31.2 PRD – PLANNED RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

Page 548 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

31.2.1 Purpose. The purpose of these provisions is to allow for the voluntary clustering of homesites on land designated Agricultural Grazing (AG) and Timberland (T) on the General Plan Land Use Map at a density above what would otherwise be allowed when lands most suitable for agricultural or timber production are retained for permanent continued resource production.

31.2.2.1 These regulations shall apply to areas designated “PRD” on the Zoning Maps.

31.2.2.2 These regulations may be applied to land designated Agricultural Grazing (AG) and Timberland (T) on the General Plan Land Use Map.

31.2.3 Modifications of Development Standards. The following development standard modifications may be approved by the Planning Commission reviewing the planned rural development permit applications:

31.2.3.1.1 The maximum allowable residential density specified in the General Plan may be increased by as much as fifty percent (50%) if:

31.2.3.1.1.1 Development is clustered to minimize conflicts with agricultural production or timber harvesting as well as impacts to water resources, biological resources, and minimizes wildland fire potential; and

31.2.3.1.1.2 Ninety-five percent (95%) of subject lands are protected through a conservation easement or equivalent protection.

31.2.3.2 Lot Size Standards. The applicable lot size standards may be modified to carry out the intent of the planned rural development regulations provided all other development standards set forth herein are met.

31.2.3.3 Lot Coverage Standards. The applicable lot coverage standards shall apply, except that building coverage shall be calculated over the entire development instead of being applicable to each lot in the development.

31.2.3.4 Setback Standards. The applicable setback standards may be modified provided:

31.2.3.4.1 Lot coverage requirements herein are met; and

31.2.3.4.2 Setbacks for lots located in the perimeter of the development shall conform with the setback requirements stipulated for the zone.

31.2.4 Other Requirements. The following design criteria shall be used in the design and evaluation of projects within a planned rural development:

31.2.4.1 Natural Considerations. The site design must maintain the prominent natural features of the site.

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

Page 549 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

31.2.4.1.1 Major trees should be retained to the maximum extent possible, consistent with fuel modification standards contained in the SRA Fire Safe Regulations, and should become the basis of the design of lots, roads, and other open spaces in the PRD. They add permanence and a sense of continuity to new developments, and new landscaping will take many years to provide the same benefits that mature existing vegetation will provide immediately.

31.2.4.1.2 New homesites should be sited and designed to concentrate development on level areas so that disturbance of steeper hillsides is minimized. Where the size and topography of the site requires development on hillsides, new construction and grading should follow the natural contours.

31.2.4.1.3 To maintain ridgeline and hillside silhouettes, new development near ridgelines or steep slopes should be sited adjacent to existing major vegetation, where the major vegetation is retained. The height of buildings constructed near ridgelines should not affect the ridgeline silhouette.

31.2.4.1.4 Natural slopes in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) should remain undisturbed.

31.2.4.1.5 Disturbed areas not proposed for development shall be revegetated as quickly as feasible.

31.2.4.2 Requirements for Water Storage. New development not served by a public water system that seeks to rely upon surface water shall install water storage capable of providing one hundred percent (100%) of the necessary water storage volume for the summer low-flow season (e.g., July-August-September). A forbearance agreement prohibiting water withdrawals during low-flow season shall be included as a performance standard for the project.

31.2.5.1 Access. Planned rural developments shall be designed to minimize traffic safety hazards to pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles.

31.2.5.2 Emergency Access. Planned rural developments shall not require the approval of exceptions to Fire Safe Regulations, Chapter 2, Emergency Access.

31.2.6 Conservation Easement or Equivalent Protection. A conservation easement or equivalent protection, in a form acceptable to County Counsel, shall be required to permanently protect resource production on the site consistent with applicable policies in the Agricultural and Forest Resources Sections of the Land Use Element of the General Plan. (Ord. 2635, § 7, 8/27/2019)

314-32 “Q” Combining Zone Designations