Palmdale Municipal Code § 17.55.010 Development standards

§ 17.55.010. Development standards – Mixed-use zones.¶

Table 17.55.010-1 (Development Standards – Mixed-Use Zones) establishes the development standards for the residential zones. Additional regulations are also denoted in the right-hand column. Section numbers in this column refer to other Sections of this Title.

Table 17.55.010-1. Development Standards – Mixed-Use Zones Mixed-Use Zones

Standards	MU 1	MU 2	MU 3	Additional Regulations	Additional Regulations
Lot and Density Standards	Lot and Density Standards	Lot and Density Standards	Lot and Density Standards	Lot and Density Standards	Lot and Density Standards
Nonresidential Maximum Floor Area Ratio	0.35	2.0	3.0
Residential Density (units/acre)
Minimum	0	20	30	Applies to new development only.	Applies to new development only.
Maximum	20	30	50
Minimum Development Project Site (sf) (for new lots)	10,000	20,000	20,000
Minimum Development Project Site Width (ft) (for new lots)	60	100	100
Minimum Development Project Site Depth (ft) (for new lots)	100	100	100
Minimum Net Lot Size per Dwelling Unit (sf) (for new SFR lots)	1,900	1,250	–
Minimum Lot Width per Dwelling Unit (ft) (for new SFR lots)	20; 30 for corner and reverse corner lots	20; 30 for corner and reverse corner lots	–	Attached Single-Family Homes/Townhomes in the MU 1 and MU 2 zones: If double-loaded attached garages along the primary frontage are provided, then the minimum lot width shall be 25 feet. The minimum lot width may be reduced to 20 feet if garages are single-car wide.	Attached Single-Family Homes/Townhomes in the MU 1 and MU 2 zones: If double-loaded attached garages along the primary frontage are provided, then the minimum lot width shall be 25 feet. The minimum lot width may be reduced to 20 feet if garages are single-car wide.
Minimum Lot Depth per Dwelling Unit (ft) (for new SFR lots)	55	45	–
Maximum Unit Size per Dwelling Unit (sf) (for new SFR lots)	3,000	2,500	–	Inclusive of attached garage.	Inclusive of attached garage.
Building Form and Location	Building Form and Location	Building Form and Location	Building Form and Location	Building Form and Location	Building Form and Location
Maximum Height (ft)/Stories – Primary Structure	45/3 Stories	55/4 Stories	65/5 stories	•	Projects must comply with both stories and overall height maximums. See PMC § 17.17.030 (Measuring heights).
Maximum Height (ft)/Stories – Primary Structure	45/3 Stories	55/4 Stories	65/5 stories	•	Architectural features may project above the maximum height by five feet. Architectural features include rooftop stair access and elevator shafts, mechanical equipment, or other rooftop amenities, as approved by the Director.
Maximum Height (ft)/Stories – Accessory Structures	17/1 story	17/1 story	17/1 story
Maximum Height Adjacent to Single-Family Zoned Property	Starting from the third floor up, step back each subsequent floor by 15 ft for every two floors. See Figure 17.38.060-1 (Transitions to Lower Density Building Types).	Starting from the third floor up, step back each subsequent floor by 15 ft for every two floors. See Figure 17.38.060-1 (Transitions to Lower Density Building Types).	Starting from the third floor up, step back each subsequent floor by 15 ft for every two floors. See Figure 17.38.060-1 (Transitions to Lower Density Building Types).	See PMC § 17.38.060 (Neighborhood transitions).	See PMC § 17.38.060 (Neighborhood transitions).
Minimum Ground Floor Height – Nonresidential (Floor to Floor)	15	15	15
Distance between Structures (sf)	See PMC § 17.82.050 (Distance between buildings in residential and mixed-use zones)	See PMC § 17.82.050 (Distance between buildings in residential and mixed-use zones)	See PMC § 17.82.050 (Distance between buildings in residential and mixed-use zones)
Development Site Setbacks (ft) 1	Development Site Setbacks (ft) 1	Development Site Setbacks (ft) 1	Development Site Setbacks (ft) 1	Development Site Setbacks (ft) 1	Development Site Setbacks (ft) 1
Front – Minimum (Residential Ground Floor)	15	15	15
Front – Maximum (Residential Ground Floor) 2	25	25	25
Front – Minimum (Nonresidential Ground Floor)	5	5	5
Front – Maximum (Nonresidential Ground Floor) 2	15	15	15
Street Side – Minimum (Residential Ground Floor)	15	10	10
Street Side – Maximum (Residential Ground Floor) 2	25	20	20
Street Side – Minimum (Nonresidential Ground Floor)	5	5	5
Street Side – Maximum (Nonresidential Ground Floor) 2	15	15	15
Interior Side – Minimum	0; 10 abutting single-family residential zones	0; 10 abutting single-family residential zones	0; 10 abutting single-family residential zones
Rear – Minimum	15; 20 abutting single-family residential zones	15; 20 abutting single-family residential zones	15; 20 abutting single-family residential zones
Alley – Minimum (when present)	5	5	5
Lot Setbacks – Minimums (ft) (for SFR)	See Figure 17.37.010-1. (Example Residential Auto Court Site Plan) in Division 3 illustrating lot setbacks.	See Figure 17.37.010-1. (Example Residential Auto Court Site Plan) in Division 3 illustrating lot setbacks.
Front – Minimum	5	5	–	•	For new single-family attached dwelling units in MU 1 and MU 2, front-loaded garages shall be set back at minimum 20 feet from the property line.
