Sec. 1306. Standards for Off-Street Parking Areas, Aisles, Access Drives and Access Lanes:

• A. Off-street parking areas, aisles, access drives and access lanes, shall conform to the following standards:

EEE

Art. 13 Page 13 - 6

Off-Street Parking and Loading

DEVELOPMENT CODE

1. All new development and parking areas shall have adequate ingress or egress on an improved and maintained durable and dustless access drive or access lane to the nearest maintained right-of-way. Access drives, access lanes, roads and streets shall be designed in accordance with Article 2 of the Kings County Improvement Standards . Where only a building permit is required for the construction of a single facility then the following shall apply:

   • a. Access drives and lanes for rural residential units and to other agricultural facilities shall conform to Design Table 2013 of the Improvement Standards for a single parcel.

   • b. In instances where a person proposes to construct a residence or some other use and the required access drive or access lane to that residence or other use crosses property that is not owned by the applicant, the driveway must still be improved to the minimum standards as shown in Table 2013 of the Improvement Standards. In order to ensure that this requirement can be met, the person proposing to construct a residence or some other use which will have an access drive or access lane which crosses property that is not owned by the applicant, shall provide a written agreement signed by each property owner(s), and recorded in the office of the County Recorder of Kings County, State of California, which provides an access easement and that provides permission for the person who is being granted the easement, to install and maintain a durable dustless surface across the property(ies) to a point where the access drive ultimately connects with a County maintained road, City street or State highway through a properly permitted drive approach to such road, street or highway.

   • c. Access to urban facilities, as defined in the 2035 Kings County General Plan, shall conform to Design Table 2012 of the Improvement Standards.

   • d. All parking areas provided for new development within urban fringe areas and the communities of Armona, Stratford, Home Garden and Kettleman City shall provide and maintain shade trees and other landscaping within the parking areas to help reduce radiation heating.

2. Parking Area Requirements:

• a. All parking areas, aisles and access drives shall be surfaced as to provide and maintain a durable, dustless surface and shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of surface water, with the design and specifications of such work subject to the approval of the Public Works Director.

• b. Sufficient room for turning and maneuvering vehicles shall be provided on the site.

• c. Concrete wheel stops shall be provided where needed for safety or to protect property, as determined by the County Public Works Director.

• d. Entrances and exits to parking lots and other parking facilities shall be provided at locations approved by the Zoning Administrator and Public Works Director.

• e. If the parking area is illuminated, lighting shall be hooded and/or deflected away from adjoining uses to prevent annoying glare.

• f. All parking spaces for compact cars shall be clearly marked with the word “Compact” on the pavement at the opening of the space.

• g. All parking spaces for “low-emitting”, “fuel efficient” and “carpool/vanpool” vehicles shall be clearly marked on the pavement as required by the California Building Code. Electric Vehicle (EV) recharging stations installed to charge electric vehicles parked within a properly designated on-site space shall not block or impede pedestrian access or passage of a sidewalk.

• h. Questions concerning mandatory standards for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for parking spaces in multifamily dwelling and non-residential developments should be referred to the Kings County Building Official.

• i. In a C or MU District where a parking area is located across a street or alley from an RR, R or RM District, a solid wall or fence, vine-covered open fence, or compact evergreen hedge five feet in height shall be located

Art. 13 Page 13 - 7

Off-Street Parking and Loading

DEVELOPMENT CODE

adjoining the street or alley and permanently maintained, except that within 30 feet of a street intersection (intersecting curb lines) the height of plant materials, other than trees, shall be not greater than three feet.

• j. No commercial repair work, servicing of vehicles, or parking of new or used motor vehicles for the purpose of storage, rent, or sale shall be conducted on a parking area, aisle or access drive.

• k. In any residential district, all motor vehicles incapable of movement under their own power, other than in cases of emergency, shall be stored in an entirely enclosed space, garage or carport.

3. Parking Design Standards : Standard parking dimensions and designs are as follows:

   • a. Each standard, angled, and parallel parking space for non-residential uses shall as shown below in Figure 13-1 and Table 13-3 below, exclusive of aisles, access drives, walkways and required landscaping areas.

   • b. Compact car parking spaces, not less than 17 feet in length and eight feet in width marked for compact cars, may be provided for 25 percent of all parking spaces required for any use.

Figure 13-1

Art. 13 Page 13 - 8

Off-Street Parking and Loading

DEVELOPMENT CODE

Table 13-3 Minimum Angled and Parallel Parking Stall Dimensions

• c. Required off street parking spaces for the physically handicapped, and standards for those spaces, shall meet state standards.

• d. Parking spaces dedicated for recreational vehicles or vehicles with trailers shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width by 36 feet in length.

