Irvine Municipal Code Ch. 1-1 General Provisions

The ordinance codified in this volume shall be known and cited as the "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Irvine" or the "zoning ordinance." References to chapter and section numbers shall be referenced to this zoning ordinance.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.1; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)

The designations, locations, and boundaries of the districts established by this zoning ordinance include planning areas, overlay districts, and conservation and open space phased dedication districts. The area, shape, and comprehensive City-wide zoning district designations are delineated on an official map of the City entitled "Zoning District Map of the City of Irvine and Sphere of Influence, Orange County, California." The official map is in the Community Development Department.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.2; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)

A. The purpose of this zoning ordinance shall be to adopt regulations to:

1. Protect, promote, and enhance the public health, safety, and general welfare.

2. Ensure that development within the City and the sphere of influence is consistent with the City's General Plan.

3. Allocate to each planning area the corresponding General Plan land use intensities (General Plan land use element tables 1 through 6) for the purpose of ensuring consistency between zoning districts and the General Plan land use diagram.

4. Promote compatibility between the natural and built environment through an implementation actions program (i.e., phased dedication and compensating opportunities program as defined in the open space element of the City's General Plan). Incorporate into the development review processes of the zoning ordinance the phased dedication of large contiguous areas of permanent open space as identified in the General Plan.

5. Incorporate State-mandated development processing procedures and timeframes, and ensure that the zoning ordinance provides sufficient guidance to enable the City to make land use decisions in compliance with State-mandated procedures and timeframes.

6. Maintain existing land use regulations where such regulations do not conflict with the General Plan.

7. Couple infrastructure improvements with building intensity and population density standards.

8. Develop new zoning standards and criteria where necessary to achieve consistency with the General Plan.

9. Ensure adequate consideration for urban design in the City development process so new development enhances the City of Irvine as it matures.

10. Promote the development of a safe, effective circulation and transportation network that accommodates the needs of all modes of transportation.

B. It is not the intent of this zoning ordinance through its organization or use of standard zoning provisions to discourage innovative solutions when rezoning areas within the City or sphere of influence.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.3; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)

All actions, approvals and procedures taken with respect to or in accordance with this zoning ordinance shall be consistent with the City of Irvine General Plan. In the event this zoning ordinance becomes inconsistent with the City of Irvine General Plan by reason of the adoption of a new General Plan or by amendment of the existing General Plan or any of its elements, the zoning ordinance shall be amended within a reasonable time so that it is consistent with the existing General Plan as amended. The procedure for the amendment of the zoning ordinance is contained in Chapter 2-38.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.4; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)

It is unlawful to erect, reconstruct, maintain, move, or structurally alter any building, structure, facades, or facility in any manner, or to use or allow the use of any building, facility or land for any purpose, other than as permitted by and in conformance with this zoning ordinance, and all other applicable ordinances, laws, regulations and maps.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.5; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)

Notwithstanding any other lawful exemptions to zoning regulations, the provisions of this title shall not apply to any buildings, improvements, lots or premises, owned, leased, operated or controlled by the City or any City Project for public purposes by the City of Irvine.

(Ord. No. 19-09, Exh. A, 7-23-19)

If uncertainty arises concerning the content or application of the zoning ordinance, it shall be the duty of the Director of Community Development to determine all pertinent facts and interpret the ordinance. Alternatively, the Director of Community Development may request the Planning Commission to make the interpretation. An interpretation by the Director of Community Development may be appealed to the Planning Commission as provided in Chapter 2-5.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.6; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)

The provisions of this zoning ordinance shall not be deemed or construed to repeal, amend, modify, alter, or change any other ordinance or any part thereof not specifically repealed, amended, modified, altered, or changed herein, except in such particulars or matters as this zoning ordinance is more restrictive than other ordinances or part thereof. In all particulars wherein this zoning ordinance is not more restrictive than such other ordinances or part thereof, such other ordinance or part thereof shall remain in full force and effect.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.7; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)

Except as otherwise specifically provided, no provision of this zoning ordinance shall be construed as relieving any party to whom a discretionary approval is issued from any other provision, ordinance, rule or regulation of the City requiring a license, franchise, or permit to accomplish, engage in, carry on, or maintain a particular business, enterprise, occupation, transaction, or use.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.8; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)

Enforcement of this ordinance shall be the responsibility of the Director of Community Development through the procedures and guidelines established by Chapter 2-10.

(Code 1976, § V.E-101.9; Ord. No. 92-3, 4-14-92; Ord. No. 95-4, 5-9-95)