Paso Robles Municipal Code Ch. 21.85 Performance Standards—general

A. Purpose. This chapter establishes performance standards intended to guard against the use of any property or structure in any zoning district in any manner which would create any dangerous, injurious, noxious, or otherwise objectionable condition or element that adversely affects the health and safety of residents, the community, and the surrounding area and adjoining premises.

B. Applicability. The minimum requirements in this chapter apply to all land uses in all zoning districts, unless otherwise specified.

(Ord. No. 1144 N.S., § 3(Exh. A), 10-1-2024)

A. General Standard. Land and buildings shall not be used or occupied in a manner creating any dangerous, injurious, or noxious fire, explosive, or other hazard that would adversely affect the surrounding area.

B. Measurement of Impacts. Measurements necessary for determining compliance with the performance standards of this chapter shall be taken at the property line of the establishment or use that is the source of a potentially objectionable condition, hazard, or nuisance.

C. Fire and Explosion Hazards. All activities involving and all storage of inflammable and explosive materials shall be provided with adequate safety devices against the hazard of fire and explosion and adequate firefighting and fire-suppression equipment and devices standard in industry and as approved by the fire department. All incineration of inflammable and explosive materials is prohibited.

D. Radioactivity or Electrical Disturbance. Devices which radiate radio-frequency energy shall be operated in a manner that does not cause interference with any activity carried on beyond the boundary line of the property upon which the device is located. Further, no radiation of any kind shall be emitted which is dangerous to humans. All radio transmissions shall occur in full compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other applicable regulations.

E. Vibration. No vibration shall be produced that is transmitted through the ground and is discernible without the aid of instruments by a reasonable person at the lot lines of the site. Vibrations from temporary construction, demolition, and vehicles that enter and leave the subject parcel (for example, construction equipment, trains, trucks, etc.) are exempt from this standard. Where vibration dampeners are proposed, project applications shall include an engineered study establishing the effectiveness of the dampeners based on actual conditions.

F. Smoke. No emission shall be permitted at any point which would constitute a violation of standards established by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD).

G. Odors. Except for fireplaces and barbecues, no emission shall be permitted of odorous gases or other odorous matter in such quantities as to constitute a public nuisance.

H. Fly Ash, Dust, Fumes, Vapors, Gases and Other Forms of Air Pollution. No emission shall be permitted which can cause damage to health, animals, vegetations or other forms of property, or which can cause any excessive soiling at any point. No emissions shall be permitted in excess of the standards established by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD).

I. Glare. No direct glare, whether produced by floodlight, high-temperature processes such as combustion or welding or other processes, so as to be visible from any boundary line of the property on which the same is produced shall be permitted. Sky-reflected glare from buildings or portions thereof shall be so controlled by reasonable means as are practical to the end that said sky-reflected glare will not inconvenience or annoy persons or interfere with the use and enjoyment of property in and about the area where it occurs. See also Chapter 21.82 (Lighting and Illumination).

J. Liquid or Solid Wastes. No discharge shall be permitted at any point into any public sewer, private sewage disposal system or stream, or into the ground, of any materials of such nature or temperature as can contaminate any water supply, interfere with bacterial processes in sewage treatment, or otherwise cause the emission of dangerous or offensive elements, except in accord with standards approved by the California Department of Health or such other governmental agency as shall have jurisdiction over such activities. Manufacturing, processing, treatment and other activities involving use of toxic or hazardous materials shall be designed to incorporate the best available control technologies and wherever technically feasible shall employ a "closed loop" system of containment.

K. Transportation Systems Impacts. Vehicular, bikeway and/or pedestrian traffic, directly attributable to the proposed land use, shall not increase to a significant extent without implementation of adequate mitigation measures in a form to be approved by the city engineer. In determining significance of impacts, consideration shall be given to cumulative (projected build-out) capacity of streets and highways serving the land use. Mitigation measures required may include but not be limited to curb, gutter, sidewalk, street and/or alley, bikeway, transit related improvements and traffic signalization. Mitigation may be required as pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), or as a condition of a discretionary review.

(Ord. No. 1144 N.S., § 3(Exh. A), 10-1-2024)