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Title 12 — Zoning

Chapter 12-19 — SP SPECIFIC PLAN ZONING DISTRICT

Santa Maria Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · updated 2026-07-07 · Santa Maria

Section 12-19.01. Purpose.

The SP district is designed and intended to provide greater urban design flexibility through the adoption of a General Plan-Specific Plan. Such flexibility allows the City to assemble a set of land use specifications and implementation programs tailored to the unique characteristics of each area. All City zoning districts may be made a part of the specific plan; however, the implementation of each zone must be consistent with the adopted General Plan-Specific Plan. Until the formal adoption of a General Plan-Specific Plan by the City Council, the SP district shall act as a development holding zone in which no development activity shall be allowed until a specific plan is adopted. (California Government Code Section 65450 et seq.)

(Ord. 90-19 § 1 (Exh. 2), eff. 10/3/90)

Section 12-19.02. Specific plan content.

  • (a) A specific plan shall include a text and diagram or diagrams which specify all of the following in detail:

    • (1) The distribution, location, and extent of the uses of land, including open space, within the area covered by the plan;

    • (2) The proposed distribution, location, and extent of intensity of major components of public and private transportation, sewage, water, drainage, solid waste, disposal, energy, police, fire, recreation, government offices, and other essential facilities proposed to be located within the area covered by the plan and needed to support the land uses in the plan;

    • (3) Standards and criteria by which development will proceed, and standards for the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources, where applicable;

    • (4) A program of implementation measures including regulations, programs, public works projects, and financing measures necessary to carry out subsections (1) , (2) and (3) of this section;

    • (5) The specific plan may address any other subjects necessary or desirable for implementation of the General Plan.

  • (b) The specific plan shall include a statement of the relationship of the specific plan to the General Plan. The specific plan should demonstrate implementation of the goals, policies and objectives outlined in the Santa Maria General Plan.

  • (c) No specific plan may be adopted or amended unless the proposed plan or amendment is consistent with the General Plan.

  • (Ord. 90-19 § 1 (Exh. 2), eff. 10/3/90)

Section 12-19.03. Permitted uses.

The specific plan shall designate all land uses, and the geographic boundaries of each land use, allowed in the specific plan area. Each land use shall be consistent with the adopted specific plan and corresponding zoning noted in the plan. If the General Plan-Specific Plan has not been formally adopted by City Council, then the SP zone shall hold the land uses and not allow development until formal specific plan adoption.

(Ord. 90-19 § 1 (Exh. 2), eff. 10/3/90)

Section 12-19.04. Zoning standards.

Unless otherwise redefined in the specific plan, all zoning Code provisions (Title 12) of the Municipal Code shall apply to development under the specific plan. Each specific plan may designate optional development standards, which are independent of the City zoning provisions and other adopted specific plans, to be applied within the defined specific plan area. (Ord. 90-19 § 1 (Exh. 2), eff. 10/3/90)

Section 12-19.05. Adoption of the specific plan.

The City Council grants all approvals of specific plans in the City. Each specific plan shall be adopted by resolution, for General Plan consistency, and by ordinance, for zoning consistency. (Ord. 90-19 § 1 (Exh. 2), eff. 10/3/90)

Section 12-19.06. Amendments.

An adopted specific plan shall be amended by resolution and ordinance of the City Council and may be amended as often as deemed necessary by the City Council. (Ord. 90-19 § 1 (Exh. 2), eff. 10/3/90)

Section 12-19.07. Repeal.

An adopted specific plan may be repealed in the same manner as is required to be amended. (Ord. 90-19 § 1 (Exh. 2), eff. 10/3/90)

Section 12-19.08. Severability.

