501.08: STREET REQUIREMENTS AND DESIGN: — Porterville Zoning Code

A. Minimum Number Of Access Points: New hillside development projects shall have a minimum of two (2) points of vehicular access, one of which may be established for emergency access only, as determined by the fire chief through the hillside development permit review process.

B. Street Design Standards: All streets shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the following standards:

Street sections shall be designed in accordance with street standards and specifications adopted by the city and as revised from time to time. In addition to such adopted standards, the following street standards shall apply to development in the hillside residential zone:

a. The maximum length of any cul-de-sac street shall be six hundred feet (600') unless approved otherwise by the fire chief and city engineer.

b. All streets shall contain two (2) clear twelve foot (12') travel lanes.

Where split level streets are used, the following standards shall apply:

a. The use of split level roads is permitted to reduce the amount and visual effect of grading (figure 501.08B of this section).
b. The ground slope between the two (2) trafficways shall be of a ratio lesson more than two to one (2:1). FIGURE 501.08B: SPLIT LEVEL ROADWAYS

Street grades shall not exceed the following except as may be modified by the city council in compliance with the municipal code. The maximum length of street runs at the maximum specified grade shall be subject to the review and approval of the fire chief and city engineer, or their respective designees. Minor adjustments to street grades shall be subject to the review and approval of the fire chief and the city engineer.

a. Major arterials shall be no steeper than eight percent (8%).
b. Minor arterials shall be no steeper than ten percent (10%).
c. Collector streets shall be no steeper than ten percent (10%).
d. Local streets shall be no steeper than ten percent (10%).
e. Loaded local streets shall be no steeper than eight percent (8%).
f. Intersections shall be at six percent (6%) grade or less.
g. Local streets can have a minimum centerline radius of one hundred fifty feet (150') provided minimum sightline distances are met.
h. Street grades at fire hydrant locations shall be no steeper than seven percent (7%) for no less than twenty feet (20') on each side of hydrant.
C. Private Streets:

Private streets and alleys shall not be permitted unless approved by the city council and, if approved, all private streets or alleys shall be constructed to city standards.
Driveway grades shall not exceed ten percent (10%) unless otherwise approved by the fire chief and city engineer. The finished grade of the driveway shall conform to the finished grade of the lot. Proper design consideration shall be given to vertical curves and parking landings.
Common drives in single-family hillside residential development shall be considered if grading is reduced by their use. Common easement maintenance agreements are required for common driveways.

D. Driveways:

Driveways that are less than one hundred fifty feet (150') in length shall be a minimum of twelve feet (12') wide.
Driveways between one hundred fifty feet (150') and four hundred feet (400') shall be a minimum of sixteen feet (16') wide.
Driveways that are greater than four hundred feet (400') in length shall be subject to the approval of the fire chief.
Grade changes through driveway approaches and transitions shall not exceed ten degrees (10°).
Driveways shall be paved with asphalt or portland cement concrete (PCC). PCC or an approved alternative shall be used when grades exceed ten percent (10%).
Private driveway gates are prohibited. All automatic gates across emergency access roads shall be equipped and maintained with a city of Porterville approved key operated switch overriding all command functions and openings of gate(s). (Ord. 1801, 12-3-2013)