Chapter 17.01 — GENERAL PROVISIONS OF PLANNING CODE AND GENERAL PLAN CONFORMITY
§ 17.114
Oakland Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Oakland
17.114.110 - Nonconforming Facility—Allowed alterations. ¶
A.
When Occupied by Conforming Activity. Except as otherwise provided in Section 17.114.120, or in Section 17.103.080 for Accessory Dwelling Units in conjunction with an existing One-Family, Two- to Four-Family, or Multifamily Dwelling, a nonconforming facility which accommodates or serves a conforming activity may be altered or otherwise changed, and the lot lines of the lot containing it may be changed, in any way which does not create any new nonconformity or increase the degree of any existing nonconforming with respect to any requirement applying to facilities. Any new, relocated, or wholly reconstructed part of a facility shall itself conform to all applicable such requirements. Nonconforming Residential Facilities containing a total of more than one primary dwelling unit on a lot, when located in a zone where only one primary dwelling unit is permitted on a lot, shall be subject to the requirements generally applying in the RU-2 Zone with respect to side yards opposite living room windows; courts; and usable open space. Nonconforming Nonresidential Facilities which are not themselves permitted facility types in the zone where they are located shall not be increased in floor area or overall outside dimensions, except when permitted to remove a nonconformity, or to be wholly reconstructed with the same floor area and outside dimensions.
B.
When Occupied by Nonconforming Activity. Except as otherwise provided in Section 17.114.120, a nonconforming facility which accommodates or serves a nonconforming activity may be altered or otherwise changed, and the lot lines of the lot containing it may be changed, subject to the conditions of Section 17.114.080 as well as those of Subsection A. of this Section. In such a case, new Signs of a type not otherwise permitted may be developed as authorized by Subsections A. and B. of Section 17.114.080.
C.
Conversion from Advertising Sign in the CN, CR-1, or S-15 Zones. No nonconforming Advertising Sign in the CN, CR-1, or S-15 Zones shall be converted, by change of copy or otherwise, to any other type of Sign unless the entire Sign as converted meets all the requirements of said zone for a new Sign, including design review approval.
D.
Conversion from Advertising Sign Within One Thousand (1,000) Feet of, and Primarily Viewable from, Rapid Transit Route. No Advertising Sign shall be converted, to any other type of Sign unless the Sign as converted is approved, in a content-neutral manner, pursuant to the design review procedure in Chapter 17.136 and the provisions of Section 17.104.040A.
(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13677, § 4(Exh. A), 1-18-2022; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2- 16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. 12146 § 2, 1999; Ord. 12073 § 2, 1998: Ord. 11892 § 11, 1996; prior planning code § 7430)
17.114.120 - Nonconforming Facility—Damage or destruction.
A.
Nonconforming Nonresidential Facilities. Nonconforming nonresidential facilities which are damaged or destroyed to the extent of not more than seventy-five percent (75%) may be restored to their prior condition and occupancy. If such damage or destruction exceeds seventy-five percent (75%), the facilities may thereafter be restored to their prior condition upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134.
B.
Nonconforming Residential Facilities. Nonconforming Residential Facilities which are damaged or destroyed to the extent of not more than seventy-five percent (75%) may be restored to their prior condition. If such damage or destruction exceeds seventy-five percent (75%), the facilities may thereafter be restored to their prior condition provided all of the following conditions are met:
1.
That documentation is provided which substantiates that such damage or destruction occurred involuntarily with respect to the owner of said facility or unit(s);
2.
That no expansion in the number of living units occurs;
3.
That plans for the proposal are approved pursuant to the design review procedure in Chapter 17.136; and
4.
That a building permit is sought and obtained no later than two (2) years after the date of the facility's damage or destruction; the facility is repaired or replaced in compliance with the building code; and construction pursuant thereto is diligently pursued to completion.
If all of the preceding requirements are not met, the replacement or restoration of such facilities may be permitted upon the granting of a conditional use permit pursuant to the conditional use permit procedure in Chapter 17.134.