Front – Minimum	5	5	–	•	For MU 3, front-loaded parking is not allowed.
Street Side – Minimum	5	5	–
Interior Side – Minimum	5	5	–	Only applies to the ends of attached single-family dwellings.	Only applies to the ends of attached single-family dwellings.
Rear – Minimum	15 ft; 20 ft abutting single-family residential zones	15 ft; 20 ft abutting single-family residential zones	–	Not additive with development site (inclusive).	Not additive with development site (inclusive).
Parking Frontage	Parking Frontage	Parking Frontage	Parking Frontage	Parking Frontage	Parking Frontage
Maximum Parking along Primary Frontage	80% for SFR/30% for MFR	80% for SFR/30% for MFR	30%	•	For SFR: Applies to new development. It is strongly encouraged that garage doors not face the primary frontage for detached single-family homes. For garage doors that face the street, they shall not occupy more than 80% of the width of any street-facing structure facade. This limitation does not apply to frontages along alleys.
Maximum Parking along Primary Frontage	80% for SFR/30% for MFR	80% for SFR/30% for MFR	30%	•	For MFR: Applies to new development and/or major additions or renovations (as defined in PMC Chapter 17.16 (Definitions)). No more than 30% of the primary street frontage shall be devoted to parking garages and openings, carports, and open/surface parking. This limitation does not apply to frontages along alleys (see Figure 17.36.010-1 (Maximum Parking Frontage Along a Primary Street)).
Open and Storage Space Standards	Open and Storage Space Standards	Open and Storage Space Standards	Open and Storage Space Standards	Open and Storage Space Standards	Open and Storage Space Standards
Minimum Usable Open Space (sf per unit) – Applies to Residential Component	200 sf total per unit; minimum 100 sf of private open space for ground-level units and 60 sf of private open space for upper-level units	200 sf total per unit; minimum 100 sf of private open space for ground-level units and 60 sf of private open space for upper-level units	150 sf total per unit; a minimum of 50% of the units must have 60 sf of private open space	•	Common open space includes roof decks and other shared common open areas.
Minimum Usable Open Space (sf per unit) – Applies to Residential Component	200 sf total per unit; minimum 100 sf of private open space for ground-level units and 60 sf of private open space for upper-level units	200 sf total per unit; minimum 100 sf of private open space for ground-level units and 60 sf of private open space for upper-level units	150 sf total per unit; a minimum of 50% of the units must have 60 sf of private open space	•	Up to 40 square feet per unit may be provided in an indoor communal space so long as it opens directly onto a common outdoor space.
Minimum Usable Open Space (sf per unit) – Applies to Residential Component	200 sf total per unit; minimum 100 sf of private open space for ground-level units and 60 sf of private open space for upper-level units	200 sf total per unit; minimum 100 sf of private open space for ground-level units and 60 sf of private open space for upper-level units	150 sf total per unit; a minimum of 50% of the units must have 60 sf of private open space	•	See PMC § 17.38.050 (Open space) in Division 3 for additional standards for the dimension and design of common and private open space.
Minimum Usable Open Space – Applies to Nonresidential Component Over 25K sf	3% of gross floor area	3% of gross floor area	3% of gross floor area	Common open space may be utilized for employees or publicly accessible open space. If the open space is over 1,000 square feet and provided as publicly accessible, up to 50 percent may count toward the required residential common open space.	Common open space may be utilized for employees or publicly accessible open space. If the open space is over 1,000 square feet and provided as publicly accessible, up to 50 percent may count toward the required residential common open space.
Minimum Required Front Yard Landscaping for SFR on Individual Lots	1. Every single-family residential lot shall be required to have one street tree installed per street frontage; corner lots shall have one tree planted in the front setback and two trees planted in the street side setback for a total of three trees. Within the public right-of-way, the species of trees and the standards for installation shall conform with the City's Landscaping Design Standards. Trees planted beyond the public right-of-way are recommended but not required to conform with the City's Landscaping Design Standards. 2. A minimum of 60 percent of the front setback area, excluding the driveway, shall be landscaped. Landscaping shall mean any combination of trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover, gravel, stones, decomposed granite, mulch, or other pervious nonplant materials, pursuant to PMC § 17.37.010(G)(3)(d) . Bare dirt shall not be allowed. 3. A minimum of one shrub of any container size per 50 square feet of landscape area, excluding the driveway, shall be provided. 