• e. Each parking space for single-family or multifamily dwellings not provided in a covered garage or carport, shall be 20 feet in length and 10 feet in width, and shall comply with Section 1304 above.

B. Units of Measurements:

1. In indoor or outdoor places of assembly in which patrons or spectators occupy benches, pews or other similar seating facilities, each 24 inches of such seating facility shall be counted as one seat for the purpose of determining requirements for off-street parking facilities.

2. If, in the application of the requirements of this Section, a fractional number is obtained, one parking space shall be provided for a fraction of one-half or more, and no parking space shall be required for a fraction of less than one-half.

• C. Change in Use; additions and enlargements: Whenever there is a change in use, or increase in floor area, or other unit of measurement specified herein and such change, increase, or other unit of measurement is such that it creates a need for an increase in the number of off-street parking spaces, as specified by the provisions of this article, by 10% or more, such increase in off-street parking facilities shall be provided on the basis of the increased requirements of the new use, or on the basis of the total increase in floor area, or in other units of measurement; provided, however, that in case a change in use creates a need for an increase of two or less off-street parking spaces, no additional parking facilities shall be required. The effects of additions, enlargements and changes in use subsequent to the adoption of this Development Code shall be cumulative in regard to off-street parking requirements.

• D. Remodeling: No additional off-street parking facilities shall be required solely because of the remodeling of an existing use or building, unless there is a change in use or increase in floor area or other unit of measurement as the result of such remodeling for which additional facilities are required in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 1306.C above.

Sec. 1307. Temporary Carports and Vehicle Shades : Fabric covered temporary carports and vehicle shades that do not constitute a structure, and therefore do not require a building permit, may be located anywhere within the required front, side or rear yard setback areas; however, safety issues and aesthetics shall constitute cause for the County to require their removal. Such temporary fabric covered shades shall comply with the following:

• A. The shade shall be the sort of light-weight tent-type shade which is designed to be placed on the ground without a permanent anchoring system. Tent-like pegs may be used to secure the shade to the landscaped area beside the driveway.

• B. The shade shall not be anchored to the ground using any type of weight system (such as coffee cans filled with concrete tied to the frame).

• C. The light-weight framework of the shade shall be covered by a non-rigid, fabric covered canopy. Frames without covers shall not be allowed in public view for periods in excess of 72 hours. If the cover must be removed for any reason, the frame-work must also be removed from view. Uncovered frames allowed to remain in public view in excess of 72 hours shall be deemed to be a public nuisance.

Art. 13 Page 13 - 9

Off-Street Parking and Loading

DEVELOPMENT CODE

• D. The shade fabric covering shall be maintained in good repair and shall not be allowed to become tattered and torn. Such tattered and torn shade covers shall be deemed to be a public nuisance and must be replaced or removed immediately.

• E. Any question as to whether a temporary carport or shade structure is located properly, requires a building permit, or constitutes a public nuisance shall be up to the discretion of the Kings County Building Official.

Sec. 1308. Requirements for Off-Street Loading Facilities: In any district, in connection with every building or part thereof hereafter erected and having a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet or more, which is to be occupied by manufacturing, storage, warehouse, goods display, retail store, wholesale store, market, hotel, hospital, mortuary, laundry, dry cleaning or other uses similarly requiring the receipt or distribution by vehicles of material or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained, on the same parcel with such building, at least one off-street loading space, plus one additional offstreet loading space for each 20,000 square feet (or any fraction thereof) of gross floor area. The location of off-street loading facilities shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator and the Public Works Director. No off-street loading space shall be required where buildings are served by a public alley.

• A. Standards for Off-Street Loading Facilities: Off-street loading facilities shall conform with the following standards:

  1. Each loading berth shall be not less than 35 feet in length and 12 feet in width and shall have an overhead clearance of not less than 14 feet.

  2. Sufficient room for the turning and maneuvering of vehicles shall be provided on the site.

  3. Entrances and exits shall be provided at locations approved by the Zoning Administrator and Public Works Director.

  4. The loading area, access drives and aisles shall be surfaced so as to provide a durable, dustless surface and shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of surface water, with the design and specifications of such work subject to approval of the Public Works Director.

  5. Concrete wheel stops shall be provided where needed for safety or to protect property, as determined by the Zoning Administrator and Public Works Director.

  6. If the loading area is illuminated, lighting shall be deflected away from abutting properties so as to cause no annoying glare to such properties.

7. A loading area shall not be located in a required front or side yard. A loading area may be located in a required rear yard.

   8. No commercial repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be conducted in an off-street loading area.

   9. Loading areas shall be striped and clearly identified for loading purposes only.

• B. Location of Off-Street Loading Facilities: Off-street loading facilities shall be located on the same site with the use for which the berths are required or on an adjoining site.

