Imperial County Municipal Code § 90507.09 Signs

The purpose of the A-1 designation is to designate areas and allow uses that are suitable for larger residential living environments. The uses are generally limited to those typical of and compatible with quiet residential neighborhoods. The minimum lot size shall be one-half acre (net), unless required to be larger by other regulatory requirements, such as health and safety standards. The minimum lot size in the A-1 zone may be reduced if public infrastructure including sewer and potable water are available from either a district or a city. The A-1 designation is only allowed within urban designated areas as reflected on the land use diagram of the county general plan.

COMMENT: The acreage here needs to be "net" vs. "gross" due to the fact that the absolute minimum amount of land needed for sewage disposal is twenty thousand (20,000) square feet of usable land, and the county already has numerous locations where this creates problems.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

The following uses are permitted in the A-1 Zone provided they meet the requirements of this Title:

a) Accessory agricultural building, structures, and uses, including farm buildings, housing of agricultural workers, garages and implement shelter, provided no livestock or any building or enclosure used in connection with livestock shall be located nearer than one hundred (100) feet to the front lot line, nor nearer than fifty (50) feet to any existing dwelling on any contiguous property, or to any public park or school.

b) Accessory Dwelling Unit provided it complies with Imperial County code sections Title 9 Section 90405.01 and Title 8 Section 8.80.150 Subsection C.

c) Agricultural accessory structure(s) (including cargo containers).

d) Agricultural crops, private greenhouses and horticultural collections, flowers and vegetable gardens, fruit trees, nut trees, vines and nurseries for producing trees, vines and horticultural stock.

e) Agricultural uses, (light farming only).

f) Apiaries.

g) Breeding and raising of animals pursuant to the requirements of this Chapter.

h) Crop and tree farming, pasturing and grazing, provided, however, that not to exceed one horse, mule, or cow; five hogs, goats, sheep or other similar livestock be permitted for each one-half acre of the area of the parcel of land upon which the same are kept (except suckling animals), except that the pasturing of livestock to feed on vegetable matter grown on said premises may be permitted. Feeding of garbage, (cooked or raw), shall not be permitted, nor shall a "feed lot" style operation be allowed. Other animals similar to those listed by example and having similar impact may be allowed at the same ratio of the "similar" animal.

i) Daycare Home for less than five people.

j) Electrical Vehicles Charging Stations as an Accessory Use. (incidental to Primary Use).

k) Employee Housing.

l) Growing of agricultural crops for domestic use of the resident occupant.

m) Hatching, raising and fattening of chickens, turkeys or other fowl or poultry and rabbits, fish or frogs for domestic or commercial use provided that no commercial poultry pen or coop or commercial rabbitry shall be maintained within fifty (50) feet of any dwelling or other building used for human habitation. There shall be no killing or dressing of any such animals or poultry on the premises for commercial purposes.

n) Home occupation per Division 4, Chapter 4 (Home Occupation Permit required).

o) Keeping of horses and other large animals on lots having an area of one acre or more, providing that the number of horses on any one lot or parcel shall not exceed one horse for every three-quarters acre, or keeping of farm animals under recognized youth programs. The keeping of such animals shall conform to all other provisions of law governing same, and no horses, nor any stable, bam or corral shall be kept or maintained within fifty (50) feet of any dwelling or other building used for human habitation, or within one hundred (100) feet of the front lot line of the lot upon which is located or within one hundred (100) feet of any public park, school, hospital, or similar institution.

p) Recreational Vehicle, temporary during construction of a single-family dwelling.

q) Park or Playground (public).

r) Preschool, Elementary School, Junior High School, Senior High School, College or University.

s) Public buildings.

t) Public Swimming Pool (public).

u) Residential accessory structures.

v) Residential care facilities serving six or fewer people.

w) Signs advertising the products produced or sold locally or identifying the premises or occupants.

x) Single family dwelling (conventional or manufactured).

y) Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) Units and Boarding/Rooming Houses.

z) Solar energy extraction generation provided that it is for on-site consumption only.

aa) Storage of agricultural products.

bb) Storage of products for use on the premises.

cc) Transitional Housing (as defined in Section 50675.2 of the Health and Safety Code).

dd) The keeping of poultry, rabbits and similar small animals.

ee) The sale of agricultural, horticultural or farming products grown or produced on the premises of the owner.

ff) Wind driven electrical generator for on-site consumption.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20; Ord. No. 1587, §§ 1, 2, 12-5-23)

The following uses are permitted in the A-1 Zone provided they meet the requirements of this Title:

a) Animal shelters.

