Petaluma Municipal Code § 5 Glossary

Sections:

28.010 Purpose.

28.020 DeHnitions of Specialized Terms and Phrases.

A DeHnitions, "A."

B DeHnitions, "B."

C DeHnitions, "C."

D DeHnitions, "D."

E DeHnitions, "E."

F DeHnitions, "F."

G DeHnitions, "G."

H DeHnitions, "H."

I DeHnitions, "I."

J DeHnitions, "J."

K DeHnitions, "K."

L DeHnitions, "L."

M DeHnitions, "M."

N DeHnitions, "N."

O

P DeHnitions, "P."

Q DeHnitions, "Q."

R DeHnitions, "R."

S DeHnitions, "S."

T DeHnitions, "T."

U DeHnitions, "U."

V DeHnitions, "V."

W DeHnitions, "W."

X DeHnitions, "X."

Y DeHnitions, "Y."

Z DeHnitions, "Z."

The chapter establishes the deMnitions of terms and phrases that are technical or specialized or that may not

reNect common usage. If a word is not deMned in this chapter, or in another chapter of this Ordinance, the

Director shall determine the correct deMnition.

As used in this Ordinance, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section, unless the

context in which they are used clearly requires otherwise.

A DeHnitions, "A."

Abut. Adjoin or border on.

Adult oriented business. As deMned in Chapter 10.

Adult Day Program. Any community-based facility or program that provides care to persons 18 years of age or

older in need of personal services, supervision, or assistance essential for sustaining the activities of daily living or

for the protection of these individuals on less than a 24-hour basis.

Alcoholic Beverage Establishment. A commercial and non-commercial establishment wherein alcoholic

beverages are sold, served, or given away for consumption on the premises, excluding full-service restaurants.

Typical alcoholic beverage establishments include but are not limited to the following recognized types of

establishments: bars, cocktail lounges, ballrooms, dance bars, piano bars, billiard or game parlors, bowling alleys

and nightclubs.

Alley. A public or private way which aQords only secondary access to abutting property.

Arborist. 1) A person currently certiMed by the Western Article of the International Society of Arboriculture as an

expert on the care of trees; 2) a consulting arborist who satisMes the requirements of the American Society of

Consulting Arborists; or 3) other qualiMed professionals who the Director determines have gained through

experience the qualiMcations to identify, remove, or replace trees.

Artisan Shop. A retail store selling art glass, ceramics, jewelry, and other handcrafted items, where the facility

includes an area for the crafting of the items being sold.

Artisan/Craft Product Manufacturing. Establishments manufacturing and/or assembling small products

primarily by hand, including but not limited to jewelry, pottery, ceramics, small glass and metal art, and craft

products. May also include small scale artisanal food and beverage product manufacturing.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM). Computerized, self-service machines used by banking customers for Mnancial

transactions, including deposits, withdrawals and fund transfers, without face-to-face contact with Mnancial

institution personnel. The machines may be located at or within banks, or in other locations.

Auto Parts Sales. Stores that sell new automobile parts and accessories. Establishments that provide installation

services are instead included under "Vehicle Services - Repair and Maintenance - Minor." Does not include tire

recapping establishments, which are found under "Vehicle Services" or businesses dealing exclusively in used

parts, which are included under "Recycling - Scrap and Dismantling Yards."

Auto and Vehicle Sales and Rental. A retail or wholesale establishment selling and/or renting automobiles,

trucks and vans, trailers and motorcycles (bicycle sales are included under "General Retail"). May also include

repair shops and the sales of parts and accessories, incidental to vehicle dealerships. Does not include: the sale of

auto parts/accessories separate from a vehicle dealership (see "Auto Parts Sales"); mobile home, recreational

vehicle, or watercraft sales (see "Mobile Home, RV and Boat Sales"); tire recapping establishments (see "Vehicle

Services"); businesses dealing exclusively in used parts, (see "Recycling - Scrap and Dismantling Yards"); or "Gas

Stations," which are separately deMned.

B DeHnitions, "B."

Bank, Financial Services. Financial institutions including:

banks and trust companies other investment companies

credit agencies securities/commodity contract brokers and

dealers

holding (but not primarily operating) security and commodity exchanges

companies

lending and thrift institutions vehicle Mnance (equity) leasing agencies

See also, "Automated Teller Machine."

Bar/Tavern. A business where alcoholic beverages are sold for on-site consumption, which are not part of a larger

restaurant. Includes bars, taverns, pubs, and similar establishments where any food service is subordinate to the

sale of alcoholic beverages. May also include beer brewing as part of a microbrewery. Does not include adult

oriented businesses (also see “Night Club”).

Bed and Breakfast Inn (B&B). A residential structure with one household in permanent residence, with three or

more bedrooms furnished for compensation for overnight lodging, where meals may be provided subject to

applicable Health Department regulations. Does not include room rental, which is separately deMned (see

“Rooming, Lodging, Boarding House, or Short-Term Vacation Rental”).

Bedroom. Any space in the conditioned area of a dwelling unit or accessory structure located along an exterior

wall, but not including the following: hall; bathroom; kitchen; living room, dining room, family room, laundry room,

closet/dressing room opening oQ of a bedroom. If a home oOce, library or similar room is proposed, it may be

exempted from being considered a bedroom if there is no closet and at least one of the following is present: a) a

minimum 4 foot opening, without doors, into another room; or b) a half wall (4 foot maximum height) between the

room and another room. A detached building which contains only a half bath will not routinely be considered as

having a bedroom unless it is speciMcally identiMed and permitted as a guest house.

Block. The properties abutting on one side of a street and lying between the two nearest intersecting or

intercepting streets, or nearest intersecting or intercepting street and railroad right-of-way, unsubdivided land, or

watercourse.

Building. See “structure”

Building and Landscape Materials Sales – Indoor. Retail establishments selling hardware, lumber and other

large building materials. Includes paint, wallpaper, glass, and Mxtures. Includes all these stores selling to the

general public, even if contractor sales account for a major proportion of total sales. Establishments primarily

selling electrical, plumbing, heating, and air conditioning equipment and supplies are classiMed in “Wholesaling

and Distribution.”

Building and Landscape Materials Sales – Outdoor. See “Storage-Yard, Outdoor”

Building Height. Measured as the vertical distance between the average Mnish grade and the midpoint between

the eaves and ridge of a gambrel, hip or gable roof, or the highest point of a Nat or shed roof, or the ridge of the

rooNine of a mansard roof. When either of the following occurs, a dormer shall also be considered a roof for the

purposes of determining building height:

■ the width of the roof of the dormer exceeds 49% of the width of the roof of the building; or

■ the width of the dormer measured from building wall to building wall exceeds 49% of the width of the

building measured from building wall to building wall.

All building elevations are required to comply with the height limit for the zoning district in which the property is

located.

Business Support Service. An establishment within a building that provides services to other businesses.

Examples of these services include:

blueprinting Mlm processing and photo Mnishing (retail)

computer related services (rental, repair) protective services

copying and quick printing services security systems service

(Ord. 2820 § 4, 2022.)

C DeHnitions, "C."

Catering. A business that prepares and delivers food for consumption on the premises of a client. Does not

include mobile food vendors.

Child Care Center. A child day care facility (other than a family day care home) as deMned in facility (other than a

family day care home) as deMned in 65915, subdivision (h), paragraph (4) and successor statuses including, but not

limited to, infant centers, preschools, extended day care facilities and school age child care centers that provides

non-medical care and supervision for minor children for periods of less than 24 hours and is licensed by the

California State Department of Social Services. Excludes “Child Day Care,” below.

Child Day Care. Facilities that provide care, protection and supervision of children, in the care giver’s home, for

periods of less than 24 hours per day, while the parents or authorized representatives are away. These facilities

include the following, all of which are required to be licensed by the State of California Department of Social

Services.

1. Large Family. A home that provides family child care for up to 12 children, or for up to 14 children. These

capacities include children under age 10 who live in the licensee’s home and the assistant provider’s children

under age 10. A large family day care home is required to comply with the requirements of Section 7.060.

2. Small Family. A home that provides family child care for up to six children, or for up to eight children.

These capacities include children under age 10 who live in the licensee’s home.

Combining District. Special regulations to be invoked where appropriate or necessary in addition to basic district

regulations.

Commercial Recreation - Indoor. Establishments providing indoor amusement and entertainment services for a

fee or admission charge, including:

bowling alleys electronic game arcades (video games, pinball,

etc.)

coin-operated amusement arcades ice skating and roller skating

dance halls, clubs and ballrooms pool and billiard rooms as primary uses

This use does not include adult oriented businesses, which are separately deMned. Four or more electronic games

or coin operated amusements in any establishment, or a premises where 50 percent or more of the Noor area is

occupied by amusement devices, are considered an electronic game arcade as described above; three or fewer

machines are not considered a land use separate from the primary use of the site.

Commercial Recreation - Outdoor. Facilities for various outdoor recreational activities, where a fee is charged for

use. Examples include:

amusement and theme parks miniature golf courses

go-cart tracks water slides

golf driving ranges

May also include commercial facilities customarily associated with the above outdoor commercial recreational

uses, including bars and restaurants, video game arcades, etc.

Community Meeting Facility. A multi-purpose meeting and/or recreational facility typically consisting of one or

more meeting or multi-purpose rooms, which may also include kitchen and/or outdoor cooking or eating facilities,

that area available for use by various groups for such activities as meetings, parties, receptions, dances, etc.

Community meeting facilities include community center and the following.

1. Club, Lodge, Private Meeting Hall. Permanent, headquarters-type and meeting facilities for organizations

operating on a membership basis for the promotion of the interests of the members, including facilities for:

business associations political organizations

civic, social and fraternal organizations professional membership organizations

labor unions and similar organizations other membership organizations

2. Religious Facility. A facility operated by a religious organization to provide a place for worship, or the

promotion of religious activities. This use includes: churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, etc., and their

accessory uses on the same site, such as living quarters for staQ, fund-raising sales, bazaars, dinners, parties, or

other outdoor events on the same site. Other uses deMned in the Implementing Zoning Ordinance and identiMed

in Tables 4.1 through 4.5, which may be maintained by religious organizations, such as full-time educational

institutions, hospitals, or recreational camps, shall be permitted as set forth in Tables 4.1 through 4.5 of the

Implementing Zoning Ordinance.

Conference/Convention Facility. One or more structures accommodating multiple assembly, meeting, and/or

exhibit rooms, and related support facilities (e.g., kitchens, oOces, etc.).

