Monterey County Municipal Code § 20.36.060 Site development standards

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a district to protect, preserve, enhance, and restore sensitive resource areas in the County of Monterey. Of specific concern are the highly sensitive resources inherent in such areas such as viewshed, watershed, plant and wildlife habitat, streams, beaches, dunes, tidal areas, estuaries, sloughs, forests, public open space areas and riparian corridors. The purpose of this chapter is to be carried out by allowing only such development that can be achieved without adverse effect and which will be subordinate to the resources of the particular site and area.

The regulations of this chapter shall apply in all "RC" districts subject to Chapter 20.62 (Height and Setback Exceptions) and Chapter 20.70 (Coastal Development Permits) of this Title.

The following list shall require a Coastal Development Permit regardless of which category of allowed uses it falls into:

A. Development which will cause a Significant Environmental Impact;

B. Development within the Critical Viewshed as defined by Section 20.145.020.V (Big Sur);

C. Development on slopes of thirty (30) percent or greater (twenty-five (25) percent in North County) except as provided for in Section 20.64.230(C)(2) and (3);

D. Ridgeline Development;

E. Development within one hundred (100) feet of mapped or field identified environmentally sensitive habitats;

F. Development with positive archaeological reports;

G. Land divisions;

H. Development of new or expanded agricultural operations if fifty (50) percent or more of the parcel has a slope of ten (10) percent or greater; or where the operation is to occur on soils with a high or very high erosion hazard potential, according to the Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey Manual.

A. Resource dependent educational and scientific research facilities uses, and low intensity day use recreation uses such as trails, picnic areas and boardwalks;

B. Restoration and management programs for fish, wildlife, or other physical resources.

A. Except in Big Sur dredging, filling, excavation, dams, flood control facilities, dikes levees, revetments, seawalls and cliff retaining walls;

B. Except in Big Sur public utility facilities such as pipe lines, underground and overhead utility extensions, and water tanks, but not including public/quasi-public uses such as schools, fire stations, or parking lots;

C. In Big Sur only hike-in and environmental campsites;

D. Legal nonconforming use of a portion of a structure extended throughout the structure (ZA);

E. Legal nonconforming use changed to a use of a similar or more restricted nature;

F. For State Parks and Fish and Game Reserves, uses subject to State-approved facilities and area management plans;

G. Lot Line Adjustments;

H. Subdivisions;

I. Conditional Certificates of Compliance;

J. Other resource conservation uses of a similar character, density and intensity to those uses listed in this Section determined by the Planning Commission to be consistent and compatible with the intent of this chapter and the applicable land use plan.

A. Minimum Building Site. The minimum building site shall be one acre.

B. Structure Height and Setback Regulations. The following structure height and setback regulations apply unless superseded by a structure height limit noted on the zoning map (e.g., "RC/10(24')" would limit structure height to twenty-four (24) feet), setback requirements when combined with a "B" district, setbacks shown on a recorded final or parcel map, or setback lines on a Sectional District Map.

1. Main Structures:

a. Minimum Setbacks:

Front: Thirty (30) feet

Side: Twenty (20) feet

Rear: Twenty (20) feet

b. Height:

Maximum Height: Thirty (30) feet

2. Accessory Structures (Habitable):

a. Minimum Setbacks:

Front: Fifty (50) feet

Side: Six feet

Rear: Six feet

b. Height:

Maximum Height: Fifteen (15) feet

3. Accessory Structures (Non-habitable):

a. Minimum Setbacks:

Front: Fifty (50) feet

Side: Six feet on front one-half of property; one foot on rear one-half of property.

Rear: One foot

b. Height:

Maximum Height: Thirty-five (35) feet

4. Accessory structures used as barns, stables or farm outbuildings shall not be less than fifty (50) feet from the front of the property or twenty (20) feet from the side or rear property line or twenty (20) feet from any residence on the property.

C. Minimum Distance Between Structures

Main Structures: Twenty (20) feet

Accessory/Main Structure: Ten (10) feet

Accessory/Accessory: Six feet

D. Building Site Coverage, Maximum: Five percent

E. Parking Regulations. All parking shall be established pursuant to Chapter 20.58.

F. Landscaping Requirements. None, except as may be required by condition of approval of a Coastal Administrative Permit or Coastal Development Permit. Natural vegetation shall be retained or restored.

G. Lighting Plan Requirements. None, except as may be required by condition of approval of a Coastal Administrative Permit or Coastal Development Permit.

H. Sign Regulations. Signing for all development shall be established pursuant to Chapter 20.60.

I. Building Site Area. The minimum building site area shall be one acre.

A. Manufactured Dwelling Units. Manufactured dwelling units meeting the standards of Section 20.64.040 are permitted subject to the requirements of any conventional dwelling unit in this chapter.