Lancaster Municipal Code Art. IV Open Space (O) Zone

The purpose and intent of the O zone is to provide the means necessary to implement the policies of the City's General Plan regarding open space and the land use designations "O" (open space), as delineated on the general plan map, and to designate zoning for those uses which are open in nature and thus contribute to the visual and spatial relief from continuous urban development. The "O" zone also serves to provide opportunities for outdoor recreation; preserve scenic qualities; protect sensitive or fragile environmental areas; preserve the capacity and water quality of the stormwater drainage system; and to provide pedestrian and bicycle transportation connections.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

The following uses, excluding uses that stockpile, commercially compost, process, or handle sludge or biosolid materials, are permitted in the O zone:

A. Crops: field, tree, bush, berry and row including nursery stock in nonurban areas;

B. Floodways;

C. Roadside rest area;

D. Scenic corridor or scenic easement;

E. Vegetative preservation or management areas;

F. Wildlife preservation or management areas, except gun clubs and hunting preserves.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

The following uses are considered as accessory uses to the permitted uses in the O zone:

A. Accessory buildings or structures customarily used in conjunction with permitted uses;

B. Solar energy systems, whether mounted on or attached to a building or mounted on the ground.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

The following uses are considered as temporary uses in the O zone:

A. Building materials, storage of, used in the construction of a building or building project, during the construction and 30 days thereafter, including the contractor's temporary office provided that any lot or parcel of land so used shall be part of the building project, or on property adjoining the construction site.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

If site plans or other pertinent information for the proposed use are first submitted to and approved by the director in accordance with Article VI of Chapter 17.32, premises in the O zone may be used for the following uses:

A. Access to property lawfully used for a purpose not permitted in the O zone, provided no other practical access to such property is available, and such access will not alter the character of the premises in respect to permitted uses in the O zone.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

A. The following uses, excluding uses that stockpile, commercially compost, process, or handle sludge or biosolid materials, are permitted in the O zone; provided, a conditional use has first been obtained as provided in Article I of Chapter 17.32, and while such permit is in full force and effect in conformity with conditions of such permit for:

1. Arboretum;

2. Botanical garden;

3. Crops: field, tree, bush, berry and row including nursery stock where the site abuts developed, residential property in the R, MHP, MDR or HDR zones;

4. Open spaces as a part of an RPD development, public;

5. Riding, hiking, bicycle trails but not including trails for motor-driven vehicles;

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

No building in the O zone shall exceed a height of 25 feet. This section does not apply to uses subject to permit which shall be subject to Article I of Chapter 17.32. (See Article XII of Chapter 17.40 for general exceptions.)

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

Solar collectors may exceed the height limit when mounted on the roof of a legal, conforming building. The right to exceed the height limit shall be exercised only in the event that: there is no practical means or location for achieving an efficient placement on the building or site in question; such collectors may exceed the height limit only to the extent necessary to achieve efficient placement; in no case shall such solar collectors (or related equipment) encroach more than 5 feet beyond the limit. Also the placement of a solar collector shall not shade or otherwise diminish the efficiency of existing solar collectors on neighboring property, or preclude such property from sufficient solar access to successfully operate a solar energy system sufficient to serve the household needs of the occupants or the intended use.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

A site plan drawn to scale shall be required of any person seeking to erect new buildings or structures, make additions to any existing buildings or structures, or otherwise improve or develop any lot or portion thereof for a permitted use prior to the issuance of any building permit.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

A. No new building shall be erected, constructed, moved onto, or established on an existing legal lot or parcel of land unless said building shall comply with all of the regulations set forth in this section which are pertinent to its placement on said lot or parcel.

B. No existing building located on an existing legal lot or parcel of land shall be converted, enlarged or moved unless said building, or addition thereto, shall comply with all of the regulations set forth in this section which are pertinent to this placement on said lot or parcel.

C. No new lot shall be created, or any building, or portion thereof, existing on such new lot be used unless said lot and said building location shall comply with all of the regulations set forth in this section which are pertinent to the area and dimensions for new lots and buildings on said lot.

D. O zone:

1. Minimum lot area: 10,000 square feet (see Sections 17.40.093, 17.40.095 and 17.40.097 in the event of lot area, width or depth reduction for highway purposes or public use);

2. Yard requirements (see Section 17.28.030 for special provisions concerning yards):

(See Sections 17.40.093, 17.40.095 and 17.40.097 in the event yard requirements must be reduced for street widening or transit stops.)

a. Front yard: 20 feet,

b. Interior side yard: 20 feet,

c. Street side yard: 20 feet,

d. Rear yard*: 20 feet;

3. Lot coverage:

a. Maximum lot coverage: 10 percent of the lot area;

4. Open space: 70 percent of the lot area;

5. Landscaping: no landscaping shall be placed in a manner which shades or would ultimately shade any existing solar energy system from the sun on a contiguous lot.

*EXCEPTION: Solar energy systems are permitted in rear yards and not counted against lot coverage.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

A person shall not use any sign except as specifically permitted in this section and subject to all regulations and conditions set forth in accordance with Article VI of Chapter 17.32, Director's review. The following signs are permitted in the O zone:

A. Address. Street numbers of all buildings shall be prominently located and of sufficient size to be easily read from the street by public safety personnel (i.e., police, fire, ambulance).

B. Monument Sign. Twenty-five square feet plus 0.25 square feet for each foot of frontage over 100 feet up to a maximum of 50 square feet.

C. Wall Sign. One square foot per linear foot of building frontage.

D. Freestanding signs shall be not less than 25 feet from an interior property line and shall be at least 100 feet from any other freestanding sign.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

A. Purpose. The fence standards promote the positive benefits of fences without negatively impacting the community or endangering public or vehicle safety. Fences can create a sense of privacy, protect children and pets, provide separation from busy streets, and enhance the appearance of property by providing attractive landscape materials. The negative effects of fences can include the creation of street walls that inhibit police and community surveillance, decrease the sense of community, hinder emergency access, lessen solar access, hinder the safe movement of pedestrian and vehicles, and create an unattractive appearance. These standards are intended to promote the positive aspects of fences and to limit the negative ones.

B. Type of fences. The standards apply to walls, fences and screens of all types whether open, solid, wood, metal, wire, masonry, or other material.

C. Location. Fences may be 6 feet tall at the property line. A fence within 30 feet of a street lot line may not be more than 10 percent sight obscuring.

D. Building permits. Building permits are required by Building and Safety Division, for fences 6 feet in height.

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)

The following design requirements shall be met by development in the O zone:

A. Existing topography, hydrology, soil, drainage and vegetation conditions shall be retained on undeveloped land in order to retain the visual appeal and function of the undisturbed open space area. No vehicle, equipment or materials will be operated, stored or placed on the undisturbed area.

B. All buildings shall be designed to enclose or otherwise screen from view all rooftop mechanical equipment, ducts, tanks, etc., including solar systems. This requirement does not include windpowered turbines used for ventilation.

C. Where multistory buildings are to be utilized on lots abutting property in the R zone, such buildings shall be located or oriented in a manner which will minimize the visual intrusion into neighboring single-family property. (This may be accomplished by setting the building back from the abutting property line beyond the distance required by the yard, orienting the building in a manner which will not give a view into the back yard of their neighbors, or by other design consideration.)

(Ord. No. 947, § 1, 7-13-2010)