16.040 De9nitions.

The following deOnitions apply to this chapter. Where there is a conPict between other deOnitions in this

Ordinance and the deOnitions in this section, the deOnitions in this section shall apply to this Chapter.

A. Contour. A line drawn on a plan which connects points of equal elevation.

B. Cut. The mechanical removal of earth material.

C. Cut and 8ll. The excavating of earth material in one place and the depositing of it as Oll in an adjacent place.

D. Demolition. The removal of 50% or more of the exterior walls of a building or structure. Demolition includes

the relocation of a building from one parcel of land to another, and also includes the raising of an existing

structure beyond what is required for a new foundation.

E. Density. The number of dwelling units per net acre.

F. Fill. A deposit of earth material placed by artiOcial means.

G. Grading. To bring an existing surface to a designed form by excavating, Olling, or smoothing operations.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

Ch. 16 Hillside Protection | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance Page 4 of 16

H. Major Subdivision. The subdivision of a parcel into more than four (4) parcels.

I. Minor Subdivision. The subdivision of a parcel of land into 4 or fewer parcels or 4 parcels and a remainder

parcel.

J. Natural Grade. The contour of the ground surface before grading.

K. New Development. Includes the development of a vacant parcel, new construction of a primary building on a

developed parcel, and the construction of a primary building when the primary building on a parcel has been

demolished.

L. Opportunities and Constraints Map. A graphic characterization of the parcel and the immediately adjacent

properties that includes the physical and natural amenities and limitations of the site including, but not limited to,

unique natural site features, landforms, woodlands, landslides, drainage patterns, creeks, mature trees and their

surrounding habitat, ridgelines, areas with a slope of more than 30 %, roads or trails, structures, and property

lines and a topographic description of the site using contours at 1’, 2’ or 5’ intervals as appropriate.

M. Ridgeline. A line connecting the highest points along a ridge separating drainage basins or small scale

drainage systems from one another.

N. Slope. An inclined ground surface, the inclination of which is expressed as a ratio of the vertical distance (rise),

or change in elevation, to the horizontal distance (run). The percent of any given slope is determined by dividing

the rise by the run, multiplied by one hundred.

O. Slope density formula. The size of lots allowed in a new subdivision based on a formula that increases the

minimum lot size allowed as the slope of the site increases.

P. South Hills. The South Hills is the area identiOed as the South Hills subarea on the General Plan Subareas Map

(General Plan Figure 2-1, Planning Subareas).

Q. View Platform. The following speciOc locations selected as vantage points from which Oeld observations are

made to assess the visual impact of development within the City:

 ?   B Street easternmost (nearest the Petaluma River) terminus

 ?   C Street easternmost (nearest Petaluma River) terminus

 ?  D Street at the Petaluma River Drawbridge

 ?    Lakeville Street at the Rail Depot

 ?    CaulOeld Lane Overpass

 ?   Corona Road Overpass

 ?   Bodega Avenue from the City limit to the urban growth boundary

 ?  D Street in the vicinity of the City limit/urban growth boundary

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

Ch. 16 Hillside Protection | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance Page 5 of 16

 ?      I Street from the City limit to the urban growth boundary

 ?   Penry Park

 ?    Schollenberger Park

 ?   Steamer Landing Park

 ?   Roof of the “C” Street parking garage

 ?   Terminated Vistas as identiOed in the Central Petaluma SpeciOc Plan (shown on SMART Code

Thoroughfare Map)

R. Visual Analysis. A visual representation of the proposed project that includes the modiOcations and

improvements to the site that would result from the project. The visual analysis is prepared from the vantage

point of an identiOed view platform. A visual analysis may be prepared using the following methods:

 ?   Photographic exhibit

 ?   Computer simulation

 ?    Story poles

 ?    Street elevations or other means of graphic representation that takes into account enough of the

neighboring structures or site characteristics to provide a sense of massing and scale.

 ?   Other methods may be approved by the decision making authority.

S. West Hills. The West Hills is the area identiOed as the West Hills subarea on the General Plan Subareas Map

(General Plan Figure 2-1, Planning Subareas).