Article V — L-W Overlay Zone, Live-Work Overlay Zone

The live-work overlay zone ("L-W overlay zone") is intended to provide standards and regulations necessary and appropriate to accommodate live-work uses to further serve to implement the goals and objectives of the General Plan commercial and residential land uses. (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The L-W overlay zone applies to lands located contiguous to a major highway or secondary highway, as designated by the General Plan Circulation Element of the City, and may be combined with the R-3, R-4, and C-3, C-M, SPA, PUD, PF zones. (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

In the L-W overlay zone, the following uses are permitted:

• A. Residential dwellings, in combination with live-work units, subject to Planning Commission approval as part of a Precise Development Plan. The number of live-work units must comprise a minimum of 40% of the total units within the development.

• B. The following nonresidential uses shall be allowed within live-work units:

  1. Administrative, executive, business and professional offices, including, but not limited to, the following:

     • a. Accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping services;

     • b. Attorneys and legal offices;

     • c. Brokers;

     • d. Engineers, architects, and planners;

     • e. Escrow and title companies;

     • f. Insurance and advertising agencies;

     • g. Photographers;

     • h. Real estate brokers.

  2. Retail uses, office commodities and support services:

     • a. Bakery, retail;

     • b. Barbershop;

     • c. Beauty shop;

     • d. Books (new), retail sales;

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.08.320

§ 17.08.335

• e. Café;

• f. Clothing and accessories, retail sales;

• g. Dry cleaning, plant off-premises;

• h. Duplication, mailing and stenographic services;

• i. Florist;

• j. Food products, retail;

• k. Frozen yogurt shop;

• l. Gift shop;

• m. Ice cream parlor;

• n. Manicure parlor;

• o. Music store;

• p. Post office, private;

• q. Specialty retail stores;

• r. Tailor shop.

C. Other similar uses, subject to Director of Community Development approval. (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The following uses, notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of this title are prohibited:

• A. Places of assembly;

• B. Churches, synagogues, temples and other buildings primarily devoted to religious worship;

• C. Educational institutions;

• D. Bail bonds office;

• E. Industrial and manufacturing uses;

• F. Game arcade;

• G. Smoke shops;

• H. Massage establishments;

• I. Alcoholic beverage establishments.

• (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The maximum height allowed shall be 40 feet.

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.08.390

§ 17.08.335

• (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. Every lot or parcel in the L-W overlay zone shall have a front yard of not less than five feet.

• B. Walls and fences shall not be permitted within the front yard as measured from the property line adjacent to the public right-of-way. The space between the building wall, structure or fence and the front property line shall be landscaped and permanently maintained as required by Chapter 17.03, Article I.

• C. In instances where designation of a property's front yard may not be appropriate based on orientation and neighborhood character, the Community Development Director will determine the appropriate front yard.

• (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. Interior Lot Lines. A side yard abutting an interior lot line shall have not less than three feet.

• B. Abutting Streets. A side yard abutting a street shall have a side yard of not less than 10 feet.

• C. In instances where designation of a property's side yard may not be appropriate based on orientation and neighborhood character, the Community Development Director will determine the appropriate side yard.

• (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Every lot or parcel in the L-W overlay zone shall have a rear yard of not less than 10 feet. Lots or parcels abutting property in a residential zone that does not abut an alley or other nonresidential zoned properties shall have a rear yard of not less than 20 feet. Said rear yard area shall be landscaped to buffer the lot or parcel from the adjacent residential zone; however open parking, common outdoor, living areas, detached covered patios, garages, storage structures, and amenities may also be allowed within this required rear yard area, provided that those accessory structures maintained a minimum of three-foot setback from rear property lines. (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Balconies, covered patios, and architectural features attached to a building, features may project into the front yards, side yards, and rear yards a maximum of 10% of the required yard setback. (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A minimum of 150 square feet and maximum of 50% of the gross floor area of a live-work unit shall be designated as non-residential space and be used for work activities. (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.08.390

§ 17.08.430

The allowable density for every lot or parcel within the L-W overlay zone shall be between 22 and 30 dwelling units per acre.

(Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

For development standards not specifically addressed in this section, the standards contained in Chapter 17.03, Article IV, Structural and Site Requirements of the Norwalk Municipal Code shall apply.

(Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

No requirement. (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

The minimum lot area shall be one acre, whether for new developments or conversion of existing buildings.

(Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

A minimum of 400 square feet of common open space shall be provided per unit, with at least 50 square feet of this open space provided as private usable open space for each dwelling or livework unit.

• A. Common open space shall be exclusive of automobile parking spaces, driveways, turnaround areas, front, side and rear yards; except that rear and side yards with a minimum of 10 feet in width may be counted as open space.

• B. Except for private usable open space, open space shall have no dimension less than 10 feet, and may contain walkways, landscaping, pergolas, swimming pools, and similar accessory structures, but shall otherwise be unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward, except for the following:

  1. One hundred percent of unenclosed areas under balconies and patio covers may be counted toward required open space;

  2. One hundred percent of the area of decks and balconies may be counted toward required open space, to a maximum of 25% of the required open space;

  3. One hundred percent of recreation rooms may be counted toward required open space, when considered by the Planning Commission to be an integral part of the open space layout, to a maximum of 25% of the required open space.

