Petaluma Municipal Code Ch. 5 Overlay Zones

Sections:

5.010 Purpose.

5.020 Applicability of Overlay Zones.

5.030 Flood Plain Overlay Zone.

5.040 Historic District Overlay Zone.

5.050 Theater District Overlay Zone.

5.060 Senior Mobile Home Park Overlay District.

5.070 Downtown Housing and Economic Opportunity Overlay Zone.

5.080 Fairgrounds Overlay Zone.

The requirements of this Chapter regulate development and new land uses in the overlay zones established by

Section 2.020 (Zoning Map and Zones). This Chapter provides standards that apply to proposed development in

addition to the requirements of the primary zone, where important site, environmental, safety, compatibility, or

design issues require particular attention in project planning.

The requirements of this Chapter apply to proposed development and new land uses in addition to all other

applicable requirements of this Zoning Ordinance. Any perceived conRict between a requirement of this Chapter

and any other requirement of this Zoning Ordinance shall be resolved in compliance with Section 1.050 (Rules of

Interpretation).

A. Mapping of Overlay zones. The applicability of an overlay zone to a speciQc site is shown by the overlay Zoning

Map symbol established by Section 2.020 (Zoning Map and Zones) appended as a suSx to the symbol for the

primary zone on the Zoning Map. Overlay zones are applied to property through the rezoning process (Chapter

25).

B. Allowed land uses, permit requirements, development standards. Except as may be otherwise provided by this

Chapter for a speciQc overlay zone:

1. Any land use normally allowed in the primary zone by Chapter 4 may be allowed within an overlay zone,

subject to any additional requirements of the overlay zone;

2. Development and new land uses within an overlay zone shall obtain the planning permit approvals

required by Chapter 4 for the primary zone; and

3. Development and new land uses within an overlay zone shall comply with all applicable development

standards of the primary zone, all other applicable requirements of this Zoning Code, and the City’s Design

Guidelines to the extent determined by the review authority and/or speciQc provisions of the Design

Guidelines.

Refer to Zoning Map and Chapter 6 (Floodway and Flood Plain Combining District).

Refer to Zoning Map, Chapter 15 (Preservation of the Cultural and Historic Environment), and the applicable

Historic District Guidelines.

A. Purpose. It is the intent of the Theater Combining District to promote the development of movie theaters

within the designated boundaries of the district. Said theaters shall be so-called “Qrst-run” movie theaters, but may

also include limited, incidental showings of independent and foreign Qlms. The regulations established for this

district shall not apply to theaters whose principal function is for “live” performances.

B. District Boundaries. The boundaries of the Theater Combining District shall be as follows: Washington/East

Washington Street (north), Weller Street (east), “D” Street (south) and Sixth/Howard Street (west).

C. Movie Theater Uses Prohibited in Other Designated Zones. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Zoning

Ordinance, movie theaters as deQned in Section 5.050(A), above, shall not be permitted or conditionally permitted

in any zoning district of the City of Petaluma outside of the established boundaries of the Theater Combining

District. This limitation shall also apply to the zoning districts established for the Central Petaluma SpeciQc Plan, if

said property lies within the boundaries of the SpeciQc Plan, but outside the boundaries of the Theater Combining

District.

D. Sunset Provision. Unless otherwise rescinded by a majority vote of the City Council, this ordinance shall expire

on (i) November 1, 2005 if construction of a Qrst run movie theater in the Theater Combining District containing at

least eight screens has not commenced by such date, or (ii) November 1, 2006 if a Qrst run movie in the Theater

Combining District containing at least eight screens has not opened for business to the public by such date, or, in

any event, August 4, 2023. The expiration dates in subsections (i) and (ii) shall be extended one day for each day of delay in the commencement of construction or opening for business caused by Acts of God, riots, litigation

challenges, or other circumstances beyond a developer’s reasonable control, as determined by the City Manager.

A. Intent and Purpose. The Senior Mobile Home Park Overlay District is intended to preserve a variety and

balance of housing types within the City of Petaluma, and to provide assurances that existing senior mobile home

parks within the Senior Mobile Home Park Overlay District and future senior mobile home parks established

subject to the Overlay District will remain available to seniors.

