Chapter 17.9 — PUBLIC, SEMI-PUBLIC AND UTILITY DISTRICT
Orinda Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · Orinda
17.9.1 - Specific purposes.¶
The specific purpose of the PS public, semi-public and utility district is to preserve established patterns of diverse uses such as the high-intensity community center and the East Bay Municipal Utility District ("EBMUD") filter plant and the undeveloped lands of the EBMUD watershed and to subject any changes in existing uses (with the exception of new emergency shelters) to a heightened level of scrutiny to assure consistency with the general plan. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part); Ord. No. 13-03, § 2(Att. A), 12-17-13)
17.9.2 - Use restrictions.¶
A. The PS district shall be the base district for the uses listed in Schedule 17.9.2 entitled "PS District—Land Use Regulations." Additionally, public and semi-public use classifications (with the exception of emergency shelters) shall be permitted in all districts on properties consisting of less than two acres. B. A use in the PS district is permitted as provided in Schedule 17.9.2 entitled "PS District—Land Use Regulations." A use classification followed by the letter "U" is a use authorized in the PS district on approval of a use permit. Definitions of uses appear in Chapter 17.2 of this title. Schedule 17.9.2 PS DISTRICT—LAND USE REGULATIONS P Permitted U Use Permit Required Public and Semi-Public Uses Cemetery U
Club or Lodge U College, Public or Private U Congregate Care Facility U Cultural Institution U Only along arterial or collector streets Day Care, General U Only within a public building Emergency Medical Care U Only within a public building Emergency Shelter P Government Office U Hospital U Low Barrier Navigation Center P Maintenance or Service Facility U Park or Recreation Facility U Public Parking Facility U Public Safety Facility U Public Transit Facility U Religious Assembly U School, Public or Private U Utilities, Major U Utilities, Minor U Accessory Uses and Structures Permitted on the site of a permitted use, but requires a use permit if added on the site of a conditional use. Temporary Uses (Temporary events permitted under Chapter 17.37) Agricultural Uses Animal Husbandry U Crop Production U
C. Prohibition of Specified Uses. 1. Commercial Marijuana Land Uses. Commercial Marijuana Land Uses are a prohibited use in the PS district. 2.
Outdoor Marijuana Cultivation. The outdoor cultivation of marijuana is a prohibited use in the PS district. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part); Ord. No. 13-03, § 2(Att. A), 12-17-13; Ord. No. 17-05, § 2(Att. A), 9-5-17; Ord. No. 25-02, § 2(Att. A), 5-20-25)
17.9.3 - Development regulations.¶
Property development standards shall be as required by the closest residential or downtown district base regulations. In addition, all development shall be subject to Chapter 17.15, Development Standards for All Uses, and Chapter 17.16, Off-Street Parking and Loading, of this title. (Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part); Ord. No. 13-03, § 2(Att. A), 12-17-13; Ord. No. 15-02, § 2(Exh. A), 11-20-15)
17.9.4 - Additional development regulations for emergency shelters.¶
Emergency shelters shall be subject to the following nondiscretionary standards and shall, in all other respects, be subject to the same zoning standards applicable to other residential or commercial development within the PS district: A. Occupancy. Each emergency shelter may serve a maximum of twenty (20) clients nightly and contain a maximum of twenty (20) beds. B. Location Criteria. Emergency shelters shall be located a minimum of three hundred (300) feet from another emergency shelter use. C. Parking. No parking minimum shall be required for new shelters within one-half mile of the Orinda BART Station. Off-street parking based upon demonstrated need, provided the standards do not require more parking for emergency shelters than for other residential or commercial uses within the same zone. Parking shall be no more than ten feet from any property line and parking lots shall be landscaped with two locally native trees per stall. D. Waiting and Intake Area. An interior client waiting and intake area shall be provided and contain a minimum of fifty (50) square feet per bed at the emergency shelter. E. On-site management. Emergency shelters shall have a manager on-site at all times while clients are present. F.
