San Carlos Municipal Code Art. II Specific Requirements

The size and shape of lots shall conform with the provisions of this title and any zoning regulations effective in the area of the proposed subdivision and as shown on the Zoning Map. Flag lots shall not be approved as part of a subdivision unless the decision-making authority finds that the preexisting lot patterns and corresponding development patterns in the vicinity of the subdivision or the unusual topography of the site justifies a flag lot; such areas where flag lots may be considered include hillside areas or within neighborhoods that have irregular shaped lots. (Ord. 1517 § 2 (Exh. B), 2017: Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

All lots shall be graded to drain to a street, wherever possible, but the City Engineer may require or allow alternative drainage patterns as may be reasonably necessary to avoid excessive grading or grading which results in a significant height differential at any property line. An adequate storm drain system shall be provided. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

All major subdivisions shall provide, to the extent feasible, for future passive or natural heating or cooling opportunities in the subdivision, as required by Section 66473.1 of the Government Code. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The street design shall conform both in width and alignment to the circulation element of the General Plan. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The street design shall conform to any proceedings affecting the subdivision which may have been initiated by the City Council on its own motion or approved by the City Council upon initiation by any other legally constituted bodies of the City, County or State. If a parcel of land to be subdivided includes a portion of the right-of-way to be acquired for a freeway or expressway and the City Council determines the boundaries of the right-of-way to be acquired, such right-of-way shall be shown on the tentative and final or parcel map. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

No street or highway shall have a grade of more than twelve percent (12%) unless, because of topographical or other exceptional conditions, the City Engineer and Director of Planning determine that a grade exceeding twelve percent (12%) is necessary. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

Streets and highways not shown on the circulation element of the General Plan or not affected by proceedings initiated by the City Council, or approved by the City Council upon initiation by other legally constituted governmental bodies, shall be the minimum width as set forth in the “Pavement Widths and Rights-of-Way” Table following this section. The Planning and Transportation Commission may require increased widths where probable traffic conditions warrant. (See Table 17.16.100.) (Ord. 1612 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024; Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

As far as practicable, the streets shall be in alignment with existing adjacent streets by continuations of the centerlines thereof and by adjustments by curves. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

Lots without frontage on a street will not be permitted. Lots, other than corner lots, may not front on more than one (1) street unless necessitated by topographic or other unusual conditions. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The side lot lines of all lots, as far as practicable, shall be at right angles to straight streets on which the lot faces, or radial to curved streets. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

No lot shall be divided by a City boundary line. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

Streets shall intersect one another at an angle as near to a right angle as practicable. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The centerline radius on all streets and highways shall conform to accepted engineering standards of design and shall be subject to approval by the City Engineer. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

Table 17.16.100 Pavement Widths and Rights-of-Way

* P.C.C. = Portland cement concrete

** AC = Asphaltic concrete

Note: Street and highway geometric standards shall be as provided in Table 17.16.030 titled “Lot Size Standards” following Section 17.16.030 of this chapter on lot size requirements.

Whenever a major street or State highway intersects any other street or highway, the property lines at each block corner shall be rounded with a curve having a radius of not less than thirty (30) feet. On all other street intersections, the property line at each block corner shall be rounded with a curve having a radius of not less than fifteen (15) feet. In either case, a greater curve radius may be required if streets intersect other than at right angles. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

Street names, whether for public or private use, shall be approved by the Director of Planning with advice by the fire and police departments. No street name shall be duplicated. No street name signs or other identification shall be erected showing any name other than that approved by the Director of Planning. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The traffic-control signal systems, signs, parking requirements and other markings on public and private streets adequate to secure the objectives of public safety and the General Plan shall be installed as required by the City Engineer with advice from the police and fire departments. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

When any lots are proposed for commercial or industrial usage, alleys at least thirty feet in width may be required upon recommendation of City Engineer at the rear thereof with adequate ingress and egress for truck traffic. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

All dead-end streets shall have a turnaround with a minimum radius of forty feet, or hammerhead design, except that where necessary to give access to or to permit a satisfactory future subdivision of adjoining land, streets may extend to the boundary of the property and the resulting dead-end streets may be approved without a turnaround, provided that control of access across such dead-end street shall be vested in the City. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

Cul-de-sac streets shall not exceed five hundred feet in length. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The subdivider shall grant easements to the City for public utility, sanitary sewer and drainage purposes on each side of rear lot lines, along side lot lines and in planting strips wherever necessary. The width of easements shall be as determined by the City Engineer. Easements for overhead wire lines, where permitted, shall be provided. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

Reserve strips controlling the access to public ways or which will not be taxable for special improvements, shall be approved only if such strips are necessary for the protection of the public welfare or of substantial property rights, or both. The control and disposal of the land comprising such strips shall be placed within the jurisdiction of the City under conditions deemed sufficient by the City Council. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

When the rear of any lot borders any arterial or collector street, or highway, the right of ingress and egress may be prohibited to such lot across such rear or side lot line. Dedication of such access rights shall be made on the map or by separate instrument satisfactory to the City Attorney. When the rear of any lot borders any freeway or State highway, the subdivider may be required to dedicate and improve a planting strip adjacent to such freeway or highway. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The City may, as a condition of approval of any tentative map, require the subdivider to reserve areas of real property for parks, recreational facilities, fire stations, libraries or other public uses if such reservation would implement the General Plan, any adopted specific plan or any plan adopted by the City Council for such purposes. Such reservations shall be pursuant to Section 66479 et seq. of the Government Code. (Ord. 1439 § 4 (Exh. F (part)), 2011: Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The subdivider shall dedicate rights-of-way for storm drainage purposes. Such rights-of-way shall substantially conform to the boundary lines of any natural watercourse, channel, stream or creek that traverses the subdivision. In addition, the City may require dedication of easements, construction of improvements, or both, to dispose of surface stormwaters. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

The subdivider may be required to dedicate and improve walkways across long blocks or to provide access to school, park or other public areas. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

If the subdivision, as shown on the tentative map thereof, contains two hundred or more parcels, and the subdivider is required to dedicate or offer to dedicate real property for roadways, the subdivision shall also contain bicycle paths for the use and safety of the residents of the subdivision. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)

Local transit facilities, such as bus turnouts, benches, shelters, landing pads or similar items which directly benefit residents of a subdivision, may be required if the subdivision, as shown on the tentative map, has a potential for two hundred dwelling units or more if developed to the maximum density, or contains one hundred acres or more, and transit services are or will be within a reasonable time made available to such subdivision. (Ord. 879 § 1 Ex. A (part), 1981)