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Title 17 — ZONING

Chapter 17.38 — ZONING APPROVAL, DEMOLITION PERMIT, CITY ENGINEER REVIEW

Orinda Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-09-25 · Orinda

17.38.1 - Zoning approval.

The Zoning Administrator or designee shall review and approve all projects requiring a building permit, and changes to same, which are not otherwise subject to review and approval under the provisions of this Title 17.

A.

Application. Prior to obtaining a building permit for a project described above, an applicant shall submit an application for zoning approval to the Zoning Administrator.

B.

Approval. The Zoning Administrator shall approve a project which is consistent with the general plan and complies with the provisions of this Title 17. The Zoning Administrator may attach conditions to the approval as necessary for the project to be consistent with the general plan and the provisions of this Title 17.

C.

Term. A zoning approval will lapse after six months from date of approval, unless a building permit has been obtained.

(Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part))

17.38.2 - Demolition permit.

A demolition permit shall not be issued unless the applicant has obtained all prior approvals and permits required for the replacement structure, including but not limited to all required building permits, as appropriate. In addition, before a demolition permit is issued, the applicant shall provide satisfactory proof of financial ability to complete the replacement structure. If a residence is demolished without complying with the requirements of this section, no building permit shall be issued for the property for a period of three years. The Zoning Administrator may waive the requirements of this section in the case of a sudden and severe emergency which threatens the health, safety and welfare of the public. The economic circumstances of the applicant are not relevant to the determination of the existence of an emergency for purposes of a waiver.

(Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part))

17.38.3 - City engineer review.

No building permit of any type may be issued until the City Engineer has reviewed and approved plans for drainage and soil stability for a proposed project. An applicant may obtain this approval before or after

other approvals required under this Title 17, and evidence relating to drainage and soil stability shall not be considered for other approvals required by this Title 17.

(Ord. 99-5 § 2 (Exh. A (part))

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▸Contents — Orinda Zoning Code
Orinda Zoning Code
  1. Title 17 — ZONING
  2. ▸Title 17 — ZONING
    Overview
    1. Chapter 17.1 — PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION
    2. Chapter 17.2 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 17.3 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BASE USE RESTRICTIONS
    4. Chapter 17.4 — RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT BASE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS
    5. Chapter 17.5 — RIDGELINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION OVERLA…
    6. Chapter 17.6 — RESIDENTIAL FLOOR AREA
    7. Chapter 17.7 — RESIDENTIAL MINIMUM LOT SIZE AND HILLSIDE DEVEL…
    8. Chapter 17.8 — DOWNTOWN DISTRICTS
    9. Chapter 17.9 — PUBLIC, SEMI-PUBLIC AND UTILITY DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 17.10 — PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT
    11. Chapter 17.11 — OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
    12. Chapter 17.12 — PLANNED DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT
    13. Chapter 17.13 — SPECIFIC PLAN DISTRICT
    14. Chapter 17.15 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR ALL USES
    15. Chapter 17.16 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
    16. Chapter 17.17 — LANDSCAPING
    17. Chapter 17.18 — SIGNS
    18. Chapter 17.19 — NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES
    19. Chapter 17.20 — LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY LOT MERGERS
    20. Chapter 17.21 — TREE MANAGEMENT
    21. Chapter 17.22 — VIEW PRESERVATION
    22. Chapter 17.23 — SATELLITE ANTENNAS
    23. Chapter 17.24 — HERITAGE TREES
    24. Chapter 17.25 — HISTORIC LANDMARKS
    25. Chapter 17.30 — DESIGN REVIEW
    26. Chapter 17.31 — GENERAL USE PERMIT
    27. Chapter 17.32 — EXCEPTIONS
    28. Chapter 17.33 — VARIANCES
    29. Chapter 17.34 — WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS FACILITY PERMIT
    30. Chapter 17.35 — ELEVATED DECK PERMIT
    31. Chapter 17.36 — COMMERCIAL USE PERMIT
    32. Chapter 17.37 — TEMPORARY EVENT PERMIT
    33. Chapter 17.38 — ZONING APPROVAL, DEMOLITION PERMIT, CITY ENGIN…
    34. Chapter 17.39 — NOISE CONTROL
    35. Chapter 17.49 — DISCLOSURE STATEMENT REQUIREMENT

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