Article 7 — Other Site Development Regulations

• (a) Minimum Lot Area. No minimum lot area is prescribed except in the RM Medium Density Residential zone, in which the minimum lot area shall be two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet.

• (b) Lot Width.

  • (1) No minimum lot width is prescribed except in the RM Medium Density Residential zone, in which the minimum lot width shall be twenty-five feet (25').

  • (2) "Lot width" shall mean the narrowest distance between the side lot lines, measured at right angles to the lot depth.

• (Sec. 2 (Exh. A) (part), Ord. 13-001, eff. Mar. 7, 2013)

• (a) RM Zone. In the RM Medium Density Residential zone, each dwelling unit, except an accessory dwelling unit or a junior accessory dwelling unit, shall have a minimum floor area of not less than five hundred (500) square feet.

• (b) Other Zones. In all other zones, no minimum dwelling unit area is prescribed. All dwelling units shall comply with applicable building code requirements in Title 8.

• (Sec. 3, Ord. 20-027, eff. Jan. 14, 2021; Sec. 3 (part), Ord. 17-012, eff. Nov. 2, 2017; Sec. 2

• (Exh. A) (part), Ord. 13-001, eff. Mar. 7, 2013)

• (a) Nonresidential Uses. Unless the Director determines that this is infeasible due to site constraints or other compelling factors, the main pedestrian entrance to a nonresidential building shall be located on the public sidewalk; any entrances from parking areas shall be incidental or for emergency use only. The main pedestrian entrance shall be kept open to the public during all hours when the building is open for public access.

• (b) Residential Uses (Ground-Floor Entrances). The front doors of exterior ground floor residential dwelling units and live/work units which are adjacent to the public right-of-way shall be oriented to the public sidewalk. Where units can only be accessed from the interior of a site, a pedestrian walkway shall connect to a public sidewalk. Entrances facing a public right-of-way shall be emphasized with a projection, such as a porch or stoop, or recessed, with a minimum depth of five feet (5') and a minimum width of six feet (6'). Such a porch or stoop that complies with the requirements of Section 9-4.303 may apply towards private open space requirements.

• (Sec. 3 (Exh. A), Ord. 23-005, eff. Jan. 18, 2024; Sec. 2 (Exh. A) (part), Ord. 13-001, eff. Mar. 7, 2013)

• (a) Applicability. All projects must include a discards collection plan for trash, recycling, and compost, as described in the "GUIDE to Requirements for a Discards Collection Plan for

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/EM4426 on 2026-05-11

City of Emeryville, CA

PLANNING REGULATIONS

9-4.704

9-4.705

New and Remodeled Projects."

• (b) Standards. Adequate dedicated storage and collection space shall be provided for trash, recyclables and compostables, subject to the following standards:

  • (1) The amount of space provided shall reflect the estimated volumes of trash and recyclable and compostable materials to be generated. Within this space, separate and dedicated containers shall be provided for trash and recyclable and compostable materials.

  • (2) Any chutes shall be separate, dedicated, and properly labeled, and shall be provided for each collected stream of materials (i.e., trash, recyclables and compostables).

  • (3) The amount of space provided for the collection and storage of recyclable materials shall be at least as large as the amount of space provided for the collection and storage of trash materials and the recycling area shall be at least as accessible and convenient for tenants and collection vehicles as the trash collection and storage area.

  • (4) An appropriately sized and designed area for wastes banned from regular trash containers such as electronics, fluorescent lamps and batteries shall be designated.

  • (5) Residential properties shall provide an area for bulky item collection such as mattresses, furniture, tires and major appliances.

  • (6) Trash, recycling and composting storage areas shall include adequate space for the maintenance and servicing of containers for all materials that are provided by local hauling companies.

  • (7) Trash, recycling and composting storage areas shall be easily accessible for collection vehicle personnel and may be located either indoors or outdoors.

    • a. To the extent feasible, an indoor recycling and trash room or area shall be located on an exterior wall of the building with an adequately sized door or gate access to the street so as to minimize distance for the collection vehicle personnel and eliminate temporary outdoor storage of containers on collection days.

    • b. An outdoor recycling and trash area shall be completely screened and covered from off-site view by a solid fence or masonry wall at least six feet (6') high in harmony with the architecture of the building(s). A sewer drain, fire sprinklers, and roofing shall be provided per City standards.