B. De:nitions.

1. Convert or Conversion. Changing a senior mobile home park to a mobile home park that does not

qualify as a senior mobile home park in accordance with this section and other applicable law.

2. Mobile Home Park. Has the same meaning as in Petaluma Municipal Code Section 6.50.020(K), as

amended from time to time, and currently deQnes “mobile home park” as any area of land within the

incorporated areas of the City where two or more mobile home spaces are rented, or held out for rent, to

accommodate mobile homes used for human habitation, subject to and in accordance with all applicable land

use regulations.

3. Senior Mobile Home Park. A mobile home park in which at least 80 percent of the spaces are occupied

by, or intended for occupancy by, at least one person who is 55 years of age or older.

C. Designation. The Senior Mobile Home Park Overlay District shall be designated by the symbol (MH-S) on the

City of Petaluma Zoning Map. The (MH-S) designation applies to the Qve senior mobile home parks that exist in the

City as of the eTective date of this section, and to senior mobile home parks established in the City after the

eTective date of this section subject to the Overlay District. The Qve senior mobile home parks in the City as of the

eTective date of this section are:

Park Name Address Assessor Parcel Number

Leisure Lake 300 Stony Point Rd, Petaluma, CA 007-422-042

94952

Petaluma Estates 901 North McDowell Blvd, 048-080-023 & 007-401-013

Petaluma, CA 94954

Royal Oaks 750 Wood Sorrel Dr, Petaluma, 137-061-024

CA 94954

Cottages of Petaluma 576 North McDowell Blvd, 149-030-003

Petaluma, CA 94954

Park Name Address Assessor Parcel Number

Youngstown 911 North McDowell Blvd, 048-080-024 & 007-401-004

Petaluma, CA 94954

D. Senior Occupancy Requirement. At least 80 percent of the spaces in senior mobile home parks must be

occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older. This senior occupancy requirement does not apply to or

aTect ownership of a mobile home unit. As long as at least one resident of a mobile home in a senior mobile

home park is 55 years of age or older, the senior occupancy requirement is satisQed as to that mobile home,

whether or not the owner of the mobile home is 55 years of age or older.

E. Limitations on Rentals. Spaces and mobile homes in a senior mobile home park overlay district shall be rented

only to occupants who meet the senior occupancy requirements set forth in subsection (A) of this section;

provided, however, that the occupants of a space or mobile home who do not meet the senior occupancy

requirement in subsection (A) of this section have rented a space and/or mobile home in a senior mobile home

park before the eTective date of this section and continue to occupy that space and/or mobile home following the

eTective date of this section, they shall be allowed to remain in that senior mobile home park; and provided

further, that when such occupant(s) cease to occupy that space and/or mobile home, the mobile home and space

shall be rented to occupants who meet the senior occupancy requirement in subsection (A) of this section.

F. Minimum Design and Performance Standards. The signage, advertising, leases, rental agreements, and park

rules and regulations for spaces in a mobile home park in the Senior Mobile Home Park Overlay Zone (MH-S) shall

state that the park is a senior mobile home park.

G. Annual Certi:cation. Each senior mobile home park shall have procedures for verifying that it qualiQes as a

senior facility under applicable federal and/or state law and this section, including documentation establishing that

at least 80 percent of the mobile homes or spaces in the mobile home park are occupied by at least one resident

who is 55 years of age or older in accordance with subsection (D) of this section. These procedures shall provide

for regular updates, through surveys, aSdavits, or other means of updating the initial information supplied by the

occupants of the mobile home park. Such updates must take place at least once every two years. A summary of

this occupancy veriQcation documentation shall be available for inspection upon reasonable notice and request by

City oScials.