Coverage. The percent of the total site area covered by structures, open or enclosed, excluding uncovered steps,

patios and terraces.

Crop Production, Horticulture, Orchard, Vineyard. Commercial agricultural production Meld and orchard uses,

including the production of the following, primarily in the soil on the site and not in containers, other than for

initial propagation prior to planting in the soil on the site:

Nowers and seeds ornamental crops

tree nuts Meld crops trees and sod melons

vegetables grains

wine and table grapes fruits

Also includes associated crop preparation services and harvesting activities: mechanical soil preparation; irrigation

system construction; spraying. May also include the sale of products grown on site. Does not include greenhouses

which are instead deMned under "Plant Nursery" or containerized crop production, which is instead deMned under

"Plant Nursery."

D DeHnitions, "D."

Demolition. The removal of 50 percent or more of the exterior walls of a building or structure or the relocation of

a building from one parcel of land to another or the raising of an existing structure beyond what is required for a

new foundation. The initial determination of demolition is made by the community development director.

Development Project. Any project which would, if carried out, establish or permit to be established any new or

changed use of any real property, building, structure or sign.

Driveway, Residential. A way that is typically paved and provides direct access from a public or private street to

an individual dwelling unit or to the garage or parking area for the residential unit.

Dwelling, Accessory. An attached or detached residential dwelling unit that provides complete independent living

facilities for one or more persons and is located on a lot with a proposed or existing primary residence. It shall

include permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation on the same parcel as that on

which the single- or multifamily household dwelling is or will be situated and meeting the requirements of Section

7.030.

Dwelling, Attached. A building containing a single dwelling unit and having one or more walls in common with

another such unit with each unit located on a separate lot.

Dwelling, Caretaker. A permanent residence that is secondary or accessory to the primary use of the property

and used for housing a caretaker employed on the site of any nonresidential use where needed for security

purposes.

Dwelling, Detached. A building designed for and/or occupied exclusively by one household that has no walls in

common with any other structure or dwelling unit.

Dwelling, Group. A group of two or more detached dwellings located on one parcel of land in one ownership and

meeting the requirements of Section 7.040. No more than three dwelling units shall be erected in a dwelling

group. An accessory dwelling is not included as a dwelling for the purposes of a dwelling group.

Dwelling, Junior Accessory. A unit that is no more than 500 square feet in size and contained entirely within a

single-family residence and meeting the requirements of Section 7.035. A junior accessory dwelling unit may

include separate sanitation facilities, or may share sanitation facilities with the existing structure.

Dwelling, Multiple. A building designed or used exclusively as a residence including two or more separate

dwelling units. This deMnition includes but is not limited to duplexes, triplexes, apartments, and condominiums

under a common ownership.

Dwelling, Single Household. A freestanding building designed for and/or occupied by one household.

Dwelling Unit. A room or group of internally connected rooms that have sleeping, cooking, eating, and sanitation

facilities, but not more than one kitchen, which constitute an independent housekeeping unit, occupied by or

intended for one household on a long-term basis. (Ord. 2738 § 7, 2020; Ord. 2711 § 7, 2020.)

E DeHnitions, "E."

Emergency Shelter. Emergency shelter means housing with minimal supportive services for homeless persons

that is limited to occupancy of six months or less by a homeless person.

F DeHnitions, "F."

Farm Animal Keeping. Raising of livestock and poultry, dairying, or animal husbandry.

Fence. A device or portion thereof designed to separate or screen property areas and not to carry super-imposed

load.

Fitness/ Health Facility. A Mtness center, gymnasium, health and athletic club, which may include any of the

following: sauna, spa or hot tub facilities; indoor tennis, handball, racquetball, archery and shooting ranges and

other indoor sports activities. Does not include adult entertainment businesses.

Floor area, Gross. The entire area within the walls of a building, measured in a horizontal plane from the outside

edge of exterior wall to exterior wall, in square feet.

Floor Area Ratio. The gross Noor area of all buildings on a lot divided by the building site area (see exhibit below).

Fueling Station/Gas Station. A retail business selling gasoline and/or other motor vehicle fuels, and related

products. A gas station may also include a convenience store, vehicle services, and restaurant facilities.

Furniture/Fixtures Manufacturing, Cabinet Shop. Manufacturers producing: wood and metal household

furniture and appliances; bedsprings and mattresses; all types of oOce furniture and public building furniture and

partitions, shelving, lockers and store furniture; and miscellaneous drapery hardware, window blinds and shades.

Includes furniture re-upholstering businesses, wood and cabinet shops, but not sawmills or planing mills, which

are instead included under "Manufacturing - Heavy."

G DeHnitions, "G."

Garage, or Carport. Parking space and shelter for automobiles or other vehicles, where the size of the parking

space complies with the provisions of Section 11.070(I) (Parking Stall Size).

1. A garage is a completely enclosed attached or detached accessory structure with an operational door

2. A carport is an attached or detached accessory structure enclosed on no more than two sides.

A garage or carport complies with the requirements of this Zoning Code for "covered" parking spaces.

Garage Sale. A sale of articles belonging to one or more households, held for a period not to exceed three

consecutive days, at a frequency not to exceed once every two months at any single location.

General Retail. Stores and shops selling many lines of merchandise. Examples of these stores and lines of

merchandise include, but are not limited to:

antique stores drug stores and pharmacies

art galleries, retail furniture, furnishings, and appliances

artists’ supplies toys and games

jewelry musical instruments, parts and accessories

auto parts sales second hand stores

bicycles specialty shops

books, magazines, and newspapers sporting goods and equipment

cameras and photographic supplies department stores

clothing, shoes, and accessories wine shops

convenience stores

Golf Course, Country Club. Golf courses, and accessory facilities and uses including: clubhouses with bar and

restaurant, locker and shower facilities; driving ranges; "pro shops" for on-site sales of golMng equipment; and golf

cart storage and sales facilities.

Grade, Finish. The ground surface immediately adjacent to the exterior base of a structure.

Grade, Natural or Existing. The contour of the ground surface before grading.

Groceries, Specialty Foods. A retail business where the majority of the Noor area open to the public is occupied

by food products packaged for preparation and consumption away from the store.

Guest House. A detached living quarters of permanent construction, without kitchen or cooking facilities, clearly

subordinate and incidental to the main building on the same lot, and intended for use by occasional guests of the

occupants of the main building. (Ord. 2820 § 5, 2022.)

H DeHnitions, "H."

Home Occupation. A commercial activity conducted in a dwelling located in a Residential, Mixed Use, or

Commercial zoning district, which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for residential

purposes and in accordance with the provisions of , which is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the

dwelling for residential purposes and in accordance with the provisions of 7.050.

Hotel or Motel. A facility with guest rooms or suites, with or without kitchen facilities, rented to the general public

for transient lodging. Hotels typically include a variety of services in addition to lodging; for example, restaurants, meeting facilities, personal services, etc. Also includes accessory guest facilities such as swimming pools, tennis

courts, indoor athletic facilities, accessory retail uses, etc.

Household. A person or group of people who live together in a single dwelling unit, but not including the renting

of rooms.

I DeHnitions, "I."

No deHnitions beginning with “I”

J DeHnitions, "J."

No deHnitions beginning with “J”

K DeHnitions, "K."

Kennel, Animal Boarding. A commercial facility for the grooming, keeping, boarding or maintaining of four or

more dogs (four months of age or older), or four dogs or cats for sale in pet shops or patients in animal hospitals.

See also "Veterinary Clinic, Animal Hospital."

Kitchen. A room or space within a building used or intended to be used for cooking or preparation of food, which

included any of the following: stove, oven, range top.

L DeHnitions, "L."

Laboratory - Medical, Analytical, Testing. A facility for testing, analysis, and/or research. Examples of this use

include medical labs, soils and materials testing labs, and forensic labs.

Laboratory – Cannabis. Testing laboratories that oQer or perform testing of cannabis or cannabis products in

accordance with Petaluma Municipal Code sections 10.15.020 and 10.15.040, and the current City of Petaluma

Cannabis Permit Regulations.

Laundry, Dry Cleaning Plant. A service establishment engaged primarily in high volume laundry and garment

services, including: carpet and upholstery cleaners; diaper services; dry cleaning and garment pressing;

commercial laundries; linen supply. These facilities may include accessory customer pick-up facilities. These

facilities do not include coin operated laundries or dry cleaning pick up stores without dry cleaning equipment; see

"Personal Services."

Library, Museum, Art Gallery. A public or quasi-public facility, examples of which include: aquariums,

arboretums, art galleries and exhibitions, botanical gardens, historic sites and exhibits, libraries, museums,

planetariums, and zoos. May also include accessory retail uses such as a gift/book shop, restaurant, etc.

Lot or Parcel. A recorded lot or parcel of real property lawfully created as required by applicable Subdivision Map

Act and City ordinance requirements, including this Zoning Ordinance. Types of lots include the following:

Corner Lot. A lot located at the intersection of two or more streets, where they intersect at an interior angle of not

more than 135 degrees. If the intersection angle is more than 135 degrees, the lot is an interior lot.

Flag Lot. A lot having access from the building site to a public street by means of private right-of-way strip.

Interior Lot. A lot abutting only one street.

Reverse Corner Lot. A corner lot the side line of which is substantially a continuation of the front property line of

the Mrst lot to its rear.

Double Frontage Lot. An interior lot with frontage on two generally parallel streets.

Lot Area. Gross lot area is the total area included within the lot lines of a lot, exclusive of adjacent dedicated street

rights of way. Net lot area is the gross area of the lot, exclusive of:

1. Easements for streets or driveways that are not for the exclusive use of the lot on which the easement is

located:

2. The access strip required to serve a Nag lot.

Lot, Depth. The average linear (or mean horizontal) distance between the front and rear lot line lines or between

the front lot line and the intersection of the two side lot lines if there is no rear not line.

Lot Frontage. The property line of a site abutting a street, other than the street side line of a corner lot.

Lot, Width. The horizontal distance between the side lot lines.

Lot Line or Property Line. Any recorded boundary of a lot. The types of lot lines are as follows:

Front Lot Line. On an interior lot, the property line separating the parcel from the street. The front line on a

corner lot is the line with the shortest frontage. If the street fronting lot lines of a corner lot are equal in

length, the front lot line shall be determined by the Director. On a double frontage lot, both lot lines are front

lot lines and the lot is considered to have no rear lot line.

