Chapter 17.24 — DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS BY ZONING DISTRICT

17.24.010 PURPOSE. ¶

The purpose of this chapter is to establish development standards for lot area, allowed density, building setbacks, height, and lot coverage as appropriate for each of the city's base zoning districts as listed in Table 17.18.020-1 (Zoning Districts). These standards, along with other development standards (e.g., fences and walls, parking, sign standards) listed in Article III (Site Planning Standards) are intended to assist property owners and project designers in understanding the city's minimum requirements and expectations for high quality development. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

17.24.020 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS. ¶

Table 17.24.020-1 (Development Standards for City of Pinole Base Zoning Districts) includes lot area, allowed density, building setbacks, height, and lot coverage requirements for each of the city's base zoning districts. Additional site planning requirements (e.g., landscaping, lighting) are listed in Article III (Site Planning Standards). Development within the city is also subject to compliance with all adopted Uniform Building and Fire Codes. Qualifying single family residential, multi-family residential, and residential mixed-use projects shall comply with all relevant standards and guidelines in the city's currently adopted design guidelines. Zoning district names for the zoning district symbols used in the table are as follows:

LDR = Low Density Residential Zoning District

R-1 = Suburban Residential Zoning District

R-2 = Medium Density Zoning District

R-3 = High Density Zoning District

R-4 = Very High Density Zoning District

R = Rural Zoning District

RC = Regional Commercial Zoning District

RMU = Residential Mixed Use Zoning District

CMU = Commercial Mixed Use Zoning District

OPMU = Office Professional Mixed Use Zoning District

OIMU = Office Industrial Mixed Use Zoning District

OS = Open Space Zoning District

PR = Parks and Recreation Zoning District

PQI = Public Quasi-Public Institutional Zoning District

SPBCA = San Pablo Bay Conservation Zoning District

TABLE 17.24.020-1:

DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR CITY OF PINOLE BASE ZONING DISTRICTS

Development Standard\Zoning District	LDR	R-1	R-2	R-3	R-4	R	RC	RMU	CMU	OPMU	OIMU	OS	PR	PQI	SPBCA
Lot Area ( minimum square footage/unit)	43,560	6,000	3,000	1,500	N/A	5 ac. (1)	5,000	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Allowed Density (units per		acre)
Minimum Density	0.21	1.1	10.1	20.1	35.1	N/A	N/A	20.1	20.1	20.1	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Maximum Density	1.0	10.0	20.0	35.0	50.0	0.2	N/A	35.0	30.0	30.0	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Setback (minimum distance between structure and property line in feet)

Front Yard	20	20	0	0	0	30	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0	10
Side Yard	10 (2)	5 (3)	5	5	5	15	0	0	0	10	10	0	10	10	10
Side Yard for Second Story	15	12	10	5	5	15	0	0	0	10	10	0	10	10	10
Street Side Yard	15 (4)	10 (4)	10	10	10	20	0	10	10	10	10	0	10	0	10
Rear Yard	20 (4)	20 (4)	15	15 (5)	15 (5)	30	0	15 (5)	15 (5)	15 (5)	15 (5)	0	10	10	10
Distance Between Buildings (minimum feet)
For Dwelling Purposes	6	6	6	6	0	6	0	0	0	0	0	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Accessory Buildings (6)	6	6	3	3	3	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	6
Building Height (maximum feet)
Primary Buildings	35	35	35	35	50	35	50	50	50	50	50	35	35	40	35
Accessory Buildings	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15	15
Floor Area Ratio (maximum ratio of building to lot square footage)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	0.40	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Notes:

[(1) The approving authority may approve lots less than five (5) acres in size and reduced setbacks for clustering of units to preserve open] space or other resources as part of comprehensive design review.
[(2) The combined side yard setbacks shall not be less than twenty (20) feet.]
[(3) Within required side yards, at least one (1) side shall provide four (4) feet of unobstructed surface to allow unobstructed access] between the front and rear yards.
[(4) Listed setback distance or twenty percent (20%) of lot width in side yard and twenty percent (20%) of lot depth in rear yard,] whichever is less.
[(5) If abutting non-residential property, there is no minimum rear yard setback.]
[(6) See additional development standards for accessory structures in Chapter 17.30.]
(Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

17.24.030 ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR MULTI-FAMILY ZONING DISTRICTS. ¶

In addition to the development standards listed in Table 17.24.020-1, the following development standards apply to multi-family residential development in the Medium Density Residential (R-2), High Density Residential (R-3), Very High Density Residential (R-4), and mixed use zoning districts including residential uses.

A. Open Space Requirements for Multi-Family Residential.

Multi-family, attached dwelling units that are all or partially located at ground level shall have not less than eighty (80) square feet of private open space.
Not less than twenty percent (20%) of the total lot area of multiple-family residential projects shall be provided as improved, private or semi-private useable open space and not less than three hundred (300) square feet of improved useable open space per dwelling unit shall be provided in each multi-family development project.
Not less than thirty percent (30%) of the total lot area of multiple-family residential projects shall be provided as improved, landscaped open space.

B. Screening and Vegetation for Multi-Family Residential. Projects within multi-family residential zoning districts shall include vegetative screening at the project perimeter to ensure the privacy of existing and future homeowners. The city shall determine the location and extent of vegetative screening required based on site conditions and surrounding existing and planned land uses. Where required, such vegetative screening shall be maintained in a healthy and vigorous condition. Areas used as vegetative screening shall not be counted as open space. (Ord. 2010-02 § 1 (part), 2010)

17.24.040 OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY ZONING DISTRICTS. ¶

In addition to the development standards listed in Table 17.24.020-1, the following objective development standards apply to applicable residential development in single-family residential zoning districts.

A. Applicability.

The project consists of constructing a primary dwelling unit, such as single- family residence or a duplex, or modifying an existing structure to create a primary dwelling unit: and
The project is located in the Low Density Residential (LDR) or Single-Family Residential (R-1) zoning district.

B. Design Standards.

Units shall be designed with an entry feature or outdoor living area, such as a porch or courtyard, when located on a lot adjacent to the street, and include a path to the sidewalk/street.
Projects resulting in the creation of a two-story dwelling shall step back the second floor wall plane at least five (5) feet from the first floor wall plane on at least two sides. On corner lots, the second floor wall plane shall be stepped back at least five (5) feet from the first floor wall plane along street frontages.
Two-story designs shall provide visual separation between the two stories by incorporating projections, reliefs, accents, roof forms, decks, balconies, and/or variation in materials between the two stories.
Unit design shall minimize the appearance of long blank walls by including design features on each building face at intervals of no less than fifteen (15) feet. Such features may include changes in the wall plane, inclusion of different materials, windows, doors, openings, and/or architectural detailing.
Consistent materials and colors shall be applied for each type of architectural detail, including door trim, window trim, window sills, shutters, and fascia, when such architectural details are located in more than one location on the building facade. For example, when white, wood window trim is used at one location on the building, any window trim used at other locations shall be white, wood window trim.
Windows shall be offset so that they are not lined up with windows of adjoining structures, or windows shall include non-transparent glazing to obscure direct views into adjoining structures.

(Ord. 2025-01 § 2 (part), 2025)