The operator of each mobile home park in the Senior Mobile Home Park Overlay Zone shall, on an annual basis,

provide to the City’s Housing Director a certiQcation that the subject mobile home park is in compliance with the

senior occupancy requirement of this section, in substantially the following form:

I [name] hereby certify, under penalty of perjury in accordance with California law that there is at least

one occupant 55 years of age or older in [number of units] units of the total [number of units in the park]

units in the [name of the seniors mobile home park] senior mobile home park. This certiQcation is based

on my personal knowledge of the residents, evidence provided to me in the form of oScial government documents containing speciQc information about the current age of the residents, resident aSdavits, or

age certiQcations made by residents in their current lease agreements.

The City’s Housing Director shall establish the deadline for Qling the annual certiQcation, which, to the extent

possible, shall be coordinated with the timing of Qlings as may be required pursuant to the City’s mobile home

rent stabilization program.

H. Violations. Failure to comply with the requirements of this section shall constitute a violation of the ordinance

codiQed in this section, and be subject to enforcement and the remedies provided in Chapters 1.10 through 1.16

of the Petaluma Municipal Code. (Ord. 2865 § 3, 2023.)

A. Purpose. It is the intent of the Downtown Housing and Economic Opportunity Overlay Zone to facilitate the

development of residential uses, provide for orderly economic development, ensure the preservation of historic

buildings, cultural resources, and the Commercial Historic District, strengthen and expand pedestrian activity

through new design and land use controls, and incorporate sites with the greatest opportunity for redevelopment

activity. The regulations established for this district shall apply to any property described in Section 5.070(B) to

include the development of new Roor area or new buildings, of any size.

B. District Boundary. The proposed Downtown Housing and Economic Development Overlay shall apply to

Subarea A as shown in Figure 5.1 below. The boundary of the Downtown Housing and Economic Opportunity

Overlay Zone is generally described follows:

1. Subarea A. Thirteen parcels within two city blocks bounded by B Street, Petaluma Boulevard South, D

Street and 4th Street;

Figure 5.1 District Boundary Downtown Housing and Economic Development

Overlay

C. Ground Floor Uses, Pedestrian/Façade Activation Zone and Ground Floor Residential Use Zone. To continue the

land uses and forms established by the parcels that abut or confront the subarea and to allow for speciQc land

uses and the design of new buildings to reRect the characteristics and the context of the subarea, a Pedestrian/

Façade Activation Zone and Subarea A Ground Floor Residential Use Zone will apply to the subarea.

1. Pedestrian/Façade Activation Zone and Ground Floor Residential Use Zone Established. A Pedestrian/Façade

Activation Zone and a Ground Floor Residential Use Zone are established as shown in Figure 5.2. Land uses

and ground Roor development standards apply as provided for in this section.

2. Purpose. The Pedestrian/Façade Activation Zone is intended to enhance the pedestrian experience to

ensure that new buildings are occupied by pedestrian-oriented uses and that they present attractive building

facades in speciQc locations to reRect the land use pattern and vibrancy of active pedestrian-oriented streets

established in the historic core of the downtown. The Ground Floor Residential Use Zone is intended to create

new opportunities for residential development and to provide a land use transition from the retail and service

uses provided in the downtown core to the lower-intensity retail and residential areas beyond the downtown.

3. Pedestrian/Façade Activation Zone. Permitted uses in any new ground Roor area within 30 feet of the

public right-of-way in the Pedestrian/Façade Activation Zone shall be as follows, and each use, as used in this

section, shall be deemed a ground Roor activating use:

a. Artisan Shop;

b. Library, Museum, Art Gallery;

c. Bank, Financial Services;

d. Personal Services;

e. Fitness/Health Facility;

f. Restaurant, Café, CoTee Shop;

g. General Retail, 25,000 sf or Less;

h. Studio - Art, Dance, Martial Arts, Music, etc.;

i. Groceries/Specialty Foods, 25,000 sf or Less.

4. Ground Floor Uses. New ground Roor area not identiQed as a Pedestrian/Facade Activation Zone may be

occupied by any use identiQed in Table 4.3 of Chapter 4.

5. Multi-Family Residential Allowed in Speci:c Locations. Multi-family residential uses shall be a permitted use

on the ground Roor in any portion of a parcel that is not within the Pedestrian/Façade Activation Zone.