Interior Lot Line. Any lot line not abutting a street that is not a rear lot line.

Rear Lot Line. A property line that does not intersect the front lot line, which is most distant from and most

closely parallel to the front lot line.

Side Lot Line. Any lot line that is not a front or a rear lot line.

Street Side Lot Line. On a corner lot, the lot line with the longest frontage.

M DeHnitions, "M."

Maintenance/Repair Service - Client Site Services. Base facilities for various businesses that provide services on

the premises of their clients. Includes gardening, janitorial, pest control, water and smoke damage recovery, and

similar services; and maintenance/repair services for appliances, computers, electronics, elevators, equipment,

HVAC, instrument, where the service is provided on the client site.

Maintenance/Repair Service - Equipment, Appliances. A business that provides repair and/or maintenance

services for appliances, computers, electronics, and other types of non-vehicular related equipment that is

brought to the facility by the client. These businesses do not operate on the same site as a retail establishment

that sells the product being maintained or repaired. When these services operate from a retail establishment that

sells the products being maintained or repaired, they are instead considered part of the retail use.

Manufactured/Mobile Home. A structure, transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is

eight body feet or more in width, or 40 body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more

square feet, and which is built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a

permanent foundation when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air

conditioning, and electrical systems contained therein; except that such term shall include any structure which

meets all the requirements of this paragraph except the size requirements and with respect to which the

manufacturer voluntarily Mles a certiMcation and complies with the standards established under this part. ,

transportable in one or more sections, which, in the traveling mode, is eight body feet or more in width, or 40

body feet or more in length, or, when erected on site, is 320 or more square feet, and which is built on a

permanent chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without a permanent foundation when

connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical systems

contained therein; except that such term shall include any structure which meets all the requirements of this

paragraph except the size requirements and with respect to which the manufacturer voluntarily Mles a certiMcation

and complies with the standards established under this part. 18007.

Manufacturing – Cannabis. Businesses that manufacture and sell topical or edible cannabis products using

cannabis infusions, infusion processes, or cannabis concentrates only business to business (non-retail) in

accordance with Petaluma Municipal Code section 10.15.040 and the current City of Petaluma Commercial

Cannabis Permit Regulations. Excludes manufacturing of cannabis products involving volatile solvents, and

repackaging cannabis or cannabis products or re-labeling cannabis or cannabis product containers.

Manufacturing/Processing - Light. A facility accommodating manufacturing processes and establishments

engaged in the assembly, fabrication, and conversion of already processed raw materials into products, where the

operational characteristics of the manufacturing processes and the materials used are unlikely to cause signiMcant

impacts on surrounding land uses or the community. Examples of light manufacturing uses include, but are not

limited to, the following:

clothing and fabric product manufacturing metal products fabrication, machine and

welding shops

electronics, equipment, and appliance paper product manufacturing

manufacturing

food and beverage product manufacturing

Manufacturing/Processing - Medium Intensity. A facility accommodating manufacturing processes that involve

and/or produce building materials, fabricated metal products, machinery, and/or transportation equipment,

where the intensity and/or scale of operations is greater than those classiMed under "Manufacturing - Light," but

where impacts on surrounding land uses or the community can typically be mitigated to acceptable levels.

Examples of medium intensity manufacturing uses include, but are not limited to, the following:

lumber and wood product manufacturing stone and cut stone product manufacturing

machinery manufacturing structural clay and pottery product

manufacturing

motor vehicles and transportation equipment

Manufacturing/Processing - Heavy Intensity. A facility accommodating processes that involve and/or produce

basic metals, building materials, chemicals, fabricated metals, paper products, machinery, textiles, and/or

transportation equipment where the intensity and/or scale of operations may cause signiMcant impacts on

surrounding land uses or the community.

Meals Assembly. A facility that provides a location for clients to assemble meals from ingredients and take them

oQsite for cooking and consumption. Meals may also be assembled onsite for clients to pickup at the facility. No

eating facilities are provided.

Media Production. Facilities for motion picture, television, video, sound, computer, and other communications

media production.

Medical Service - Health Care Facility. A facility, place, or building that is maintained and operated to provide

medical care. Includes nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, medical clinics, and home health agencies, all of

which are licensed by the California State Department of Health Services, and deMned in that is maintained and

operated to provide medical care. Includes nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, medical clinics, and home

health agencies, all of which are licensed by the California State Department of Health Services, and deMned in

1200 et seq.

Medical Service - Minor. A facility other than a hospital where medical, dental, mental health, surgical, and/or

other personal health care services are provided on an outpatient basis. Includes medical oOces (for example

oOces for chiropractors, dentists, medical doctors, optometrists, prescription opticians, psychologists/

psychiatrists, etc.), outpatient facilities which may include surgery, urgent care facilities, dental laboratories, and medical laboratories. May include massage therapy and acupuncture when not part of a personal service or spa

establishment.

Medical Service - Major. Hospitals and similar facilities engaged primarily in providing diagnostic services, and

extensive medical treatment, including surgical and other hospital services. These establishments have an

organized medical staQ, inpatient beds, and equipment and facilities to provide complete health care. May include

on-site accessory clinics and laboratories, accessory retail uses and emergency heliports (see the separate

deMnition of "Accessory Retail Uses").

Mobile Home, RV, and Boat Sales. Retail establishments selling both mobile home dwelling units, and/or various

vehicles and watercraft for recreational uses. Includes the sales of boats, campers and camper shells, jet skis,

mobile homes, motor homes, and travel trailers.

Mortuary, Funeral Home. Funeral homes and parlors, where deceased are prepared for burial or cremation,

funeral services may be conducted.

N DeHnitions, "N."

Night Club. A facility serving alcoholic beverages for on-site consumption, and providing entertainment, examples

of which include live music and/or dancing, comedy, etc. (also see “Bar/Tavern”).

O

DeMnitions, "O."

OIce. This Code distinguishes between the following types of oOces. These do not include medical oOces (see

"Medical Service - Minor").

1. Accessory. An oOce facility incidental and accessory to another business or sales activity that is the

primary use. These are permitted accessory to any other use allowed in all zones established by this code.

2. Government. An administrative, clerical, or public contact and/or service oOce of a local, state, or federal

government agency. Includes post oOces, but not bulk mailing distribution centers, which are under “Truck or

Freight Terminal.”

4. High Employee. An oOce-type facility characterized by high employee concentration, and occupied by

businesses engaged in information processing. Examples of these uses include, but are not limited to:

airline, lodging chain, and rental car company reservation centers

consumer credit reporting

data processing services health management organization (HMO) oOces where no medical services are provided

insurance claim processing

mail order and electronic commerce transaction processing

telemarketing

5. Professional/Administrative. An oOce-type facility occupied by businesses that provide direct

professional services and/or is engaged in the production of intellectual property. Examples of these uses

include, but are not limited to:

accounting, auditing and bookkeeping services Mnancial management and investment

counseling

advertising agencies single or small group psychologists/

psychiatrists/counselors

attorneys management and public relations services

commercial art and design services media production services

construction contractors (oOce facilities only) design services including architecture,

engineering,

photographers and photography studios landscape architecture, urban planning

court reporting services educational, scientiMc and research

organizations

One Foot Lambert. Equals brightness equivalent to one lumen per square foot reNected from a surface. One

lumen per square foot is equal to a square foot illuminated evenly by one foot candle at any point.

Outdoor Advertising Structure. Any device which is used or designed so that it may be used to direct attention

to a business, profession, commodity, service, or entertainment, conducted, sold, or oQered elsewhere than upon

the lot where such sign is located.

P DeHnitions, "P."

Park. City owned land whose primary purpose is recreation, includes, but is not limited to, playMelds and courts,

swimming pools, recreational facilities, community gardens, playgrounds, trails, and nature preserves.

Parking Facility, Public or Commercial. Includes both day use and long-term public and commercial garages,

parking lots and structures, except when accessory to a primary use. (All primary uses are considered to include any customer or public use oQ-street parking required by the Zoning Code). Also include “park and ride” lots. Does

not include dismantling yards.

Performance Standards. Regulations for the control of “dangerous or objectionable elements” as deMned in

Article XX.

Personal Services. Establishments providing non medical services to individuals as a primary use. Examples of

these uses include:

barber and beauty shops massage (licensed, therapeutic, non-sexual)

clothing rental pet grooming with no boarding

dry cleaning pick up stores with limited shoe repair shops

equipment

home electronics and small appliance repair tailors

laundromats (self service laundries) tanning salons

locksmiths

These uses may also include accessory retail sales of products related to the services provided.

Personal Services - Restricted. Personal services that may tend to have a potentially oQensive eQect upon

surrounding areas and which may need to be dispersed to minimize their adverse impacts. Examples of these

uses include:

check cashing stores soup kitchens

fortune tellers spas and hot tubs for hourly rental

palm and card readers tattoo and body piercing services

psychics

Petroleum Product Storage and Distribution. A facility for the bulk storage and wholesale distribution of

gasoline, diesel fuel, and/or other fuels and petroleum products.

Plant Nursery. A commercial agricultural establishment engaged in the production of ornamental plants and

other nursery products, grown under cover either in containers or in the soil on the site, or outdoors in containers.

The outdoor production of ornamental plants in the soil on the site is instead included under "Crop Production,

Horticulture, Orchard, Vineyard." Also includes establishments engaged in the sale of these products (e.g.,

wholesale and retail nurseries) and commercial-scale greenhouses. The sale of house plants or other nursery

products entirely within a building is also included under "General Retail."

Printing and Publishing. A small scale establishment engaged in printing by letterpress, lithography, gravure,

screen, oQset, or electrostatic (xerographic) copying; and other establishments serving the printing trade such as

bookbinding, typesetting, engraving, photoengraving and electrotyping. This use also includes establishments that

publish newspapers, books and periodicals; establishments manufacturing business forms and binding devices.

"Quick printing" services are included in the deMnition of "Business Support Services."

Public Safety Facility. A facility operated by a public agency including Mre stations, other Mre prevention and Mre

Mghting facilities, police and sheriQ substations and headquarters, including interim incarceration facilities.

Q DeHnitions, "Q."

No deHnitions beginning with “Q”

R DeHnitions, "R."