Sec. 1309. Existing Uses: No lawfully existing use of land or structure shall be deemed to be a nonconforming use solely because of the lack of off-street parking facilities or off-street loading facilities prescribed in this article, provided that facilities being used for off-street parking and off-street loading at the time of the adoption of this Development Code shall not be reduced in capacity to less than the number of spaces or berths prescribed in this article or reduced in area to less than the minimum standards prescribed in this article. Where an existing use is expanded, the parking requirements of this article shall apply only to the addition.

Sec. 1310. Motorcycle Parking: Motorcycle parking shall be provided for any new use, major alteration, or enlargement of a multifamily, commercial, mixed use, or industrial site or building as shown in Table 13-4 below.

EEE

Art. 13 Page 13 - 10

Off-Street Parking and Loading

DEVELOPMENT CODE

• A. A motorcycle parking area space shall be a minimum of four feet in width and eight feet in length.

• B. All motorcycle spaces shall be clearly marked with signage or bollards to prevent automobile usage.

• C. Motorcycle parking areas shall be paved with concrete to prevent damage from motorcycle kick stands and center stands.

Sec. 1311. Bicycle Parking: Short-term and/or long-term bicycle parking shall be provided for any new use, major alteration, or enlargement of a commercial building or multifamily dwelling as shown below. Bicycle parking areas and racks shall not block pedestrian traffic on sidewalks as follows.

• A. Short-Term Bicycle Parking for each newly permitted, newly rehabilitated, or newly remodeled business establishment for shoppers who generally stay for a short time and for public facility uses:

  1. Provide permanently anchored bicycle racks within 200 feet of the entrance to the building readily visible to passers-by.

  2. The number of required bicycle racks shall be as established by the California Building Code with a minimum of one two bike capacity rack provided for any new project or an addition or alteration

• B. Long-Term Bicycle Parking : For new buildings, additions, or alterations that add 10 or more tenant vehicular parking spaces, secure bicycle parking shall be provided for five percent of the tenant vehicular parking spaces being added, with a minimum of one space. Acceptable bicycle parking facilities shall be convenient from the street and shall meet the following:

  1. Covered, lockable enclosures with permanently anchored racks for bicycles;

  2. Lockable bicycle rooms with permanently anchored racks; or

  3. Lockable, permanently anchored bicycle lockers

EEE

Art. 13 Page 13 - 11

Off-Street Parking and Loading

DEVELOPMENT CODE

This page was left blank intentionally

Art. 13 Page 13 - 12

Off-Street Parking and Loading

DEVELOPMENT CODE

Article 14. Signs and Signage Regulations

Sections:

• Sec. 1401 - Purpose and Objectives

• Sec. 1402 - General Provisions

• Sec. 1403 - Types of Speech in Signage

• Sec. 1404 - Substitution for Non-Commercial Speech Sec. 1405 - Prohibited Display Copy Sec. 1406 - Types of Signs Sec. 1407 - Sign Area Computation

• Sec. 1408 - Signs by Zoning District

• Sec. 1409 - Illumination of Signs

• Sec. 1410 - Special Provision for Illuminated Signs in the Immediate Area of Interchanges Along Interstate 5

• Sec. 1411 - Violations and Enforcement

Sec. 1401. Purpose and Objectives : Sign regulations are established to protect vital agricultural land, promote economic vitality in Commercial and Industrial zoning districts, and enhance the appearance of the unincorporated areas of the County. Sign regulations are also intended to preserve and protect the public health, safety, and welfare within the County. Regulating signs that are subject to local land use sign regulations will promote reasonable and effective use of signs while preventing their over-concentration, improper placement, deterioration, excessive size, or excessive number.

Sec. 1402. General Provisions : Signs are generally allowed in all zoning districts provided they comply with this Article and with the corresponding and relevant zoning district regulations. Some signs are permitted by right while others require a Site Plan Review or Conditional Use Permit. The amount of signage allowed for each parcel or use is defined in terms the number allowed or the total square footage of all signs. Therefore, in terms of commercial type uses, for example, where the amount of signage allowed is expressed as an “aggregate sign area”, the total area of all signs installed for the commercial use cannot exceed the total area for the zoning district as shown in this Development Code. The following provisions apply to signage in all zoning districts:

wed or the total square footage of all signs. Therefore, in terms of commercial type uses, for example, where the amount of signage allowed is expressed as an “aggregate sign area”, the total area of all signs installed for the commercial use cannot exceed the total area for the zoning district as shown in this Development Code. The following provisions apply to signage in all zoning districts:

• A. Allowable Signs: Signs may be either commercial or non-commercial in nature depending on the land use the sign is related to. Listings are provided in the Articles of this Development Code relating to each zoning district within the County to describe signs allowable in a particular zoning district. A complete list of the types of signs allowable in the unincorporated areas of the County is provided under the definition of “Signs” in Article 25 of this Development Code.