• C. Amenities. Developments shall incorporate a minimum of four of the following amenities, to be made available to all residents of the development. Amenities shall be maintained in good working order for the life of the development. Provision of a greater number of these amenities shall be dependent on the size and nature of the proposed development, and shall

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.08.430

§ 17.08.450

be encouraged for larger developments. All developments shall provide four of the following amenities:

1. Children's play area, including play equipment;

2. Barbecues;

3. Spa or Jacuzzi;

4. Pool;

5. Covered common patio or patios;

6. Community rooms;

7. Tennis court;

8. Weight or exercise rooms;

9. Fireplaces in units, wood burning or gas;

10. Security systems;

11. Water elements;

12. Laundry rooms.

• (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

Landscaping shall be provided as required by Chapter 17.03, Article I, Landscape Standards of the Norwalk Municipal Code.

(Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. Waste, Garbage, and Trash Regulations. As part of a Precise Development Plan, the Planning Commission may determine whether trash bins or trash enclosure(s) are required based on the orientation and character of the proposed development. In all instances, a development is required to provide the following:

  1. A waste plan that includes the location of trash facilities and/or storage areas;

  2. Trash facilities and/or storage areas that are fully screened from public view;

  3. Approval of a trash hauling route or plan by the City's franchise trash hauler; and

  4. Where a trash enclosure(s) is required, the enclosure(s) shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 17.06, Article II of the Norwalk Municipal Code.

• B. Common Open Space Trash Area. Where trash bins are to be incorporated within common open space areas, a maintenance agreement shall be provided, to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development, detailing how the trash generated within the common open space areas of the development will be serviced and that the size and number of trash bins provided are adequate to serve the intended development.

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City of Norwalk, CA

ZONING

§ 17.08.450

§ 17.08.470

• (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. Parking Spaces Required. The number and type of parking spaces required shall comply with Chapter 17.03, Article II, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements of the Norwalk Municipal Code.

• B. Adjustment of Parking Requirements. The minimum number and type of required parking spaces may be reduced subject to Precise Development Plan approval, when the Planning Commission finds that adequate parking, circulation, and access is provided for customers, clients, visitors and employees. Adjustments shall be made using one or more of the methods outlined in Chapter 17.03, Article II, Adjustment of Parking Requirements of the Norwalk Municipal Code.

• C. Loading Spaces Required. As part of a Precise Development Plan, the Planning Commission may determine whether loading spaces are required for a live-work development based on the orientation and character of the proposed development. In instances where loading space(s) are required, they shall be provided in accordance with Chapter 17.06, Article II, Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements, of the Norwalk Municipal Code.

• (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. In the evaluation of proposed developments, the following provisions shall be considered desirable design standards reflecting the spirit and intent of the L-W (Live-Work) Overlay zone.

  1. Developments shall incorporate these and similar architectural treatments and features using quality building materials to the maximum extent feasible.

  2. Architectural treatments such as accent color bands, varied exterior finishes and colors, and special entry paving to the units and parking areas.

  3. Architectural features such as multi-level roof lines, wall offsets, towers, and sign bands.

  4. Structures shall be designed to avoid long, monotonous, plain façades. Techniques such as staggered building planes, variation of façades, recessed entries, and arcades shall be used to create variety and interest.

  5. Live-work units shall incorporate commercial storefront designs abutting streets and shall apply sensitive transitions in scale and massing. For example, structure mass shall be broken down using height step-backs, articulated sub-volumes, and horizontal and vertical façade articulation.

• B. The number of live-work units must comprise a minimum of 40% of the total units within the development.

• C. Residential uses shall have the following minimum unit sizes, exclusive of any commercial areas:

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City of Norwalk, CA

NORWALK CODE

§ 17.08.470

§ 17.08.480

1. One bedroom: Minimum 650 square feet;

2. Two bedrooms: Minimum 850 square feet;

3. Three or bedrooms: Minimum 1,100 square feet.

(Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

• A. All businesses located in live-work units shall be required to obtain a business license with the City pursuant to Title 5 of the Norwalk Municipal Code.

• B. All business activities shall be conducted and located within an enclosed building.

• C. All business signs must comply with an approved master sign plan.

• D. No storage or display of goods or services may be located outside the building, other than approved signs.

• E. All properties shall be maintained in a safe, sanitary, and attractive condition, including, but not limited to, structures, landscaping, parking areas, walkways, and trash facilities.

• F. Business activities shall be conducted only by the occupants of the live-work unit, with up to one to two additional employees at any given time and be wholly located within the ground level portion of said unit.

• G. Work conducted within the enclosed building shall not generate noise that exceeds levels identified in Title 9, Chapter 9.04, Article III, Noise of the Norwalk Municipal Code.

• H. No activities shall be conducted which emit dust, fumes, vibrations, noise, radio/electrical interference, light, glare, or odor, which would or could interfere with the peaceful use and enjoyment of the adjacent dwellings and properties.

• I. No business activity that generates any noise or vibration shall be conducted between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, and between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., Saturday and Sunday.

• (Ord. 1711 § 2, 2019; Ord. 21-1722 § 2)

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City of Norwalk, CA