Recreational Vehicle. A motor home, travel trailer, truck camper, or camping trailer, with or without motive

power, designed for human habitation for recreational, emergency, or other occupancy, that meets all of the

following criteria: (1) It contains less than 320 square feet of internal living room area, excluding built-in

equipment, including, but not limited to, wardrobe, closets, cabinets, kitchen units or Mxtures, and bath or toilet

rooms. (2) It contains 400 square feet or less of gross area measured at maximum horizontal projections. (3) It is

built on a single chassis. (4) It is either self-propelled, truck-mounted, or permanently towable on the highways

without a permit. Also includes a “park trailer” as deMned by-in equipment, including, but not limited to, wardrobe,

closets, cabinets, kitchen units or Mxtures, and bath or toilet rooms. (2) It contains 400 square feet or less of gross

area measured at maximum horizontal projections. (3) It is built on a single chassis. (4) It is either self-propelled,

truck-mounted, or permanently towable on the highways without a permit. Also includes a “park trailer” as deMned

byCalifornia Health & Safety Code 18009.3. California Health & Safety Code, Section 18010.

Recycling Facility. This land use type includes a variety of facilities involved with the collection, sorting and

processing of recyclable materials. Recyclable materials include reusable domestic containers and other materials

which can be reconstituted, re-manufactured, or reused in an altered form, including glass, metals, paper and

plastic. Recyclable material does not include refuse or hazardous materials.

Research and Development (R&D). A facility for scientiMc research, and the design, development and testing

components in advance of product manufacturing, and the assembly of related products from parts produced oQ-

site, where the manufacturing activity is secondary to the research and development activities.

Residential Facilities, Adult (ARF). Facilities of any capacity that provide 24-hour non-medical care for adults ages

18 through 59, who are unable to provide for their own daily needs. Adults may be physically handicapped,

developmentally disabled, and/or mentally disabled.

Residential Care Facilities for the Chronically Ill (RCFCI). Facilities with a maximum licensed capacity of 25. Care

and supervision is provided to adults who have Acquired Immune DeMciency Syndrome (AIDS) or the Human

ImmunodeMciency Virus (HIV).

Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE). Provide care, supervision and assistance with activities of daily

living, such as bathing and grooming. They may also provide incidental medical services under special care plans.

The facilities provide services to persons 60 years of age and over and persons under 60 with compatible needs.

RCFEs may also be known as assisted living facilities, retirement homes and board and care homes. The facilities

can range in size from six beds or less to over 100 beds. The residents in these facilities require varying levels of

personal care and protective supervision. Because of the wide range of services oQered by RCFEs, consumers

should look closely at the programs of each facility to see if the services will meet their needs.

Restaurant, Café, CoJee Shop. A retail business selling ready-to-eat food and/or beverages for on- or oQ-

premise consumption. These include eating establishments where customers are served from an ordering counter

for either on- or oQ-premise consumption (“counter service”); establishments where customers are served food at

their tables for on-premise consumption (“table service”), which may also provide food for take-out; and

exclusively pedestrian-oriented facilities that serve from a walk-up ordering counter. This use does not include a

mobile food vendor.

Retail Sale – Cannabis means a maximum of up to three diQerent premises permanently located in the City

where cannabis is oQered for on-site retail sale to consumers, and a maximum of up to two diQerent premises

permanently located in the City that deliver cannabis as part of a retail sale, with all such operations and premises

licensed by the State of California pursuant to the Medicinal and Adult-Use Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act,

California Business and Professions Code Section 26000 et seq., as may be amended, in accordance with State law,

the requirements of this code, the Petaluma Municipal Code, and the current City of Petaluma Commercial

Cannabis Permit Regulations. Unless otherwise speciMed, “cannabis retailer” means both a retailer selling medical

cannabis and medical cannabis products to patients with valid physician’s recommendations, and a retailer

oQering adult-use cannabis and cannabis products for adults 21 years of age and over, in accordance with State

law, the requirements of this code, the Petaluma Municipal Code, and the current City of Petaluma Commercial

Cannabis Permit Regulations.

Retaining Wall. Any wall erected to hold back or support a bank of earth.

Rooming or Boarding, Accessory. A portion of a dwelling where lodging and boarding are provided for no more

than 3 persons for a period of 30 days or longer.

Rooming, Lodging or Boarding House. A dwelling or part of a dwelling where lodging is furnished for

compensation to three or more persons living independently from each other for a period of 30 days or longer.

Meals may also be included. (Ord. 2890 § 2, 2024.)

S DeHnitions, "S."

School. A private academic educational institution, including:

boarding school high school

community college, college, or university military academy

elementary, middle and junior high schools

School – Specialized Education and Training. A private academic educational institution, providing specialized

education/training. Examples include the following:

art school establishments providing courses by mail

ballet and other dance school language school

business, secretarial and vocational music school

computers and electronics school professional school (law, medicine, etc.)

drama school seminaries/religious ministry training facility

driver education school

Also includes facilities, institutions and conference centers that oQer specialized programs in personal growth and

development, such as Mtness, environmental awareness, arts, communications, and management. Does not

include pre-schools and child day care facilities (see "Child Day Care Facilities"). See also the deMnition of "Studios -

Art, Dance, Martial Arts, Music, etc." for smaller-scale facilities oQering specialized instruction.

Scrap and Dismantling Yard. Outdoor establishments primarily engaged in assembling, breaking up, sorting, and

the temporary storage and distribution of recyclable or reusable scrap and waste materials, including auto

wreckers engaged in dismantling automobiles for scrap, and the incidental wholesale or retail sales of parts from

those vehicles. Includes light and heavy processing facilities for recycling (see the deMnitions above). Does not

include: places where these activities are conducted entirely within buildings; secondhand stores; the sale of

operative used cars; or landMlls or other waste disposal sites.

Short-Term Vacation Rental. A dwelling, part of a dwelling, or dwelling as an accessory or secondary unit

furnished for compensation for a period of less than 30 days. Meals may also be included. Does not include room

rental for 30 days or more, which is separately deMned (see “Rooming, Lodging, or Boarding House”).

Setback. The required distance by which a structure, parking area, or other development feature must be

separated from a property line, other structure, development feature (e.g. back of sidewalk, or curb) or street

center line.

Setback, Front. The required area extending across the full width of a site measured from the front property line,

street plan line, or access easement to the primary structure. The depth of the front setback is measured as the

minimum horizontal distance between the front property line, street plan line, or access easement and a line

parallel thereto with the required minimum distance determined by the development standards for the applicable

zoning district.

Setback, Rear. The required area extending across the full width of a site measured from the rear lot line and a

structure. The depth of a rear setback is measured as the minimum horizontal distance between the rear property

line and a line parallel thereto with the required minimum distance determined by the development standards for

the applicable zoning district.

Setback, Side. The required area extending from the front property line, street plan line, or access easement to

the rear property line. The width of a side setback is the minimum horizontal distance between an interior side

property line and a line parallel thereto with the required minimum distance determined by the development

standards for the applicable zoning district.

Setback, Street Side. The required area extending from the front property line, street plan line, or access

easement to the rear property line. The width of a street side setback is the minimum horizontal distance between

the street side property line and a line parallel thereto with the required minimum distance determined by the

development standards for the applicable zoning district for a corner or reverse corner lot.

Sports and Entertainment Assembly Facility. A large-scale indoor or outdoor facility accommodating spectator-

oriented sports, concerts, and other entertainment activities. Examples of this land use include amphitheaters,

race tracks, stadiums and coliseums. May also include commercial facilities customarily associated with the above

uses, including bars and restaurants, gift shops, video game arcades, etc.

Storage - Warehouse, Indoor Storage. Facilities for the storage of commercial goods of any nature. Includes cold

storage. Does not include storage or mini-storage facilities oQered for rent or lease to the general public. (see also

“Wholesaling and Distribution” and “Truck or Freight Terminal”).

Storage - Outdoor Storage Yard. The open storage of various materials outside of a structure other then fencing,

either as an accessory or principal use.

Street. A public or private right-of-way which provides a public means of access to abutting property. The term

“street” shall include avenue, drive, circle, road, parkway, boulevard, highway, thoroughfare, or any other similar

term, but not alley. The term shall include the total width of the dedicated right-of-way.

Structure. Anything constructed or erected which requires location on the ground or which is attached to

something having location on the ground, excluding vehicles designed and used only for the transportation of

people or goods, a swimming pool or spa, a fence, or a wall used as a fence.

Structure, Accessory. A building or structure normally subordinate, and the use of which is incidental, to the

primary use of the site.

Structure, Accessory Detached. An accessory building or structure with a minimum separation from a primary

structure or building of at least three feet. For purposes of measurement, roof eaves and overhangs, bays,

balconies, and other projections shall be considered points of reference. For the purposes of this code, any

structure not meeting the separation requirement is considered attached to the primary structure and is subject

to the development standards for the primary structure.

Studio - Art, Dance, Martial Arts, Music, etc. Small scale facilities, typically accommodating one group of

students at a time, in no more than one instructional space. Larger facilities are included under the deMnition of

"Schools - Specialized education and training." Examples of these facilities include: individual and group instruction

and training in the arts; production rehearsal; photography, and the processing of photographs produced only by

users of the studio facilities; martial arts training studios; gymnastics, yoga and similar instruction; and aerobics

and gymnastics studios with no other Mtness facilities or equipment.

Supportive Housing. Housing with no limit on length of stay, that is occupied by the Target Population, and that is

linked to an onsite or oQsite service that assists the supportive housing resident in retaining the housing,

improving his or her health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live and, when possible, work in the

community. Supportive housing is a residential use subject only to those restrictions that apply to other residential

uses of the same type in the same zone.

Swimming Pool. A pool, pond, land, or open tank intended for swimming or recreational bathing that contains

water over 18 inches deep. “Swimming pool” includes in-ground and above ground pools, hot tubs and spas and

portable spas and non-portable wading pools.

T DeHnitions, "T."

Target Population. Persons with low incomes who have one or more disabilities, including mental illness, HIV or

AIDS, substance abuse, or other chronic health condition, or individuals eligible for services provided pursuant to

the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act (Division 4.5 (commencing with Section 4500) of the

Welfare and Institutions Code) and may include, among other populations, adults, emancipated minors, families

with children, elderly persons, young adults aging out of the foster care system, individuals exiting from

institutional settings, veterans, and homeless people.

