Santa Cruz Municipal Code Part 20 Of-R Ocean Front (recreational) District

The purpose and intent of the Ocean Front (Recreational) District is to ensure the protection of coastal resources and views; to provide public access and maintenance of public use; to assure that coastal development is consistent with the Coastal Land Use Plan and General Plan; and to promote the safe occupancy and the reasonable use of lands subject to continuous erosion, such as coastal cliffs and beaches. This section of the Zoning Ordinance is also part of the Local Coastal Implementation Plan.

(Ord. 94-33 § 48, 1994: Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

1. Beach and surf access ways, public or private; public beach-recreation activities; but not including the use of any building or structure, other than stairways and handrails;

2. Outdoor classes, public or private; for scientific research, art, and other subjects;

3. Parking areas or lots, public or private; but not including the use of any building or structure;

4. Picnic grounds and barbecue facilities, public or private, including tables, benches, and fire pits; but not including any other structure or building;

5. Public fishing facilities;

6. Safety structures, including, but not limited to, warning signs, barricades, retaining walls, erosion control facilities, lifeguard towers built by, or under the direction of, or with special approval of the city.

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

1. The following uses are subject to approval of an administrative use permit and may also require a design permit per Section 24.08.410:

a. Beach, surfing and fishing equipment;

b. Fish market;

c. Identification signs, appurtenant to uses permitted on the premises;

d. Navigation aids and devices not involving the erection of a structure;

e. Walls or fences, not to exceed three and one-half feet in height;

f. Wireless telecommunications facilities, subject to the regulations in Chapter 24.12, Part 15.

2. The following uses are subject to approval of a special use permit:

a. Navigation aids and devices involving the erection of a structure;

b. Public restroom facilities;

c. Temporary structures.

(Ord. 2022-19 § 31, 2022; Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

Any other use or service establishment determined by the zoning administrator to be of the same general character as the foregoing uses, and which will not impair the present or potential use of adjacent properties, may be permitted. If the zoning administrator determines that the proposed use is more in character with the conditional uses for this zone, then a use permit shall be required and processed pursuant to Part 1, Chapter 24.08, Use Permits. The decision as to whether the use determination requires an administrative use permit or a special use permit shall be based on the use category that is most similar to the proposed use as determined by the zoning administrator.

(Ord. 2022-19 § 32, 2022; Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).

1. General. With the exception of navigational aids and devices, all buildings shall have a maximum height of one story or ten feet. Yard distances shall be established as part of use permit approval.

(Ord. 85-05 § 1 (part), 1985).