    • c. If the day-to-day-use recycling and trash area cannot be located adjacent to the street, a service-day location easily accessible by the collection vehicle staff shall be provided in an area adjacent to the street, and shall be covered from offsite view by a solid fence or masonry wall at least six feet (6') high in harmony with the architecture of the building(s) and covered by a roof.

(Sec. 3 (Exh. A), Ord. 23-005, eff. Jan. 18, 2024; Sec. 2 (Exh. A) (part), Ord. 13-001, eff. Mar. 7, 2013)

• (a) Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to all new and replacement outdoor

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/EM4426 on 2026-05-11

City of Emeryville, CA 9-4.705

EMERYVILLE CODE

9-4.706

lighting devices, not including signs.

• (b) Exemptions. The following types of light fixtures shall be exempt from the provisions of this section:

  • (1) Temporary emergency lighting needed by police, fire, and other emergency services.

  • (2) Temporary lights used for holiday decorations.

• (c) General Regulations.

  • (1) All exterior lighting shall be designed to confine direct rays to the premises. No light fixture shall emit any direct light above a horizontal plane through the fixture. No spillover beyond the property line shall be permitted, except onto public thoroughfares; provided, however, that no such light shall cause a hazard to motorists.

  • (2) Exterior light fixtures attached to a building shall be designed as an integral part of the building and may highlight building forms and architectural details.

  • (3) Lighting that highlights architectural features or art shall be limited to one (1) one hundred (100) watt bulb or twenty (20) watt equivalent LED, and emit less than one thousand six hundred (1,600) lumens, per fixture.

  • (4) All exterior lighting on a nonresidential property shall be on a time clock or photosensor system so as to be turned off during daylight hours and during any hours when the facility is not in use and the lighting is not required for security.

  • (5) Security wall lighting shall be limited to eight feet (8') above ground level.

  • (6) All lighting shall meet any applicable energy efficiency requirements of the building regulations in Title 8.

• (d) Parking Lot Illumination. Except for those serving four (4) or fewer residential units, all open parking areas shall be provided with exterior lighting as required by Section 9-4.406(k).

• (e) Prohibitions. Outdoor lighting fixtures shall not include flickering or flashing lights, spotlights, searchlights, lasers, beams, floodlights, or mercury vapor lights.

• (Sec. 4, Ord. 20-015, eff. Aug. 6, 2020; Sec. 2 (Exh. A) (part), Ord. 13-001, eff. Mar. 7, 2013)

• (a) Applicability. Residential projects shall be subject to the requirements of this section.

• (b) Window Recess and Trim. All residential windows visible from the public right-of-way must be:

  • (1) Recessed a minimum of three inches (3") from the outer wall surface; or

  • (2) Surrounded by trim, not made of stucco, of at least three (3") inches in depth from the outer wall; or

  • (3) A combination of subsections (b)(1) and (2) of this section, sufficient to create a minimum recess of three inches (3") from the face of the window to the face of the trim.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/EM4426 on 2026-05-11

City of Emeryville, CA

PLANNING REGULATIONS

9-4.706

9-4.708

• (c) Divided Lites. Simulated divided-lite grilles are acceptable only if they are located on the outside of the window glass and have a depth of at least one-quarter inch (1/4").

• (d) Noise Reduction. All windows shall be double-pane to mitigate noise impacts. (Sec. 3 (Exh. A), Ord. 23-005, eff. Jan. 18, 2024)

Projects shall comply with applicable requirements of the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) as adopted by the City of Emeryville (Chapter 8 of Title 8). (Sec. 3 (Exh. A), Ord. 23-005, eff. Jan. 18, 2024)

• (a) Sidewalk Dimension. Sidewalks, curbs, and gutters shall be provided pursuant to Sections 7-3.05 and 7-3.07. Sidewalks shall be designed with the following zones and dimensions:

  • (1) Sidewalk Zones. Sidewalks shall be designed with three (3) zones, as illustrated in Figure 9-4.708(a):

    • a. Frontage Zone. The area furthest from the curb represents the interface between the street and the building, providing accessibility and visibility between buildings and the street. Building entrances may be signified with architectural detailing, articulation, canopies, or signage. Within the Neighborhood Retail Overlay, Neighborhood Centers, and Pedestrian Priority Zones, this area may include space for outdoor dining, displays (e.g., produce stands), landscaping, and/or plazas. It is measured to face of building.

