Chapter 17.220 — OTHER ZONES

In addition to the purpose and intent described in Section 17.104.020 (Intent and Purpose), the specific purpose of the other zones is to adequately address special or unique land use characteristics.

(Ord. 1670(19) § 11)

• A. Mixed Use Zone (MU). The Mixed Use (MU) Zone applies to areas near transportation corridors in the City where infill development with housing opportunities and retail commercial uses is encouraged. The Zone allows residents to have access to a mix of pedestrian-oriented uses which are harmoniously intermingled with multi-modal access.

• B. Public Facilities and Institutional Zone (PF). The Public Facilities and Institutional (PF) Zone applies to areas of the City owned by public or quasi-public agencies. The Zone is intended to provide for the public service, educational, recreational, social, and cultural needs of the community.

• C. Open Space Zone (OS). The Open Space (OS) Zone applies to areas of the City that are appropriate for designation as open space. The OS Zone is intended to ensure the protection of public health and safety; to preserve natural scenic areas for future populations; and to systematically manage the growth and direction of urban development.

• D. Specific Plan Zone. The Specific Plan (SP) Zone applies to areas of the City where the systematic implementation of General Plan goals and policies are desired to ensure a more comprehensive and intensive evaluation and planning effort due to their large size, the need to master plan infrastructure, and their unique environmental settings. Specific plans are authorized by, and shall be prepared and amended in accordance with, California Government Code § 65450 et seq.

• (Ord. 1670(19) § 11)

The land uses allowed in the other zones are listed below, together with the planning permit type required for each use.

• A. Establishment of an Allowable Use.

  1. Any one or more land uses allowed in Table 17.220.030.A (Other Zones Allowed Uses) may be established on any lot within the other zone, subject to the planning permit requirement listed in the Table, and in compliance with all applicable requirements of this Code. Accessory uses are allowed only in conjunction with a primary use to which the accessory use relates.

  2. Where a single parcel is proposed for development with two or more of the land uses listed in the Table at the same time, the overall project will be subject to the highest permit level required by the Table for any individual use.

  3. Uses not listed below may be allowed in compliance with Section 17.520.050 (Allowable Uses of Land).

• B. Allowed Uses.

Notes:

• 1 Allowed uses within the Specific Plan Zone shall be established by an adopted specific plan.

• 2 Permitted use on any lot containing a single-family residence, including a legal nonconforming single-family residence, provided the use complies with Section 17.404.040 .

• 3 Chemical-based photographic studios, laundry facilities, and similar uses shall not be allowed in the MU Zone.

• 4 For buildings with H Street or Ocean Avenue frontage in the MU Zone, residential uses may only be located on the first floor if the residential use does not face the street (i.e., H Street or Ocean Avenue) and residential access is provided at the rear of the building.

P = Permitted Use. A permitted use in the PF Zone requires Architectural Design and Site Development Review approval by the Planning Commission.

AUP = Administrative Use Permit (See Chapter 17.508 ).

MUP = Minor Use Permit required (See Chapter 17.520 ). A use requiring a Minor Use Permit in the PF Zone requires Architectural Design and Site Development Review approval by the Planning Commission.

CUP = Conditional Use Permit required (See Chapter 17.520 ). A conditionally permitted use may be permitted subject to a Minor Use Permit when the use will be in an existing building and all applicable development standards applicable are met.

• = Use not allowed

• (Ord. 1670(19) § 11; Ord. 1680(21) § 7; Ord. 1731(25), 11/4/2025; Ord. 1733(25), 10/21/25)

Notes:

• 1 Development standards applicable to parcels within the Specific Plan Zone shall be established by an adopted specific plan.

• 2 When adjoining property that is zoned residential, and the residential property and the PF Zone property face the same street, a minimum 15-foot front yard setback is required.

• 3 When adjoining property that is zoned residential, a minimum 10-foot setback is required along the property line abutting the residential zone.

• 4 The rear setback may be reduced by the review authority if it can be demonstrated that there is sufficient room for solid waste receptacles and equipment storage and access.

• 5 Applies to projects that are all residential (no commercial uses and not mixed use). Any resulting fractions shall round up, and only a whole number shall be considered in determining the number of units allowed on a lot, unless required by State density bonus

Notes:

law. However, in no case shall rounding allow density to exceed the maximum densities identified in Table 17.220.040.A.

• = No standard

• (Ord. 1670(19) § 11; Ord. 1731(25), 11/4/2025)

• A. Open Space Zone—River and Creek Setbacks.

  1. The following minimum setbacks shall be maintained from river and creek channel margins:

     • a. 100 feet—Santa Ynez River; and

     • b. 50 feet—Salsipuedes, San Miguelito, Sloans Canyon, and Davis Creeks.

  2. The 50-foot creek setback may be reduced along channelized drainages provided the project is consistent with the following:

     • a. Project design results in the avoidance of significant impacts to riparian areas;

     • b. The project includes design features that control for potential adverse water quality effects (e.g., direct runoff away from the creek, bioswales, etc.) and light spillover effects;

     • c. The project emphasizes the natural features of the site;

     • d. The project complies with applicable landscape standards (e.g., native landscaping in open space areas); and

• e. The project is consistent with the General Plan, including policies that require the City to protect the Santa Ynez River and its tributaries as open space.

• (Ord. 1670(19) § 11)