(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. No. 12999, § 4(Exh. A), 3-16-2010; prior planning code § 7431)
17.114.130 - Nonconforming open storage on same lot as Residential Facility—Screening required within three years.
On any lot containing a Residential Facility, any open area which is devoted to storage or display of goods or materials shall, within three (3) years after the effective date of the zoning regulations, be either removed or made to conform to the applicable screening requirements of Section 17.110.040A.
(Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Prior planning code § 7432)
17.114.140 - Nonconforming open storage in the CN, CR-1, CIX-1A, CIX-1B, CIX-1C, CIX-1D, and D-DTJLI Zones—Screening required within three years.
In the CN, CR-1, CIX-1A, CIX-1B, CIX-1C, CIX-1D, D-DT-JLI Zones, all open storage areas shall, within three (3) years after inclusion in said zones, be either removed or made to conform to the screening requirements of Section 17.110.040.B.
(Ord. No. 13812, § 4(Exh. A), 7-30-2024; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13251, § 5(Exh. A), 7-29-2014; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; prior planning code § 7433)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), adopted March 15, 2011, changed the title of Section 17.114.140 from "Nonconforming open storage in C-5, C-25, C-27, C-31, C-36, M-10 and M-20 zones— Screening required within three years" to "Nonconforming open storage in CN, CR-1 and M-20 zones— Screening required within three years." The historical notation has been preserved for reference purposes.
17.114.150 - Nonconforming Sign within 1,000 feet of, and primarily viewable from, rapid transit route— Removal required for certain categories.
A.
Basic Requirements. Within the indicated time periods, and except as otherwise provided in Subsection B. of this Section, all nonconforming Signs in the following categories which are located within one thousand (1,000) feet of the centerline of a rapid transit route shall be removed, relocated, or otherwise changed so as to conform:
| Category | Time Period |
|---|---|
| Any Business which is painted, or consists of a poster afxed, directly on a building wall or fence; for which design review is prescribed by Section 17.104.040A; and which is or has become primarily viewable by the passengers on the transit route. |
Three (3) years after the efective date of Section 17.104.040 (that date was April 8, 1971) or three (3) years after the date of ofcial determination of the transit route, whichever occurs later. |
The Director of City Planning shall determine which Signs are or have become so viewable, subject to appeal pursuant to the administrative appeal procedure in Chapter 17.132.
B.
Exception. Any Sign listed in Subsection A. of this Section may be retained permanently if it is approved pursuant to the design review procedures in Chapter 17.136 and the provisions of Section 17.104.040A.
(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. 12073 § 3, 1998: prior planning code § 7434)
17.114.160 - Reserved. ¶
Editor's note— Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), adopted March 15, 2011, repealed the former Section 17.114.160 in its entirety, which pertained to nonconforming signs in S-8 zone—Removal required for certain categories and derived from the prior planning code, § 7435, and Ord. No. 12073, § 4, adopted 1998.
17.114.170 - Nonconforming Signs in CN-1 Zone—Removal required. ¶
A.
Basic Requirements. Within the time periods indicated below for the specified categories, and except as otherwise provided in Subsection B. of this Section, all nonconforming Signs shall be removed, relocated, or otherwise changed so as to conform. See also Section 17.114.110.C.
| Category | Time Period |
|---|---|
| Any pennants, streamers, propellers, and similar devices. | One (1) year after inclusion in the CN-1 Zone. |
| Any other Sign which is nonconforming with respect to any provision of Section 17.148.110. |
Three (3) years after inclusion in the CN-1 Zone. |
The Director's determination shall be subject to appeal pursuant to the administrative appeal procedure in Chapter 17.132.
(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. 12073 § 5, 1998; prior planning code § 7436)
17.114.180 - Nonconforming Signs in CR-1 Zone—Removal required for certain categories.
Within three (3) years after inclusion in the CR-1 Zone, all nonconforming pennants, streamers, propellers, and similar devices shall be removed, relocated, or otherwise changed so as to conform.
(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13064, § 2(Exh. A), 3-15-2011; Ord. 12073 § 6, 1998: prior planning code § 7437)
Chapter 17.116 - OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
Article I - General Provisions
17.116.010 - Title, purpose, and applicability.