6. Pedestrian/Façade Activation Development Standards. Additional development standards apply to the

ground Roor facades of the portion of new building or new Roor area constructed within the Pedestrian/

Façade Activation Zone. These development standards are provided in Table 5.1, below.

Table 5.1. Pedestrian/Façade Activation Development Standards

Feature Standard Applies to First Floor

Storefront Transparency, 60 percent Facades facing sidewalks,

minimum glazing pedestrian walks, or publicly

accessible outdoor spaces

Blank Walls, maximum length 30’ Facades facing sidewalks,

pedestrian walks, or publicly

accessible outdoor spaces

Interior Partitions or shelving 30’ Tenant spaces facing sidewalks,

above 36” in height when parallel pedestrian walks, or publicly

with storefront, minimum accessible outdoor spaces; Does

setback not apply to any partition that is

perpendicular to the storefront

or any shelving that is abutting a

wall

Window Signs, maximum 15 percent Windows facing sidewalks,

coverage pedestrian walks, or publicly

accessible outdoor spaces

Figure 5.2 Subarea A, Pedestrian/Facade Activation Zones + Residential Allowed

Zones

D. Development Standards, General. Development standards in the Downtown Housing and Economic

Development Overlay Zone shall be as provided for in Table 4.10 of Chapter 4, except as provided for in Table 5.2,

below.

Table 5.2. Development Standard

Setbacks

Front 0'

Rear 0'

Street-side 0'

Interior Side 0'

Height1 45' Max

60' Max With Conditional Use Permit2

75' Max With Conditional Use Permit3

Minimum Ground Floor Height 14' Roor-to-

Roor for any

Building over

45'

Stepbacks Per Tables 5.2

through 5.4

Table 5.2. Development Standard

Setbacks

Lot Coverage 80% Max

100% Max With Conditional Use Permit4

Floor Area Ratio 2.5 Max

Notes:

1 Under the Overlay, new buildings to be constructed above the 45-foot height limit would not be subject

to the height exceptions provided for in Section 12.020.

2 Additional height above 45 feet may be granted, subject to subsection (F) of this section.

3 Additional height above 60 feet may be granted, subject to subsection (G) of this section.

4 Additional lot coverage above 80 percent may be granted, subject to subsection (H) of this section.

E. Development Standards, Stepbacks Apply. Upper Roor stepbacks apply as shown in Tables 5.3 to 5.5 to require

that any portion of a building above a certain height be separated from a property line. As used in this subsection,

the “primary street frontage” stepbacks provided in Tables 5.3 to 5.5 apply to any parcel that abuts Petaluma

Boulevard South, Kentucky Street, Fourth Street, Western Avenue, and Washington Street, and “other street

frontage” is any other street. The stepbacks shall include usable balconies, usable open space, or be landscaped,

and may not be used for mechanical equipment, storage, or other non-active uses.

Table 5.3. Stepback: General

Stepback (Based on Building Height)

0-45’/4-stories Above 45’/4-stories Above 60’/5-stories

(whichever is less) (whichever is less)

Primary Street Frontage NA 8’ Min 16’ Min

Other Street Frontage NA 5’ Min 5’ Min

Table 5.4. Stepback: Confronting a Residential Use

Stepback (Based on Building Height)

0-30’/2-stories Above 30’/2-stories

(whichever is less)

Primary Street Frontage NA 10’ Min

Other Street Frontage NA 5’ Min

Note:

1 Additional 10’ stepback to be applied for every story above 30’/2-stories.

Table 5.5. Stepback: Abutting Historic Resource

Stepback (Based on Building Height)

0-30’/2-stories Above Above Above

30’/2-stories 45’/4-stories 60’/5-stories

(whichever is (whichever is (whichever is

less) less) less)

Primary Street NA 0’ 8’ Min 16’ Min

Frontage

Other Street NA 0’ 5’ Min 5’ Min

Frontage

Interior Side, NA 10’ Min 10’ Min 10’ Min

abutting

historic

resource

Rear, abutting 0’ 8’ Min 8’ Min 8’ Min

historic

resource

F. Criteria to Exceed 45 Feet. The Planning Commission may approve a conditional use permit to allow for

additional height up to 60 feet pursuant to the Qndings listed in this subsection and the review criteria set forth in