4. No living turf is permitted. Artificial turf may be utilized within a maximum of 10 percent of the front yard as an "accent point only" and shall be maintained and replaced when weathered or worn. 5. The use of bark mulch is not allowed in the public right-of-way and is to be used as an accent up near the house only. The use of stabilized decomposed granite, rock and cobble is highly encouraged. A porous fabric weed barrier shall be installed beneath all rock or mulched areas with the exception of the stabilized decomposed granite.	1. Every single-family residential lot shall be required to have one street tree installed per street frontage; corner lots shall have one tree planted in the front setback and two trees planted in the street side setback for a total of three trees. Within the public right-of-way, the species of trees and the standards for installation shall conform with the City's Landscaping Design Standards. Trees planted beyond the public right-of-way are recommended but not required to conform with the City's Landscaping Design Standards. 2. A minimum of 60 percent of the front setback area, excluding the driveway, shall be landscaped. Landscaping shall mean any combination of trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover, gravel, stones, decomposed granite, mulch, or other pervious nonplant materials, pursuant to PMC § 17.37.010(G)(3)(d) . Bare dirt shall not be allowed. 3. A minimum of one shrub of any container size per 50 square feet of landscape area, excluding the driveway, shall be provided. 4. No living turf is permitted. Artificial turf may be utilized within a maximum of 10 percent of the front yard as an "accent point only" and shall be maintained and replaced when weathered or worn. 5. The use of bark mulch is not allowed in the public right-of-way and is to be used as an accent up near the house only. The use of stabilized decomposed granite, rock and cobble is highly encouraged. A porous fabric weed barrier shall be installed beneath all rock or mulched areas with the exception of the stabilized decomposed granite.	–	See PMC § 17.86.010 (Landscaping requirements)	See PMC § 17.86.010 (Landscaping requirements)
Minimum Required Front Yard Landscaping for MFR	30% of the minimum required front yard area shall be landscaped, of which half must be planted with live plant material	30% of the minimum required front yard area shall be landscaped, of which half must be planted with live plant material	30% of the minimum required front yard area shall be landscaped, of which half must be planted with live plant material	See PMC § 17.86.010 (Landscaping requirements)	See PMC § 17.86.010 (Landscaping requirements)
Minimum Required Landscaping for All Other Development	10% of the lot, of which half must be planted with live plant material	10% of the lot, of which half must be planted with live plant material	10% of the lot, of which half must be planted with live plant material	•	Includes required setbacks. Excludes areas devoted to parking, driveways, and walkways.
Minimum Required Landscaping for All Other Development	10% of the lot, of which half must be planted with live plant material	10% of the lot, of which half must be planted with live plant material	10% of the lot, of which half must be planted with live plant material	•	See PMC § 17.86.010 (Landscaping requirements).
Minimum Required Storage Space	125 cubic ft of private enclosed storage space within the garage, carport, or immediately adjacent to the dwelling unit	125 cubic ft of private enclosed storage space within the garage, carport, or immediately adjacent to the dwelling unit	125 cubic ft of private enclosed storage space within the garage, carport, or immediately adjacent to the dwelling unit
Other Standards	See additional standards in PMC Chapter 17.56 (Supplemental Standards), Division 8 (General Development Standards), Division 9 (Special Regulations), Division 10 (Environmental Management), and the Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed-Use Design Standards [1] (Adopted by Ordinance No. 1594).	See additional standards in PMC Chapter 17.56 (Supplemental Standards), Division 8 (General Development Standards), Division 9 (Special Regulations), Division 10 (Environmental Management), and the Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed-Use Design Standards [1] (Adopted by Ordinance No. 1594).	See additional standards in PMC Chapter 17.56 (Supplemental Standards), Division 8 (General Development Standards), Division 9 (Special Regulations), Division 10 (Environmental Management), and the Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed-Use Design Standards [1] (Adopted by Ordinance No. 1594).	See additional standards in PMC Chapter 17.56 (Supplemental Standards), Division 8 (General Development Standards), Division 9 (Special Regulations), Division 10 (Environmental Management), and the Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed-Use Design Standards [1] (Adopted by Ordinance No. 1594).	See additional standards in PMC Chapter 17.56 (Supplemental Standards), Division 8 (General Development Standards), Division 9 (Special Regulations), Division 10 (Environmental Management), and the Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed-Use Design Standards [1] (Adopted by Ordinance No. 1594).

