Napa County Municipal Code Ch. 17.36 Improvement Standards

A. The minimum improvements which a land divider shall install or enter into an agreement to install, involving subdivisions which require a tentative and final or parcel map, shall be as hereinafter set forth, unless a specific plan requires a different minimum improvement, in which case, to the extent the improvements called for by the specific plan differ from the standards herein set forth, the requirements of the specific plan shall prevail.

B. The criteria for the design of street improvements are set forth in the booklet, on file with the clerk of the board, entitled Napa County Road and Street Standards. All road and street improvements shall be in accordance with the criteria set forth in the Napa County Road and Street Standards. Those standards are referred to and incorporated into the Napa County Code as though fully set forth therein. The board may amend such standards from time to time by resolution. If amended, the amended standards shall be incorporated herein by this reference as of the date the resolution takes effect.

C. Criteria for grading shall be in accordance with Chapter 17.08 of this title, with the additional requirement that for subdivision streets and access roads, the subgrade prior to starting construction of the structural section shall have a relative compaction of not less than ninety-five percent. Determination of this compaction requirement will be made by the director of planning in accordance with California Test Method 216, as defined by CALTRANS' Test Manual.

(Ord. 1160 § 6, 1999; Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11668)

(Ord. No. 1379, § 121, 1-29-2013)

Facilities required for the control of drainage and floodwaters are established as follows:

A. The minimum design for facilities which control drainage water generated within a land division or floodwater flowing into or crossing a land division shall be based on a storm having a frequency of one in one hundred years, and shall be based on the runoff that can be anticipated from the ultimate development of the watershed area in which the subdivision is located, based upon the general plan.

B. Hydrologic and hydraulic calculations for the design of drainage facilities which control drainage water generated within a land division shall be submitted for approval to the director of planning.

C. Hydrologic and hydraulic calculations for the design of flood control facilities to control floodwater flowing into or crossing a land division shall be submitted for approval to the director of planning.

D. The use of streets for flood control and drainage purposes may be prohibited by the director of planning if the use thereof is not in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare.

(Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11669)

(Ord. No. 1379, § 122, 1-29-2013)

A. The director of planning shall review the hydrologic calculations submitted by the land divider and determine the adequacy of peak discharges of off-site floodwaters impinging upon the land division from which protection must be provided.

B. Improvement plans for flood control facilities to control floodwater flowing into or crossing a land division shall meet the criteria for flood control set forth in the Road Standards, and be approved by the director of planning.

(Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11669.1)

(Ord. No. 1379, § 123, 1-29-2013)

All roads and street depicted on tentative, final or parcel maps shall utilize the terminology and comply with the criteria found in the current Napa County Road and Street Standards.

(Ord. 1160 § 7, 1999: Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11669.2)

A. No water distribution system is required for any parcel created as a result of a subdivision that is ten acres or greater in the case of prime agricultural land, or forty acres or greater in the case of non-prime agricultural land, providing subsection (A) of Section 17.14.230 is complied with.

B. 1.

Prior to the approval of a tentative map involving a subdivision creating one or more parcels that are less than ten acres in the case of prime agricultural land, or less than forty acres in the case of non-prime agricultural land, evidence shall be submitted to the health officer showing that water adequate for domestic uses is available on-site or from an approved purveyor to serve the uses proposed for each parcel that is less than ten acres in the case of prime agricultural land, or less than forty acres in the case of non-prime agricultural land, and the health officer shall so certify.

2. Prior to the recordation of the parcel or final map for any division involving a subdivision creating one or more parcels that are less than ten acres in the case of prime agricultural land, or less than forty acres in the case of non-prime agricultural land, the health officer shall certify for each such parcel that is less than ten acres in the case of prime agricultural land or less than forty acres in the case of non-prime agricultural land, that adequate on-site water supply intended for domestic uses, including operable facilities, or water from an approved purveyor meeting the standards of the California Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring Regulations (California Administrative Code, Title 22, Sections 64401 et seq.) exists.

C. "Evidence," as used in subsection (B) of this section, includes existing county data, any report submitted by a registered hydrologist or geologist or a state-licensed well driller, or satisfactory evidence from test wells drilled on each parcel, all of which is subject to the approval of the health officer. Where the term "operable facilities" is used in subsection (B) of this section, it shall mean either a test hold, well, or other approved on-site water supply which establishes to the satisfaction of the health officer that domestic water of that quantity and quality required by this code exists.

(Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11669.3)

A. No sewage disposal system is required for any parcel located within any subdivision which is ten acres or larger in size in the case of prime agricultural land, or forty acres or larger in size in the case of non-prime agricultural land, providing subsection (B) of Section 17.14.230 is complied with.

