Division I — AGRICULTURAL, RESOURCE AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICTS
Article 17.18 — Water Influence (W) District
Placer County Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Placer County
17.18.010. Water influence (W). ¶
A. Purpose and Intent. The purpose of the water influence (W) district is to identify areas suitable for the development and operation of water-oriented, public and private recreational and commercial uses and facilities, fish and wildlife habitat, and open space.
B. Allowable Land Uses and Permit Requirements. The following land uses are allowed in the W zone district pursuant to Section 17.06.050 (Land use and permit tables), subject to the land use permit shown for each use, any applicable specific standards, and all other applicable provisions of this chapter, provided that each proposed use is also allowed in the zone district immediately adjacent to the subject site that is inland of the water body to which the W district is applied.
| ALLOWABLE LAND USES | LAND USE PERMIT | SPECIFIC STANDARDS IN SECTION: |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural, Resource and Open Space Uses | ||
| Mining, surface and subsurface | CUP | 17.56.270 |
| Recreation, Education and Public Assembly Uses | ||
| Parks, playgrounds, golf courses | MUP | |
| Temporary events | MUP | 17.56.300 |
| Service Uses | ||
| Sport facilities and outdoor public assembly | CUP | |
| Storage, accessory | A | 17.56.250 |
| Storage of petroleum products for on-site use | MUP | 17.56.250 |
| Transportation and Communications | ||
| ALLOWABLE LAND USES | LAND USE PERMIT | LAND USE PERMIT |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Antennas, communications facilities | See Section 17.56.060 |
|
| Harbor facilities and marinas | MUP | |
| Pipelines and transmission lines | A | |
| KEY TO PERMIT REQUIREMENTS | ||
| Allowed use, zoning compliance required (17.06.050) | ||
| Zoning clearance required (17.06.050) | ||
| Minor use permit required (17.06.050) | ||
| Conditional use permit required (17.06.050) |
C. Minimum Parcel Size. Each parcel proposed for development or a new land use, and each new parcel proposed in a subdivision shall comply with the following provisions and Section 17.54.040 (Minimum parcel size). New parcels proposed in a subdivision shall also satisfy all applicable provisions of Chapter 16 of this code (Subdivisions).
Minimum Lot Area. As determined by the conditions of approval of the minor use permit required by subsection A of this section, unless a -B combining district (Section 17.52.040 ) applies to the site, or a greater area is required by the health department, or the provisions of Article 17.56 (Specific Use Requirements) for a particular land use.
Minimum Lot Width. None required for public recreational uses; 50 feet for commercial uses; or other width as may be required by any -B combining district (Section 17.52.040 ) applicable to the site.
D. Site Development Standards. The following requirements shall apply to all new development in the W zone, except where otherwise provided by Articles 17.54 (General Development Standards) or 17.56 (Specific Use Requirements) for a particular use or situation. Proposed buildings and structures shall be designed and constructed to satisfy the following setback, site coverage, and height limit requirements:
| Development Feature | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Setbacks (1) (2) | |
| Front | None for public recreational uses As required by adjoining commercial district for commercial uses |
| Street-side | 10 feet minimum for public recreational uses and breakwaters None for commercial uses except: Where the site is adjacent to an agricultural or residential district, the setback shall be as required by the adjoining zoning district. |
| Side | 5 feet minimum for public recreational uses 10 feet minimum for breakwaters None for commercial uses except: Where the site is adjacent to an agricultural or residential district, the setback shall be as required by the adjoining commercial district; 30 feet minimum where the parcel is 1 acre or larger |
| Rear | 5 feet for public recreational uses None for commercial uses except: Where the site is adjacent to an agricultural or residential district, the setback shall be as required by the adjoining commercial district; 30 feet minimum where the parcel is one acre or larger |
| Site coverage (3) | 10 percent maximum for public recreational uses 50 percent maximum for commercial uses |
| Height limit (4) | 30 feet |
Notes:
(1) Additional requirements for setbacks from watercourses and all roads identified in the highway deficiency report and countywide capital improvement program, setbacks between structures on the same site, and setbacks in other situations are established by Section 17.54.140 (Exceptions to front, street-side, side and rear setbacks) and by Article 17.56 for certain specific land uses.
(2) As required by the California Board of Forestry Fire Safe regulations, Section 1276.01 , Title 14, California Code of Regulations, if lot is one acre or larger in size.
(3) The percentage of total site area that may be covered by buildings or structures.
Notes:
(4) Except as otherwise provided by Section 17.54.020 (Height limits and exceptions), or by Article 17.56 for a specific use.
E. Zone District Special Standards. Proposed commercial uses shall be designed and constructed so that they will not be located over the water measured at the high water line.
(Ord. 5126-B, 2001; Ord. 6041-B § 7, 2020; Ord. 6048-B § 10, 2020)