Earlier editions: 2026-09
Newark Municipal Code Ch. 16.12 Design
Newark Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Newark
Cite as: Newark Municipal Code Chapter 16.12 · Text as of 2026-10-04
16.12.010 - General requirements.¶
In addition to meeting the specific requirements of this title, the design of the subdivision shall, to the satisfaction of the advisory agency, conform to the land use, circulation and other policies of the city's general plan and its component elements and any other officially adopted specific plan or land development policy, and shall conform to the zoning ordinance (Title 17), officially adopted standards for streets and roads, grading, erosion and siltation control, seismic safety, and design standards adopted by utilities, fire protection, sanitary and flood control districts in which the land division is located. The size and alignment of streets and walks and the location and configuration of sites for lots, schools, parks, and similar facilities shall be coordinated with the anticipated requirements of the future population, and the physical characteristics of the land
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
16.12.020 - Street alignment.¶
The centerlines of all streets and highways which are to be extended shall be the continuation of the centerlines of existing streets and highways on adjacent and contiguous property. In cases in which the straight continuations are not desirable, the centerlines may be continued by curves tangent at the intersection with the boundaries of the proposed subdivision to the centerlines of existing streets or highways. Streets shall have the following minimum requirements:
| Right-of-way | Distance from curb face to curb face | |
|---|---|---|
| Six-lane divided arterial or thoroughfares | 128 feet | 108 feet |
| Four-lane divided arterials or thoroughfares | 104 feet | 84 feet |
| Four-lane undivided arterials | 98 feet | 78 feet |
| Four-lane undivided collectors | 88 feet | 68 feet |
| Two-lane undivided collectors | 64 feet | 44 feet |
| Two-lane minor collectors | 60 feet | 40 feet |
| Minor streets | 56 feet | 36 feet |
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
16.12.030 - Street and alley grades and widths.¶
A. Grades of all streets and alleys shall be established so that the subdivision is properly drained and shall conform as nearly as possible to the natural topography of the property. Minimum street grade is three-tenths of one percent, except where otherwise approved by the city engineer. Maximum street grade is ten percent, except where otherwise approved by the city engineer.
B. Where a subdivision adjoins unsubdivided land, provision may be made for reasonable future access to the acreage.
C. The widths of streets shall be based on the width of streets of which they are a continuation, unless otherwise approved under a planned development (PD) overlay district (Chapter 17.12).
D. Street width in excess of the minimum width may be required where traffic conditions or land use warrant.
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
16.12.040 - Blocks.¶
A. Blocks shall not exceed one thousand three hundred fifty feet in length unless the previous adjacent layout or topographical conditions or the special design of the particular subdivision justifies a variation from the requirement. However, blocks in excess of one thousand three hundred fifty feet are allowed along arterial streets in order to reduce the number of intersections.
B. All intersections are subject to the visibility ordinance. The radius of the curve shall be not be less than twenty feet.
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
16.12.050 - Parcels.¶
A. Parcels shall be designed to meet or exceed the minimum standard for area, lot width, lot depth, and lot frontage specified for in Title 17 for the zoning district in which the subdivision is located.
B. Parcels, and the grading thereof, shall be of a size and shape to accommodate the uses that reasonably could be expected to occur under applicable zoning with consideration given to the limitations of topography and soil conditions, and the need for providing access, privacy and preserving natural features of significance.
C. Parcels shall be designed to provide, to the extent feasible, for future passive or natural heating or cooling opportunities within the subdivision.
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
16.12.060 - Grading.¶
Subdivision grading shall conform with the intent, general requirements and lot design requirements of this chapter, shall be consistent with recommendations contained in the soils and geologic investigation reports prepared for the proposed subdivision, and subject to review and approval by the city engineer, and shall specifically conform with all design standards contained in the city's grading regulations set forth in Chapter 15.50.
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
16.12.070 - Erosion and siltation control.¶
Erosion and sediment control facilities and measures shall control and contain erosion-caused sediment deposits and provide for the safe discharge of sediment-free stormwater into existing storm drain facilities and natural watercourses.
A. Slopes. The faces of cut and fill slopes shall be prepared and maintained to control against erosion.
B. Debris Basins. Debris basins shall be installed whenever and wherever necessary to protect the subdivision and the properties downstream of the subdivision from erosion and sedimentation.
C. Temporary Debris Basins. Temporary debris basins shall be installed prior to commencing grading operation and shall be maintained until the permanent erosion and sediment control measures have been installed and are fully effective.
D. Erosion and Sediment Control Measures. These measures shall be consistent with the recommendations contained in the preliminary soils investigation report and the report evaluating the geological conditions present, to the extent reviewed and approved by the city engineer.
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
16.12.080 - Flood hazards.¶
Where a subdivision is proposed which lies partially or totally within an area designated on a map prepared by a governmental agency as having a special flood hazard, the subdivider shall remove the subdivision from the special flood hazard area. To minimize damage to improvements, the subdivider shall elevate top of curb grades to a minimum of ten-foot NGVD elevation contours. The subdivider shall provide adequate drainage to reduce exposure to such hazards and shall design water supply and sanitary sewage systems to minimize infiltration of floodwaters into the systems and prevent discharges of sewage and other contaminants into flood waters.
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
16.12.090 - Exceptions.¶
The advisory agency may, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, grant exceptions to the requirements of this chapter, for street alignment, grades, widths, lengths, block design, lot width and lot frontage, and to all subjects referred to in Sections 16.12.060, 16.12.070, and 16.12.080 as determined warranted by topographic limitations, soil or geological conditions, or other site-specific conditions that warrant special consideration as determined by the city engineer.
(Ord. No. 546, § 3(Exh. A), 11-9-2023)
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