Chapter 17.16 — PUBLIC, QUASI-PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HEALTH FACILITIES (PQ), PUBLIC,…

Napa Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Napa

In addition to the general purposes listed in Chapter 17.02, the specific purposes of the public, quasi-public, parks and open space, and agricultural resource districts are as follows:

A.

To provide appropriately located land throughout the city for public facilities and parks. B.

To provide opportunities for recreational uses in public parks.

C.

To protect and conserve identified sensitive lands within the RUL.

D.

The additional purposes of each district follow:

1.

Public, Quasi-Public Schools and Health Facilities District (PQ). The public, quasi-public schools and health facilities district provides for public and quasi-public properties dedicated to community serving purposes, such as public schools of all levels, private schools with a significant enrollment, major community health facilities and related community service facilities. Public and quasipublic uses may be located in any zoning district in the city as a conditional use. This PQ district is intended for public and quasi-public uses which because of their size, location and significance are designated "Public Serving" in the General Plan.

The city's authority to regulate land use activities of other government entities is limited by state and federal law, thus applicability of local PQ zoning may only be established on a case-by-case basis. Because of the wide variety

of possible public and quasi-public uses, all public and quasipublic uses shall require a use permit, to the extent that such uses and/or entities are subject to the zoning authority of the city.

2.

Public, Quasi-Public District (PQ-P). This public, quasi-public district provides for publicly owned properties dedicated to community serving purposes, including government offices, public safety facilities and related community service facilities. Conference, exhibition, entertainment and other public gathering uses may also occur in large facilities such as those at the Napa Valley Expo. Public and quasi-public uses may also be located in any zoning district in the city as a conditional use. This PQ-P district is intended for public and quasi-public uses which because of their size, location and significance are designated "Public Serving" in the General Plan.

The city's authority to regulate land use activities of other government entities is limited by state and federal law, thus applicability of local PQ-P zoning may only be established on a case-by-case basis. Because of the wide variety of possible public and quasi-public uses, all public and quasi-public uses shall require a use permit, to the extent that such uses and/or entities are subject to the zoning authority of the city, except for emergency shelters which shall be permitted under state law (SB 2) provisions.

3.

Downtown Public (DP). The Downtown Public land use district provides for public and quasipublic uses dedicated to community-serving purposes such as government offices and related community service facilities. County uses such as the Napa County administrative and courthouse complex and adjoining jail are included in the Downtown Public district, as are uses that support Downtown commerce and living such as the public library, public parking facilities and Napa City Hall. The Downtown Public district also provides for appropriately located public lands devoted to public open spaces and trails.

4.

Parks and Open Space District (POS). The parks and open space district provides for appropriately located public lands throughout the city devoted to citywide, community and neighborhood parks and trails, and large tracts of publicly owned open space land including greenways, parkways and nature preserves. This district may also be applied to farms owned and operated by nonprofit organizations used for educational purposes and open to the public.

5.

Downtown Parks and Open Space (DPOS). The Downtown Parks and Open Space land use district provides for passive and active recreational uses, as well as act as an amenity for public gatherings and events downtown. 6.

Agricultural Resource District (AR). The agricultural resource district is applied to lands within the RUL designated "Resource Area" or "Greenbelt" by the Napa General Plan. These are sensitive lands within the RUL that require special standards due to viewshed, resource, habitat, geotechnical or other considerations that further the resource protection goals of the General Plan. Primary purposes are:

a.

To protect sensitive lands within the RUL that are not appropriate for urban development due to viewshed, resource, habitat, geotechnical or other considerations and are intended to remain unchanged or in very low intensity agricultural, private open space or residential use; b.

To retain large, agriculturally viable parcels and conserve the region's economically important agricultural resources;

c.

To meet Government Code requirements for open space zoning (in combination with the parks and open space district).

(O2012 4, 5/15/12)

