Chapter 12 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS MODIFICATIONS

Sections:

12.010 Purpose. 12.020 Modifications to the Maximum Height Limit. 12.025 Modification to Maximum Height Limit in the Residential 5 (R5) District. 12.030 Modifications to the Required Front Setback. 12.040 Modifications to the Required Side and Rear Setbacks. 12.050 Projections into Required Setbacks. 12.060 Exceptions to Required Setbacks.

This chapter establishes the permitted modifications to the development standards contained in Tables 4.6 to 4.13.

The maximum height prescribed in Tables 4.6 to 4.13 shall not apply to:

A. Church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes, monuments, water towers, fire and hose towers, silos, observation towers, distributions and transmission towers, lines and poles, windmills, chimneys, smokestacks, flag poles.

B. Public utility transmission and distribution lines. Said lines shall be permitted in all districts without the necessity of obtaining a use permit, provided, however, that the route of all transmission lines shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and recommendation prior to acquisition of rights-of-way therefore.

C. Places of public assembly in churches, schools, and other permitted public and semi-public buildings, provided that these are located on the ground floor of such buildings and provided that for each one (1) foot by which the height of such building exceeds the maximum height otherwise permitted in the district, its side and rear yards shall be increased in width or depth by an additional foot over the side and rear yards required for the highest building otherwise permitted in the district.

D. Elevator and stair penthouses, water tanks, monitors and scenery lofts, provided no linear dimension of any such structure exceeds fifty (50) percent of the corresponding street lot line frontage; or to towers and monuments, fire towers, hose towers, cooling towers, gas holders or other structures, where the manufacturing process requires a greater height. Provided, however, that any structure above the height otherwise permitted in

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

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the district shall occupy no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the lot and shall be distant not less than twenty-five (25) feet from every interior lot line.

E. New residential units or additions to existing residential units when these units have or are in areas which have special character or special historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value where additional building height would result in a building design more compatible with the dominant building height in the immediate neighborhood, as determined by the Community Development Director. Provided, however, that the building does not exceed a maximum height of thirty-five (35) feet.

F. Telecommunications facilities provided that such facilities meet all applicable provisions of Chapter 14.44 of the Petaluma Municipal Code and this Ordinance.

A maximum of height of 60 feet may be permitted for the principal building(s) in the R5 zoning district when the review authority is able to make the following findings:

A. The increase in density made possible by the increase in the height limit is consistent with the General Plan density range for the site.

B. The additional height will not result in unreasonable restrictions of light and air to adjacent properties or the public right-of-way, or otherwise be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare.

C. The additional height will support other goals and policies of the General Plan and will result in a better overall project.

The following modifications to the front setback required in Tables 4.6 to 4.13 are permitted:

A. On a site situated between sites improved with buildings, the minimum front setback shall be the average depth of the front yards on the improved sites adjoining the side lines of the site.

B. Where a site is not situated between sites improved with buildings and where sites comprising forty (40) percent of the frontage on a block are improved with buildings, the minimum front setback shall be the average of the existing front yard depths in the block.

C. On a site which is not rectangular or approximately rectangular, or is a flag lot, the location of the required front setback shall be determined by the Director.

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

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D. In any R District where the natural grade of the front setback of a lot has a slope such that it is not practicable to provide a driveway with a grade of fifteen (15) percent or less to a private garage or carport, the garage or carport may be located within the required front setback.

The following modifications to the side and rear setbacks required in Tables 4.6 to 4.13 are permitted:

A. The width of one required side setback may be reduced when authorized by the Zoning Administrator (Director) to a width not less than three (3) feet; provided the sum of the width of the two side yards is not less than the sum of the required setbacks.

B. On a site which is not rectangular or approximately rectangular, or is a flag lot, the location of the required side and rear setbacks shall be determined by the Director.

The permitted projections into required setbacks are as prescribed in Table 12.1.

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

Ch. 12 Development Standards Modifications | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance

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----- Start of picture text -----
and
Rear Setback
1
3 ft, provided that the projection shall not exceed ½ the depth of the required setback 3 ft, provided that the projection shall not exceed ½ the width of the required setback in the aggregate, no more than 1/3 of the length of the building wall on which they are located. Not Allowed 50% of required setback
and
Side Setback 3 ft, provided that the projection shall not exceed ½ the depth of the required setback 3 ft, provided that the projection shall not exceed ½ the width of the required setback in the aggregate, no more than 1/3 of the length of the building wall on which they are located. Not Allowed 10% of required setback
Allowed Projection into Required Setback
and
Front Setback
3 ft, provided that the projection shall not exceed ½ the depth of the required setback 3 ft, provided that the projection shall not exceed ½ the width of the required setback in the aggregate, no more than 1/3 of the length of the building wall on which they are located. 6 ft. provided that such stair or landing, except for a railing shall not extend above the floor level of the first floor. 10% of required setback
2
Projecting Feature
Architectural feature (e.g., cornice, canopy, eave, or other architectural feature) Bay window, chimney, balcony Stair, unenclosed porch, necessary landing Uncovered decks less than 18 inches in height measured from grade
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The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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Rear Setback
1
Must be a minimum of 6 ft. from the rear property line. Must be a minimum of 6 ft. from the rear property line. 4 ½ ft As determined by the Director and required for Fire and Building Code
Side Setback
Not Allowed Must be a minimum of 6 ft. from the side property line. 4 ½ ft As determined by the Director and required for Fire and Building Code
Allowed Projection into Required Setback
Front Setback
Not Allowed Not Allowed 4 ½ ft As determined by the Director and required for Fire and Building Code
3
Projecting Feature
HVAC equipment Swimming pool, hot tub spa and associated equipment Fire Escape Ramps for accessibility and similar access facilities for the disabled
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The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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1. No projection shall extend into a public utility easement.

2. Decks that exceed 18 inches in height measured from grade shall comply with the setbacks required for the primary structure.

3. See Section 7.080 for requirements for pools, spas, and hot tubs.

A. Exception – Principal Dwelling/Building. The Director may grant an exception for the principal dwelling/building, in the same manner as provided in Section 24.060 (Conditional Use Permits), from the development standards regulating building encroachment into required setbacks in residential districts when all of the following findings can be made based on substantial evidence in the record:

1. The encroachment is consistent with the prevalent development pattern in the immediate area;

2. The encroachment will not adversely affect the privacy of adjacent properties;

3. The encroachment will not significantly increase shading of adjacent properties; and

4. Conditions will be imposed to accommodate maintenance and drainage requirements.

B. Exception – Accessory Building. The Director may grant an exception for the reconstruction, renovation or expansion of existing accessory buildings and structures, in the same manner as provided in Section 24.060 (Conditional Use Permits), from the required setbacks for accessory buildings and structures contained in Tables 4.6 through 4.13 when all of the following findings can be made based on substantial evidence in the record:

1. The setback will be consistent with the prevalent development pattern for similar building uses in the immediate area;

2. The location of the accessory building or structure will not adversely affect the privacy of adjacent properties;

3. The location of the accessory building or structure will not significantly increase shading of adjacent properties;

4. Conditions will be imposed to accommodate required maintenance and drainage; and

5. The design of the accessory building or structure is compatible with that of the principal dwelling and will not detract from appearance of the immediate area. (Ord. 2811 § 3, 2022.)

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

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

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s office has the official version of the Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance. Users should contact the city clerk’s office for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.

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

Ch. 13 Placement of Fences and Walls | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance

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