Lighting. Night and security lighting and security measures shall be provided as necessary to ensure safe and convenient access and use of the emergency shelter. All outdoor lighting shall be shielded to prevent glare and outdoor light fixtures more than three feet above the ground shall be shielded to prevent direct illumination off-site. The maximum illumination at ground level shall not exceed the minimum required under the State Building Code. (Ord. No. 13-03, § 2(Att. A), 12-17-13; Ord. No. 25-02, § 2(Att. A), 5-20-25)
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Ask AI about this code▸Contents — Orinda Municipal Code
- Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Title 2 — ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL
- Chapter 2.04 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.08 — CITY MANAGER
- Chapter 2.12 — ELECTIONS
- Chapter 2.13 — ELECTRONIC FILING OF CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE DOCUME…
- Chapter 2.16 — PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.20 — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.28 — HISTORIC LANDMARKS COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.32 — EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 2.36 — LEASE OF PUBLIC PROPERTY
- Chapter 2.44 — UNCLAIMED PROPERTY
- Chapter 2.55 — PURCHASING AND CONTRACTS
- Title 3 — REVENUE AND FINANCE
- Chapter 3.04 — CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY
- Chapter 3.08 — DOCUMENTARY TRANSFER TAX
- Chapter 3.12 — UNIFORM TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX
- Chapter 3.14 — TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX
- Chapter 3.16 — GAS TAX STREET IMPROVEMENT FUND
- Chapter 3.20 — TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FEE
- Chapter 3.24 — DRAINAGE IMPACT FEES
- Chapter 3.28 — PARK DEDICATIONS AND IMPACT FEES
- Chapter 3.32 — SPECIAL LIBRARY SERVICES PARCEL TAX
- Chapter 5.03 — BUSINESS REGISTRATION
- Chapter 5.04 — BINGO
- Chapter 5.08 — CABLE TELEVISION
- Chapter 5.16 — CARNIVALS AND FAIRS
- Chapter 5.20 — FORTUNETELLING
- Chapter 5.24 — MASSAGE SERVICES
- Article 1 — Definitions
- Article 2 — Applications and Permits
- Article 3 — Other Requirements and Regulations
- Chapter 5.28 — MECHANICAL AMUSEMENT DEVICES
- Chapter 5.32 — PEDDLERS AND SOLICITORS
- Chapter 5.36 — PUBLIC DANCES
- Title 6 — ANIMALS
- Chapter 6.08 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Title 8 — HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Chapter 8.04 — HEALTH REGULATIONS GENERALLY
- Chapter 8.08 — PUBLIC HEALTH LICENSES AND FEES
- Article 1 — General Provisions
- Article 2 — License Requirements
- Article 3 — License Fees
- Article 4 — Enforcement
- Chapter 8.12 — ALARM SYSTEMS
- Chapter 8.16 — AMBULANCES
- Article 2 — Permits
- Article 3 — Permit Suspension or Revocation
- Article 4 — Operation Standards
- Article 5 — Emergency Response
- Article 6 — Miscellaneous Provisions
- Article 7 — Enforcement
- Chapter 8.20 — FIRE SAFETY
- Chapter 8.24 — FIREWORKS
- Chapter 8.28 — REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL
- Chapter 8.30 — POLYSTYRENE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 8.32 — SEWAGE
- Division I — GENERAL REGULATIONS
- Article 1 — Lines and Plants
- Article 2 — Subdivisions and Individual Systems
- Chapter 8.36 — WATER WELLS
- Chapter 8.38 — RECYCLED WATER USE
- Chapter 9.04 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC OFFICERS AND GOVERNMENT
- Chapter 9.08 — OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC PEACE AND DECENCY
- Chapter 9.12 — WEAPONS
- Chapter 9.13 — STORAGE OF FIREARMS
- Chapter 9.16 — CURFEW
- Chapter 9.20 — OPEN ALCOHOL CONTAINERS
- Chapter 9.24 — ILLEGAL OR UNRULY PRIVATE PARTIES
- Chapter 9.28 — RESTRICTIONS ON THE ADVERTISING, ACCESS AND PRO…
- Chapter 9.30 — SMOKING
- Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
