San Fernando Municipal Code Div. 17 Residential Townhouse/Condominiums and Residential Townhouse/Condominium…

The intent and purpose of this division is to establish criteria for the conversion of existing multiple-family rental housing to condominiums.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

(a) Residential condominiums and residential condominium conversions shall be permitted in appropriately zoned districts within the city subject to the issuance of a site plan review permit.

(b) Those occupying the proposed conversion site shall be notified in writing of the condominium conversion. A complete list of tenants shall be supplied by the applicant.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

(a) All units constructed prior to the effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter derives shall be in substantial accordance with development standards as set forth in this chapter, and all units constructed subsequent to effective date of the ordinance from which this chapter derives shall be in full compliance with the development standards.

(b) Off-street parking requirements shall be as specified in the applicable zoning district and division 3 of article III of this chapter.

(c) A single area having a minimum of 100 cubic feet of private and secure dead storage space shall be provided for each unit. The storage area may be located within the garage, provided it does not interfere with garage use for automobile parking. Customary closets and cupboards within the dwelling unit shall not count toward meeting this requirement.

(d) No living units shall be permitted over garages unless one of the following conditions exist: the garage serves the unit above, or the garage is an underground type parking garage.

(e) An adjoining private patio or deck shall be provided for each unit. No dimension shall be less than eight feet, or have a minimum area of less than 100 square feet.

(f) One hundred fifty square feet of developed common recreation space shall be provided per unit, but in no event less than 1,000 square feet for the condominium project.

(g) Separate laundry facilities of sufficient size to allow for the installation of a clothes washer and dryer shall be provided for each condominium unit. If provided for in the garage, the facility shall not encroach into the required parking space.

(h) The consumption of gas, water and electricity within each dwelling unit shall have a separate shutoff device to disconnect each unit's utilities, unless utilities are provided by the homeowner's association.

(i) All permanent mechanical equipment, including domestic appliances, which is determined by the building official to be a source or potential source of vibration or noise, shall be shock-mounted, isolated from the floor and ceiling, or otherwise installed in a manner approved by the building official to lessen the transmission of vibration and noise.

(j) The city shall require the developer to upgrade the project's water delivery system to comply with the city's current fire flow requirements.

(k) All structures and buildings included as a part of a condominium project shall conform to the building and zoning requirements applicable to the zone wherein the project is proposed to be located. Designation of individual condominium units shall not be deemed to reduce or eliminate any of the building and zoning requirements applicable to any such buildings or structures.

(l) Television and radio antennas. Individual television and radio antennas shall be prohibited outside of any owner's unit. The declaration shall provide either for a central antenna with connections to each unit via underground or internal wall wiring, or each unit shall be served by a cable antenna service provided by a company licensed to provide such service within the city.

(m) Approval shall not be granted for a residential condominium development unless the obligation for care, upkeep and management of the common element is imposed on a nonprofit corporation (the association).

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

Under this division, a site plan review permit application signed by the property owner or the authorized agent shall be submitted to the planning department. The application shall be accompanied by 20 copies of a precise development plan showing the following details:

(1) The estimated square footage of each unit and number of rooms in each unit.

(2) The layout of all common areas.

(3) The layout and location of all storage space outside of each unit.

(4) The layout and location of all facilities and amenities provided within the common area for the enjoyment and use of the unit owners.

(5) The layout of all parking spaces to be used in conjunction with each condominium unit.

(6) Proposed landscaping and irrigation.

(7) Building elevations.

(8) Location, height and type of all walls and fences.

(9) Location and type of surfacing of all driveways, pedestrian walkways, vehicular parking areas and curb cuts.

(10) Trash enclosure details.

(11) Defining maintenance responsibility of all buildings and common areas.

(12) Covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs).

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)

(a) Payment of all development fees currently assessed for new condominium projects shall be required for condominium conversions as well, except any such fees which were paid upon construction of the project. Required development fees shall include, where applicable, but not be limited to drainage assessment, parkway trees and park dedication in-lieu fees.

(b) A proposed condominium or condominium conversion project may be approved, disapproved or conditionally approved by the planning director in accordance with criteria as set forth in division 6 of article V of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1732, § 3(Exh. A), 5-5-2025)