§ 22.16

A.

General Purpose. The Agricultural, Open Space, Resort and Recreation, and Watershed Zones consist primarily of lands for agricultural uses or are in natural resource areas which limit dwellings and accessory uses. These zones provide areas for agricultural operations, open space, recreation, natural resource industries, or natural resource protection.

B.

Purpose of Individual Zones. The purposes of individual zones are established as follows:

1.

Agricultural Zones. The Agricultural Zones (Zones A-1 and A-2) are established to permit a comprehensive range of agricultural uses in areas particularly suited for agricultural activities. Permitted uses are intended to encourage agricultural activities and other such uses required for, or desired by, the inhabitants of the community. An area so zoned may provide the land necessary to permit low-density single-family residential development, outdoor recreational uses, and public and institutional facilities.

2.

Open Space Zone. The Open Space Zone (Zone O-S) is established to provide for the preservation, maintenance, and enhancement of the recreational, natural, and environmental resources of this County as defined in the General Plan. The purpose and intent of Zone O-S is to:

a.

Provide for the continued availability of open space lands for outdoor recreational usage.

b.

Protect water resources by maintaining groundwater recharge and watershed areas.

c.

Protect ecological and habitat areas to assure the continued survival of wildlife and vegetation.

d.

Protect sites of historical, archaeological, scenic, or scientific value.

e.

Protect areas identified as having significant mineral resources to assure their continued availability, conservation, and production.

f.

Reduce the risk to public safety through protective management of seismic, flooding, erosion, fire, geologic, and other natural hazard areas.

g.

Protect areas used for the managed production of resources, including but not limited to rangeland and agricultural land.

3.

Resort and Recreation Zone. The Resort and Recreation Zone (Zone R-R) is established to provide for outdoor recreation and agricultural uses suitable for development without significant impairment to the

resources of the area. Zone R-R also recognizes some single-family residences, additional recreation uses, and limited commercial and public service facilities, subject to review and conditions to protect natural scenic or recreational value.

4.

Watershed Zone. The Watershed Zone (Zone W) is established to provide for conservation of water and other natural resources within a watershed area and to protect areas subject to fire, flood, erosion, or similar hazards. Zone W also provides for limited recreational development of the land and necessary public facilities.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.16.020 - Agricultural Zones Designated.

Table 22.16.020-A, below, identifies "Agricultural Zones," as used in this Title 22:

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.16.030 - Land Use Regulations for Zones A-1, A-2, O-S, R-R, and W.

A.

General. This Section prescribes the land use regulations for Zones A-1, A-2, O-S, R-R, and W.

B.

Permit and Review Requirements. Table 22.16.030-A, below, identifies the permit or review required to establish each use listed in Subsection C, below.

C.

Use Regulations.

1.

Principal Uses. Table 22.16.030-B, below, identifies the permit or review required to establish each principal use.

3. Use shall be located at least 300 feet from any public park or any area in a Residential Zone.

4. Minimum lot size is one acre.

5. Use shall meet all applicable health and safety standards and be reclaimed for open space use when declared safe for such use by the California Department of Health.

6. Minimum lot size is 10 acres.

7. Limited to hives only.

8. Minimum lot size is five acres.

9. Use shall be located within 600 feet of, or be in conjunction with, and intended to serve any use listed as permitted for the zone under the Recreational Uses category in Table 22.16.030-B, above.

10. Use shall be limited to a seating capacity not to exceed 500 seats.

11. Minimum lot size is one acre where sheltered employment or industrial-type training is conducted.

12. Use is permitted if publicly owned.

13. Minimum lot size is 100 acres.

14. Use is allowed in an open space easement if use is consistent with the intent and language of the applicable open space easement.

15. Use excludes airports and landing strips.

16. Use may also be subject to Chapter 22.120 (Density Bonus), Chapter 22.121 (Inclusionary Housing), or Chapter 22.166 (Housing Permits).

17. Use permitted on lots of one-half acre or more that are within one-half mile of a transit stop and outside of: 1) an Agriculture Resource Area, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; 2) Coastal Zone, as defined in Division 2 (Definition), in its entirety; 3) Threatened and Endangered Species Critical Habitats, as determined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; 4) Significant Ecological Areas, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; 5) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety; and 6) the 70 or above decibel Community Noise Equivalent Level (dB CNEL) noise contour of an Airport Influence Area, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety. For the purposes of these criteria, "transit stop" includes, without limitation, all existing public rail, bus stations, and designated bus stops.

18. Use shall include commercial-purpose facilities only and shall not include agricultural uses.

19. Soil amendment processing, chipping and grinding, mulching, and green waste processing shall not be permitted as accessory uses to vermiculture composting.

2.

Accessory Uses. Table 22.16.030-C, below, identifies the permit or review required to establish each accessory use.

TABLE 22.16.030-C: ACCESSORY USE REGULATIONS FOR AGRICULTURAL, OPEN SPACE, RESORT AND RECREATION, AND WATERSHED ZONES

1. Provided that there is no other practical access to such property available, and such access will not alter the character of the premises in respect to permitted uses in the subject zone.

