Title 17 — ZONING›Chapter 17.12 — COMMERCIAL ZONES
§ 17.28
Lancaster Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-08 · Lancaster
17.28.030 - Yards. ¶
A.
To Exclude Drainage Easements. Where a lot or parcel of land includes a portion of a required drainage channel easement, any required yard which would normally fall within such easement shall be located outside of and abutting the easement within the lot or parcel.
B.
Projections Permitted in Yards. The following projections are permitted in required yards subject to the provisions of this title and of Ordinance No. 2225 (Building code). Projections specified are permitted only where also authorized by said Building Code.
1.
Eaves and cantilevered roofs may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into any required yard provided:
a.
That such eaves or cantilevered roofs are not closer than 2 1/2 feet to any lot or highway line; and
b.
That no portion of such eaves or cantilevered roofs is less than 8 feet above grade; and
c.
That there are no vertical supports or members within the required yard.
2.
Fireplace structures, not wider than 8 feet measured in the general direction of the wall of which it is a part, buttresses and wing walls may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into any required yard provided:
a.
That all walls of such structures are of one-hour fire resistant construction; and
b.
That such structures are not closer than 2½ feet to any lot or highway line; and
c.
That such structures shall not be utilized to provide closets or otherwise usable floor area.
3.
Uncovered porches, platforms, landings and decks, including access stairs thereto, exceeding an average height of one foot which do not extend above the level of the first floor may project a maximum distance of 3 feet into required interior side yards, and a maximum distance of 5 feet into required front, rear and corner side yards provided:
a.
That such porches, platforms, landings and decks shall not be closer than 2 feet to any lot or highway line; and
b.
That such porches, platforms, landings and decks are open and unenclosed, provided, however, that an open-work railing not to exceed 3½ feet in height may be installed.
4.
Rain conductors, spouts, utility service risers, shutoff valves, water tables, sills, capitals, bases, cornices and belt courses may project a maximum distance of one foot into any required yard.
5.
Awnings or canopies may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into required interior side yard and 5 feet into required front, rear and corner side yard provided:
a.
That such awnings or canopies are not closer than 2½ feet to any lot or highway line; and
b.
That such awnings or canopies have no vertical support within such yard; and
c.
That such awnings or canopies extend only over the windows or doors to be protected and for not more than one foot on either side thereof.
6.
Water heaters, water softeners and gas or electric meters, including service conduits and pipes, enclosed or in the open, may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into a required interior side or rear yard provided that such structures or equipment are not closer than 2½ feet to any lot line. Gas meters, if enclosed or adequately screened from view by a structure permitted in the yard, may project a maximum distance of 2½ feet into a required front or corner side yard provided that such equipment is not closer than 2½ feet to any lot or highway line.
7.
Stairways and balconies above the level of the first floor may project a maximum distance of 2 feet into a required interior or corner side yard or 4 feet into a required front or rear yard provided:
a.
That such stairways and balconies shall not be closer than 3 feet to any lot or highway line; and
b.
That such stairways and balconies are open and unenclosed; and
c.
That such stairways and balconies are not covered by a roof or canopy except as otherwise provided by subsection B.5. of this section.
8.
Wall and window mounted air conditioners, coolers and fans may be used in any required yard provided that such equipment is not closer than 2½ feet to any lot line.
C.
Fences and Walls Permitted. Fences and walls may be erected and maintained in required yards subject to the requirements in Section 17.12.130.B.2 for the C zone and Section 17.16.220.A.8 for the I zone.
D.
Landscaping in Required Yards. Trees, shrubs, flowers and plants may be placed in any required yard provided that all height restrictions applying to fences and walls shall also apply to hedges planted within yards and forming a barrier serving the same purpose as a fence or wall.
E.
Public Use Exceptions. The commission, without notice of hearing, may grant a modification of yard and setback regulations for public sites unless such modification would be incompatible with adjoining development.
(Prior zoning ord. §§ 452.8.2, 452.9, § 452.13—452.15)
(Ord. No. 1070, § 4(Exh. A), 1-14-2020; Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)
17.28.040 - Establishment of highway lines. ¶
In all zones highway lines are established parallel to the centerline established by the city engineer for the regional arterial, primary arterial, secondary arterial, and other streets in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 16.20.050 of this code.
(Ord. 711 § 37, 1995: prior zoning ord. § 467)
17.28.050 - Highway lines—Corner cutoffs.
In all zones on the intersections of parkways, major and secondary highways and streets:
A.
A person shall not use any building or structure within those triangles formed by the intersections of the highway lines on such parkway, major and secondary highways and streets for a distance of 17 feet from such intersection on each of such lines and a line connecting the end of such lines, except as permitted within a yard by subsection B.1. of Section 17.28.030, and provided that such structures do not constitute a visual obstruction between 3½ feet and 8 feet above the level of the ground.
(Ord. 711 § 38, 1995; prior zoning ord. § 468)
17.28.060 - Streets. ¶
A.
Exceptions. This section does not apply to the following buildings or structures which, if they comply with all other provisions of this title, may be used without complying with any provision of this section:
1.
Accessory agricultural buildings where used primarily for agricultural purposes including but not limited to: barns, silos, chicken houses, rabbit hutches and roadside stands;
2.
Gas measurement, distribution and meter control stations;
3.
Outdoor advertising;
4.
Residences, single-family (see Chapter 12.12, Streets, Curbs and Sidewalks, of this code);
5.