b) Birds, including show or racing pigeons, and other small fowl not in excess of twenty-five (25) per half acre.

c) Cemeteries, Mausoleums, Columbariums.

d) Church.

e) Club or Lodge.

f) Community Care/Veteran Facility.

g) Community Center.

h) Community Recreational Facility.

i) Construction office/yard, temporary only.

j) Country Club.

k) Emergency shelters.

l) Equestrian Establishment.

m) Facilities for abused people.

n) Fish, frog and shrimp farms.

o) Golf Course, Golf Driving Range.

p) Gun Club.

q) Heliports.

r) Library.

s) Museum.

t) Mineral Exploration.

u) Mineral Extraction.

v) Mortuaries.

w) Oil, gas and geothermal exploration.

x) Potable water treatment and Wastewater Treatment Plant.

y) Preschool, elementary school, junior high school, senior high school, college or university.

z) Public agency or public utility building or structure.

aa) Race track or test track, including automobile, bicycle, horse or motorcycle.

bb) Rehabilitation facility.

cc) Resource extraction.

dd) Rest home, retirement home.

ee) Sanitarium.

ff) Scale repair facility.

gg) Senior citizen center.

hh) Solar energy generation at more than ten (10) kilowatts.

ii) Tennis or swim club.

jj) Utility and communication facilities.

kk) Utility substations not specifically exempted by other statutes.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20; Ord. No. 1587, §§ 1, 2, 12-5-23)

All other uses not permitted by Sections 90507.01 or 90507.02 are strictly prohibited.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

Except as otherwise provided, no portion of any lot within the A-1 zone shall be less than one-half acre (net), except in the case of a conveyance to or from a governmental agency, public entity, public utility or community water company or water district, for public purposes, public utility purposes or for rights-of-way, provided such governmental use occupies said parcel. The minimum lot size may be required to be larger than one acre if an OWTS will be used, as required by County Ordinance Section 8.80.150.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

The following yard and setback requirements shall apply in the A-1 zone:

A. Front Yard. Except as otherwise provided, the front yard minimum setback for all buildings shall be as follows:

1. Twenty-five (25) feet from the edge of right-of-way; or

2. Sixty (60) feet from the legal center line of any existing or proposed county road. In no case shall the minimum setback be less than twenty-five (25) feet from the edge of right-of-way as established by the county.

B. Side Yard. Except as otherwise provided, the side yard minimum setback for all buildings shall be as follows:

There shall be a side yard on each side of any building of not less than five feet, except that on the street side of a corner lot, the building shall be setback at least fifteen (15) feet from the edge of right-of-way/property line.

C. Rear Yard. Except as otherwise provided, the rear yard minimum setback for all buildings shall be as follows:

There shall be a rear yard setback of not less than five feet, except in the case of a through lot, the designated rear yard shall be equal to the front yard setback.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

Height limits in any district shall be as follows:

1. Residential buildings shall not exceed three stories or forty (40) feet.

2. Detached accessory structures shall not exceed two stories or thirty (30) feet.

3. Radio and television antennae, chimneys and other similar structures shall not exceed sixty (60) feet.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

The following requirements apply to the minimum distance separation between structures in the A-1 zone:

A. There shall be a minimum distance of ten (10) feet between residential buildings/structures.

B. There shall be a minimum distance of ten (10) feet between residential buildings and any accessory building. However, there shall be a minimum of fifty (50) feet between any residential building and an accessory structure used to house animals, including pens, coops and other structures. Structures used to house animals shall be a minimum of one hundred (100) feet from any public park, school, hospital or similar institution, and a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any adjacent residential structure.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

Off street parking in the A-1 zone shall be provided in accordance with the standards contained in Sections 90402.00 et seq.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

The following signs shall be permitted in the A-1 zone; however, all signs shall be subject to Section 90401 as applicable:

1. Temporary real estate signs not exceeding twenty (20) square feet, and advertising the property for sale or lease, and meeting requirements of Division 4, Chapter 1.

2. Temporary construction signs related to construction on said property, meeting requirements of Division 4, Chapter 1.

3. Temporary political, religious, civic and campaigning signs not to exceed three months, meeting requirements of Division 4, Chapter 1.

4. Signs approved in conjunction with a conditional use permit approved for the site.

5. Temporary agricultural signs as allowed by Section 90401.10.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

Landscaping for nonresidential development in the A-1 zone shall be the same as the M-1 zone (excluding crop and tree farming). Landscaping for residential development shall be the same as the R-1 zone.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

The breeding, keeping or maintaining of large or medium size animals shall be limited to the allotted amount as set forth in Section 90507.01 for nonresidential uses; however, for residential uses, the following requirements shall apply in the A-1 zone:

A. Lots greater than one-half but less than one acre net may keep two medium animals per acre provided the separation distances under Section 90507.07 can be achieved.