• B. Sign Placement: Signs shall be placed on private property and not in any public right-of-way or utility easement, and shall comply with Traffic Safety Visibility Area requirements, including the following;

  1. Temporary signs that are three feet in height or less and not exceeding six square feet in size may be located in any portion of a setback provided they are not a pedestrian hazard.

  2. No freestanding sign permitted by this Section shall be placed within 30 feet of a street intersection (intersecting curb lines) unless placed on a pole at least 12 feet above the ground or unless placed at a maximum height of three feet above the ground.

  3. Unless a different setback is specified for a particular zoning district, the minimum setback distance for all signs over three feet in height shall be ten 10 feet from property lines.

• C. Property Owner’s Consent. Signs shall not be displayed without the written consent of the legal owner of the property on which the sign is mounted or displayed. For purposes of this policy, “property owner” is defined as the holder of a present

a zgsie =

Signs and Signage Regulations

Art. 14 Page 14 - 1

DEVELOPMENT CODE

right to possession, control, and use of the property.

• D. Message Neutrality. It is the County’s policy to regulate signs in a constitutional manner that is content neutral as to noncommercial messages and viewpoint neutral as to commercial messages. This Article shall be construed in a manner that is consistent with the County’s policy on message neutrality.

• E. Sign Clearance: Awning signs, projecting signs, or freestanding signs that are constructed over a sidewalk or driveway shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above the surface they are located over.

• F. Changes to Sign Face: Changes to an on-site sign face that do not structurally alter the sign or its size are allowed without a zoning permit.

• G. Maintenance of Signs: Signs shall be maintained in a state of good repair at all times. Damage to signs, including cracked or broken sign faces, frayed or weathered fabric, and broken lighting shall be repaired.

• H Removal of Signs: If an establishment ceases to operate for a period of 180 days or more, all signs associated with the establishment shall be removed by the property owner. A structure housing or supporting the sign message may be allowed to remain on the property if the sign message is removed and the structure itself is not a safety hazard.

• I. Mixed Use Zones. In a zoning district where both residential and non-residential uses are allowed, the signage rights and responsibilities applicable to a particular use shall be determined as follows: residential uses shall be treated as if they were located in a residential zone where that type of use would be allowed as a matter of right, and non-residential uses shall be treated as if they were located in a zone where the particular use would be allowed, either as a matter of right, Site Plan Review or subject to a Conditional Use Permit or similar discretionary process.

• J. Pedestrian-Oriented Signs. It is desirable and encouraged to include a Pedestrian-Oriented Sign as one of the permitted signs for a business in the Commercial and Mixed Use zoning districts. Pedestrian-Oriented Signs are signs that are designed for and directed toward pedestrians so that they can easily and comfortably read the sign as they stand adjacent to the business.

Figure 14-1 PEDESTRIAN ORIENTED SIGN

Sec. 1403. Types of Speech in Signage: Signs may display noncommercial speech or commercial speech to convey a message. For the purposes of signage requirements within this Development Code, these two terms are defined as follows:

• A. “ Noncommercial Speech ” is any speech that is not commercial.

• B. “ Commercial Speech ” is speech that proposes a consumer transaction. In ambiguous situations, whether speech proposes a consumer transaction must be determined by identifying the speaker and the intended audience, and by evaluating the content of the message. The speaker necessarily will be someone engaged in commerce or acting for the benefit of someone engaged in commerce, and the intended audience typically will be actual or potential consumers, or those who are

Signs and Signage Regulations

Art. 14 Page 14 - 2

DEVELOPMENT CODE

likely to influence consumers. With respect to the content of the message, commercial speech has an economic motivation, and typically includes factual representations about the business operations, products, or services of the speaker.

Sec. 1404. Substitution for Non-commercial Speech: Any non-commercial message or speech may be substituted for the copy of any commercial sign allowed under this Section.

Sec. 1405. Prohibited Display Copy: No person shall publicly display or cause or permit to be publicly displayed upon any sign or advertising structure any content that is obscene or otherwise entirely outside of the protection of the First Amendment, (including advertising for any product or service that is illegal under federal, state or local law), or any indecent or profane content that is sufficiently offensive to the sensibilities of a reasonable member of the community so as to constitute a nuisance, including but not limited to any picture or illustration of any human figure in such detail as to offend public morals or decency. (See F.C.C. v. Pacifica Found. (1978) 438 U.S. 726, 750-751.)

(Ordinance No. 668-2-16, §4, 1/26/16)