Telecommunication Facility. A facility that transmits and/or receives electromagnetic signals. It includes

antennas, microwave dishes, horns, and other types of equipment for the transmission or receipt of such signals,

telecommunication towers or similar structures supporting said equipment, equipment buildings, parking area,

and other accessory development. Telecommunications facilities are further classiMed by type (i.e., exempt, mini,

minor and major) in supporting said equipment, equipment buildings, parking area, and other accessory

development. Telecommunications facilities are further classiMed by type (i.e., exempt, mini, minor and major) in

14.44 of the Petaluma Municipal Code. (Ord. 2039 N.C.S., 11/96)

Theater, cinema or performing arts. An indoor facility for public assembly and group entertainment, other than

sporting events. Examples of these facilities include:

civic theaters, and facilities for "live" theater and concerts

movie theaters

similar public assembly facilities

See also "Sports and Entertainment Assembly."

Theater, Movie. See Ordinance 2158 prohibiting movies outside of Theater Combining District until 8/4/23

Transitional Housing. Buildings conMgured as rental housing developments, but operated under program

requirements that require the termination of assistance and recirculating of the assisted unit to another eligible

program recipient at a predetermined future point in time that shall be no less than six months from the

beginning of the assistance. Transitional housing is a residential use subject to only those restrictions that apply to

other residential uses of the same type in the same zone.

U DeHnitions, "U."

Utility Facility. A permanent structure or facility serving as a junction point for transferring a utility services

product from transmission lines to local distribution and service lines, whether for electricity, natural gas, or

domestic water supply. These uses include any of the following facilities that are not exempted from land use

permit requirements by or facility serving as a junction point for transferring a utility services product from

transmission lines to local distribution and service lines, whether for electricity, natural gas, or domestic water

supply. These uses include any of the following facilities that are not exempted from land use permit requirements

by 53091:

corporation and maintenance yards public water system wells, treatment plants

and storage

electrical substations and switching stations wastewater treatment plants, settling ponds,

and disposal

natural gas regulating and distribution Melds

facilities

These uses do not include oOce or customer service centers, which are classiMed in "OOces"; or transmission,

switching, distribution, or service facilities for telephone or other telecommunications services, which are instead

classiMed in "Telecommunications Facilities."

Usable Open Space. Includes the aggregate area of side and rear yards, patios, and balconies and decks having a

depth of not less than three (3) feet and area not less than 30 square feet, on a building site or building, which is

available and accessible to the occupants of the building or building site for purposes of active and/or passive

outdoor recreation. This area is exclusive of driveways, areas for oQ-street parking and services, and ground level areas with a width of less than Mve (5) feet or maximum dimension of under ten (10) feet. At least seventy-Mve

(75%) percent of the usable open space shall have a slope of ten (10%) percent or less.

Use, Accessory. A use customarily incidental to, related and clearly subordinate to a primary use on the same

parcel, which does not alter the primary use nor serve property other than the parcel where the primary use is

located. See also "Primary Use."

Use, Conditional. A use of a site for which application for and approval of a Conditional Use Permit is required.

Use, Permitted. For the purpose of this ordinance, a permitted use in any district shall include any use listed as a

Permitted Principal Use or Accessory Use.

Use, Primary. The main purpose for which a site is developed or occupied, including the activities that are

conducted on the site a majority of the hours during which the activities occur.

Use, Temporary. A use of land that is designed operated and occupies a site for a limited period of time, typically

less than 12 consecutive months.

V DeHnitions, "V."

Vehicle Services. The repair, servicing, alteration, restoration, towing, painting, cleaning, or Mnishing of

automobiles, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats and other vehicles as a primary use, including the incidental

wholesale and retail sale of vehicle parts as an accessory use. This use includes the following categories.

1. Major Repair/Body Work. These establishments include towing, collision repair, other body work, and

painting services; tire recapping.

2. Minor Maintenance/Repair. Minor facilities providing limited repair and maintenance services. Examples

include: attended and self-service car washes; car stereo and alarm installers; detailing services; muPer and

radiator shops; quick-lube services; tire and battery sales and installation (not including recapping).

Does not include automobile parking (see "Parking Facilities"), repair shops that are part of a vehicle dealership on

the same site (see "Auto and Vehicle Sales and Rental," and "Mobile Home, RV, and Boat Sales and Rental"); gas

stations, which are separately deMned; or dismantling yards, which are included under "Recycling - Scrap and

Dismantling Yards."

Vehicle Storage. A service facility for the long-term storage of operative cars, trucks, buses, recreational vehicles,

and other motor vehicles, for clients. Does not include dismantling yards (classiMed in "Recycling - Scrap and

Dismantling Yards").

Veterinary Clinic, Animal Hospital. OOce and indoor medical treatment facilities used by veterinarians,

including large and small animal veterinary clinics, and animal hospitals.

Vision Triangle. The triangular area formed by the intersection of the extension of the curb lines and a line

connecting them at points thirty-Mve (35) feet from the intersection of the extended curb lines.

W DeHnitions, "W."

Wholesaling and Distribution. Establishments engaged in selling merchandise to retailers; to contractors,

industrial, commercial, institutional, farm, or professional business users; to other wholesalers; or acting as agents

or brokers in buying merchandise for or selling merchandise to such persons or companies. May also include

distribution of products direct to customers from online sales. Examples of these include, but are not limited to:

agents, merchandise or commodity brokers, and commission merchants

assemblers, buyers and associations engaged in the cooperative marketing of farm products

merchant wholesalers

stores primarily selling electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning supplies and equipment

ecommerce facilities

X DeHnitions, "X."

No deHnitions beginning with “X”

Y DeHnitions, "Y."

Yard. An open space on the same site as a structure, unoccupied and unobstructed from the ground upward.

Z DeHnitions, "Z."

Zoning. The act of regulating the use of land and the size of and location of buildings on the land, such regulations

are designed to assure the health, safety and general welfare of a community.

Zoning District. Any of the residential, commercial, public, or overlay districts established by Article XX of this

Zoning Code (Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements), within which certain land uses are

allowed or prohibited, and certain site planning and development standards are established (e.g., setbacks, height

limits, site coverage requirements, etc.).

Zoning Map. The Zoning Map or Maps of the City of Petaluma, California together with all amendments

subsequently adopted.

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

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s oOce has the oOcial version of the Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance. Users

should contact the city clerk’s oOce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.

Introduction

Through a process of community workshops and Committee discussion, Petaluma has developed a clear vision of

the preferred future for Central Petaluma. That vision is one of pedestrian-oriented public streets, plazas, squares

and riverfront walks, lined with mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented buildings. The scale and general character of new

development is based in many ways on the best elements of Petaluma’s heritage – the multi-story mixed-use

shopfront buildings of the historic Downtown, the iconic agricultural buildings, and the rich variety of streets,

riverfront wharves, plazas and parks of Petaluma’s historic center. The vision is focused around the Petaluma River

• the dominant open space of Central Petaluma – which is intended to enhance, and be enhanced by, the new

neighborhoods along its edges.

At its core, this vision is one of a very particular kind of place. A sense of place results only when the public realm –

the streets and other public open spaces – and the private realm – the buildings that line the public spaces – are

designed to connect to one another at the scale of the person on foot. The public spaces – in addition to providing

circulation of people on foot, on bicycles and in cars – are the “living rooms”, the gathering places, of the

community. The shape, scale and character of these public spaces are de<ned by their design and detailing, and

by the way that private buildings connect to their edges. The <ne-grained coordination of the design of public and

private elements, to be built in large and small increments over a period of many years, does not happen

automatically, and it does not happen by simply reviewing and discussing each individual project as it is proposed.

An overall framework and a systematic approach to the design of the components and the connections between

them is required.

The SmartCode© provides a system for ensuring that the design of the public realm and the design of private

buildings are rigorously coordinated, and are focused on the pedestrian experience. It de<nes what is essentially a

“kit of parts”, with instructions, for building an urban district – a district based directly on the preferences of the

community, as expressed through workshops and meetings. The focus of this technique is on the scale and

character of the parts and how they connect to each other. The focus is not on the architectural styling of the

parts, which is very =exible. This code de<nes an agreement between the community (the public) and property

owners (the private). The community commits itself to building and maintaining high-quality, pedestrian-oriented

streets, public parking facilities, squares, plazas, and riverwalks, while the property and business owners commit

themselves to building high- quality buildings that face the public realm with facades scaled to the pedestrian, and

orienting on-site parking and service functions to the backs of the buildings and the interiors of the blocks.

Central Petaluma is envisioned to be a place where a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial uses can

coexist in relative proximity to one another within a lively urban environment. (This is the type of place that

Petaluma has over a century of experience in designing, building and managing in its historic Downtown, where

the uses of individual buildings have changed many times during their long and useful life.) Livelier commercial

uses can take advantage of the active environment of the ground =oor street frontages, while residential and

o>ce uses can generally bene<t from the quieter environment o?ered by upper =oors. Through the appropriate

design of the street frontages – where the buildings meets the street – a very wide range of use types can thrive on

ground =oor frontages. Accordingly, this document allows multi-story mixed-use buildings in most areas, in which residential uses are allowed on upper =oors of most buildings, and a wide range of commercial enterprises are

allowed on the ground =oors of most buildings.

The SmartCode© is designed to be used both as a guide for property owners and their designers - to allow them

to understand from the outset the parameters that the community has set for development in Central Petaluma -

and also as a framework and systematic checklist for the City’s use as it plans its investment in capital projects and

evaluates the design of proposed building projects. This will improve the quality of design proposals that the City

receives, and the speed and quality of the design review process, and the value of the City’s cumulative

reinvestment in the public realm.

The Petaluma SmartCode is current through Ordinance 2864, passed October 2, 2023.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s o>ce has the o>cial version of the Petaluma SmartCode. Users should contact the city

clerk’s o>ce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.

Intent

This document provides detailed regulations for development and new land uses within the Transect Zones, and

describes how these regulations will be used as part of the City’s development review process. These regulations

are provided in the form of a “Smart Code,” and are hereafter referred to as “this Code.” This Code is intended to

ensure that all new buildings are harmonious with each other and within the character of Petaluma. This Code is

further intended to enable, encourage and qualify the implementation of the following policies:

A. The Region.

1. That the region shall retain its natural infrastructure and visual character derived from topography,

woodlands, farmlands, riparian corridors and coastlines.

2. That growth strategies shall encourage inBll and redevelopment.

3. That aEordable housing shall be distributed throughout the region to match job opportunities and to

avoid concentrations of poverty.

4. That transportation shall be planned and reserved in coordination with land use.

5. That green corridors shall be used to deBne and connect the urbanized areas.

6. That the region shall include a framework of transit, pedestrian, and bicycle systems that provide

alternatives to the automobile.