B. Lots greater than three-quarters acre net may keep and maintain one large animal per three-quarters acre up to five acres, and one large animal for every five acres of lot area thereafter (i.e. forty (40) acre lot equals twelve (12) large animals). Small animals (i.e. goats, sheep, etc.) shall be allowed at the ratio of one large animal equals two small animals. Separation as required under Section 90502.08 shall be met.

C. Lots allow for the keeping of small fowl, rabbits, birds, provided as follows: they are for domestic or hobby purposes; are maintained within proper enclosed/containment structures; are not free to leave the property; and the number of such animals does not exceed five of any one or combination thereof.

D. The keeping of small domestic pets such as cats and dogs are allowed for non-commercial uses, and the number of such animals does not exceed five of any one or combination thereof.

E. Special project animals considered to be a student oriented fair project that may be sponsored by an agricultural organization such as FFA or 4H may allow for the keeping of one large animal or two medium animals per parcel provided that they are:

1. For the duration of the FFA/4H or agricultural fair schedule or seven months maximum whichever is less;

2. The property owner files an affidavit with the planning and development services department to verify it is a legitimate special project, including the name of the club, club leader and other information required by the planning director.

NOTE: The keeping of animals as designated is only allowed to the extent that said animals do not constitute a nuisance or public health hazard.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

Garage or yard sales are permitted without special use permits, provided they meet the following conditions:

A. Sales last no longer than two consecutive days.

B. Sales are held no more than two times a year.

C. Sales are contained within the property.

D. No goods purchased for re-sale are evident.

E. Directional signs shall be removed immediately after sale ends.

F. Directional signs shall not exceed nine square feet.

G. Directional signs may be placed on public right-of-way provided they do not interfere with traffic.

H. Directional signs on private property shall have property owners (not tenants) permission.

I. Directional or other signs not removed within twenty-four (24) hours after sale ends shall be fined fifty dollars ($50.00).

J. No signs shall be posted on utility posts/pole, or other highway information or directional sign.

K. Violation of one or all of items (a) through (j) is a misdemeanor and may be cited as such.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)

The following special review procedures and development standards shall apply in the A-1 zone:

A. The breeding and raising of livestock permitted pursuant to this section shall be limited to one horse, one donkey, one mule, one cow, one buffalo, one llama, five goats, five sheep, or five other similar size animals per half acre.

B. Temporary farm stand for the sale of allowed agriculture, horticultural or farming products, permitted within the A-1 zone shall comply with the following standards:

1. The floor area of the farm stand shall not exceed six hundred (600) square feet.

2. The farm stand shall not be located closer than twenty-five (25) feet from the driveway line of the front yard.

3. The stand shall be erected in such a manner that it can be readily removed.

4. The owner shall remove the stand at his or her own expense, when the stand is not in use for a period of one hundred twenty (120) consecutive days.

5. Customer parking, at the ratio of one car per one hundred (100) square feet, with a minimum of two car spaces shall be provided, and shall be surfaced to prevent fugitive dust emissions.

C. The breeding and raising of livestock in numbers greater than that allowed by subsection A, by minors in conjunction with a student oriented fair project sponsored by a bona fide agricultural organization, such as FFA or 4-H, shall be permitted upon application to and approval by the director of planning for a temporary permit. The contents of the application shall contain the following information:

1. Name and address of applicant.

2. Name and address of property owner.

3. Assessor's parcel number.

4. Legal description of the property.

5. Name of organization sponsoring applicant.

6. Plot plan showing location of proposed pens, coops, or areas for raising of animals, and principal residential structures, both on site and immediate adjacent to subject site.

7. The signature of the owner of the real property.

D. Temporary visitors use. While the use of recreational vehicles (R.V.s) is not allowed as temporary or permanent residential dwellings, the incidental and occasional utilization of an R.V. may be allowed under the following conditions:

1. An R.V. may be connected to utilities and occupied for a period not to exceed two weeks annually per Title 12, Section 04 et al.

2. The R.V. connections are installed to meet applicable health and safety code regulations, and has been approved by planning and development services department.

3. The R.V. connections are for the primary use and are not independent service connections.

4. The R.V. is not allowed in or upon any public street or right-of-way or setback area.

(Ord. No. 1565, §§ 3, 4, 12-15-20)