Section 24.060(E):

1. That the additional height is consistent with the applicable purposes of the Overlay;

2. That the additional height makes a positive contribution to the overall character of the area and that the

building will be compatible with its surroundings. The “positive contribution” and “compatibility” will be

assessed using a combination of visual studies, line-of-sight drawings, photo simulations, 3-D modeling, and

view shed analysis;

3. That the additional height would not adversely aTect the exterior architectural characteristics or other

features of the property which is the subject of the application, nor adversely aTect its relationship in terms

of harmony and appropriateness with its surroundings, including neighboring structures, nor adversely aTect

the character, or the historical, architectural, or aesthetic interest or value of the district;

4. That 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, or welfare;

5. That the building design expresses a relationship to an existing datum line or lines of the street wall or

adjacent historic resource, if any; and

6. That the overall building design and the use of the site demonstrate exceptional architecture/design.

“Exceptional” architecture/design may be demonstrated by at least three of the following:

a. The use of innovative, creative or original architectural concepts, materials, or building techniques;

b. The use of visual elements that contribute positively to the built environment, such as well-

proportioned facades, pleasing materials, and unique features;

c. The use of innovative building systems or forms, and/or the use of creative design, to increase

building eSciency and to reduce energy consumption;

d. The use of low impact development and green infrastructure features in sustainable design and

landscaping; or

e. The use of high-quality building materials that contribute to long-term durability and visual quality.

The determination of exceptional architecture/design shall be guided by the input of a qualiQed professional

chosen by the City.

G. Criteria to Exceed 60 Feet. The Planning Commission may allow for additional height up to 75 feet, if a

conditional use permit is granted per subsection (F) of this section, and when a proposed project includes at least

one of the community beneQts described in subsections (G)(1) and (G)(2) of this section, and one of the community

beneQts described in subsection (G)(3), (G)(4), or (G)(5) of this section:

1. Improves the existing streetscape by providing widened sidewalks, additional street trees, new mid-block

walkways/paseos, public plazas, parks, etc. For a project that would widen the sidewalk by increasing the

ground Roor building setback, a public outdoor amenity space shall be included in the design, and this space

shall be designed and conQgured to provide adequate space for pedestrian movement and activity; or

2. Provides publicly accessible private open space, such as a street-level park or rooftop open space that is

open to the public at least eight hours per day and at least 120 days per year; and

3. Respects and/or preserves cultural, historical, or archaeological resources that exist or occur on site or

within the Overlay; or

4. Exceeds the minimum number of inclusionary dwelling units required by Section 3.040; or

5. Provides all required parking below grade.

H. Criteria to Exceed 80 Percent Lot Coverage. The Planning Commission may approve a conditional use permit to

allow for additional lot coverage of up to 100 percent pursuant to the review criteria set forth in Section 24.060(E),

if any one or more of the following are true for a project:

1. The development improves the existing streetscape by providing widened sidewalks, additional street

trees, new mid-block walkways/paseos, public plazas, parks, etc.;

2. The additional lot coverage would reRect the prevailing development pattern established by the existing

development within the block or abutting block;

3. The development includes adequate provision for recycling and solid waste;

4. The development includes adequate space for street trees; or

5. The development includes other measures to enhance the pedestrian environment.

I. Jobs/Housing Balance. Any application for a nonresidential project or a mixed use project with a nonresidential

component that seeks to build above 45 feet pursuant to Section 5.070(F) must include an analysis of the impact

of the project on the jobs-housing balance in the City, including how much demand for aTordable housing the

project will create as compared to the amount of aTordable housing created as part of the project.

The analysis shall be based on available pertinent information including information provided by the applicant

estimating the number of permanent jobs to be created in the operations of the project, type of job (part-time or

full-time), wages, and beneQts. The developer may submit updated information to the City at any time during the

application process.

This additional information is to allow the City, to the extent reasonably possible to disclose the foreseeable

impact of the project on the jobs-housing balance in Petaluma.

