Chapter 10.02 — PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY OF THE ZONING CODE

This title shall be known as “The City of La Puente Zoning Code” or “Zoning Code.” (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

A. Purpose. This Zoning Code is established to regulate the use of land within the City consistent with the La Puente General Plan, and to protect the public health, safety, comfort, welfare, and general prosperity of the City and its residents and businesses through classifying, designating, regulating, and restricting the use of land, buildings, and structures.

B. Authority. This Zoning Code is enacted based on the authority vested in the City of La Puente by the State of California, including but not limited to the State Constitution, Planning and Zoning Law (Government Code Sections 65000 et seq.), the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Sections 66410 et seq.), and the California Health and Safety Code. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

A. The requirements of this Zoning Code supersede all prior zoning ordinances, as amended, of the City of La Puente.

B. The provisions of this Zoning Code shall not be interpreted to repeal, amend, modify, alter, or change any other ordinance or code that is not specifically repealed, amended, modified, altered, or changed.

C. Whenever the provisions of this Zoning Code are different from the provisions of any other ordinance or adopted code, the more restrictive provisions shall apply, except as the same may be superseded by resolution or ordinance. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

This Zoning Code provides the legislative framework to enhance and implement the goals, policies, plans, principles, and standards of the City of La Puente General Plan. This Zoning Code is the primary regulatory document used by the City to carry out the General Plan goals and policies. It is intended that all provisions of this Zoning Code be consistent with the General Plan and that any development, land use, or subdivision approved in compliance with these regulations will also be consistent with the General Plan. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

When a project application pursuant to the provisions of this Zoning Code is determined to be subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the application shall be reviewed in accordance with the provisions of this Zoning Code, the California Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code, Section 21000 et seq.), the CEQA Guidelines (Title 14, California Code of Regulations, Section 15000 et seq.), and any environmental guidelines and other applicable rules adopted by the City. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

Any design guidelines adopted by the City shall be considered complementary to the development and design standards set forth in this Zoning Code. In the event of any conflict between adopted design guidelines and the provisions of the Zoning Code, the provisions of the Zoning Code shall govern. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

Whenever an area of the City has been included in a specific plan adopted pursuant to California Government Code §§ 65450 et seq., and if such plan contains any standards relating to land usage, such standards shall supersede the provisions of this Zoning Code unless otherwise stated in the specific plan. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

A. The rights granted by any permit, license, or other approval under any ordinance repealed by this Zoning Code shall be continued, but in the future, to the extent permitted by law, such rights shall be exercised in accordance with the provisions of this Zoning Code.

B. Nothing in this Title shall be interpreted to authorize the use of a lot or parcel in any way that is in violation of any other applicable statute, code, or regulation.

C. The provisions of this Zoning Code are not intended to abrogate any easements, covenants, or other existing agreements which are more restrictive than the provisions of this Zoning Code.

D. No requirement of this Zoning Code shall validate or legalize a land use or structure that was established, constructed, or maintained in violation of the prior zoning ordinance, as amended, unless it is specifically authorized by this Zoning Code and is in compliance with all other applicable City ordinances and regulations. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

Except as provided in the Chapter 10.02 (Purpose and Applicability of the Zoning Code), no building shall be erected, reconstructed, or structurally altered, nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose other than is specifically permitted in the zone in which such building or land is located. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

Except as otherwise required by law, any activities, developments, and/or projects of or initiated by the City shall be exempt from the requirements of this Zoning Code. However, the City will strive to meet the requirements to the maximum extent practical based on individual circumstances. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)

If any section, subsection, clause, or phrase of this Zoning Code is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of the Zoning Code, it being expressly declared that this Zoning Code and each chapter, section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase hereof would have been prepared, proposed, adopted, approved, or ratified irrespective of the fact that an one or more chapters, sections, subsections, sentences, clauses, or phrases be declared invalid or unconstitutional. (Ord. 935 § 3 (part), 2015)