Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 20.28 Buildable Lots
Petaluma Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Petaluma
Cite as: Petaluma Municipal Code Chapter 20.28 · Text as of 2026-10-04
20.28.010 Generally.¶
All subdivisions shall result in the creation of lots which are developable and capable of being built upon. No
subdivision shall create lots which are impractical of improvement due to size or shape; steepness of terrain;
location of water courses; problems of sewerage or driveway grades; or other natural physical conditions. (Ord.
1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.200.)
20.28.020 Access to public streets.¶
All lots or parcels created by the subdivision of land shall have access to a public street improved to standards
hereinafter required. Access to a public street(s) by easement for up to four lots in a subdivision and for
subdivisions of up to four lots plus a remainder lot may be permitted. For subdivisions proposing lot access to a
public street by easement, the conJguration proposed would be as follows: Each lot shall have an access and
utility easement appurtenant to the next up-street lot; a twenty foot wide private driveway shall serve the lots and
a single maintenance agreement shall be prepared and recorded. Private streets shall not be permitted except in
planned unit development zones. If the planning commission Jnds that the most logical development of the land
requires that lots be created in planned unit development zones which are served by a private street or other
means of access; and makes such Jndings in writing with the reasons therefor; then such access may be
recommended to the city council by the planning commission. The city council may act to approve or disapprove
the private street at the time it approves the unit development plan or the tentative map. The subdivider shall
submit a development plan showing the alignment; width; grade and material speciJcations of any proposed
private street; the topography and means of access to each lot; drainage and sewerage of the lots served by such
private street; and a plan satisfactory to the city council for ownership and maintenance of the street and the
liability for taxes thereon. Construction of an approved all-weather private street access shall be completed prior
to issuance of any building permit on lots served by a private street. (Ord. 1994 NCS §6, 1995; Ord. 1372A NCS §2,
1979; Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.300.)
20.28.030 Lot standards generally.¶
The size; shape; and orientation of lots in the subdivision shall be appropriate to the location of the proposed
subdivision and to the type of development contemplated. The principles and standards in Sections 20.28.040
through 20.28.140 shall be observed. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.400.)
20.28.040 Conformance to zoning ordinance.¶
The minimum area and dimensions of all lots shall conform to the requirements of the zoning ordinance for the
district in which the subdivision is located. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.401.)
20.28.050 Lines and curves.¶
The side lines of all lots; so far as possible; shall be at right angles to the street which the lot faces; or
approximately radial to the center of curvature; if such street is curved. Side lines of lots shall be approximately
radial to the center to curvature of a cul-de-sac on which the lot faces. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code
§22.7.402.)
20.28.060 Minimum width.¶
No lot shall have a width at the frontage less than that required for the zoning district within which the lot lies.
(Ord. 1785 NCS §8, 1990; Ord. 1084 NCS §1, 1973; Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.403.)
20.28.070 Corner lots.¶
Corner lots for residential use shall be platted wider than interior lots in order to permit conformance with the
required street side yard requirements of the zoning ordinance. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.404.)
20.28.080 Minimum lot depth.¶
No lot shall have a depth of less than one hundred feet. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.405.)
20.28.090 Lot not to be divided by boundary line.¶
No lot shall be divided by a city boundary line; nor any boundary between parcels registered under separate
ownership. Each such boundary line shall be made a lot line. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.406.)
20.28.100 Depth twice width.¶
A lot depth in excess of twice the width shall be avoided whenever possible. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code
§22.7.407.)
20.28.110 Nonconforming property remnants.¶
No remnants of property shall be left in the subdivision which do not conform to lot requirements, or are not
required for a private utility or public purpose. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.408.)
20.28.120 Lot numbering.¶
Lot numbers shall begin with the number "1" and shall continue consecutively through the tract with no omissions
or duplications, and no block designations shall be used. (Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.409.)
20.28.130 Lots with double frontage—Layout regulations—Variance.¶
Lots having double frontage shall not be approved except where necessitated by topographic or other unusual
conditions. The width of each block shall be suLcient for an ultimate layout of two tiers of lots therein of a size
required by the provisions of this title unless the general layout in the vicinity; lines of ownership; topographical
conditions, or locations of arterial streets or freeways justify or make necessary a variation from this requirement.
(Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.410.)
20.28.140 Flag lots.¶
A Kag lot shall only be permitted in a hard-to-develop or inJll area; upon recommendation of the community
development director. In such cases; the access strip shall not be less than thirty feet in width and shall not exceed
one lot in depth; and one hundred twenty-Jve feet unless approved by the city engineer; Jre marshal and
community development director. Up to two Kag lots are permitted to utilize one driveway access strip. (Ord. 1785
NCS §8, 1990; Ord. 1372A NCS §3, 1979; Ord. 1046 NCS §1, 1972; prior code §22.7.411.)
Get a plain-English answer with a citation back to this text.
Ask AI about this code