B. The Community.

1. That neighborhoods and regional centers shall be compact, pedestrian-oriented, and mixed use.

2. That the size of neighborhoods reCect a Bve-minute walking distance for the edge to center (center

meaning a railroad connecting transit stop or the existing downtown)

3. That ordinary activities of daily living shall occur within walking distance of most dwellings, allowing

independence to those who do not drive.

4. That interconnected networks of thoroughfares that shall be designed to disperse traDc and reduce the

length of automobile trips.

5. That a variety of thoroughfares shall be designed to serve the needs of the pedestrian, the cyclist, and

the automobile equitably.

6. That within neighborhoods, a range of housing types and price levels shall be provided to accommodate

diverse ages and incomes.

7. That appropriate building densities and land uses shall be provided within walking distance of transit

stops.

8. That civic, institutional, and commercial activity shall be embedded in downtowns, not isolated in remote

single-use complexes.

9. That schools shall be sized and located to enable children to walk or bicycle to them (safe routes to

school).

10. That a range of Open Space including Parks, Squares, and playgrounds shall be distributed within

neighborhoods and downtowns and provide publicly accessible places for informal social activity and

recreation.

C. The Block and the Building.

1. That buildings and landscaping shall contribute to the physical deBnition of Thoroughfares as Civic

places.

2. That development shall adequately accommodate automobiles while respecting the pedestrian and the

spatial form of public areas.

3. That the design of streets and buildings shall reinforce safe environments, but not at the expense of

accessibility.

4. That architecture and landscape design shall grow from local climate, topography, history, and building

practice.

5. That buildings shall provide their inhabitants with a clear sense of geography and climate through energy

eDcient methods.

6. That civic buildings and public gathering places shall be provided as locations that reinforce community

identity and support self-government.

7. That civic buildings shall be distinctive and appropriate to a role more important than the other buildings

that constitute the fabric of the city.

8. That the preservation, renewal, and reuse of historic buildings shall be facilitated, to aDrm the continuity

and evolution of society.

9. That the harmonious and orderly evolution of urban areas shall be secured through form-based codes.

10. That new construction shall not degrade the aesthetic and civic character of the neighborhood.

D. The Transect. The Transect is an organizing principle that focuses Brst on the intended character and type of

place and second on the mix of uses within. This diEers from the framework found in conventional or Euclidean

zoning in which use, rather than form, is the primary focus. Transect-based zone districts are used to regulate the

preservation, evolution, and creation of walkable places.

“The Rural-to-Urban Transect is a means for considering and organizing the human habitat in a

continuum of intensity that ranges from the most rural condition to the most urban. It provides a

standardized method for diEerentiating between the intentions for urban form in various areas

using gradual transitions rather than harsh distinctions. The zones are primarily classiBed by the

physical intensity of the built form, the relationship between nature and the built environment, and

the complexity of uses within the zone.”

~ Form-Based Codes: A Guide to Planners, Urban Designers, Municipalities, and Developers, by Parolek,

Parolek and Crawford

1. That the Transect Zone descriptions on Table 1 shall constitute the Intent of this Code with regard to the

general character of each of these environments.

The Petaluma SmartCode is current through Ordinance 2864, passed October 2, 2023.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s oDce has the oDcial version of the Petaluma SmartCode. Users should contact the city

clerk’s oDce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.

Transect Zone Descriptions

T-1 NATURAL

T-1 Natural Zone consists General Natural landscape with some agricultural use

of lands approximating or Character:

reverting to a wilder- ness
Building Not applicable
condition, including lands
Placement:
unsuitable for settlement

due to topography,
Frontage Not applicable
hydrology or vegetation.
Types:

Typical Not applicable

Building

Height:

Type of Civic Parks, Greenways

Space:

T-2 RURAL

T-2 Rural Zone consists of General Primarily agricultural with woodland &

sparsely settled lands in Character: wetland and scattered buildings

open or cultivated states.
Building Variable Setbacks
These include woodland,
Placement:
agricultural land,

grassland, and irrigable Frontage Not applicable desert. Typical buildings Types: are farmhouses,

agricultural buildings, Typical 1- to 2-Story

cabins, and villas. Building

Height:

Type of Civic Parks, Greenways

Space:

T-3 SUB-URBAN

T-3 Sub-Urban Zone General Lawns, and landscaped yards surrounding

consists of low density Character: detached single-family houses; pedestrians

residential areas, adjacent occasionally

to higher zones that some
Building Large and variable front and side yard
mixed use. Home
Placement: Setbacks
occupations and

outbuildings are allowed.
Frontage Porches, fences, naturalistic tree planting
Planting is naturalistic
Types:
and setbacks are

relatively deep. Blocks Typical 1- to 2-Story with some 3-Story

may be large and the Building

roads irregular to Height:

accommodate natural
Type of Civic Parks, Greenways conditions.
Space:

T-4 GENERAL URBAN

T-4 General Urban Zone General Mix of Houses, Townhouses & small

consists of a mixed use Character: Apartment buildings, with scattered

but primarily residential Commercial activity; balance between

urban fabric. It may have landscape and buildings; presence of

a wide range of building pedestrians

types: single, sideyard,
Building Shallow to medium front and side yard
and rowhouses. Setbacks
Placement: Setbacks
and landscaping are

variable. Streets with
Frontage Porches, fences, Dooryards
curbs and sidewalks
Types:
de@ne medium-sized

blocks. Typical 2- to 3-Story with a few taller Mixed Use

Building buildings

Height:

Type of Civic Squares, Greens

Space:

T-5 URBAN CENTER

T-5 Urban Center Zone General Shops mixed with Townhouses, larger

consists of higher density Character: Apartment houses, OAces, workplace, and

mixed use building that Civic buildings; predominantly attached

accommodate retail, buildings; trees within the public right-of-way;

oAces, rowhouses and substantial pedestrian activity

apartments. It has a tight
Building Shallow Setbacks or none; buildings oriented
network of streets, with
Placement: to street de@ning a street wall
wide sidewalks, steady

street tree planting and
Frontage Stoops, Shopfronts, Galleries
buildings set close to the
Types:
sidewalks.

Typical 3- to 5-Story with some variation

Building

Height:

Type of Civic Parks, Plazas and Squares, median

Space: landscaping

T-6 URBAN CORE

T-6 Urban Core Zone General Medium to high-Density Mixed Use buildings,

consists of the highest Character: entertainment, Civic and cultural uses.

density and height, with Attached buildings forming a continuous

the greatest variety of street wall; trees within the public right-of-

uses, and civic buildings way; highest pedestrian and transit activity

of regional importance. It
Building Shallow Setbacks or none; buildings oriented
may have larger blocks;
Placement: to street, de@ning a street wall
streets have steady street

tree planting and
Frontage Stoops, Dooryards, Forecourts, Shopfronts,
buildings are set close to
Types: Galleries, and Arcades
wide sidewalks. Typically

only large towns and Typical 4-plus Story with a few shorter buildings

cities have an Urban Core Building

Zone. Height:

Type of Civic Parks, Plazas and Squares; median

Space: landscaping

The Petaluma SmartCode is current through Ordinance 2864, passed October 2, 2023.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s oAce has the oAcial version of the Petaluma SmartCode. Users should contact the city

clerk’s oAce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.

Proposed development, subdivisions, and new land uses within the Transect Zones shall comply with all applicable

requirements of this Code, as follows.

A. Zoning Map. The Zoning Map in Section 2 of this Code shows the zones that diDerentiate standards for

building placement, design, and use; and identiAes the speciAc parcels included within each zone.

B. Building Function Standards. The Building Function Standards in Section 3 identify the land uses allowed by the

City in each of the zones established by the Zoning Map. A parcel shall be occupied only by land uses identiAed as

allowed within the applicable zone by Section 3 of this Code.

C. Urban Standards. The Urban Standards in Section 4 regulate the aspects of each private building that aDect

the public realm. The standards vary according to the zone applied to each parcel by the Zoning Map. The Urban

Standards regulate building placement and facade design, determine the number of required parking spaces,

identify the types of civic spaces to be provided within the Transect Zones, and provide standards for landscaping.

In certain cases, the Urban Standards also regulate how certain land use types must be operated to ensure their

compatibility with adjacent uses.

D. Thoroughfare Standards. The Thoroughfare Standards in Section 5 regulate the design of streets and other

public ways within the Transect Zones, including both new thoroughfares and changes to existing thoroughfares.

These standards include speciAcations and dimensions that deAne the type, character, and capacity of vehicle,

cycling, and pedestrian ways. Compliance with the standards of Section 5 is required for vehicular ways, bikeways,

sidewalks, planters, street trees, and street lights, where these improvements are required through the City

approval of a subdivision or other development.

E. Landscaping and Utility Standards. The Landscape and Utility Standards in Section 4.60 regulate the street

trees, planters, and utilities within the Transect Zones.

F. Parking Standards. The Parking Standards and Procedures in Section 6 regulate the design and location of

required parking facilities.

G. Historic Preservation Standards. Changes to historic structures shall comply with the standards in Section 7 of

this Code.

H. Design Review. All buildings and associated site improvements within the Central Petaluma SpeciAc Plan

boundaries are subject to site plan and architectural review and approval, as outlined in Petaluma Implementing

Zoning Ordinance Section 24.010. Refer to the Architectural Guidelines (Appendix B of the Central Petaluma

SpeciAc Plan) for example illustrations and information on architectural character in the speciAc plan area.

I. Civic Buildings. Civic buildings are exempt from this code as it applies to urban standards. (Ord. 2729 § 2,

2020.)

If a conBict occurs between a requirement of this Code and the City of Petaluma Zoning Ordinance, the provisions

of this Code shall apply, except that the requirements of the Downtown Commercial Historic District apply to

proposed development and new land uses in addition to the requirements of this Smart Code, where applicable.

The standards and other requirements of this Code shall be administered and enforced as provided by Section 8

(Code Administration).

The Petaluma SmartCode is current through Ordinance 2864, passed October 2, 2023.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s oCce has the oCcial version of the Petaluma SmartCode. Users should contact the city

clerk’s oCce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.

(Ord. 2864, 2023.)

Station Area Detail

(Ord. 2864, 2023.)

The Petaluma SmartCode is current through Ordinance 2864, passed October 2, 2023.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s o2ce has the o2cial version of the Petaluma SmartCode. Users should contact the city

clerk’s o2ce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.

