Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 12 Development Standards Modifications

Sections:

12.010 Purpose.

12.020 Modi6cations to the Maximum Height Limit.

12.025 Modi6cation to Maximum Height Limit in the Residential 5 (R5) District.

12.030 Modi6cations to the Required Front Setback.

12.040 Modi6cations to the Required Side and Rear Setbacks.

12.050 Projections into Required Setbacks.

12.060 Exceptions to Required Setbacks.

This chapter establishes the permitted modiFcations to the development standards contained in Tables 4.6 to

4.13.

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

A. Church spires, belfries, cupolas and domes, monuments, water towers, Fre and hose towers, silos,

observation towers, distributions and transmission towers, lines and poles, windmills, chimneys, smokestacks, Gag

poles.

B. Public utility transmission and distribution lines. Said lines shall be permitted in all districts without the necessity

of obtaining a use permit, provided, however, that the route of all transmission lines shall be submitted to the

Planning Commission for review and recommendation prior to acquisition of rights-of-way therefore.

C. Places of public assembly in churches, schools, and other permitted public and semi-public buildings,

provided that these are located on the ground Goor of such buildings and provided that for each one (1) foot by

which the height of such building exceeds the maximum height otherwise permitted in the district, its side and

rear yards shall be increased in width or depth by an additional foot over the side and rear yards required for the

highest building otherwise permitted in the district.

D. Elevator and stair penthouses, water tanks, monitors and scenery lofts, provided no linear dimension of any

such structure exceeds Ffty (50) percent of the corresponding street lot line frontage; or to towers and

monuments, Fre towers, hose towers, cooling towers, gas holders or other structures, where the manufacturing

process requires a greater height. Provided, however, that any structure above the height otherwise permitted in the district shall occupy no more than twenty-Fve (25) percent of the area of the lot and shall be distant not less

than twenty-Fve (25) feet from every interior lot line.

E. New residential units or additions to existing residential units when these units have or are in areas which

have special character or special historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value where additional building

height would result in a building design more compatible with the dominant building height in the immediate

neighborhood, as determined by the Community Development Director. Provided, however, that the building does

not exceed a maximum height of thirty-Fve (35) feet.

F. Telecommunications facilities provided that such facilities meet all applicable provisions of Chapter 14.44 of

the Petaluma Municipal Code and this Ordinance.

District.

A maximum of height of 60 feet may be permitted for the principal building(s) in the R5 zoning district when the

review authority is able to make the following Fndings:

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

density range for the site.

B. The additional height will not result in unreasonable restrictions of light and air to adjacent properties or the

public right-of-way, or otherwise be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare.

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

overall project.

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

A. On a site situated between sites improved with buildings, the minimum front setback shall be the average

depth of the front yards on the improved sites adjoining the side lines of the site.

B. Where a site is not situated between sites improved with buildings and where sites comprising forty (40)

percent of the frontage on a block are improved with buildings, the minimum front setback shall be the average of

the existing front yard depths in the block.

C. On a site which is not rectangular or approximately rectangular, or is a Gag lot, the location of the required

front setback shall be determined by the Director.

D. In any R District where the natural grade of the front setback of a lot has a slope such that it is not practicable

to provide a driveway with a grade of Ffteen (15) percent or less to a private garage or carport, the garage or

carport may be located within the required front setback.

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

A. The width of one required side setback may be reduced when authorized by the Zoning Administrator

(Director) to a width not less than three (3) feet; provided the sum of the width of the two side yards is not less

than the sum of the required setbacks.

B. On a site which is not rectangular or approximately rectangular, or is a Gag lot, the location of the required

side and rear setbacks shall be determined by the Director.

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

½ ½ the exceed exceed more of they the the no required setback not not required length which that Setback that the the and on shall of shall of the of wall Rear required aggregate, 1/3 of 1 provided depth provided width located. Allowed ft, ft, the 3 projection the setback 3 projection the setback in than building are Not 50% Setback ½ ½ the exceed exceed more of they the the Required no required setback not not required length which that that the into Setback the and on shall of shall of the Side of wall required aggregate, 1/3 of provided depth

aggregate, 1/3 of provided depth

aggregate, 1/3 of provided depth provided width located. Allowed the Projection ft, ft, 12.1 3 projection the setback 3 projection the setback in than building are Not 10%

½ ½ Table Allowed the stair railing of they a exceed exceed more the Goor. the the such for no required Frst setback not not required length which above that Setback that that the the the and on except of shall of shall of the of wall extend Front required aggregate, 1/3 not level of provided depth provided width located. provided landing, ft, ft, the ft. 3 projection the setback 3 projection the setback in than building are 6 or shall Goor 10%

landing, ft, ft, the ft. 3 projection the setback 3 projection the setback in than building are 6 or shall Goor 10%

18
or than (e.g., feature) porch, less Feature eave, measured feature chimney, decks landing canopy, height
in architectural unenclosed grade2 Projecting Architectural cornice, other window,Bay balcony Stair, necessary Uncovered inches from

Architectural cornice, other window,Bay balcony Stair, necessary Uncovered inches from

Fire ft. ft. 6 line. 6 line. for of of the by Setback property property required Code minimum minimum Rear a rear a rear and be the be the 1 ft Building determined ½ Must from Must from 4 As Director and Setback Fire ft. 6 line. for of Required the property required Code into Setback by minimum Side a side and be the Allowed ft Building determined Projection ½ 12.1 Not Must from 4 As Director and Table Fire Allowed for the by Setback required Code and Front Allowed Allowed ft Building determined Not Not ½4 As Director and

the
spa and for
tub Feature hot equipment3 facilities pool, accessibility
for access equipment Projecting associated Escape HVAC Swimming and Fire Ramps similar disabled

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

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

primary structure.

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

A. Exception Ð Principal Dwelling/Building. The Director may grant an exception for the principal dwelling/building,

in the same manner as provided in Section 24.060 (Conditional Use Permits), from the development standards

regulating building encroachment into required setbacks in residential districts when all of the following Fndings

can be made based on substantial evidence in the record:

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

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

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

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

B. Exception Ð Accessory Building. The Director may grant an exception for the reconstruction, renovation or

expansion of existing accessory buildings and structures, in the same manner as provided in Section 24.060

(Conditional Use Permits), from the required setbacks for accessory buildings and structures contained in Tables

4.6 through 4.13 when all of the following Fndings can be made based on substantial evidence in the record:

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

immediate area;

2. The location of the accessory building or structure will not adversely aIect the privacy of adjacent

properties;

3. The location of the accessory building or structure will not signiFcantly increase shading of adjacent

properties;

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

5. The design of the accessory building or structure is compatible with that of the principal dwelling and will

not detract from appearance of the immediate area. (Ord. 2811 § 3, 2022.)

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

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

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

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

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