- Chapter 10.04 — PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION OF TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.08 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 10.10 — ENFORCEMENT AND OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
- Chapter 10.12 — TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES
- Chapter 10.16 — TURNING MOVEMENTS
- Chapter 10.20 — ONE-WAY STREETS AND ALLEYS
- Chapter 10.24 — SPECIAL STOPS REQUIRED
- Chapter 10.34 — ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED OR INOPERATIVE …
- Chapter 10.36 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING—GENERALLY
- Chapter 10.40 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING—LOADING AND UNL…
- Chapter 10.44 — STOPPING, STANDING AND PARKING—PROHIBITED OR R…
- Chapter 10.45 — PREFERENTIAL PARKING PRIVILEGES
- Chapter 10.52 — PARKING OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
- Chapter 10.60 — PARKING VIOLATIONS, PROCEDURES AND APPEALS
- Chapter 10.64 — BICYCLES, ROLLER SKATES AND COASTERS
- Chapter 10.70 — VEHICLE TRIP REDUCTION PROGRAM
- Article 2 — Employer and Complex Requirements
- Article 3 — Review Standards, Procedure and Appeal
- Article 4 — Enforcement and Penalties
- Chapter 12.04 — SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
- Chapter 12.08 — ENCROACHMENTS
- Article 1 — Permit Requirements
- Article 2 — Operations Under Permit
- Article 3 — Enforcement
- Article 4 — Miscellaneous
- Chapter 12.10 — SMALL-WIRELESS FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC RIGHTS…
- Chapter 12.12 — ROAD DEDICATIONS AND SETBACKS
- Article 1 — Intent and Objectives
- Article 2 — Requirements and Exceptions
- Article 3 — Procedure
- Article 4 — Road Standards
- Article 5 — Deviations and Special Requirements
- Article 6 — Appeals
- Division II — SETBACK REQUIREMENTS
- Chapter 12.16 — NONVEHICULAR PROHIBITIONS IN RIGHTS-OF-WAY
- Chapter 12.20 — ROADSIDE SELLING
- Chapter 12.24 — NEWSRACKS
- Chapter 12.28 — PARKS
- Title 13 — PUBLIC SERVICES
- Chapter 13.12 — UNDERGROUND UTILITY DISTRICTS
- Chapter 15.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 15.08 — BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.09 — CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE
- Chapter 15.10 — CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE
- Chapter 15.11 — EXISTING BUILDING CODE
- Chapter 15.12 — ELECTRICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.16 — PLUMBING CODE
- Chapter 15.20 — MECHANICAL CODE
- Chapter 15.21 — ENERGY CODE
- Chapter 15.24 — UNIFORM HOUSING CODE
- Chapter 15.28 — HOUSE MOVING
- Chapter 15.32 — BUILDING PERMIT CONDITIONS
- Article 2 — Building Permit Conditions
- Article 3 — Administration
- Article 4 — Permits, Drainage and Streets—County Provisions
- Chapter 15.36 — GRADING
- Chapter 15.40 — SWIMMING POOLS
- Chapter 15.44 — WIND ENERGY COVERSION SYSTEMS
- Chapter 15.48 — RESIDENTIAL DWELLING WEATHERIZATION DISCLOSURE
- Chapter 15.56 — GAS SHUT-OFF DEVICES
- Chapter 15.58 — RESTRICTIONS ON THE INSTALLATION OF WOOD BURNI…
- Article 1 — General
- Article 2 — Restrictions on the Installation of Wood Burning A…
- Chapter 15.60 — SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
- Title 16 — SUBDIVISIONS
- Chapter 16.04 — TITLE, PURPOSE AND SCOPE
- Chapter 16.08 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 16.12 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
- Chapter 16.16 — MERGERS
- Chapter 16.20 — TENTATIVE MAPS
- Chapter 16.24 — VESTING TENTATIVE MAPS
- Chapter 16.28 — FINAL MAPS AND PARCEL MAPS
- Article 1 — Form and Contents
- Article 2 — Supplementary Documents
- Article 3 — Checking
- Article 4 — Approval
- Chapter 16.32 — IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY
- Article 1 — Form and Contents
- Article 2 — Public Works Department
- Article 3 — Construction