Notes:
1. Building site setbacks are inclusive of individual lot setbacks, however, the minimum setbacks along the exterior development site boundaries shall be the greater of the setback required for the development site or the individual lot.
2. If a development provides publicly accessible plazas or forecourts, and there is clear visibility between the sidewalk and building entrance, the maximum setback may be waived for up to 40 percent of the building frontage. Entry courtyards, plazas, entries, or outdoor eating areas must be located adjacent to the property line and buildings shall be built to the edge of the courtyard, plaza, or dining area.

Notes:

1. Building site setbacks are inclusive of individual lot setbacks, however, the minimum setbacks along the exterior development site boundaries shall be the greater of the setback required for the development site or the individual lot.

2. If a development provides publicly accessible plazas or forecourts, and there is clear visibility between the sidewalk and building entrance, the maximum setback may be waived for up to 40 percent of the building frontage. Entry courtyards, plazas, entries, or outdoor eating areas must be located adjacent to the property line and buildings shall be built to the edge of the courtyard, plaza, or dining area.

(Ord. 1603 § 4 (Exh. I), 2023; Ord. 1639 § 4 (Exh. A), 2024)

[1]

Editor's Note: Said City of Palmdale Multifamily and Mixed Use Design Standards are included as an attachment to this title.

Exceptions & meaning →

Palmdale Municipal Code § 17.55.010 Development standards – Mixed-use zones

§ 17.55.010. Development standards – Mixed-use zones.¶

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