9-400.030 - Exceptions to Height Limits — San Joaquin County Zoning Code

The standards of this Section apply to all new development and to all existing structures. The structures listed in Table 9-400.050 below may exceed the maximum permitted building height for the zone in which they are located, subject to the limitations stated in the table and further provided that no portion of a structure above the building height limit may be used for sleeping quarters or advertising. Projections not listed in the table and projections above the limits listed in the table may be allowed with an Administrative Use Permit.

TABLE 9-400.030: ALLOWED PROJECTIONS ABOVE HEIGHT LIMITS

TABLE 9-400.030: ALLOWED PROJECTIONS ABOVE HEIGHT LIMITS	TABLE 9-400.030: ALLOWED PROJECTIONS ABOVE HEIGHT LIMITS	TABLE 9-400.030: ALLOWED PROJECTIONS ABOVE HEIGHT LIMITS
Structures Allowed Above the Height Limit	Maximum Height Restrictions	Size and Locational Limitations
Skylights	3 feet above the maximum height identifed in the Zone	None
Solar panels	Subject to the provisions of Section 9-400.060
Other energy production facilities located on a rooftop such as a small wind turbine	5 feet above the maximum height identifed in the Zone	None
Chimneys	20% above the maximum height identifed in the Zone
Decorative features such as cupolas, pediments, obelisks, and monuments
Rooftop open space feature for residents' and tenants' use, such as sun decks, sunshade and windscreen devices, open trellises, and landscaping, excluding detached residential structures		Limited to a total 25% of roof area, including all structures unless an Administrative Use Permit allows for more rooftop open space for residents' uses
Elevator and stair towers (for multi-unit and non-residential buildings only)	12 feet above the maximum height identifed in the Zone	Limited to 20% of roof area
Mechanical equipment penthouses	12 feet above the maximum height identifed in the Zone
Flagpoles	None	Flagpoles must be setback from all property lines a distance equivalent to the height of the pole1
Fire escapes, catwalks, and open railings required by law	No restriction	None
Architectural elements, such as spires, bell towers, and domes	20% above the maximum height identifed in the Zone
Parapets, excluding detached residential structures	4 feet above the maximum height identifed in the Zone
Distribution and transmission towers, lines, and poles; freestanding wind turbines	12 feet above the maximum height identifed in the Zone for accessory structures only	Limited to 20% of the area of the lot, or 20% of the roof area of all on-site structures, whichever is less; No limit if primary use permitted in the zone
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Water tanks not including fre suppression water tanks
Airway beacons
Fire suppression water tanks	No restriction	No restriction
Telecommunications facilities, antennas, and microwave equipment	Subjects to provisions of Chapter 9-411
Radio towers
Athletic feld lighting	80 feet total height	None
Security lighting and cameras	No restriction if shielding requirements are met	None
1The required setback requirement for fagpoles may be modifed with a Zoning Compliance Review, provided that no residential use is located with the fall radius of the proposed fagpole and the location of the fagpole is reviewed by all applicable responsible agencies. The Zoning Administrator shall notify all property owners of land adjacent to the fagpole site approved with the Zoning Compliance Review.

1 The required setback requirement for flagpoles may be modified with a Zoning Compliance Review, provided that no residential use is located with the fall radius of the proposed flagpole and the location of the flagpole is reviewed by all applicable responsible agencies. The Zoning Administrator shall notify all property owners of land adjacent to the flagpole site approved with the Zoning Compliance Review.

(a)

Additional Height Allowed for Public and Quasi-Public Buildings. Public and quasi-public buildings, when allowed in a zone, may be erected to a height not exceeding 75 feet if the building is set back from the required setback line at least one foot for each additional foot of building height above the maximum height limit for the zone in which the building is erected.

(Ord. No. 4663, § 2, 12-10-2024; Ord. No. 4683, § 9, 12-9-2025)