- Chapter 16.36 — STREET LIGHTING
- Chapter 16.40 — SIDEWALKS AND PATHS
- Chapter 16.44 — UNDERGROUND UTILITIES
- Chapter 16.48 — CURBS AND GUTTERS
- Chapter 16.52 — STREETS
- Chapter 16.56 — SURVEY MONUMENTS
- Chapter 16.60 — BRIDGE CROSSINGS AND MAJOR THOROUGHFARES
- Chapter 16.64 — DRAINAGE
- Chapter 16.68 — WATER AND SEWERS
- Chapter 16.72 — FENCES
- Chapter 16.80 — REVERSION TO ACREAGE
- Chapter 16.84 — CONDOMINIUM CONVERSIONS
- Article 2 — Applications
- Article 3 — Tenant Notice
- Article 4 — Association and Restrictions
- Article 5 — Evaluations
- Article 6 — Final and Parcel Map Filing
- Article 7 — Miscellaneous Provisions
- Chapter 17.1 — PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION
- Chapter 17.2 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 17.3 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BASE USE RESTRICTIONS
- Chapter 17.4 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BASE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.5 — RIDGELINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION OVERLA…
- Chapter 17.6 — RESIDENTIAL FLOOR AREA
- Chapter 17.7 — RESIDENTIAL MINIMUM LOT SIZE AND HILLSIDE DEVEL…
- Chapter 17.8 — DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
- Chapter 17.9 — PUBLIC, SEMI-PUBLIC AND UTILITY DISTRICT
- Chapter 17.10 — PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT
- Chapter 17.11 — OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
- Chapter 17.12 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
- Chapter 17.13 — SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
- Chapter 17.15 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ALL USES
- Chapter 17.16 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
- Chapter 17.17 — LANDSCAPING
- Chapter 17.18 — SIGNS
- Chapter 17.19 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
- Chapter 17.20 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY LOT MERGERS
- Chapter 17.21 — TREE MANAGEMENT
- Chapter 17.22 — VIEW PRESERVATION
- Chapter 17.23 — SATELLITE ANTENNAS
- Chapter 17.24 — HERITAGE TREES
- Chapter 17.25 — HISTORIC LANDMARKS
- Chapter 17.30 — DESIGN REVIEW
- Chapter 17.31 — GENERAL USE PERMIT
- Chapter 17.32 — EXCEPTIONS
- Chapter 17.33 — VARIANCES
- Chapter 17.34 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT
- Chapter 17.35 — ELEVATED DECK PERMIT
- Chapter 17.36 — COMMERCIAL USE PERMIT
- Chapter 17.37 — TEMPORARY EVENT PERMIT
- Chapter 17.38 — ZONING APPROVAL, DEMOLITION PERMIT, CITY ENGIN…
- Chapter 17.39 — NOISE CONTROL
- Chapter 17.40 — PLANNING AUTHORITY
- Chapter 17.41 — APPLICATIONS
- Chapter 17.42 — NOTICE, HEARING, DECISION
- Chapter 17.43 — APPEALS
- Chapter 17.44 — PERMIT USE, MODIFICATION, REVOCATION AND TERMI…
- Chapter 17.45 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
- Chapter 17.46 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
- Chapter 17.48 — AMENDMENTS TO ZONING MAP AND REGULATIONS
- Chapter 17.49 — DISCLOSURE STATEMENT REQUIREMENT
- Title 18 — CLEAN WATER, DRAINAGE AND RELATED RIPARIAN HABITAT …
- Chapter 18.02 — STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND DISCHARGE CONTROL
- Chapter 18.03 — WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE, ALTERATION AND PROTEC…
- Article 1 — Watercourse Maintenance
- Article 2 — Watercourse Alteration Permit
- Article 3 — Watercourse easements and setbacks.
- Chapter 18.04 — DESIGN STANDARDS FOR WATERCOURSES
- Chapter 18.05 — FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT
- Article 2 — Applications
- Article 3 — Administration
- Article 4 — Flood Hazard Reduction
- Article 5 — Variances and Appeals.
- Chapter 18.06 — DEFINITIONS
- Title 19 — CODE COMPLIANCE
- Chapter 19.01 — ADMINISTRATION
- Chapter 19.02 — JUDICIAL COMPLIANCE
- Chapter 19.03 — ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE
- Chapter 19.04 — REMEDIES AND RELIEF