P = Permitted Use C = Conditional Use C = Conditional Use C = Conditional Use S = Specifc Standards
Apply
S = Specifc Standards
Apply
S = Specifc Standards
Apply
S = Specifc Standards
Apply
Blank = Not Allowed
Zoning Districts PQ PQ-P DP POS DPOS AR Added Use Regulations
A. Public/Quasi-Public Uses
1. Public facilities
Administrative ofces (city and
county, special district, public
utility, etc.)
C C C C C
Libraries, museums, and other
cultural facilities
C C C C
Public and utility facilities
(corporation or storage yards,
pump stations, utility
substations, storm drainage
ponds, water tanks, utility
distribution facilities, etc)
C C C* C* *Excluding corporation or
storage yards and
warehouses
Safety facilities (police, fre or
paramedic)
C C C
Sewage or water treatment
facilities, including wastewater
ponds and irrigation areas
C C C
2. General
Clubs and lodges, including for
youth
C C C C C C
Funeral and interment services,
including cemeteries
C
Hospitals and similar major
medical facilities
C
Open space, including wildlife
sanctuaries and similar
P* P* C P C P *As an accessory use
Parks and recreation facilities,
including docks, piers, etc.
C** C** C** C** C** C** **P if part of an approved
public park plan or other
program adopted by City
Council
Recycling centers (> 500 sf or
as principal use)
C C
Other public/quasi-public uses
of an administrative,
educational, religious, cultural,
communications or public
service nature, including
C C C C C*** C*** ***Excluding maintenance
or storage yards and
warehouses
Zoning Districts PQ PQ-P DP POS DPOS AR Added Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
community care facilities not
otherwise listed
3. Schools
Parochial, private C C *Such as, but not limited
to, day care facilities,
Public P P
churches, private
schools, government and
other ofces, art and
dance studios, clubs and
lodges, health clubs and
ftness centers, business,
inside storage, colleges
and trade schools
Adaptive reuse of closed school
buildings and grounds, or when
improvements are proposed for
non-public school uses*
C
4. Transportation facilities
Parking facilities, commercial or
publicly owned (5+ spaces)
C C C* C* C* *P if part of an approved
public park plan or
Transit or bus stations,
transitways
C C specifc program
approved by City Council
Helipads C C C
B. Agriculture-Related Uses
Agricultural processing facilities
such as wineries, and their
accessory facilities
CS See winery standards Ch.
17.52
Cultivated agriculture including,
but not limited to, farming,
horticulture, viticulture
CS CS See standards Ch.
17.52
General livestock-based
agriculture limited to low
intensity grazing and raising of
cattle, horses, ponies, donkeys,
sheep, bees, goats, chickens,
turkeys, rabbits and other small
animals and fowl
CS CS
Grading or site changes
including alteration of signifcant
site features that, in the
judgment of the Community
Development Director,
signifcantly alter the underlying
character of the property
C* C** *P if part of an approved
public park plan or
specifc program
approved by City Council
**P if part of an approved
agricultural use wherein
such grading was also
approved
Zoning Districts PQ PQ-P DP POS DPOS AR Added Use Regulations
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Roadside stands C
C. Commercial Uses
Animal care facilities C See standards Ch.
17.52
Bed and breakfast inns CS
Plant nurseries C
Recreation facilities, commercial C* C C* C*
Private concessions in public
parks
C* C C* C* *P if part of an approved
public park plan or
specifc program
approved by City Council.
Examples include, but are
not limited to, stables,
Visitor centers C* C C C* C golf courses,
campgrounds and RV
parks
D. Residential and Related
Uses
1. Residential and mixed
uses*
Single-family detached
residential
1 unit per lot P *Residential projects of
More than 1 unit per lot C 5+ units or equivalent in
:FP food evacuation area
Farm labor housing of any type
except employee housing, large
C
see standards Ch.
17.38
Caretaker's residence C C C
Emergency shelters P
Employee housing, large P
2. Day care
Day care facility, child or adult
(up to 14 children or 8 adults)
P** **In residential units only
Day care center (15 or more
children or 9 or more adults)
C C C
Residential care facilities
Small (0-6 residents) P**
Large (7 or more residents) C**
Zoning Districts Zoning Districts PQ PQ PQ-P PQ-P DP DP POS POS
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
E. Accessory Structures and
Uses
Accessory structures and uses
customarily accessory to a
permitted or conditional use
and contained on the same site
CS*** CS*** CS***
Beekeeping PS PS PS PS
Cottage food operations PS PS PS
Fences, hedges PS PS PS
P = Permitted Use C = Conditional Use C = Conditional Use C = Conditional Use S = Specifc Standards
Apply
S = Specifc Standards
Apply
S = Specifc Standards
Apply
S = Specifc Standards
Apply
Blank = Not Allowed
Outdoor storage, screened PS PS
Recycling/solid waste areas PS PS
Recycling facility, small (<500
sf)
PS PS PS
Satellite dishes PS PS
Signs PS PS PS
F. Other Uses
Conversion of residential rental
units to nonresidential uses
P P P
Nonresidential condominiums C C
Other similar permitted or
conditional uses found
consistent with the General Plan
and applicable district pursuant
to Chapter
17.04
P/C* P/C* P/C* P/C*
Temporary uses PS/CS PS/CS PS/CS PS/CS
(O2012 4,5/15/12;O2013-3,5/21/13;O2014-3,3/4/14;O2019-001,1/15/19)
Property Development
Standards
PQ PQ-
P
DP POS DPOS
Floor area ratio (FAR) and/or
residential densities
See General Plan for FARs and
densities applicable to property
Height—Main bldg.—
Stories/height in feet,
whichever is most restrictive
NA* NA* NA NA* NA
Property Development
Standards
Property Development
Standards
PQ PQ-
P
DP POS DPOS AR Additional Standards
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Minimum lot area—Acres NA NA NA NA NA 20
acres
Lot width (feet) at front
setback line
NA NA NA NA NA 150 (2)
Lot frontage (feet) at front
property line
NA NA NA NA NA 50 (3)
Front setback (feet) NA* NA* NA* NA* NA* 50 *To be established by use
permit or park plan
Side setback (feet) NA* NA* NA* NA* NA* 50
Side yard (feet) NA* NA* NA* NA* NA* 20 *To be established by use
permit or park plan (5)
Rear yard (feet) NA* NA* NA* NA* NA* 35
Notes
NA = Not Applicable
(1) In the AR district, height up to 40 feet may be allowed
improve the design of the structure.
through a design review permit if it is found to
(2) In the AR district, lot width may be reduced to not less than 50 feet on lots with divergent lot lines, such as
those that front on the bulb of a cul-de-sac or a sharply curved street.
(3) In the AR district, lot frontage shall not be less than 40 feet for lots with divergent lot lines, as described in
(2).
(4) PQ, PQ-P or POS district development proposed on land that abuts a RS, RI or RT district is subject to
transitional standards described in Section
17.16.040.
(5) Any structure where agricultural animals are kept shall be located consistent with Section
17.52.050
(Agricultural cultivation and animal keeping).
See Chapter
17.52 (Site and Use Regulations) for additional regulations pertaining to agricultural bufers, creeks
and watercourses, historic preservation, noise, outdoor storage, recycling areas, wetlands and other site
development standards.