2. Use may be subject to a Revised Exhibit "A" (Chapter 22.184) application instead, if the principal residential use is subject to a Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 22.158) application.

3. Use does not permit residential accessory structures. Any other non-habitable accessory structures shall be limited to 400 square feet in floor area.

4. Use shall be developed in compliance with Chapter 22.112 (Parking).

5. Use permitted when operated in conjunction with, and intended to serve the patrons of, a use permitted in the zone, but not as a separate enterprise.

6. Rooms in a single-family residence may be rented to four or fewer residents, with or without table board, unless the residence is also used as an adult residential facility or a group home for children and either use has a capacity of more than six persons. Rooms in a single-family residence used as transitional housing may be rented to more than four residents.

7. Use permitted on lots located outside of the 70 or above decibel Community Noise Equivalent Level (dB CNEL) noise contour of an Airport Influence Area, as depicted in the General Plan, in its entirety.

8. Use permitted as an accessory use only when operated in conjunction with a commercial or institutional use permitted in the zone, and only to process waste produced on-site, but not as a separate enterprise.

3.

Temporary Uses. Table 22.16.030-D, below, identifies the permit or review required to establish each temporary use.

(Ord. 2024-0054 § 3, 2024; Ord. 2024-0049 § 13, 2024; Ord. 2023-0060 § 3, 2023; Ord. 2023-0004 § 3, 2023; Ord. 2023-0001 § 3, 2023; Ord. 2022-0023 § 14, 2022; Ord. 2022-0008 § 7, 2022; Ord. 2021-0017 § 9, 2021; Ord. 2021-0011 § 2, 2021; Ord. 2020-0064 § 3, 2020; Ord. 2020-0059 § 4, 2020; Ord. 2019-0053 § 10, 2019; Ord. 2019-0020 § 4, 2019; Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.16.040 - Development Standards for Zones A-1, A-2, O-S, R-R, and W.

A.

Development on any lot in Zones A-1, A-2, O-S, R-R, and W shall comply with Division 6 (Development Standards), where applicable.

B.

New sensitive uses developed in permitted zones and located adjacent to existing, legally-established industrial uses, recycling or solid waste uses, or vehicle-related uses listed in Table 22.22.030-B (Principal Use Regulations for Industrial Zones), except for the vehicle sales and rentals sub-category, shall comply with Division 7, Chapter 22.134 (Sensitive Uses).

(Ord. 2022-0023 § 15, 2022; Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.16.050 - Development Standards for Zones A-1 and A-2.

A.

Required Yards. Table 22.16.050-A, below, identifies minimum yard depths for Zones A-1 and A-2:

TABLE 22.16.050-A: MINIMUM YARD DEPTHS FOR AGRICULTURAL ZONES

B.

Maximum Height. Every single-family residence shall not exceed a height of 35 feet above grade.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

22.16.060 - Development Standards for Zone O-S.

Premises in Zone O-S shall be subject to the following regulations:

A.

Development. Premises shall remain essentially unimproved and buildings, structures, grading excavation, fill or other alterations shall be prohibited except for the specified uses listed as permitted or conditionally permitted in Section 22.16.030.C (Use Regulations). Additionally, for any premises located within a significant ecological area such uses shall be subject to a Minor Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 22.160) application.

B.

Maximum Height. Buildings or structures, except historical monuments, shall not exceed a height of two stories or 35 feet, whichever is less, including the basement but excluding the cellar.

C.

Additional Regulations for Zone O-S. In addition to the application requirements listed in Section 22.16.030.C (Use Regulations), the following applies to specified applications in Zone O-S.

1.

Significant Ecological Areas. Where any uses or buildings subject to a Minor Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 22.160) application, as specified in Section 22.16.030.C, are located within a significant ecological area, the site plans shall be reviewed by SEATAC and its recommendations shall be sent to the Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer may approve the application only after the applicant substantiates the following findings:

a.

That the use or buildings requested are clearly accessory and subordinate to, will not alter the nature of, and are limited to facilities compatible with the intent and purpose of Zone O-S on the property where proposed; and

b.

That in a significant ecological area such placement will not contribute to the detriment of the resources constituting the basis for classification as a significant ecological area.

2.

Fences. In Zone O-S, fences shall require a Ministerial Site Plan Review (Chapter 22.186) application and shall be subject to the following standards:

a.

Fences shall not exceed eight feet in height except where a higher fence is required by other ordinance or law.

b.

Fences shall be open-work, non-view-obscuring except where a solid fence limited to five feet in height is specifically approved by the Director to protect identified resources.

3.

Conditions of Approval. In approving any discretionary application in Zone O-S, the Commission or Hearing Officer may impose additional conditions to ensure that the use will be in accordance with the findings of such application. Additional conditions may include, but are not limited to:

a.

Appropriate measures to further the safety of persons using the facilities or adjacent properties.

b.

Dedication of conservation easements or other easements to ensure the preservation of specified resources.

c.

Delayed commencement of a project for a specified period of time to provide for scientific studies of resources on the subject property.

(Ord. 2019-0004 § 1, 2019.)

Chapter 22.18 - RESIDENTIAL ZONES