Proposed development shall comply with each of the urban standards provided in Table 4.10 on the following

page for the zone that applies to the site.

Table 4.10.

T1 NATURAL T2 RURAL T3 SUB- T4 GENERAL T5 URBAN T6 URBAN SD SPECIAL

ZONE ZONE URBAN ZONE URBAN ZONE CENTER ZONE CORE ZONE DISTRICT

a. BLOCK SIZE

Block 2,000 lf. max. 1,700 ft. max. 1,700 ft. max. Refer to Section

Perimeter 4.20

2,400 lf. max. for 2,000 lf. max for 2,000 lf. max for

blocks with blocks with blocks with

internal parking internal parking internal parking

b. THOROUGHFARES (See Section 5 for further Standards)

Highway (HW) not permitted not permitted not permitted Refer to Section

4.20Road (RD) not permitted not permitted not permitted

Street (ST) permitted permitted not permitted

Table 4.10.

T1 NATURAL T2 RURAL T3 SUB- T4 GENERAL T5 URBAN T6 URBAN SD SPECIAL

ZONE ZONE URBAN ZONE URBAN ZONE CENTER ZONE CORE ZONE DISTRICT

Drive (DR) permitted permitted permitted by

warrant

Avenue (AV) permitted permitted permitted by

warrant

Commercial permitted permitted permitted

Street or

Avenue

Boulevard permitted by permitted by permitted by

(BV) warrant warrant warrant

Rear Alley (RA) permitted permitted permitted

Rear Lane (RL) permitted not permitted not permitted

c. CIVIC SPACES (See Section 4.50 For Graphic Summary and further Standards)

Regional Park not permitted not permitted not permitted Refer to Section

4.20Sports not permitted not permitted not permitted

Complex

Community permitted by not permitted not permitted

Park warrant

Greenway permitted by not permitted not permitted

warrant

Neighborhood permitted permitted not permitted

Green

Neighborhood permitted permitted permitted

Square

Plaza permitted permitted permitted

Pocket Plaza permitted permitted permitted

Pocket Park permitted permitted by not permitted

warrant

Playground permitted permitted permitted by

warrant

Community permitted permitted by permitted by

Garden warrant warrant

d. LOT OCCUPATION

Table 4.10.

T1 NATURAL T2 RURAL T3 SUB- T4 GENERAL T5 URBAN T6 URBAN SD SPECIAL

ZONE ZONE URBAN ZONE URBAN ZONE CENTER ZONE CORE ZONE DISTRICT

Lot Area 4,000 sq. ft avg. None None Refer to Section

4.20Lot coverage 60% max. None None

e. Build-to Line - PRINCIPAL BUILDING

Front not applicable not applicable 0 ft. min Refer to Section

4.20

f. SETBACKS - PRINCIPAL BUILDING

Front 0 ft. min. 15 ft. 0 ft. min. 10 ft. not applicable Refer to Section

max. max. 4.20

Side 5 ft. min. 30 ft. 0 ft. min. 10 ft. 0 ft. min. 10 ft.

max. max. max.

Rear - No 20 ft. min. 5 ft. min. 0 ft. min.

Alley

Rear - Alley 0 ft. min. 0 ft. min. 0 ft. min.

g. SETBACKS - OUTBUILDING

Front Setback 20 ft. 40 ft. not applicable Refer to Section

4.20Side Setback 0 ft. 0 ft. not applicable

Rear - No 5 ft. min. 5 ft. min. not applicable

Alley

Rear - Alley 0 ft. min. 0 ft. min. not applicable

h. % BLDG. FRONTAGE REQ'D

Principal 50% min. 75% min. 90% min. Refer to Section

Frontage 4.20

Secondary 30% min. 35% min. 50% min.

Frontage

i. BUILDING PLACEMENT (See Section 4.30 for Graphic Summary and Further Standards)

Edgeyard permitted prohibited prohibited Refer to Section

4.20Sideyard permitted permitted prohibited

Rearyard permitted permitted permitted

Courtyard permitted permitted permitted

j. ALLOWED BUILDING TYPES (See Section 4.80 For Graphic Summary and further Standards)

Table 4.10.

T1 NATURAL T2 RURAL T3 SUB- T4 GENERAL T5 URBAN T6 URBAN SD SPECIAL

ZONE ZONE URBAN ZONE URBAN ZONE CENTER ZONE CORE ZONE DISTRICT

Carriage permitted not permitted not permitted Refer to Section

House 4.20

Detached not permitted not permitted not permitted

House: Estate

Detached permitted not permitted not permitted

House: Village

Detached permitted not permitted not permitted

House:

Cottage

Bungalow permitted not permitted not permitted

Court

Duplex permitted not permitted not permitted

Townhouse permitted permitted not permitted

Mansion permitted not permitted not permitted

Apartment

Apartment permitted permitted not permitted

House

Courtyard permitted permitted not permitted

Building

Main Street permitted permitted permitted

Building

Mid-Rise not permitted permitted permitted

k. PRIVATE FRONTAGES (See Section 4.40 For Graphic Summary and further Standards)

Common Yard not permitted not permitted not permitted Refer to Section

4.20Porch, permitted not permitted not permitted

Projecting or

Engaged

Stoop permitted permitted not permitted

Forecourt permitted permitted not permitted

Dooryard permitted permitted not permitted

Shopfront permitted permitted permitted

Terrace permitted permitted permited

Table 4.10.

T1 NATURAL T2 RURAL T3 SUB- T4 GENERAL T5 URBAN T6 URBAN SD SPECIAL

ZONE ZONE URBAN ZONE URBAN ZONE CENTER ZONE CORE ZONE DISTRICT

Gallery permitted permitted permitted

Arcade permitted permitted permitted

Parking Lot not permitted permitted permitted

(See 4.40.150)

l. BUILDING HEIGHT

Principal 3 stories max. 4 stories max. 2 6 stories max. 3 Refer to Section

Building min. (See max. 2 min. 4.20

min. (See

4.20.010 for

height bonus

information)

Outbuilding 2 stories max. 2 stories max. not applicable

m. GROUND FLOOR CEILING

Lodging or 10' min. 10' min. 10' min. Refer to Section

Residential 4.20

Uses

(excluding

Live/Work)

All other uses 12' min. 14' min. 14' min.

n. GROUND FLOOR SPACE DEPTH

Principal 30' min. 30' min. 30' min. Refer to Section

Frontage 4.20

Secondary 30' min. 30' min. 30' min.

Frontage

o. DISTANCE BETWEEN ENTRIES

To Ground- not applicable 50' max. 50' max. Refer to Section

Floor Uses 4.20

To Upper- not applicable 100' max. 100' max.

Floor Uses

p. PARKING LOCATION

1st Layer prohibited prohibited prohibited Refer to Section

4.202nd Layer prohibited prohibited prohibited

3rd Layer permitted permitted permitted

Table 4.10.

T1 NATURAL T2 RURAL T3 SUB- T4 GENERAL T5 URBAN T6 URBAN SD SPECIAL

ZONE ZONE URBAN ZONE URBAN ZONE CENTER ZONE CORE ZONE DISTRICT

q. PARKING REQUIREMENTS

Residential 1 space per 1 space per 1 space per Refer to Section

(including market rate unit market rate unit market rate unit 4.20 Live/Work) .5 space per .5 space per .5 space per

aWordable unit aWordable unit aWordable unit

Lodging 1 space per 1 space per 1 space per

room room room

All other uses 2 spaces per 2 spaces per 2 spaces per

1000sq. ft 1000sq. ft 1000sq. ft

r. BUILDING FUNCTION (See Section 3)

The provisions of this Section illustrate the standards for the location of a building on a parcel required by Section

4.10 (Urban Standards Table).

a. Edgeyard: SpeciTc Types - single family House, cottage, villa, T2 T3 T4

estate house, urban villa. A building that occupies the center of

its Lot with Setbacks on all sides. This is the least urban of types

as the front yard sets it back from the Frontage, while the side

yards weaken the spatial deTnition of the public Thoroughfare

space. The front yard is intended to be visually continuous with

the yards of adjacent buildings. The rear yard can be secured for

privacy by fences and a well-placed Backbuilding and/or

Outbuilding.

b. Sideyard: SpeciTc Types - Charleston single house, double T4 T5

house, zero lot line house, twin. A building that occupies one side

of the Lot with the Setback to the other side. A shallow Frontage

Setback deTnes a more urban condition. If the adjacent building

is similar with a blank side wall, the yard can be quite private.

This type permits systematic climatic orientation in response to

the sun or the breeze. If a Sideyard House abuts a neighboring

Sideyard House, the type is known as a twin or double House.

Energy costs, and sometimes noise, are reduced by sharing a

party wall in this Disposition.

c. rearyard: SpeciTc Types - Townhouse, Rowhouse, Live-Work T5 T6

unit, loft building, Apartment House, Mixed Use Block, Flex

Building, perimeter Block. A building that occupies the full

Frontage, leaving the rear of the Lot as the sole yard. This is a

very urban type as the continuous Facade steadily deTnes the

public Thoroughfare. The rear Elevations may be articulated for

functional purposes. In its Residential form, this type is the

Rowhouse. For its Commercial form, the rear yard can

accommodate substantial parking.

d. Courtyard: SpeciTc Types - patio House. A building that T4 T5 T6

occupies the boundaries of its Lot while internally deTning one

or more private patios. This is the most urban of types, as it is

able to shield the private realm from all sides while strongly

deTning the public Thoroughfare. Because of its ability to

accommodate incompatible activities, masking them from all

sides, it is recommended for workshops, Lodging and schools.

The high security provided by the continuous enclosure is useful

for crime-prone areas.

e. Specialized: A building that is not subject to categorization. SD

Buildings dedicated to manufacturing and transportation are

often distorted by the trajectories of machinery. Civic buildings,

which may express the aspirations of institutions, may be

included.

A. Parking required. Each building and land use, including a change or expansion of a building or land use, shall

provide parking areas in compliance with this Section. No building shall be occupied and no land use shall be

commenced until the improvements required by this Section are completed and approved by the Director.

B. Number of parking spaces.

1. Each site shall be provided the minimum number of parking spaces required by Section 4.10 (Urban

Standards Table), except where the parking requirement is reduced or otherwise changed in compliance with

shall be provided the minimum number of parking spaces required by Section 4.10 (Urban Standards Table),

except where the parking requirement is reduced or otherwise changed in compliance with 6.10.030.

2. On-street parking along the frontage lines of the site shall be counted toward fulGlling the parking

requirements.