The provisions of this Chapter shall be known as the Off-street Parking and Loading Requirements. The purpose of these regulations is to require adequate off-street parking and loading, thereby reducing traffic congestion, allowing more efficient utilization of on-street parking, promoting more efficient loading operations, and reducing the use of public streets for loading purposes. Except as may otherwise be specified in Chapter 17.101E for the D-CE Zones, these requirements shall apply to the indicated activities as specified hereinafter. See Chapter 17.101E Central Estuary District Zones Regulations for parking
regulations specific to Boat and Marine-Related Sales, Rental, Repair and Servicing for the D-CE Central Estuary District Zones.
(Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13168, § 5(Exh. A-2), 6-18-2013; Prior planning code § 7500)
17.116.020 - Effect on new and existing uses.
A.
New Parking and Loading to Be Provided for New Facilities and Additions to Existing Facilities. The offstreet parking and loading requirements of this Chapter shall only apply to activities occupying any portion of new facilities and new additions to existing facilities. The required amount of new parking and loading shall be based on the cumulative increase in floor area, or other applicable unit of measurement, and any minimum size for which parking or loading is required in Articles II and IV of this Chapter.
B.
Changes in Activity within an Existing Facility. No additional parking and loading spaces are required for a change of activity within an existing facility. However, if the number of existing parking spaces on the lot equals or is less than required, then these parking spaces must be preserved with the change of activity. If there are more parking spaces on the lot than required, then the number of spaces can be reduced to the minimum required.
C.
New Living Units in Existing Facilities. Except as provided for Accessory Dwelling Units in Section 17.103.080 and Chapter 17.88, no additional parking and loading spaces are required for newly established living units located entirely within an existing facility and outside of the S-9 Fire Safety Protection Combining Zone. However, if the number of existing parking spaces on the lot equals or is less than required, then these parking spaces must be preserved with the establishment of new living units. If there are more parking spaces on the lot than required, then the number of spaces can be reduced to the minimum required.
D.
Existing Required Parking and Loading to Be Maintained. Existing parking or loading that is equal to or less than the minimum required shall not be reduced in amount unless equivalent substitute facilities are provided. These substitute facilities must be consistent with the standards and requirements described in this Chapter.
E.
Parking to be Provided for Existing Residential Facilities. When a conditional use permit is required by Section 17.102.300 for the alteration of, or addition to, an existing Residential Facility in order to create a total of five (5) or more bedrooms in any dwelling unit, the off-street parking requirement of Subsection 17.102.300.C shall apply to the entire facility, including the existing facility and any alteration or addition.
(Ord. No. 13763, § 5, 10-3-2023; Ord. No. 13677, § 4(Exh. A), 1-18-2022; Ord. No. 13518, § 4(Exh. A), 2-52019; Ord. No. 13393, § 2(Exh. A), 10-4-2016; Ord. No. 13357, § 3(Exh. A), 2-16-2016; Ord. No. 13302, § 5(Exh. C), 4-21-2015; Ord. No. 13276, § 5(Exh. A), 12-9-2014; Ord. No. 13241, § 5(Exh. D), 7-1-2014; Ord. No. 13172, § 3(Exh. A), 7-2-2013; Prior planning code § 7501)
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▸ Chapter 17.01 — GENERAL PROVISIONS OF PLANNING CODE AND GENERA…
Overview- § 17.03
- § 17.05
- § 17.07
- § 17.09
- § 17.10
- § 17.11
- § 17.13
- § 17.17
- § 17.19
- § 17.33
- § 17.35
- § 17.65
- § 17.103
- § 17.72
- § 17.73
- § 17.74
- § 17.78
- § 17.80
- § 17.84
- § 17.88
- § 17.90
- § 17.92
- § 17.94
- § 17.95
- § 17.96
- § 17.97
- § 17.98
- § 17.99
- § 17.102
- § 17.104
- § 17.106
- § 17.107
- § 17.108
- § 17.110
- § 17.112
- § 17.114
- § 17.116
- Article I — General Provisions