    • b. Pedestrian Pathway. This middle area is the unobstructed path of travel for pedestrians.

    • c. Curbside Zone. The area closest to the curb provides space for street trees, landscaping, street lights, bus stops, street signs, benches, trash/recycle bins, bicycle parking, and other street furniture. This area also represents the barrier between parking or driving/biking lanes and the pedestrian pathway. It is measured to face of curb.

==> picture [151 x 100] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 9-4.708(a): Sidewalk Zones.

• (2) Sidewalk Dimensions. Sidewalk dimensions shall be constructed with the minimum dimensions identified in Table 9-4.708(a), based on the street type. Overall sidewalk dimension is measured from the face of curb to building face.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/EM4426 on 2026-05-11

City of Emeryville, CA

EMERYVILLE CODE

9-4.708

9-4.708

• a. Public Access Easement. Where said dimensions require a portion of the sidewalk to be on private property, the property owner shall grant a public access easement to the City guaranteeing public access to the sidewalk at all times. A minimum clearance of twelve feet (12') above the finished floor is required, but floor area may be built above that height. The frontage zone can include building stairs or ledges that lead to the sidewalk, and pedestrian amenities, such as benches, sidewalk cafe seating pursuant to Article 15 of Chapter 5, public art, and landscaping. Architectural detailing such as canopies, awnings, lighting fixtures or under soffit lighting shall be designed to support places for activity, weather protection, and safety. Applicants subject to a public access easement for sidewalk area shall still be afforded the maximum floor area ratio allowed for the property.

• b. Exceptions. Projects that reuse and/or renovate existing buildings that do not meet dimension requirements are exempted from these regulations.

==> picture [352 x 333] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Table 9-4.708(a): Minimum Sidewalk Dimensions
Overall
Sidewalk Frontage Pedestrian
Street Types Dimension Zone Pathway Curbside
General Street 15 3 8 4
Other Streets
General Street (including
Eastern Residential 12 3 6 3
Neighborhoods)(1)
Doyle Street (62nd to
16–19 5–8 5 6
Ocean)(2)
Hollis Street(2) 15 9 6
Shellmound Street
(Christie Avenue to 64th 8 8
Street)(3)
Park Avenue District(4)
Park Avenue (West of
20 4 9 7
Hollis Street)
Other Streets in the Park
12 6
Avenue District
----- End of picture text -----

Notes:

(1) See General Plan Section 5.2, Areas and Districts for Boundaries of the Eastern Residential Neighborhoods, including Doyle Street Neighborhood north of 53rd Street, between Doyle Street and Vallejo Street and Triangle Neighborhood east of San Pablo Avenue, between 40th Street and 53rd Street.

(2) For properties and street segments within North Hollis Area Urban Design Program, see details in Program pages 23–24 for where various minimums apply.

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/EM4426 on 2026-05-11

City of Emeryville, CA

PLANNING REGULATIONS

9-4.708

9-4.708

Notes:

• (3) See the Shellmound Streetscape Design Guidelines.

(4) For properties and street segments within the Park Avenue District Plan, see details and exceptions on District Plan pages 55–61.

• (b) Street Lights. Street lights shall be provided per the City of Emeryville Standard Street Furniture Catalog.

• (c) Street Trees and Tree Wells. Street trees shall be provided consistent with the Emeryville Tree Planting Opportunity Inventory and Planting Guide and the Urban Forestry Ordinance (Chapter 10 of Title 7).

• (d) Street Furniture. Any street furniture provided shall be consistent with the Standard Street Furniture Catalog.

• (e) Bus Stops. Where existing or proposed bus stops are located along the project frontage, the applicant shall provide a bus shelter, bench, lighting, and trash receptacle per the City of Emeryville Standard Street Furniture Catalog.

• (f) Transportation Improvements. Residential projects larger than ten (10) units or nonresidential developments larger than ten thousand (10,000) square feet shall be required to prepare a non-CEQA transportation study which shall include motor vehicle access, parking, and loading; bicycle circulation, access, parking, and loading; pedestrian circulation and access; and shall implement all recommendations of the study. Such recommendations may include, but are not limited to, new transit stops, bicycle corrals, signage, crosswalks, intersection improvements, pedestrian and bicycle signals, and benches.

• (Sec. 3 (Exh. A), Ord. 23-005, eff. Jan. 18, 2024)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/EM4426 on 2026-05-11

City of Emeryville, CA