Temporary carnivals and revival meetings;
6.
Other similar uses which, in the opinion of the commission, will not generate a greater volume of traffic than the uses enumerated in this section.
B.
Existing Structures. This section does not apply to the use, alteration or enlargement of an existing building or structure or the erection of one or more buildings or structures accessory thereto, or both, on the same lot or parcel of land, if the total value of such alteration, enlargement or construction does not exceed ½ of the current market value (as determined by the assessor's records, appraisal or other method acceptable to the director) of all existing buildings or structures on such lot or parcel of land.
C.
Adequate Streets Adjacent to Structures. Except as otherwise provided in subsections A and B of this section, a building or structure shall not be used on any lot or parcel of land any portion of which abuts upon a street unless said street which abuts such lot or parcel of land has been dedicated and improved as provided in Article II of Chapter 16.20 of this code.
D.
Dedication Standards. Regional arterial, primary arterial, secondary arterial, and other streets shall be dedicated to the width from centerline as specified in Section 16.20.050 of this code including corner cutoffs as specified by the city engineer or director of public works, except that dedication in any case shall not be required to such an extent as to reduce the area or width of any parcel of land to less than that specified in Section 17.40.080 or 17.40.090.
E.
Improvements. Before a structure subject to the provisions of this section may be used, curbs, gutters, pavement, sidewalks, and drainage structures shall be constructed at the grade and at the location specified by the city engineer or the director of public works per the typical street cross sections as specified in Section 16.20.050 of this code. Such curbs, gutters, pavement, sidewalks, and drainage structures shall comply with the standards of the city engineer or director of public works.
F.
Variance to Requirements of This Section. Any person deeming himself aggrieved may apply for a variance from any provision of this section pursuant to Article II of Chapter 17.32 whether he has applied for a modification or not.
(Ord. 711 § 39, 1995: prior zoning ord. §§ 490.000—490.090)
Chapter 17.32 - VARIANCES, CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS, NONCONFORMING USES, DIRECTOR'S REVIEW
Article I. - Conditional Use Permits
17.32.010 - Purpose of.
A conditional use as defined by this title means a use which:
A.
Because of characteristics peculiar to it; or
B.
Because of size, technological process or type of equipment; or
C.
Because of the location with reference to surroundings, street or highway width, traffic generation or other demands upon public facilities, required special consideration relative to placement at specific locations in the zone or zones where classified to insure proper integration with other existing or permitted uses in the same zone or zones.
(Prior zoning ord. § 501.1)
17.32.020 - Filing of application.
Any person desiring a conditional use permit required by or provided for in this title may file an application with the director except that no application shall be filed or accepted if final action has been taken within one year prior thereto by either the commission or city council on an application requesting the same, or substantially the same permit.
(Prior zoning ord. § 501.2)
(Ord. No. 1130, § 4(Exh. A), 5-27-2025)
17.32.030 - Contents of application.
An application for a conditional use permit shall contain the following information:
A.
Name and address of the applicant and of all persons owning any or all of the property proposed to be used;
B.
Evidence that the applicant:
1.
Is the owner of the premises involved, or
2.
Has written permission of the owner or owners to make such application, or
3.
Is or will be the plaintiff in an action in eminent domain to acquire the premises involved, or any portion thereof, or
4.
In the case of a public agency, is negotiating to acquire a portion of the premises involved;
C.
Location of subject property (address or vicinity);
D.
Legal description of the property involved;
E.
The nature of the requested use, indicating the business, occupation or purpose for which such building, structure, or improvement is to be erected, constructed, altered, enlarged, moved, occupied or used;
F.
Indicate the nature, condition and development of adjacent uses, buildings and structures; and
G.
Provide a site plan drawn to a scale satisfactory to and in the number of copies prescribed by the director indicating:
1.
The area and dimensions of proposed site for the requested use,
2.
The location and dimensions of all structures, yards, walls, fences, parking and loading facilities, landscaping, and other development features;
H.
Indicate the dimensions and state of improvement of the adjoining streets and highways providing access to the proposed site of the requested use;
I.
Indicate other permits and approvals secured in compliance with the provisions of other applicable ordinances;
J.
With each application the applicant shall also file:
1.
Maps in the number prescribed and drawn to a scale specified by the director, showing the location of all property included in the request, the location of all highways, streets, alleys and the location and dimensions of all lots or parcels of land within a distance of 700 feet from the exterior boundaries of such proposed use,
2.
One copy of said map shall indicate the uses established on every lot and parcel of land shown within said 700 foot radius,
3.
A list, certified to be correct by affidavit or by a statement under penalty of perjury pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, of the names and addresses of all persons who are shown on the latest available assessment roll of the county of Los Angeles as owners of the subject property and as owning property within a distance of 500 feet from the exterior boundaries of the area actually to be occupied by the use. One copy of said map shall indicate where such ownership are located,
4.
Proof satisfactory to the director that water will be available in quantities and pressures required by said Ordinance No. 7834, the Water Ordinance, or by a variance granted pursuant to said Ordinance No. 7834. The director may accept as such proof a certificate from the person who is to supply water that he can supply water as required by said Ordinance No. 7834, also stating the amount and pressure, which certificate also shall be signed by the forester and fire warden, or a certificate from the county engineer that such water will be available,
5.
The director may waive the filing of one or more of the above items;
K.
Such other information as the director may require.
The accuracy of all information, maps and lists submitted shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
(Prior zoning ord. § 501.3)
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code