J. Sunset Provision. Unless otherwise amended by the City Council, the ordinance codiQed in this section shall

expire on the eTective date of a zoning ordinance that implements the adopted 2040 General Plan. (Ord. 2907 § 4,

2025; Ord. 2906 § 4, 2025; Ord. 2900 § 5 (Exh. C), 2025.)

A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose and intent of the Fairgrounds Overlay Zone is to allow operation of existing

uses on the City-owned Fairgrounds property, provide speciQcations for establishment of new, beneQcial uses of

the Fairgrounds, including temporary uses, permanent uses and structures and site improvements as set forth in

subsection (D) of this section, consistent with the Guiding Principles adopted in City Council Resolution 2022-167

N.C.S., and to ensure ongoing operation of the site and its uses is in the best interest of the public health, safety,

and welfare while a master plan and associated land use policies and zoning are prepared and adopted for the

Fairgrounds property.

B. District Boundaries. The proposed Fairgrounds Overlay Zone applies to areas of the City-owned property,

generally referred to as the Fairgrounds, identiQed as Assessor’s Parcel Numbers (APNs) 007-031-004 and

007-031-005 and zoned Civic Facility (CF) and Mixed Use 1B (MU1B) as shown in Figure 5.1. The boundaries of the

Fairgrounds Overlay Zone are generally described as follows:

The Fairgrounds Overlay Zone is generally bounded by East Washington Street to the west, Kenilworth

Drive to the north (excluding the area known as the Petaluma Swim Center), APNs 005-010-008, -037,

-038, -039, 005-020-049, and 007-473-042 to the east, and Payran Street to the south (excluding the area

known as the Petaluma Regional Library, Kenilworth Teen Center, and Kenilworth Park).

Figure 5.1 District Boundaries – Fairgrounds Overlay Zone

C. De:nitions.

1. Mobile Vendor. A transient business selling goods in the City in a manner that is intended to be

temporary or is capable of being moved from one location to another.

2. Public BeneAts. Examples of public beneQts concerning uses within the Fairgrounds Overlay Zone

include, but are not limited to, uses that: have an educational component; provide access to arts and cultural

programs and events; oTer recreational opportunities; improve transit access and mobility options; and any

other uses that help support maximizing public access to and use of the Fairgrounds property, and/or that

promote the public health, safety, welfare, and sustainability consistent with the City Council’s adopted

Guiding Principles concerning the Fairgrounds.

3. Site Improvements. Horizontal improvements made on the land such as landscaping, drainage,

circulation, parking, utilities, signage, and fencing.

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

typically 60 days or less.

D. Existing and New Permitted Uses and Activities.

1. Existing Uses Permitted. The existing uses listed in Table 5.1 are expressly permitted within the

Fairgrounds Overlay Zone, subject to the terms and conditions in applicable license agreement(s) between

the City of Petaluma and licensee(s). In addition to the terms and conditions in license agreements and other

permits or other authorizations issued by the City to allow use of the Fairgrounds, all such licenses, permits or

other authorizations allowing use of the City’s Fairgrounds property shall also be subject to the requirements

in subsections (D)(1)(a) through (D)(1)(e) of this section.

Table 5.1.

Licensee Use

El Roy’s Mobile Vendor

Java Hut Restaurant, Café, CoTee Shop

Airport Express Parking Facility, Commercial

Happy Hearts Preschool Child Care Center

Rebuilding Together OSce (Professional/Administrative)

Play Dog Play Kennel, Animal Boarding

Playland Commercial Recreation, Outdoor

Live Oak Elementary and Middle School School

Glad Enterprises Commercial Recreation, Outdoor

a. Modi:cations to Existing Permitted Use. Permitted uses existing as of the eTective date of this section

or subsequently approved in accordance with this section shall not be enlarged, extended, or relocated

except as expressly authorized in accordance with the applicable license agreement, and applicable

regulations in the Zoning Ordinance.

b. Change of Existing Permitted Use. Permitted uses existing as of the eTective date of this section or

subsequently approved in accordance with this section shall not be changed to another permitted use,

except as allowed in accordance with Section 22.030(C), and subject to a license agreement, permit, or

other City authorization.

