose. The purpose of the Supplemental Civic Center Overlay is to provide a scheme for the harmonious relationship between the proposed and existing Civic Center buildings of the City and any new buildings to be constructed within the area covered by the Civic Center Overlay (-CV).

B. Uses Permitted. The uses permitted within the Civic Center Overlay (-CV) shall not be construed to reduce or limit the uses permitted in any zone underlying it.

C. Preliminary Plan Review. It shall be required, within the area designated on the Zoning Map as the Civic Center Overlay (-CV), that preliminary plans and elevations of all proposed buildings and structures shall be submitted to the Director for approval prior to the issuance of a building permit.

D. Review Standards. The Director shall be governed by the following standards in granting approval of plans submitted pursuant to the regulations of this Section. The Director shall reasonably determine that the general exterior appearance, design, color, texture of surface materials, height and exterior construction of all proposed buildings and structures within the Civic Center Overlay (-CV) will generally conform in a harmonious manner to the existing and proposed Civic Center buildings.

E. Appeal. The Director shall either approve or disapprove of the preliminary plans when submitted, and notify the applicant, in writing, of the decision. In the event an applicant desires to appeal the decision of the Director, it may be done so in a manner provided for appeals in Chapter 17.640 (Appeals).

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

A. Purpose. The purpose of establishing the Residential Hillsides Overlay (-RH) is to provide area-specific zoning regulations necessary for the incremental improvement and sustainable development of hillside neighborhoods in Culver City.

• B. Allowable land uses and permit requirements. Allowable land uses and required permits shall be established by the applicable underlying zone.

• C. Definitions. The following definitions will relate to residential zoned property in the -RH Overlay:

1. Floor Area, Residential. Residential floor area shall include mezzanines, covered porches, covered patios, and accessory buildings in addition to any floor area, confined from exterior wall to exterior wall, within the main dwelling unit. Garages shall be included in the floor area with the exception that up to 200 square feet of attached and front-facing garages shall be exempted from floor area. Interior areas with ceiling heights greater than 14 feet shall be counted twice towards the floor area.

D. Development requirements. Development requirements shall be regulated by Table 2-10 (Residential Hillsides Overlay Development Standards). Wherever the -RH Overlay zone is silent on a matter, the corresponding regulation of the underlying zone shall apply.

Table 2-10 Residential Hillsides Overlay Development Standards (-RH)

E. Setback and stepback exceptions findings. Exceptions to setback standards shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission shall consider and record the decision in writing with the findings on which the decision is based. The exception may be approved, with or without conditions, only after making all of the following findings:

1. There are special circumstances applicable to the property (e.g. location, shape, size, depth, surroundings, and/or topography), or to the intended use of the property, so that the strict application of this Title denies the property owner privileges enjoyed by other property owners in the vicinity and under identical zoning districts.

2. Approval of the exception would not be detrimental to the public health, interest, safety, or general welfare and would not be detrimental or injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and in the same zoning district. F. Parking. Uncovered, half covered, and fully covered parking shall be permitted in the Residential Hillsides Overlay Zone. Any uncovered parking shall be placed within 15 feet of a maximum of one interior side yard property line and/or shall be fully screened from view of the public right-of-way by the primary structure. Front yard-facing parking not located within 15 feet of a side yard property line shall be fully covered and enclosed. See Figure 3-12 (Allowable R1 and R2 Uncovered Parking Placement) provided in § 17.320.035.P.3. (Allowable R1 uncovered parking placement.

G. Roof Decks.

1. Rooftop decks shall be set back five feet from the building edge along an interior side yard adjacent to a

residential zoned property.

2. A permanent, built-in landscape planter with vegetation shall be located within the required setback area to screen views of the deck from neighboring properties. Rooftop decks which are located in a roof well are not required to include a landscape planter.

(Ord. No. 2019-006 § 2; Ord. No. 2024-001, Exhibit A (part); Ord. No. 2024-006)