(O2012 4, 5/15/12)

A.

Design Guidelines. Design guidelines shall be referred to where applicable.

B.

Parking and Loading. On-site parking and loading shall be provided in accord with provisions of Chapter 17.54. C.

Accessory Structures. Accessory structures in the PQ, DPOS or POS districts shall initially be established by use permit or a park plan. Minor changes thereto may be approved through a design review permit. Accessory structures in the AR district shall meet accessory standards for residential districts described in Chapter 17.52.

D.

Screening of Trash, Outdoor Storage. See Chapter 17.52 for outdoor storage screening requirements.

E.

Rooftop Equipment. For nonresidential buildings, rooftop equipment shall be screened and integrated into the building architecture. Screens shall not disproportionately increase the mass of the building.

F.

Landscaping. All planting strips, yards, setbacks and other required open space areas (excluding open space lands intended to be conserved in a natural condition) shall be landscaped in accord with a landscape plan approved by the decision-making body, as part of the design review or other discretionary permit. All landscaping shall be maintained in a healthy, weed-free condition. Landscape maintenance agreements with the city may be required on sensitive sites.

G.

Transitional Standards. Where PQ or POS districts development is proposed on land which abuts residential RS, RI or RT district lands, the standards below shall be observed:

1.

Front or side setbacks shall be those required in the adjacent residential district, except when properties abut along rear lot lines;

2.

Design review shall identify potential impacts of the proposed project on the residential use (e.g., noise, privacy, visual) and utilize landscaped buffers consisting of a mix of trees and shrubs, six-foot solid masonry walls, building setbacks/stepbacks and/or other effective techniques to address such impacts.

H.

Street Trees. Street trees in rights-of-way may be required to be installed by the Community Resources Director in accordance with city standards.

I.

Public Works Improvements. Curb, gutter, sidewalk, street, drainage utility undergrounding and similar improvements may be required to be installed by the Public Works Director in accordance with Policy Resolution 27 or Public Works Department standard specifications.

J.

Lighting. Exterior lighting shall be directed or shielded so as to prevent glare onto public streets and residential properties.

K.

Noise. See Section 17.52.310, Noise standards.

L.

Airport Compatibility. Properties within Airport Land Use Compatibility Zones shall meet airport land use compatibility provisions described in Chapter 17.34.

M.

Emergency Shelters. In the PQ-P district, standards shall be established in accordance with state law.

N.

Properties located within the boundaries of the DP and DPOS districts of the Downtown Specific Plan shall comply with the site development standards set forth in the Downtown Specific Plan. (O2012 4, 5/15/12)

In addition to the standard findings required for use or design review permits, when considering a project in the AR District (designated Resource Area by the General Plan), the Planning Commission must find: A.

The project protects the natural features and visual attributes of the site and surroundings, including, but not limited to, riparian corridors, wetlands, hillsides and outcroppings, critical wildlife habitat, and agricultural lands outside the RUL.

B.

New construction, including structures, roads, grading and landscaping is designed to integrate with existing natural features of the site and surroundings with minimal impact to the underlying features intended for protection

by the AR zoning designation.

C.

Hazards posed by seismic conditions, landslides, erosion and runoff have been considered in the location and design of the project, and appropriate mitigations have been imposed to reduce significant impacts. (O2003-12; O2009 11)

New nonresidential structures, additions or exterior remodels or the subdivision of any lot shall require design review as described in Chapter 17.62 (Design Review Permits). The painting of walls with murals, wall graphics or unusual paint colors incompatible with their context also requires review. Residential development is subject to design review in accordance with Chapter 17.62, except that in the AR district, ALL accessory structures require design review. Signs require review in accordance with Chapter 17.55, Sign Ordinance. (O2003-12; O2009 11; O2019-001, 1/15/19)