c. Change of Operator. Permitted uses existing as of the eTective date of this section or subsequently

approved in accordance with this section shall not be transferred from one operator to another without

prior approval by an authorized City oScial or body, subject to a new or amended license agreement,

permit, or other City authorization.

d. Discontinuation of a Use. Absent express authorization of an authorized City oScial or body, a use

shall be considered abandoned and may not be renewed but shall require a new use application and

issuance of a new authorization in accordance with all applicable requirements of subsection (D)(2) of

this section if such use has been discontinued for a period of three months or more.

e. Maintenance and Repair. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit normal maintenance

and repair of any use or structure permitted pursuant to this section, subject to all requirements of any

applicable license, permit or other City authorization, or the carrying out, upon the issuance of a building

or other permit as required for structural alterations, demolition or other alterations necessary or

desirable in the interest of public safety as determined by an authorized City oScial or body. Where

applicable, modiQcations to existing structures and site improvements shall address historic eligibility of

the structure or improvement as set forth in the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds Historic Resources

Documentation, prepared by Page and Turnbull, July 1, 2022, and shall carry out modiQcations in a

manner that will not result in a substantial adverse change in the signiQcance of a historic resource.

Where applicable, a Historic Site Plan and Architectural Review (HSPAR) or Site Plan and Architectural

Review (SPAR) permit shall be obtained for exterior modiQcations meeting the criteria set forth in Section

24.050.

2. Annual Sonoma-Marin Fair. The Sonoma-Marin Fair shall be permitted to operate, subject to the terms

and conditions in applicable license agreement(s) between the City of Petaluma and licensee(s), and all

applicable requirements of this section and applicable law, including applicable rules and regulations of the

City.

3. Temporary Uses. The Planning Director may approve a Zoning Permit for temporary uses in the

Fairgrounds Overlay Zone in accordance with applicable requirements in Section 7.070.

4. New Public Bene:t Uses Allowed Administratively. The Planning Director may approve a minor use permit to

allow new uses that are not otherwise allowed pursuant to subsection (D) of this section in the Fairgrounds

Overlay Zone pursuant to the Qndings set forth in Section 24.060(E) and aSrmative Qndings that:

a. The use will not involve construction of new permanent structures.

b. The use is consistent with Guiding Principles adopted in City Council Resolution 2022-167 N.C.S.

c. The use provides a public beneQt.

d. The use satisQes all applicable requirements of this section, and is subject to a license agreement,

permit, or other City authorization as approved by an authorized City oScial or body.

5. New Uses Allowed by City Council. The City Council, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission

may approve new conditional use permits for new uses on the City’s Fairgrounds property that are currently

otherwise permitted by right or conditionally permitted within the base zoning districts in which they are

located. Such approvals shall be subject to and in accordance with the review criteria and Qndings set forth in

Section 24.060(E), and additional aSrmative Qndings that:

a. The use is consistent with the Guiding Principles adopted in City Council Resolution 2022-167 N.C.S.

b. The use provides a public beneQt.

c. The use satisQes all applicable requirements of this section, and is subject to a license agreement,

permit, or other City authorization as approved by an authorized City oScial or body, subject to approval

of the use by the City Council.

6. Major Site Improvements. The City Council, upon recommendation of the Planning Commission, may

approve a Site Plan and Architectural Review (SPAR) permit to allow major site improvements such as new

construction of buildings in the Fairgrounds Overlay Zone pursuant to the Qndings set forth in Section

24.050(E). The Director may grant administrative site plan and architectural review approval to minor

additions or modiQcations, or may refer such development proposals to the Planning Commission.

E. Prohibited Uses and Activities.

1. New Permanent Structures and Uses. No new permanent structures, other than those permitted in

accordance with subsection (D) of this section, shall be permitted within the Fairgrounds Overlay Zone.

2. New Uses. No new uses, other than those permitted in accordance with subsection (D) of this section,

shall be permitted within the Fairgrounds Overlay Zone. (Ord. 2877 § 4 (Exh. A), 2024.)

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

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

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

City Website: cityofpetaluma.net

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