B. Prior to the approval of a tentative map involving a subdivision creating one or more parcels that are less than ten acres in the case of prime agricultural land, or less than forty acres in the case of non-prime agricultural land, connection to a public sewer system shall be required, if possible. If connection to a public sewer system is not possible and an individual sewage system is to be installed, a letter must be obtained from the health officer certifying that field investigation has shown that ground slopes and soil conditions will allow for satisfactory disposal by this method, considering the parcel arrangement and sizes as shown on the division map. Field investigations, borings and the like shall be made by and at the expense of the divider under supervision of the county health officer. The number of percolation tests, core holes and/or borings required shall be within the sole discretion of the health officer.

C. When, in the opinion of the health officer, the proposed subdivision contains parcels with steep slopes, shallow soils or other constraints which may result in the inability to provide on-site sewage disposal, the health officer may require percolation tests, core holes, borings or other soils investigations prior to the recordation of the parcel or final map.

(Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11669.4)

Notwithstanding any provision contained in Sections 17.36.020 through 17.36.060 or 17.36.080 requiring a lesser standard, if a public water system is located within one thousand feet of a proposed subdivision or a public sewer system is located within fifteen hundred feet of a proposed subdivision, and connection is determined to be feasible by the district providing the water or sewer service, connection to that system shall be required.

(Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11669.6)

The minimum requirement for fire protection facilities shall be as set forth in the booklet on file with the clerk of the board, which is entitled Fire Protection Standards for Construction on Existing Legal Lots (August, 1988 Edition). Such booklet, pursuant to Government Code Section 66462(b) is incorporated herein by reference as though fully set out in this chapter.

(Ord. 887 § 29, 1988: Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11669.5)

A. Upon the written request of the applicant, the approving body, in granting approval of a tentative subdivision map or tentative parcel map, may reduce the fire protection requirements, if it determines that:

1. If the fire protection requirements relating to fire flow are contested, the water necessary to produce the fire flow required is not available; or

2. If the fire protection requirements related parking or road access are contested, the parking or access requirements are unnecessary, considering the topography, location and surroundings of the parcel; and in all cases:

3. The chief of the fire protection district that will provide fire protection to the subdivision, if any, has not objected to the request for the reduction; and

4. The granting of the reduction will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or be injurious to other property in the vicinity.

B. Applications for the reduction in fire protection requirements shall be made in writing, stating fully the reasons and justifications for the requested reduction, and should be filed with the tentative map. If not filed with the tentative map, the application for a reduction shall be subject to the same procedures that are applicable to the processing of tentative maps, and shall be heard by the advisory agency that was required to take action on the underlying tentative map.

C. The affected fire protection district or, if there is no such district, the county fire chief, shall be given not less than ten days' notice of the hearing on the requested reduction.

(Ord. 1252 § 12, 2005: Ord. 890 § 3, 1988: Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11675.1)

If a tentative and final or parcel map is required when a mobilehome park is converted to a tenant-owned condominium following petition of at least two-thirds of the tenants expressing their intent to purchase the mobilehome park for that purpose, the advisory agency shall not impose any on-site or off-site design or improvement requirements unless necessary to mitigate one or more existing health or safety conditions. No other dedications, improvements or in-lieu fees shall be required. In no case shall the mitigation of a health or safety condition have the effect of reducing the number or changing the location of existing mobilehome lots or spaces. For purposes of this section, an "existing mobilehome lot or space" shall mean lots or spaces in the mobilehome park which are, at the time of approval of the tentative map, or parcel map if no tentative map is required, occupied or fully developed for occupancy by a mobilehome.

(Ord. 981 § 35, 1991: prior code § 11675.2)

A. Exceptions from the requirements of this title relating to the design or improvements of subdivisions other than fire protection requirements, or the standards that must be met prior to the approval of a lot line adjustment, may be granted by the advisory agency that is required to take action on the tentative map or lot line adjustment. Such exceptions shall be granted if it is determined that:

1. There are special circumstances or conditions applicable to the property, including but not limited to size, shape or topographical conditions; and

2. The exception is necessary for the preservation and enjoyment of a substantial property right of the applicant; and

3. Granting of the modification will not be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, or be damaging to the property in the vicinity.

B. Applications for exceptions shall be made in writing, stating fully the reasons and justifications for the requested exception. Applications for exceptions involving a tentative map should be filed and heard in conjunction with the tentative map. Applications for exceptions involving a lot line adjustment must be filed and heard in conjunction with the lot line adjustment application. If an application for an exception involving a tentative map is not filed with the tentative map, the application shall be subject to the same procedures that are applicable to the processing of tentative maps, and shall be heard by the advisory agency that took final action on the underlying tentative map.

(Ord. 1083 § 8, 1995: Ord. 854 § 2 (part), 1987: prior code § 11675)