3. Where Section 4.10 establishes a parking requirement based upon square feet (for example: “1 space/

300 sq. ft”), the term “square feet” means the gross square footage of Hoor area.

4. Where Section 4.10 establishes a parking requirement based upon the number of units (for example: “1

space per unit”), the term “unit” means per dwelling unit, and each Live/Work Unit, including both its living

space and working space, shall be counted as one dwelling unit.

5. Where Section 4.10 establishes a parking requirement based upon the number of rooms (for example: “1

space per room”), the term “room” means a guest room or suite, and no additional spaces are required for

accessory facilities such as restaurants, meeting rooms, swimming pools, etc.

A. Required oJ-street parking shall be located on the same parcel as the uses served unless oJ-site parking is

authorized in compliance with Section 6.10.030.E (OJ-site parking). Parking shall be located on each site in

compliance with the parking layer requirements in Section 4.10 (Urban Standards Table). The parking layers

required by Section 4.10 are deGned and illustrated as follows.

1. First layer. The area between the frontage line and the facade line. (See Illustration below)

2. Second layer. The area between the facade line and 20 feet from the facade. (See Illustration below) Note

that the second layer is not required on the Secondary Frontage.

3. Third layer. That portion of the lot that is neither the Grst layer nor the second layer. Generally this

portion of the lot extends to an alley or an interior lot line. (See illustration below)

4. Surface parking. Surface parking shall be located in the third layer and masked by a streetwall or building,

except that driveways and aprons may be located in the Grst or second layer. See Urban Standards for

maximum/minimum percent frontage requirements.

For parking garages, parking shall be located as follows:

a. On the ground story, parking shall be located in the third layer and masked by a liner building.

b. On stories above the ground story, parking may be located in the second or third layers.

c. Parking in basement stories may be located in the second or third layers. Podium parking in the

second layer must not be visible from a principal frontage. On secondary frontages, screening podium

parking with hedges or vines is acceptable. If parking is fully below grade, parking may be located in any

layer.

The number of parking spaces required by Section 4.10 (Urban Standards Table) may be reduced, and the type or

location of parking spaces required by this Section 6 may be modiGed as follows.

A. Alternative parking arrangements. The review authority may reduce the number of parking spaces or eliminate

on-site parking requirements for projects where the applicant executes an agreement with the City to:

1. Waive the right to protest the formation of a parking district; or

2. Provide some other fair share contribution acceptable to the review authority The agreement shall be

recorded.

B. Shared on-site parking. Where two or more uses on the same site have distinct and diJering peak parking

usage periods, (e.g. a theater and a bank), a reduction in the required number of parking spaces may be allowed

by the Director. Approval shall also require a recorded covenant running with the land, recorded by the owner of

the parking lot, guaranteeing that the required parking will be maintained exclusively for the use or activity served

for the duration of the use or activity. Possible options for determining shared parking arrangements include the

Urban Land Institute Publication Shared Parking.

C. Waiver of parking. The Director may reduce or waive the number of parking spaces required based on

quantitative information provided by the applicant that documents the need for fewer spaces (e.g., sales receipts,

documentation of customer frequency, information on parking standards required for the proposed land use by

other cities, etc.).

D. Waiver of parking - O*-hour uses. The review authority may waive the parking requirements of this Part for

land uses that are determined by the review authority to operate exclusively when their peak parking demand

occurs after the evening peak period parking demand for the Central Petaluma area, and adequate on-street or

public parking is available.

E. O*-site parking. A project that is not located within a parking assessment district may locate required parking

away from the site of the proposed use

1. Location of parking. OJ-site parking shall be located within a 1250 foot walking distance of the site. (This

distance corresponds to a Gve minute walk.) Where approved by the review authority, oJ-site parking may be

located at a more remote site.

2. Evaluation of proposal. In considering a request for oJ-site parking at a distance of greater than 1250 feet,

the review authority shall consider whether adequate provisions, such as shuttle service, have been provided

to bring drivers from the parking to the site.

3. Guarantee of continued availability. Required parking spaces that are oJ-site shall be committed by a

recordable covenant, lease, or other agreement, acceptable to the City Attorney. The parties to the covenant,

lease, or agreement shall include the owners, and if applicable, the lessees of the oJ-site parking spaces and

the owners, and if applicable, the lessees of the subject site, with covenants reHecting the conditions of

approval and the approved oJ-site parking plan.

4. Loss of o*-site spaces.

a. Noti)cation to the City. The owner or operator of a business that uses approved oJ-site spaces to

satisfy the parking requirements of this Section shall immediately notify the Director of any change of

ownership or use of the property for which the spaces are required, and of any termination or default of

the agreement between the parties.

b. E*ect of termination of agreement. Upon notiGcation that a lease for required oJ-site parking has

terminated, the Director shall determine a reasonable time in which one of the following shall occur:

1) Substitute parking is provided that is acceptable to the Director;

2) The size or capacity of the use is reduced in proportion to the parking spaces lost; or

5. Valet parking. OJ-site valet parking may be authorized through Conditional Use Permit approval,

provided that the oJ-site parking location shall comply with the requirements of Subsections E.3 and E.4

above. Compliance with Subsections E.1 and E.2 is not required for valet parking.

Parking spaces for the disabled shall be provided in compliance with the Uniform Building Code (UBC), the Federal

Accessibility Guidelines, and/or California Code of Regulations Title 24, as applicable. These spaces shall count

toward fulGlling the parking requirements of this Code.

Required parking areas shall be designed and constructed as follows, and in compliance with the guidelines of the

Planning Commission. The standards of this Section may be modiGed by the Planning Commission where it

determines that alternative parking designs and standards will more appropriately relate to the operating

characteristics of the proposed development or new land use, while being equally eJective in providing parking

areas that are safe, convenient, use land eIciently, and are aesthetically attractive.

A. Access to parking.

1. Parking, including parking garages, shall be accessed from an alley or secondary frontage when possible.

The opening of a parking lot or garage on a frontage shall not exceed two lanes in width.

2. Pedestrian entrances to all parking lots and parking garages shall be directly from a frontage line. Only

underground parking garages may be entered directly from a building.

3. Parking areas for nonresidential uses shall maintain a minimum unobstructed clearance height of 14 feet

above areas accessible to vehicles.

B. Access to adjacent sites. Applicants are encouraged to provide oJ-street vehicle access to parking areas on

adjacent properties to provide for convenience, safety, and eIcient circulation. Shared pedestrian access between

adjacent properties is also strongly encouraged.

C. Parking space and lot dimensions. Parking lots and stalls shall be designed with the following minimum

dimensions.

Angle of Parking Length of Parking Width of Parking Aisle Width

Stall Stall

60° or less (one- 18 ft 8.5 ft 18 ft.

way)

90° (one-way)

90° (two-way) 18 ft. 8.5 ft. 22 ft.

D. Landscaping. Parking areas shall be landscaped in compliance with the following requirements.

1. Adjacent to residential use. A parking area for nonresidential use that abuts a residential use shall provide

a six foot tall solid masonry wall or fence along the property line to address land use compatibility issues such

as nuisance, noise and light/glare.

2. Amount of landscaping. Each use shall provide landscaping within and/or around the parking area at a

minimum ratio of 10 percent of the gross area of the parking lot. A minimum of one shade tree shall be

provided for each Gve parking spaces or trees provided to achieve 50% canopy coverage of paved area at

maturity, whichever is greater.

3. Location of landscaping. Landscaping shall be evenly dispersed throughout each parking area. Orchard-

style planting (placement of trees in uniformly-spaced rows) is encouraged for larger parking areas.

4. Irrigation. Irrigation shall be provided for landscaped areas.

E. Lighting. Parking lot lighting shall comply with the following requirements.

1. Outdoor light Gxtures shall be limited to a maximum height of 15 feet or the height of the nearest

building, whichever is less.

2. Lighting shall be energy-eIcient, and shielded or recessed so that:

a. The light source (i.e., bulb, etc.) is not visible from oJ the site; and

b. Glare and reHections are conGned to the maximum extent feasible within the boundaries of the site.

Each light Gxture shall be directed downward and away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way.

3. No lighting on private property shall produce an illumination level greater than one footcandle on any

property within a residential zoning district except on the site of the light source.

4. No permanently installed lighting shall blink, Hash, or be of unusually high intensity or brightness, as

determined by the Director.

F. Striping and identi)cation.

1. Vehicle spaces. Parking spaces shall provide understandable markings to indicate where drivers should

park. Subtle markings, such as contrasting colors in paving stones, are encouraged.

2. Restriping. The restriping of any parking space or lot shall require the approval of a restriping plan by the

Director.

G. Surfacing.

1. Parking spaces and maneuvering areas shall be provided with all-weather surfaces consistent with City

standards and as approved by the review authority.

2. The City desires to reduce stormwater run-oJ and water pollution, and to allow for the replenishment of

groundwater. For parking areas, the goal is to reduce the amount of run-oJ generating surface area.

Therefore, permeable surfaces for parking and maneuvering areas are encouraged. Acceptable permeable

surfaces include:

a. pervious concrete;

b. pervious pavers (products such as Unipaver, Eco-stone and SF Rima or an approved equivalent);

c. gravel, bark or grass when reinforced to provide adequate load-bearing (including geo-technical

structures such as Invisible Structures’ Grasspave and Gravelpave products, or an approved equivalent);

Other permeable surfaces may be approved by the Director. (Reference: Condon, Patrick and Stacy

Moriarty, eds. 1999. Second Nature: Adapting LA’s Landscape for Sustainable Living. LA: Treepeople.)

H. Loading. No loading spaces are required. OJ-street loading spaces to be striped “loading zone” by The City of

Petaluma by warrant

Bicycle parking shall be provided in compliance with the Petaluma Bicycle Plan as amended from time to time.

There shall be no minimum parking requirements for any use, notwithstanding the minimum parking

requirements established in Sections 6.10.010, after the City Council has adopted a policy targeting a parking

availability of 15% for on-street parking spaces on each block face and parking is managed to achieve this supply

goal through the use of permits, time-limits, pricing, or a combination thereof.

The Petaluma SmartCode is current through Ordinance 2864, passed October 2, 2023.

Disclaimer: The city clerk’s oIce has the oIcial version of the Petaluma SmartCode. Users should contact the city

clerk’s oIce for ordinances passed subsequent to the ordinance cited above.

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

Hosted by General Code.

Historic Resource Conservation & Preservation