Portola Valley Municipal Code Ch. 17.08 Definitions

For the purpose of this title, certain terms used in this title are defined as set forth in this chapter. Wherever the masculine gender is used, it shall be deemed to include the feminine gender and neuter gender, when the meaning so requires. Whenever the singular number is used, it shall be deemed to include the plural, when the meaning so requires.

(Ord. 1967-71 § 1 (7620.0), 1967)

"Block" means the land surrounded by streets or which is designated as a block on any recorded subdivision map.

(Ord. 1967-71 § 1 (7620.2), 1967)

"Common driveway" means a private way for vehicular and other access to two parcels.

(Ord. 1979-168 § 2 (part), 1979: Ord. 1967-71 § 1 (7620.3), 1967)

"Driveway" means a private way for vehicular and other access to a single building site.

(Ord. 1979-168 § 2 (part), 1979: Ord. 1967-71 § 1 (7620.4), 1967)

"Engineering geologist" means a person registered by the state as a certified engineering geologist.

(Ord. 1979-168 § 2 (7620.5), 1979)

"Lot" means a unit of land shown as a lot on a recorded final map or parcel map, or a lot which is proposed to be established through the subdivision process.

(Ord. 1979-168 § 2 (part), 1979: Ord. 1967-71 § 1 (7620.6), 1967)

"Owner" means the person, persons, firm or corporation having sufficient proprietary interest in the land sought to be subdivided to commence and maintain proceedings to subdivide the same under the law of the state and this title.

(Ord. 1979-168 § 2 (7620.7), 1979)

"Parcel" means a lot or unit of land of record which complies with one of the provisions of Section 18.50.030 of the Portola Valley Municipal Code.

(Ord. 1988-230 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 1988: Ord. 1979-168 § 2 (part), 1979: Ord. 1967-71 § 1 (7620.8), 1967)

"Street" means a way for vehicular and other use which provides access to properties. Streets include "roads" as provided for in the general plan.

(Ord. 1979-168 § 2 (7620.9), 1979)

"Subdivider" means any person, persons, firm, corporation, or trust commencing proceedings under this title to effect a subdivision of land under this title for himself or itself or for another.

(Ord. 1967-71 § 1 (7621.0), 1967)

The provisions of this title shall apply to the subdivision or other division of land for any purpose whatsoever within the town. For the purposes of this title, the division of land shall mean the division of any parcel or portion thereof into two or more lots, plots, sites or parcels for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale, transfer, lease, of all or any part thereof or for building development. It includes subdivision and resubdivision and other divisions of land and, when appropriate to the context, relates to the process of dividing land or to the land or territory divided.

(Ord. 1967-71 § 1 (7621.2), 1967)

For purposes of Chapter 17.13, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Accessory dwelling unit" or "ADU", shall have the meaning set forth in Section 18.36.040(B) of this Code.

(b) "Dwelling unit" includes an ADU, JADU, a primary dwelling unit, and a SB 9 dwelling unit.

(c) "Junior accessory dwelling unit" or "JADU", or "efficiency unit" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 18.36.040(B) of this Code.

(d) "Conservation easement" means restrictive covenants that run with the land and bind upon successive owners that protects against future development such as preservation of open space, scenic, riparian, historical, agricultural, forested, or similar conditions. Open space and riparian easements are included in this definition.

(e) "Existing dwelling unit" shall have the same meaning as defined in Section 15.04.020 of the town's Municipal Code.

(f) "Panhandle" means the narrow strip of land on a flag lot, typically less than thirty feet in width, that provides access to a public or private road.

(g) "Primary dwelling unit" means a single-family residence on the parcel and is the larger of the two if there is an existing accessory dwelling unit on the parcel.

(h) "Private road" means a road, way, or street in private ownership and under private maintenance, not offered for dedication as a public road, way, place, or street, which affords the principal means of access to three or more lots or parcels which do not have frontage on a public street.

(i) "SB 9" means Senate Bill 9, an act to amend Section 66452.6 of, and to add Sections 65852.21 and 66411.7 to the California Government Code signed into law by the Governor on September 16, 2021, and filed with Secretary of State on September 16, 2021.

(j) "SB 9 objective standards checklist" shall mean the Objective Design Standards for SB9 Residential Projects Checklist adopted by town council resolution dated December 8, 2021, and as amended from time to time.

(k) "SB 9 dwelling unit" or "SB 9 unit" means a dwelling unit that is developed using the provisions in this chapter and/or Chapter 18.27 as authorized in California Government Code Sections 65852.21 and 66411.7.

(Ord. 2021-443 §2, 2021)