Chapter 17.10 — Enactment and Applicability of Zoning Code

The purpose of the Pasadena Zoning Code is to protect and promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to implement the policies of the General Plan by classifying and regulating the uses of land and structures within the City of Pasadena in a manner consistent with the General Plan. To achieve this purpose, it is the intent of this Zoning Code to:

A.

Provide standards for the orderly development of the City and continue a stable pattern of land uses;

B.

Conserve and protect the historical integrity and character of the City's neighborhoods;

C.

Maintain and protect the value of property;

D.

Ensure the provision of adequate open space for light, air, and fire safety;

E.

Promote the economic stability of existing land uses that conform to the General Plan and protect them from intrusions by inharmonious or harmful land uses;

F.

Permit the development of office, commercial, industrial, and transportation-related land uses in accordance with the general plan in order to strengthen the City's economic base;

G.

Ensure compatibility between land uses; and

H.

Encourage a pedestrian-friendly community by promoting a mix of land uses and pedestrian- oriented development in commercial areas.

This Zoning Code is enacted based on the authority vested in the City of Pasadena by the State of California, including but not limited to: the State Constitution; the Planning and Zoning Law (Government Code Sections 65000 et seq.); the Subdivision Map Act (Government Code Sections 66410 et seq.); and the California Health and Safety Code.

This Zoning Code applies to all land uses, structures, subdivisions, and development within the City of Pasadena, as provided by this Section.

A.

New land uses or structures, changes to land uses or structures. Compliance with the requirements of Chapter 17.21 (Development and Land Use Approval Requirements) or, where applicable, Chapter 17.71 (Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels), is necessary for any person or public agency to lawfully establish, construct, reconstruct, alter, or replace any use of land or structure.

B.

Issuance of Building or Grading Permits. The City may issue building, grading, or other construction permits only when:

The proposed land use and/or structure satisfy the requirements of Subsection A., above, and all other applicable statutes, ordinances, and regulations; and

The Zoning Administrator determines that the site was subdivided in compliance with Municipal Code Title 16 (Land Subdivision).

C.

Subdivisions. Any subdivision of land proposed within the City after the effective date of this Zoning Code shall be consistent with the minimum lot size requirements of Article 2 (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses), all other applicable requirements of this Zoning Code, and the City's subdivision regulations.

D.

Effect of Zoning Code on existing uses and structures. An existing land use or structure is lawful only when it was legally established, and is operated and maintained, in compliance with all applicable provisions of this Zoning Code, including Chapter 17.71 (Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Parcels).

Existing land uses or structures that were in violation of City zoning regulations applicable before the effective date of this Zoning Code are in violation of this Zoning Code, and shall continue to be in violation until they conform to the current requirements.

E.

Effect of Zoning Code changes on projects in progress.  

Project with legislative or quasi-judicial approval. A project with a legislative or quasi-judicial approval will be processed under the rules in effect on the date an application is deemed complete per Chapter 17.60 (Application Filing and Processing). These projects include a Conditional Use Permit, Design Review, Expressive Use Permit, Filming Permit, Temporary Use Permit, Variance, zone change, etc.

Project that is not legislative or quasi-judicial. A project that has submitted a complete Building Permit application and paid all required fees will be processed under the rules in effect on the date that the application was submitted. If the Building Permit has expired, the project shall be subject to the requirements of this Zoning Code. This provision shall not apply to those projects that require a legislative or quasi-judicial approval.

Notification requirements. A quasi-judicial or legislative application that has been deemed complete shall be processed under the notification regulations in effect at the time the application was deemed complete.

Demolition permits not vested. A demolition permit, in anticipation of applying for a replacement project, does not vest a project under the existing rules.

Grading- or foundation-only permits not vested. A grading-only permit or foundation-only permit does not vest the subsequent project under the existing rules.

F.

Minimum requirements. The provisions of this Zoning Code shall be minimum requirements for the promotion of the public health, safety, and general welfare. When this Zoning Code provides for discretion on the part of a City official or body, that discretion may be exercised to impose more stringent requirements than identified in this Code as may be necessary to promote orderly land use development and the purposes of this Zoning Code.

G.

Other requirements may apply. Nothing in this Zoning Code eliminates the need for obtaining any permit, approval, or entitlement required by the regulations of any County, regional, State, or Federal agency.

H.

Conflicting requirements. Any conflict between different requirements of this Zoning Code, or between this Zoning Code and other regulations, shall be resolved in compliance with Section 17.12.020.D (Conflicting Requirements).

(Ord. No. 7435, § 2, 10-28-2024)

This Zoning Code shall be administered by the City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Zoning Hearing Officer, Zoning Administrator, Advisory Agency, Design Commission, Arts Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Director of Planning and Development, and the Planning and Development Department in compliance with Chapter 17.70 (Administrative Responsibility).

(Ord. 7022 § 5, 2005)