Chapter 20.28 — BUILDABLE LOTS

All subdivisions shall result in the creation of lots which are developable and capable of being built upon. No

subdivision shall create lots which are impractical of improvement due to size or shape; steepness of terrain;

location of water courses; problems of sewerage or driveway grades; or other natural physical conditions. (Ord.

1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.200.)

All lots or parcels created by the subdivision of land shall have access to a public street improved to standards

hereinafter required. Access to a public street(s) by easement for up to four lots in a subdivision and for

subdivisions of up to four lots plus a remainder lot may be permitted. For subdivisions proposing lot access to a

public street by easement, the conJguration proposed would be as follows: Each lot shall have an access and

utility easement appurtenant to the next up-street lot; a twenty foot wide private driveway shall serve the lots and

a single maintenance agreement shall be prepared and recorded. Private streets shall not be permitted except in

planned unit development zones. If the planning commission Jnds that the most logical development of the land

requires that lots be created in planned unit development zones which are served by a private street or other

means of access; and makes such Jndings in writing with the reasons therefor; then such access may be

recommended to the city council by the planning commission. The city council may act to approve or disapprove

the private street at the time it approves the unit development plan or the tentative map. The subdivider shall

submit a development plan showing the alignment; width; grade and material speciJcations of any proposed

private street; the topography and means of access to each lot; drainage and sewerage of the lots served by such

private street; and a plan satisfactory to the city council for ownership and maintenance of the street and the

liability for taxes thereon. Construction of an approved all-weather private street access shall be completed prior

to issuance of any building permit on lots served by a private street. (Ord. 1994 NCS §6, 1995; Ord. 1372A NCS §2,

1979; Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.300.)

The size; shape; and orientation of lots in the subdivision shall be appropriate to the location of the proposed

subdivision and to the type of development contemplated. The principles and standards in Sections 20.28.040

through 20.28.140 shall be observed. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.400.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 20 Subdivisions | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 40 of 74

The minimum area and dimensions of all lots shall conform to the requirements of the zoning ordinance for the

district in which the subdivision is located. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.401.)

The side lines of all lots; so far as possible; shall be at right angles to the street which the lot faces; or

approximately radial to the center of curvature; if such street is curved. Side lines of lots shall be approximately

radial to the center to curvature of a cul-de-sac on which the lot faces. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code

§22.7.402.)

No lot shall have a width at the frontage less than that required for the zoning district within which the lot lies.

(Ord. 1785 NCS §8, 1990; Ord. 1084 NCS §1, 1973; Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.403.)

Corner lots for residential use shall be platted wider than interior lots in order to permit conformance with the

required street side yard requirements of the zoning ordinance. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.404.)

No lot shall have a depth of less than one hundred feet. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.405.)

No lot shall be divided by a city boundary line; nor any boundary between parcels registered under separate

ownership. Each such boundary line shall be made a lot line. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.406.)

A lot depth in excess of twice the width shall be avoided whenever possible. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code

§22.7.407.)

The Petaluma Municipal Code is current through Ordinance 2916 NCS, passed December 1, 2025.

Title 20 Subdivisions | Petaluma Municipal Code Page 41 of 74

No remnants of property shall be left in the subdivision which do not conform to lot requirements, or are not

required for a private utility or public purpose. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.408.)

Lot numbers shall begin with the number "1" and shall continue consecutively through the tract with no omissions

or duplications, and no block designations shall be used. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.409.)

Lots having double frontage shall not be approved except where necessitated by topographic or other unusual

conditions. The width of each block shall be suLcient for an ultimate layout of two tiers of lots therein of a size

required by the provisions of this title unless the general layout in the vicinity; lines of ownership; topographical

conditions, or locations of arterial streets or freeways justify or make necessary a variation from this requirement.

(Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.410.)

A Kag lot shall only be permitted in a hard-to-develop or inJll area; upon recommendation of the community

development director. In such cases; the access strip shall not be less than thirty feet in width and shall not exceed

one lot in depth; and one hundred twenty-Jve feet unless approved by the city engineer; Jre marshal and

community development director. Up to two Kag lots are permitted to utilize one driveway access strip. (Ord. 1785

NCS §8, 1990; Ord. 1372A NCS §3, 1979; Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.411.)