Successful legal challenge of the specific plan provisions, all or part, shall not be considered an invalidation of the City General Plan and zoning provisions authorizing the specific plan. (Ord. 90-19 § 1 (Exh. 2), eff. 10/3/90)

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Contents — Santa Maria Zoning Code
Santa Maria Zoning Code
  1. Title 12 — Zoning
    Overview
    1. Chapter 12-1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
    2. Chapter 12-2 — DEFINITIONS
    3. Chapter 12-3 — DISTRICTS AND MAP
    4. Chapter 12-4 — OS OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
    5. Chapter 12-5 — RA RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT
    6. Chapter 12-6 — R-1 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    7. Chapter 12 — 6A. A RSL-1 SINGLE-FAMILY SMALL LOT RESIDENTIAL D…
    8. Chapter 12-7 — R-2 MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    9. Chapter 12-8 — R-3 HIGH-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT
    10. Chapter 12-9 — RMH RESIDENTIAL MOBILE HOME PARK DISTRICT
    11. Chapter 12 — 9A. MOBILEHOME PARKS
    12. Chapter 12-10 — CPO COMMERCIAL OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE …
    13. Chapter 12-11 — CC CONVENIENCE CENTER DISTRICT
    14. Chapter 12-12 — C-1 CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
    15. Chapter 12-13 — C-2 GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    16. Chapter 12 — 13A. HC HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT
    17. Chapter 12-14 — FS FREEWAY SERVICE DISTRICT
    18. Chapter 12-15 — M-1 LIGHT MANUFACTURING DISTRICT
    19. Chapter 12-16 — CM COMMERCIAL/MANUFACTURING DISTRICT
    20. Chapter 12-17 — M-2 GENERAL MANUFACTURING DISTRICT
    21. Chapter 12-18 — PF PUBLIC FACILITIES AND INSTITUTIONAL DISTRICT
    22. Chapter 12-19 — SP SPECIFIC PLAN ZONING DISTRICT
    23. Chapter 12-20 — AS-I AIRPORT SERVICE I ZONE
    24. Chapter 12-21 — AS-II AIRPORT SERVICE II ZONE
    25. Chapter 12-22 — AS-III AIRPORT SERVICE III ZONE
    26. Chapter 12-23 — CZ CLEAR ZONE DISTRICT COMBINING REGULATIONS
    27. Chapter 12-24 — AA AIRPORT APPROACH DISTRICT
    28. Chapter 12-25 — PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT
    29. Chapter 12 — 25A. H HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT
    30. Chapter 12-26 — INTRUSIONS INTO YARDS
    31. Chapter 12-27 — ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
    32. Chapter 12-28 — BUILDING SITES
    33. Chapter 12 — 28A. CLEARING AND MAINTAINING VACANT BUILDING SITES
    34. Chapter 12 — 29A. LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE HOMES IN SINGLE-FAMILY…
    35. Chapter 12 — 29B. COTTAGE FOOD OPERATIONS
    36. Chapter 12-30 — MOVING BUILDINGS
    37. Chapter 12-31 — NONCONFORMING USES, STRUCTURES, LOTS AND PARKING
    38. Chapter 12-32 — OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING
    39. Chapter 12-33 — COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
    40. Chapter 12-34 — SIGNS
    41. Chapter 12-35 — USE AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
    42. Chapter 12-36 — VARIANCES
    43. Chapter 12-37 — ANNEXATION
    44. Chapter 12-38 — AMENDMENTS
    45. Chapter 12-39 — DEVELOPMENT REVIEW
    46. Chapter 12-40 — ENVIRONMENT
    47. Chapter 12-41 — INTERPRETATION AND APPEALS
    48. Chapter 12-42 — ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
    49. Chapter 12-43 — OUTDOOR DISPLAY OF MERCHANDISE
    50. Chapter 12-44 — LANDSCAPE STANDARDS
    51. Chapter 12-45 — REGULATION OF ADULT BUSINESSES
    52. Chapter 12-46 — RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUMS, STOCK COOPERATIVES, …
    53. Chapter 12-48 — DENSITY BONUS
    54. Chapter 12-49 — MIXED-USE PROJECTS
    55. Chapter 12-50 — REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
    56. Chapter 12-51 — DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS
    57. Chapter 12-52 — EFFICIENCY UNIT PROJECTS
    58. Chapter 12-53 — EMERGENCY SHELTERS
    59. Chapter 12-56 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

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